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Post by Deleted on Feb 23, 2018 10:44:38 GMT
I thought this was a really good piece of storytelling as well; if I hadn't been so tired I'd hopefully have something interesting to say but it washed over me very pleasantly and didn't feel toooo long. Though I did tune out for stretches and am knackered today. It would be a perfect rainy day matinee choice.
One minor irritation - there seems to be a bit of a habit currently (in that I feel I've seen it somewhere else recently but can't remember where) of wanting to highlight the fact that a character is Jewish and therefore dressing them up as fully orthodox - but then they do things that no orthodox Jew would do. Example in this - celebrating Xmas and breaking about six dietary laws in one Xmas meal. It's only a tiny thing but it jarred for me and reduced the believability of the play. It's probably a very niche moan though.
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Post by theatrefan77 on Feb 24, 2018 14:08:44 GMT
Really enjoyed it. It didn't feel long at all. A solid 4 stars for me.
It's not a masterpiece like the movie, but it is really well done and the acting is generally top notch. One of the things I love in the film is that it is clear that we are watching the adult world through the eyes of a child. In the stage production it's not so clear that we are seeing everything from Alexander's point of view, but maybe that's a director's choice
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Post by Deleted on Feb 25, 2018 15:00:58 GMT
Well. 3.5 hours haven't flown by in such an enjoyable way in a long time. Granted, I could have flown to Amsterdam and back in the same time but I wouldn't have had dear Dame Penny Wilton on KLM as you do here.
I was a bit worried at first, the set in the first act with a lot of red curtain action reminded me a bit of 'Twin Peaks' so I was prepared for a body in a plastic bag and a hankering for cherry pie but thankfully, it went in a different direction which, strangely when the play deals with death and the Big G for much of the time, has a lot of laughs in it despite the ropey Swedish pronunciation.
Don't go in hungry as they talk about food a lot. If IKEA had been open by the time I go out I'd have schlepped straight into the restaurant for some meatballs and a few old bits of rancid herring. Also if you suffer from pupaphobia you might want to avoid the third act. There's also a really smashing scene change in the second act where the Bishop's house slides forward which is really simple but dreadfully foreboding.
The cast is terrific, Penny Wilton holding it all together and looking sensational especially in her red dress at the beginning but she's ably supported by Michael Pennington, Jonathan Slinger (very funny) and foxy little pocket rocket Sargon Yelda as Oscar. For those who like to know, we had Zaris Angel Hator as Fanny (wearing a cape with complete style) and Guillermo Bedward as Alexander. He was absolutely terrific, acting up a storm and swearing like a trooper. He does a great little prologue at the start too which is rather fun. Plus I want one of those sailor suits.
But really, despite the title, the story is all about Alexander, Fanny doesn't get much of a look in. Which is really as it should be. Particularly at the weekend.
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Post by showgirl on Feb 25, 2018 15:13:53 GMT
I still have no idea what to expect but it sounds different and entertaining, so thanks to comments here and deals and seating advice on @theatremonkey.com, I've booked for a midweek matinee.
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Post by fossil on Feb 25, 2018 18:30:50 GMT
If anybody wants some good central seats, there are a few in rows H, J, L and R that somehow are priced at £30 for Saturday 3rd March matinee instead of the normal £125 or £85.
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Post by showgirl on Feb 25, 2018 18:56:10 GMT
If anybody wants some good central seats, there are a few in rows H, J, L and R that somehow are priced at £30 for Saturday 3rd March matinee instead of the normal £125 or £85. But check Theatremonkey.com first, as I used the £10 (+ £.50 fee) deal which is better and should be valid as mine was for a later date and I got J for that price. |
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Post by fossil on Feb 26, 2018 8:26:17 GMT
If anybody wants some good central seats, there are a few in rows H, J, L and R that somehow are priced at £30 for Saturday 3rd March matinee instead of the normal £125 or £85. But check Theatremonkey.com first, as I used the £10 (+ £.50 fee) deal which is better and should be valid as mine was for a later date and I got J for that price. I have been able to book myself a centre row D seat at £11.50 ticket for a more convenient date. Many thanks for pointing me to that deal. |
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Post by theatrelover123 on Feb 26, 2018 9:35:25 GMT
But check Theatremonkey.com first, as I used the £10 (+ £.50 fee) deal which is better and should be valid as mine was for a later date and I got J for that price. I have been able to book myself a centre row D seat at £11.50 ticket for a more convenient date. Many thanks for pointing me to that deal. What deal is this please? Is it the Hot Ticket Offers one up to 10th March? |
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Post by crowblack on Feb 26, 2018 9:53:39 GMT
I think they just featured this on Radio 4's Start the Week - I only caught the end.
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Post by RedRose on Feb 26, 2018 16:03:33 GMT
I totally enjoyed it and the almost 4 hours seemed to flow by just in contrast to the 1.40 straight through of Dry Powder on the next day. It will be even better when the little flaws of previews will be done with (some of the changing of the scenes will get more flowing with time I guess, my friend bothered more about that than me). If there was not so much else on my list to watch on the next trip (and I only have one space left) I would consider seeing it again.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 26, 2018 18:20:08 GMT
And kudos to the lighting person: the shimmering backlights, threatening half light, silhouettes, and what not, were incredibly atmospheric and effective. Oh golly yes, the lighting was absolutely smashing. Mark Henderson is the Lighting Designer according to the interweb. Round of applause for Mark Henderson!  |
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Post by lonlad on Feb 26, 2018 23:01:20 GMT
gosh, Nicole Kidman has the most amazing palms --- so intriguing the way they seem to open out ! :-)
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Post by drmaplewood on Feb 26, 2018 23:37:42 GMT
Down to 3hrs 35 tonight, each act basically an hour each. Really really loved it, loved the set and so much to think about. Recommend.
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Post by drmaplewood on Feb 27, 2018 11:33:20 GMT
More £5 tickets
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Post by callum on Feb 27, 2018 12:57:08 GMT
After seeing it last night, I would definitely recommend that the £5 offer is made the most of. Curtain down at 10.35, for those that care. But all in all it was excellent storytelling with a fabulous villain, interesting characters and an engaging plot. Act 2 in particular was superb. Only noticeable sagging was in Act 3. A real treat seeing Penelope Wilton on the stage, and I was pleased she had a fair amount to do. Would also echo Ryan's comment about a particular scene change in A2 - very threatening. I haven't seen the film, so don't have much to compare it to, but I would definitely recommend seeing it.
Attendance in the dress circle seemed a bit sparse, though no big gaps looking down on the stalls. There was a man a couple of seats away from me scribbling on a notepad all the way through - didn't know who it was. Hope the play gets more attention.
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Post by QueerTheatre on Feb 27, 2018 15:30:11 GMT
oh wow - did we see the same show? I was bored stiff. Alexander gives a lovely pre curtain speech promising us wonders and magic, and what we got was a slow dull show with dodgy set changes, and a cast that don't know their lines yet (obviously this is a preview so that's to be expected) but still... gosh it was dull.
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Post by peggs on Feb 27, 2018 18:13:00 GMT
And does he promise amongst other things in the pre speech a dog, did I miss that? Not a complaint, was most pleasantly surprised with this.
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Post by callum on Feb 27, 2018 23:53:05 GMT
oh wow - did we see the same show? I was bored stiff. Alexander gives a lovely pre curtain speech promising us wonders and magic, and what we got was a slow dull show with dodgy set changes, and a cast that don't know their lines yet (obviously this is a preview so that's to be expected) but still... gosh it was dull. Yes I'm still waiting to find out what was served for the fourth course when the maid walked off after she forgot her line at the end! Poor thing it was only a preview |
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Post by altamont on Mar 2, 2018 10:10:15 GMT
Quick question about this please - have those who have given positive reviews so far been familar with the film? I am not, and just want to check that isn't a possible bar to fully appreciating the play.
Many thanks
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Post by peggs on Mar 2, 2018 10:39:14 GMT
Quick question about this please - have those who have given positive reviews so far been familar with the film? I am not, and just want to check that isn't a possible bar to fully appreciating the play. Many thanks I knew nothing about it prior to seeing it and it was fine, perhaps subsequently reading others' thoughts I thought 'oh I missed that' but that is no criticism. See it, it's quite unlike anything I've seen before. |
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Post by RedRose on Mar 2, 2018 10:39:36 GMT
Quick question about this please - have those who have given positive reviews so far been familar with the film? I am not, and just want to check that isn't a possible bar to fully appreciating the play. Many thanks I have not seen the film yet but watching this adaption makes me want to finally see it. |
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Post by raiseitup on Mar 2, 2018 10:50:01 GMT
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Post by foxa on Mar 2, 2018 15:00:41 GMT
Quick question about this please - have those who have given positive reviews so far been familar with the film? I am not, and just want to check that isn't a possible bar to fully appreciating the play. Many thanks i didn't know the film and really enjoyed the play (despite a few longeurs.) I wonder if it might be an advantage - I can see some of the reviews complain that it doesn't capture the magic of the film - whereas if you haven't seen the film you don't feel that loss. I think there is a lot to enjoy simply going to it as a play. There is nothing in the plotting or context, etc. that is too complex if you don't know the background - except possibly the odd Ismael section. Since we saw it, my husband keeps watching bits from the film (and sometimes tries to make me watch it too but so far I'm resisting ;-)) |
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Post by altamont on Mar 2, 2018 16:25:40 GMT
Quick question about this please - have those who have given positive reviews so far been familar with the film? I am not, and just want to check that isn't a possible bar to fully appreciating the play. Many thanks i didn't know the film and really enjoyed the play (despite a few longeurs.) I wonder if it might be an advantage - I can see some of the reviews complain that it doesn't capture the magic of the film - whereas if you haven't seen the film you don't feel that loss. I think there is a lot to enjoy simply going to it as a play. There is nothing in the plotting or context, etc. that is too complex if you don't know the background - except possibly the odd Ismael section. Since we saw it, my husband keeps watching bits from the film (and sometimes tries to make me watch it too but so far I'm resisting ;-)) Thanks Foxa - yes, I picked that up from the reviews, that some of the negativity came from the reviewer comparing the play to their memories of the movie. As I have no real knowledge of the movie, that won't be an issue! |
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Post by Deleted on Mar 3, 2018 10:08:59 GMT
Initially I thought this was good
Then I decided it was too long
Then I realised the plot doesn’t go anywhere
The ending was rushed (ironic given the running time)
There were some good isolated scenes
But the acting was really patchy and ropey
The set design cheap and tedious
Overall it was a waste of 3.5 hours
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