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Post by altamont on Aug 26, 2018 12:43:03 GMT
Thought this was perfectly fine yesterday afternoon - yes, Bennett is perhaps a bit scattergun in his targets, and some of the characters are closer to caricatures, but both Mrs A and I (who have had parents going through the care system in recent years) had much to think about afterwards. It is worth reading his introduction to the play in the programme - gives a lot of useful context to the play and his way of writing. Simon Williams in particular is a joy to watch as he reacts to what's going on around him.
And if only I'd known - but somewhere in the ten or so sets to our left in row A was TheatreMonkey!
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Post by lynette on Aug 26, 2018 16:01:59 GMT
We need hats, not badges.
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2,389 posts
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Post by peggs on Aug 26, 2018 18:59:19 GMT
We need hats, not badges. And large, distinctive ones at that, obviously we would take them off for all performances
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Post by Deleted on Aug 27, 2018 9:36:46 GMT
We need hats, not badges. Does anyone still wear a hat? I'll drink to that.
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1,016 posts
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Post by andrew on Aug 27, 2018 10:40:52 GMT
We need hats, not badges. Does anyone still wear a hat? I'll drink to that.
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3,475 posts
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Post by showgirl on Aug 27, 2018 13:06:09 GMT
And there I was, thinking we could co-opt @ryan as our style consultant - talk of a debonair devil, etc...
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5,592 posts
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Post by lynette on Aug 27, 2018 14:14:16 GMT
Hats v. in, I’m told.
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Post by peggs on Aug 27, 2018 14:39:37 GMT
We need hats, not badges. Does anyone still wear a hat? I'll drink to that. Yes if it's cold, raining, very sunny or windy so my hair needs controlling which works out as quite often really.
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3,063 posts
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Post by Dr Tom on Aug 30, 2018 7:59:45 GMT
First time at the Bridge Theatre last night. My main impression with the clientele, it's a theatre intended for those who find the National Theatre too downmarket.
Sat in the Stalls towards the rear (rush ticket). It's a good view due to the rake and you could hear most of the cast. Only thing that put me off was the strong BO from the chap sitting next to me, but that isn't the fault of the theatre.
I thought this was excellent. A very sharply observed black comedy and it was incredible to think there was an all star cast hidden away with such tiny roles.
Some very witty lines, even if many of the audience clearly only picked up on the "let's laugh at the funny old people dancing". I thought the plot was rather predictable, but there was a big gasp at the Act One reveal (a rather slow continued gasp as the penny dropped and people stopped laughing), so it worked. And being predictable doesn't stop it having a good book.
The use of music and the discussion about how this gets through to dementia sufferers was clever. I'm sure lots of people have experience of this from their own friends and relatives.
And the whole social commentary on public sector targets and the compromises needed to meet them just works. I can see this easily becoming a set text at GCSE.
This may not be the most commercially successful Bennett. I can't see it performing so well internationally (even in the time of Trump, would Americans get the subtleties?) and it may date quickly. But it is an excellent play for now. And, as I think someone mentioned earlier in the thread, amateur theatre groups will have a ball putting this on and giving some interesting parts to members of their company who are usually neglected (perhaps like patients themselves).
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2,389 posts
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Post by peggs on Aug 30, 2018 16:35:51 GMT
First time at the Bridge Theatre last night. My main impression with the clientele, it's a theatre intended for those who find the National Theatre too downmarket. are usually neglected. They must sigh when I rock up with my rucsac and plastic mac then.
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4,038 posts
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Post by kathryn on Aug 30, 2018 17:34:56 GMT
I’ve not noticed any difference between the Bridge audience and the NT audience. I’d be very surprised if the Bridge has managed to attract an audience that hasn’t been to the Nash.....
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Post by n1david on Aug 30, 2018 19:14:00 GMT
I’ve not noticed any difference between the Bridge audience and the NT audience. I’d be very surprised if the Bridge has managed to attract an audience that hasn’t been to the Nash..... It’s an Alan Bennett play directed by Nick Hytner, so I suspect it’s getting *exactly* the same type of audience this would have got in the NT. Generally speaking I think it’s too early to say what the Bridge audience is, for Julius Caesar (at least in the pit) it was much younger and more diverse, whereas Young Marx was, again, a fairly NT audience. For Nightfall the whole audience seemed rather unsure what they were doing there.
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Post by wickedgrin on Aug 30, 2018 19:44:01 GMT
I thought the audience was very posh the night I went. They made me feel like a real poor pleb ….. oh wait a minute I am a poor pleb!
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Post by kathryn on Aug 30, 2018 20:22:43 GMT
I’ve not noticed any difference between the Bridge audience and the NT audience. I’d be very surprised if the Bridge has managed to attract an audience that hasn’t been to the Nash..... It’s an Alan Bennett play directed by Nick Hytner, so I suspect it’s getting *exactly* the same type of audience this would have got in the NT. Generally speaking I think it’s too early to say what the Bridge audience is, for Julius Caesar (at least in the pit) it was much younger and more diverse, whereas Young Marx was, again, a fairly NT audience. For Nightfall the whole audience seemed rather unsure what they were doing there. I’ve seen young and diverse audiences at the Nash too, though - just not at Alan Bennett plays!
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Post by showgirl on Aug 31, 2018 4:04:17 GMT
I've felt the same at both venues, which is a bit overlooked and not taken into account by planners/management because I'm on my own - so mainly issues like not being able to get a table if I want to eat at the NT cafe because you have to queue first, then take your chance getting a seat; finding in the Bridge foyer that all tables are occupied by couples/groups etc. I'd love theatres to be more welcoming both to solo visitors and to those who wish or need to sit down in the foyer. That said, the NT is good for having seating scattered about and the Bridge does have a relatively spacious foyer too so a case of arriving early enough - or sitting outside if the weather allows.
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Post by sf on Aug 31, 2018 14:05:26 GMT
I’ve not noticed any difference between the Bridge audience and the NT audience. I’d be very surprised if the Bridge has managed to attract an audience that hasn’t been to the Nash..... It’s an Alan Bennett play directed by Nick Hytner, so I suspect it’s getting *exactly* the same type of audience this would have got in the NT. Generally speaking I think it’s too early to say what the Bridge audience is, for Julius Caesar (at least in the pit) it was much younger and more diverse, whereas Young Marx was, again, a fairly NT audience. For Nightfall the whole audience seemed rather unsure what they were doing there.
I'd say the audience for 'My Name is Lucy Barton' - the best thing I've seen so far this year, including 'The Inheritance' - was, yes, a fairly NT audience too, albeit a bit younger than the audience for 'Allelujah' the other week.
That could be because I saw '...Lucy Barton' on a Saturday and 'Allelujah' on a Wednesday afternoon, though, and weekday matinee audiences skew older.
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5,592 posts
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Post by lynette on Aug 31, 2018 16:44:28 GMT
The thing is, what is young? If I see anyone under 40 at the NT I’m delighted. Mostly such 'young' people are with their parents. I know, only anecdotal evidence but it looks mostly that mum in law got the tix. Actual young people, say 20-30..very rare. To be honest people work late now so even a 7.30 is too early, what with having to eat something at some point, not to mention babysitters. Other young people in the Cafe say are loaded with back packs and stuff and don’t necessarily go into the Theatre, do they? I often think they should do more in the foyers.....putting on playlets I mean. Like when they offer you a taste of someat in the supermarket. Do they still do that?
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Post by kathryn on Aug 31, 2018 21:25:23 GMT
The thing is, what is young? If I see anyone under 40 at the NT I’m delighted. Mostly such 'young' people are with their parents. I know, only anecdotal evidence but it looks mostly that mum in law got the tix. Actual young people, say 20-30..very rare. To be honest people work late now so even a 7.30 is too early, what with having to eat something at some point, not to mention babysitters. Other young people in the Cafe say are loaded with back packs and stuff and don’t necessarily go into the Theatre, do they? I often think they should do more in the foyers.....putting on playlets I mean. Like when they offer you a taste of someat in the supermarket. Do they still do that? You know, some of us here are still under 40! My friend with the NT membership only just turned 40 and we’ve been going to the NT together for years! Certainly since before I was 30. I have a work friend who takes her kids to the Christmas show every year. So do not despair - there are young ‘uns around from time to time.
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Post by showgirl on Sept 1, 2018 4:29:26 GMT
If the NT were to bring back foyer music there would still need to be a music-free area (might be difficult with the open-plan layout) and also, PLEASE not always blasted jazz! I will say again that I had to assume only jazz musicians would play free as it was all there ever was and I loathed, and loathe it. (For those who do like it, imagine a constant bombardment with a different genre that you dislike. I'd prefer silence but if there has to be background noise, ring the changes for goodness' sake.)
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Post by lynette on Sept 1, 2018 13:10:50 GMT
Sorry, prob my fault but we have moved away from subject of thread. The beautiful space in front of the Bridge would be nice for a bit of cabaret, no? Do you know if they opened up the doors when it was really hot?
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Post by alicechallice on Sept 1, 2018 23:41:25 GMT
Put me in the thoroughly enjoyed camp for this one. Very much liked the light-hearted parts mixed in with the darker elements and didn't mind the lecturing of the audience as Bennett's opinion is one I value.
Overheard a couple complaining that he was trying to cover too many themes in one play, which my companion agreed with. I have to confess that isn't something that bothers me that much as I always like a melting pot of ideas, regardless of whether it all gets tied up in the end.
Liked more than People but not as much as The Habit of Art.
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Xanderl
Member
Not always very high value in terms of ticket yield or donations
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Post by Xanderl on Sept 2, 2018 11:07:23 GMT
Went in to this with low expectations but I thought it was great. Probably helps that I've had to deal with navigating the care system, about which I think it was pretty accurate. Anyway, I enjoyed this more than anything from Bennett since The History Boys.
£20 stalls rush seats from TodayTix were great value - good on The Bridge for keeping prime seats for these despite the show selling very well (certainly the matinee yesterday seemed to be full).
Was amused by what I can only describe as a prime chunk of apoplectic gammon who was ranting at his family (who looked on in silence) in the foyer at the end of the play. Not sure which particular aspect he was objecting to.
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Post by alicechallice on Sept 2, 2018 14:14:57 GMT
Went in to this with low expectations but I thought it was great. Probably helps that I've had to deal with navigating the care system, about which I think it was pretty accurate. Anyway, I enjoyed this more than anything from Bennett since The History Boys. £20 stalls rush seats from TodayTix were great value - good on The Bridge for keeping prime seats for these despite the show selling very well (certainly the matinee yesterday seemed to be full). Was amused by what I can only describe as a prime chunk of apoplectic gammon who was ranting at his family (who looked on in silence) in the foyer at the end of the play. Not sure which particular aspect he was objecting to. Were you there in the evening? If so, which one were you?
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Xanderl
Member
Not always very high value in terms of ticket yield or donations
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Post by Xanderl on Sept 2, 2018 14:29:10 GMT
No, I was at the matinee
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962 posts
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Post by alicechallice on Sept 2, 2018 15:52:23 GMT
Bums. Was hoping you were the hottie sat one along from me.
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Post by stevemar on Sept 2, 2018 17:39:21 GMT
This was all rather lazy and disappointing. However, as my expectations had been sufficiently lowered by comments on the board, I actually quite enjoyed this from the front row (price lowered after I originally booked it).
Yes, there was a lot thrown in, and the audience lapped it up. I quite liked the twist, and even the song and dance numbers were poignant. The acting was fine, and Sasha Dhawan is my new favourite.
As for the audience. 99.9% Caucausian (except me) as I would expect. Some youngsters with their parents. No where near as diverse as Julius Caesar, so I think it is all about the play as to whom the Bridge attracts, but obviously a big leg up from the “inherited” audiences from the National.
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Post by tmesis on Sept 2, 2018 19:50:30 GMT
I enjoyed this but it really isn't vintage Bennett. The first act is very funny but almost too broad-brush. It was almost like Carry on Nurse; you half expected Kenneth Williams to come on camping it up with a bit of 'Oh Matron!' The plot twist at the end of act one was annoying and totally unbelievable. The end was then extremely clunky with the main characters directly addressing the audience in a proselytising manner that jarred with the rest of the play.
I actually liked the song and dance and it was a great cast.
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Post by tmesis on Sept 2, 2018 19:54:33 GMT
This was all rather lazy and disappointing. However, as my expectations had been sufficiently lowered by comments on the board, I actually quite enjoyed this from the front row (price lowered after I originally booked it). Yes, there was a lot thrown in, and the audience lapped it up. I quite liked the twist, and even the song and dance numbers were poignant. The acting was fine, and Sasha Dhawan is my new favourite. As for the audience. 99.9% Caucausian (except me) as I would expect. Some youngsters with their parents. No where near as diverse as Julius Caesar, so I think it is all about the play as to whom the Bridge attracts, but obviously a big leg up from the “inherited” audiences from the National. I was at yesterday's matinee and the audience felt very 'Chichester.'
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Post by stefy69 on Sept 6, 2018 6:45:44 GMT
Saw this yesterday and well I enjoyed it but not brillant, some very funny bits but overall O K , as an aside though loved the Bridge Theatre and the seating is fab.
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Post by dontdreamit on Sept 6, 2018 8:49:27 GMT
I have a ticket for sale to the final of this on the noticceboard, if anyone’s interested.
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