Home, I'm Darling-Theatr Clywd/National/Duke of York/Tour

The producer made it sound very much like Norris's own idea! She also said very clearly that they were offering "a version" of the play, because there was no chance of being able to reseat the attendees on other days. I saw a couple of empty seats, but really no more than you see at any sold out performance, so it seems people went with the plan.
I found it really interesting to watch the professionalism of the rest of the cast, staying in their own performances when they must have had to be very flexible!

Did they offer refunds if people didn’t want to see this “version”?

The argument about budgets was more convincing in the days before most of the decent seats in the Dorfman went up to £50!

I was listening to the NT podcast the other day and they talked a lot about the time Rufus stepped in to play a role in Cabaret for a week. I got the impression he secretly loved it.

So, I can only echo was lou105 has stated above.

Between 7:20-7-25 as people started gather in the foyer, trying to get in by the doors weren't opened, a producer came out and explained what had happened. the male lead had had an accident and couldn't go on as he was being rushed to A&E.

She then explained the with about 25 mins notice Rufus Norris was going to go on and that both he and Catherine Parkinson were currently on stage walking the stage and working through some things. The play would then start later at 8pm, rather than the advertised 7:30pm.

When we were all seated and before the show actually started the producer again came on stage and explained that the lead actor was okay however the RADA trained Rufus would be on stage, script in hand.

In response to Parley's comments, as The Doorman is a small theatre and there only had a limited run, which was soon coming to close, it just would not be possible to re-book everyone and this way you still get to see the play, however in a slightly different format.

Given that we were kept updated, and this knew what to expect, Rufus with a script in hand wasn't too much of a distraction.

There were one or two amusing scenes where he went to embrace Katherine Parkinson but physically couldn't because there was the script in the way. At one point he couldn't work out how to one the retro fridge or find what he was looking for inside that fridge.

However as for the play itself, it was excellent. The whole 'look' of the show was great- sets, hair make up. The attention to detail was so impressive!

I really do hope this transfers. So many issues strewn throughout the play.

Would I see it again? Definaltley, but with a better seat.

Would I consider a refund because of what happened? No. I feel satisfied that I saw and outstanding production that coped as best that it could under the circumstances.

Well done to all involved!

I don’t understand this criticism. It’s one of the aspects of life in the Fifties that she is willfully ignoring - and some of the nostalgia for the era is certainly rooted in the fact that men could get away with such behaviour, and women were just expected to deal with it.

It wasn’t crowbarred in at all - how men and women relate to each is central to the play. It’s pretty clear that Marcus has Views about women, far more so than Johnny does, from the way he pressures Fran to give up the job she loves.

If anything, the play could have done with more on the subject of Fifties social attitudes.

I’ve now got an imagine of him dressed as one of the ladies in Follies. This is not a good way to end the weekend!

Out of curiosity:  I'm not sure I understand what you mean by a relationship play.  Do you mean like Patrick Marber's Closer? Do you have other examples?

Missed you again Theatremonkey! I was there with husband (a rare outing for him) in the second row, B8. I don't suppose you were the nice man I chatted to a little on my right? 
I quite liked the play, as Lynette says, as a simple relationship play. I liked that it sort of had a happy ending and the row at the end was a bit different to the cliche norm as, instead of storming off, they actually listened to each other and admitted to feeling scared. 
Husband quite liked it. He likes to bring me a cup of tea in the mornings!  

Well I for one am still hoping for news of a WE transfrer for this.

Saw this earlier this week. I thought it was mildly enjoyable, and a semi-interesting play. Having deliberately not read much about it beforehand, maybe my expectations were too high and I was hoping for something more profound. I used to be a huge fan of Katherine Parkinson but I found her voice especially grating in the play, and most lines were delivered with the same inflection - I suppose it was a character choice (maybe...) Sian Thomas was the highlight for me.