17c - Old Vic, Dance Umbrella

foxa
Swing

1,465 posts

17c - Old Vic, Dance Umbrella Sept 27, 2018 8:29:19 GMT showgirl and Dr Tom like this

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Post by foxa on Sept 27, 2018 8:29:19 GMT

Yech.

Like a pretentious A level project with an unlimited budget.

At the end, the person next to us said, 'I feel I have been tricked into watching performance art when they promised a dance piece.'

Almost no dance. And what there was, wasn't great.

Some people were rushing for the doors from about a half hour in.

And had I been on the aisle I would have joined them.

Only positives I can think of was that there was some interesting use of projections; there were references to a Margaret Cavendish play which sounded interesting and I laughed when Pepys' wife was writhing on the floor saying 'Dance Master.'

Dr Tom
Leading Player

3,052 posts

17c - Old Vic, Dance Umbrella Sept 27, 2018 23:31:28 GMT via mobile foxa and showgirl like this

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Post by Dr Tom on Sept 27, 2018 23:31:28 GMT

Well, I’ve no idea what that rubbish was.

“Performance art” has a lot to answer for.

Press night. Very cheap back row Stalls ticket. Missed about a quarter of the stage but didn’t care (and they had a camera to put it on screens).

And I was comfortable with loads of leg room.

Like a series of once improvised sketches, now randomly mixed together to fill 75 minutes.

Some people laughed. I’ve no idea what at.

People crept out regularly, every time there was a sketch change. I stayed solely because I was in the middle (sound desk at one side) and because I had time to fill before another appointment.

Little of the original diaries left. Most of it was modern American versions, with all the slang you’d expect, performed by the cast of five. If there was song and dance, they hid it well. There was music, prerecorded.

Thankfully, being at the back, I managed to avoid taking part in the five minute opening “what do you call your private parts” interactive sketch.

No idea why this would be at the Old Vic. You could just about make a case for the Young Vic.

Afterwards, wandered London to recover. Walked past 42nd Street during the interval (yes, 17c was even shorter than advertised), no idea if the Theatre Royal would have sold me a second half seat to recover. But I did get to walk past the desperate cast members having a quick interval ciggie at stage door. And also past Cameron Mackintosh and friend down the road later. So not a total loss.

Last Edit: Sept 27, 2018 23:31:54 GMT by Dr Tom

showgirl
Leading Player

3,469 posts

17c - Old Vic, Dance Umbrella Sept 28, 2018 8:28:30 GMT via mobile foxa and Dr Tom like this

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Post by showgirl on Sept 28, 2018 8:28:30 GMT

An unmitigated pile of poo & having booked an aisle seat for a speedy exit at the end, I was free to escape early: saw another couple leaving & decided to join them.