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Post by foxa on May 26, 2016 20:39:10 GMT
I've booked a preview too - Friday 8th July. I once directed a school production of 'Into the Woods.' I should have properly read the script before I agreed. I kept saying 'Oh, there's a beanstalk - and it has to grow.' 'Oh, there are two cows.' 'Oh and what about Rapunzel's hair.' So we did our own stripped back version. 'Just stand on the caretaker's ladder, Rapunzel, great and, Prince, jump off the stage and mime climbing...' You can imagine the genius of it. I'm afraid seeing this production may give me flashbacks. If you haven't already seen it - this is the most joyous website - Low Budget Milky Whites: lowbudgetmilkywhites.tumblr.com/ |
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Post by TheOneOnTheLeft on May 29, 2016 11:10:25 GMT
Booked first row and looking forward to this. I ageee that there have been enough revivals of this show in recent years (and I think none will top the Regent's Park production) but the US trailer looks interesting.
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Post by Deleted on Jun 13, 2016 14:06:34 GMT
WoS just tweeted that rehearsals started today, so very odd that there's still no cast listed on Menier's website, or have I missed something?
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Post by Deleted on Jun 13, 2016 14:22:05 GMT
WoS just tweeted that rehearsals started today, so very odd that there's still no cast listed on Menier's website, or have I missed something? It's the Off-Broadway cast. |
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Post by Deleted on Jun 13, 2016 14:25:17 GMT
Thanks Mr M, strange they're not listed along with creatives though.
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Post by Mr Wallacio on Jul 1, 2016 12:23:24 GMT
This begins tonight. Anyone going?
I'm at the evening show tomorrow evening
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8,154 posts
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Post by alece10 on Jul 1, 2016 16:02:16 GMT
This begins tonight. Anyone going? I'm at the evening show tomorrow evening I am there tonight |
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Post by Mr Wallacio on Jul 2, 2016 18:55:32 GMT
In the theatre. First thoughts......interesting staging.
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Post by artemis on Jul 2, 2016 22:36:10 GMT
This was mind numbingly boring. If this didn't have Sondheim's name attached I don't see why anyone would revive it. Just awful.
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Post by Mr Wallacio on Jul 2, 2016 22:57:26 GMT
It had an air of Pie Shop Sweeney to it, small cast alternating roles.
I didn't find it as bad as artemis seems to have though. It's stripped back. However unlike Sweeney, which can work in both big productions and small ones, this show probably needs the big showing.
I don't have much to compare this production to though having seen this and an amateur uni production.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 2, 2016 23:07:55 GMT
I have no desire to see ITW again for a very long time, but it would be such a shame if someone's first production of ITW is a bad one. I think it's a beautiful, funny, sad, heartwarming show and can be SO good with the right production.
This totally stripped production has zero appeal.
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Post by bellboard27 on Jul 2, 2016 23:18:39 GMT
Agreed - not a great production. Too stripped back for me. The second half was particularly boring. However quite a few of the audience seemed to like it.
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Post by foxa on Jul 3, 2016 0:00:20 GMT
That's a shame. It did incredibly well in the U.S. This Ben Brantley review has a clip of one of the actors singing 'Giants in the Sky' and Brantley is very enthusiastic about the production (http://www.nytimes.com/2015/01/23/theater/into-the-woods-stripped-down-by-fiasco-theater.html?_r=0) but things don't always travel well. I've booked to see it in a couple of weeks. The word 'boring' is making me feel a bit trepidatious.
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Post by Phantom of London on Jul 3, 2016 0:13:48 GMT
The New York Times loves anything by Stephen Sondheim, their former art critic Frank Rich practically conceived him.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 3, 2016 14:35:55 GMT
Oh dear - I'm going in a couple of weeks as I usually like the stripped down versions of Sondheim, but I am going with two friends who may not if it is a lacklustre production.
Never mind - a nice meal in the restaurant as well so hope that makes up for it if they don't like the show.
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Post by hatfinisher on Jul 4, 2016 10:28:39 GMT
I very much disagree with the negative opinions above! Yes it is stripped down, but it is done in a very clever way and absolutely not to the detriment of what is the core message of this show. On the contrary, by making things with simplicity and ingenuity, by not using any sort of special effect, everything works towards engaging the audience's hearts and minds.
This show is about the importance of sticking together as a community and, as such, working together for a common goal in the face of adversity. Seeing how tight this company is, how everyone is making the show work without ever being able to hide behind any coup-de-theatre, but really always being on their toes and constantly on stage... well, that for me definitely adds to the power of the show. The incredibly essential way "No one is alone" is staged, with the very truthful sorrow in Jack's voice and all the sensitivity in the Baker's attempt at consoling him... the mother/daughter connection developing between Cinderella and Little Red... oh, that got me teary eyed!
There's plenty of talent in the cast, I don't think I've ever heard the Baker's part sung so beautifully and there's an understated quality permeating the singing, in general. Thank god, it is not about showing off, hitting the highest notes or sounding big all the time (which is, at times, a flaw of some musical theatre productions), but really about telling the story here. It's very human, very real... so I'd really encourage people to go see it, suspend your disbelief and give yourselves permission to look at it with the eye of a child.
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Post by mrbarnaby on Jul 5, 2016 6:58:24 GMT
This looks and sounds just horrible.
I was hoping the trend for seeing musicals ruined by compromising on vocal and acting ability just because someone can play the trumpet had died off. Clearly not.
Who's even in it? No cast list anywhere.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 5, 2016 8:53:56 GMT
It's an ensemble. You know, no stars, a group of people, not sold on names. I get fed up of glitzy productions which hide a paucity of directorial ideas so very much looking forward to seeing this on Saturday. Will hopefully report back if not too busy (trying to catch The Go Between on the same day which will be an interesting comparison).
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Post by BurlyBeaR on Jul 5, 2016 10:49:33 GMT
In the ON production in Leeds last week we had life-sized giants, huge sets, princes on swings, projections and fab singing. Just sayin'  |
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Post by littlesally on Jul 7, 2016 22:43:43 GMT
Having seen (and loved) the Donmar and Regent's Park productions I approached this with trepidation bordering on dread!
I was so wrong. It is absolutely delightful and doesn't put a foot wrong. Simply but cleverly staged and heartfelt throughout.
Very different from the other two productions but it had to be to stand out so much.
Highly recommended!!
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Post by foxa on Jul 8, 2016 7:51:09 GMT
Good to hear - I'm there tonight.
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Post by profquatermass on Jul 9, 2016 12:29:00 GMT
I loved it. I've seen at least a dozen ITWs going right back to the original London one with Nicholas Parsons as the narrator and I thought this was excellent. Lots of doubling but what's wrong with that?
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Post by foxa on Jul 9, 2016 14:15:37 GMT
I too enjoyed this.
At first I worried that it was going to be too stripped down (the music seemed tinny and under-powered in the beginning) and too self-consciously Brechtian (when the cast came out pre-show and began checking their props, the audience went quiet and one of them had to turn and say 'No, no we're not starting yet, carry on talking, we just....' Then there was some awkward talking to the audience bits that didn't entirely come off.) But as the first act went on it gained power - there was some very clever staging - a piano on a platform which could serve as a revolve, shadow theatre especially effective for the hard-to-stage grandmother/wolf parts, some witty choreography. Best of all, were Ben Steinfield as the Baker and Emily Young as Red Riding Hood and doubling as a crazed Rapunzel. Instead of the common Baker as nerdy loser, Steinfield played the part with a wonderful sincerity and depth. He also, along with the actor playing Jack, had one of the best voices. The sharing of the narration and the multi-rolling worked, and the stripped back approach paid dividends in the more minor key second act. A couple of the performers' voices sounded a little tired and tight, Prince Charming/Wolf in particular, but there was some great ensemble work.
It's long - it begins at 8 and we weren't out until 10.40, but we really enjoyed it. 4*
P.S. We had dinner beforehand and highly recommend the hazelnut meringue.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 9, 2016 15:51:46 GMT
P.S. We had dinner beforehand and highly recommend the hazelnut meringue **. ** WARNING: May Contain Nuts |
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Post by Deleted on Jul 10, 2016 9:57:23 GMT
I too enjoyed this. P.S. We had dinner beforehand and highly recommend the hazelnut meringue. I am glad to see a few more positive reviews coming though. Think I am likely to enjoy it, and hope my friends do too, but if not there is that hazelnut meringue to look forward to....... |
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