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Post by shambles on Nov 19, 2021 11:09:27 GMT
Well, I liked it but I didn't love it {Spoiler - click to view}
There is an awful lot to enjoy and the cast is pretty strong. I think the show was let down a little by the direction: when the book is so episodic you need a strong vision to hold it together, and I think it was often missing. It's definitely a slow burner and it takes a little while to find its footing. I thought it really started to work in the scene that precedes "Perfectly Marvellous", while Willkommen and Sally's first two songs were thrown away. After that it works much better and the crescendo toward the end of act 1 was thrilling.
Act 2, on the whole, is in much better shape, but I found the title song completely cringeworthy. It's not really Jessie Buckley's fault, it's just overwrought and overdirected. It reminded me of Imelda's Rose's Turn toward the end of the run of Gypsy but ten times stronger in the worst of all possible ways. If there is a song that really needs the singer to stand and sing it, that's Cabaret. There are much more subtler ways to convey a breakdown than the three-act one-woman opera currently going on during the title number. Honestly, in the past three months I've seen so much stuff that was just too over-directed, and I don't know if it's because directors don't trust the material or simply think that the audience is a bunch of morons. "Cabaret" is a perfect showtune with a clearly delineated structure and evolution, you really do not need all that ACTING™️ to get the message through. Part of the problem is the staging in the round, that always forces actors to turn around every two seconds in the most unrealistic way. But seriously, just trust the material and tone it down a little. It has worked wonderfully for 55 years, just allow it to work its magic.
Also, I think Eddie Redmayne was very good but also somehow underused? As in, in every scene he hides behind a different elaborate costume and make-up, in this production the role of the Emcee doesn't need to rely on the performer's charisma as much as in other versions of the show (most notably Mendes'). That's a pity, because atm Redmayne is very good, but hundreds of other actors could deliver pretty much the same performance. If you have an actor of his calibre you should definitely put him to better use.
It's a three and a half production that could get much better, and I hope they'll do good use of all the previews. I have a ticket for next week and I'm tempted to return it and revist it in a few months. I agree with you, in that "Cabaret" delivers the impact and message quite independently too, but Jessie Buckley's take did not feel incongruous to me, and still delivered plenty of impact. I have to say, I'd read your review before going and was bit worried about the Emcee characterization being gimmicky, but I would say, I came off disagreeing with your assessment. You have to be able to sell the "costume", the performance has to marry with it and to me it felt that Redmayne's performance and conception of character fed into the costume, and not the other way round. |
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Post by Deleted on Nov 19, 2021 11:34:20 GMT
I'm terrible with the spoiler brackets.... EDIT - Hurrah. It worked!
{Spoiler - click to view}
What was the costume that Eddie Redmayne wore in Money? Was it a skeleton?
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Post by alece10 on Nov 19, 2021 11:49:42 GMT
I'm terrible with the spoiler brackets.... EDIT - Hurrah. It worked!
{Spoiler - click to view}
What was the costume that Eddie Redmayne wore in Money? Was it a skeleton?
Yes that was my interpretation of it. |
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Post by couldileaveyou on Nov 19, 2021 11:58:27 GMT
Well, I liked it but I didn't love it {Spoiler - click to view}
There is an awful lot to enjoy and the cast is pretty strong. I think the show was let down a little by the direction: when the book is so episodic you need a strong vision to hold it together, and I think it was often missing. It's definitely a slow burner and it takes a little while to find its footing. I thought it really started to work in the scene that precedes "Perfectly Marvellous", while Willkommen and Sally's first two songs were thrown away. After that it works much better and the crescendo toward the end of act 1 was thrilling.
Act 2, on the whole, is in much better shape, but I found the title song completely cringeworthy. It's not really Jessie Buckley's fault, it's just overwrought and overdirected. It reminded me of Imelda's Rose's Turn toward the end of the run of Gypsy but ten times stronger in the worst of all possible ways. If there is a song that really needs the singer to stand and sing it, that's Cabaret. There are much more subtler ways to convey a breakdown than the three-act one-woman opera currently going on during the title number. Honestly, in the past three months I've seen so much stuff that was just too over-directed, and I don't know if it's because directors don't trust the material or simply think that the audience is a bunch of morons. "Cabaret" is a perfect showtune with a clearly delineated structure and evolution, you really do not need all that ACTING™️ to get the message through. Part of the problem is the staging in the round, that always forces actors to turn around every two seconds in the most unrealistic way. But seriously, just trust the material and tone it down a little. It has worked wonderfully for 55 years, just allow it to work its magic.
Also, I think Eddie Redmayne was very good but also somehow underused? As in, in every scene he hides behind a different elaborate costume and make-up, in this production the role of the Emcee doesn't need to rely on the performer's charisma as much as in other versions of the show (most notably Mendes'). That's a pity, because atm Redmayne is very good, but hundreds of other actors could deliver pretty much the same performance. If you have an actor of his calibre you should definitely put him to better use.
It's a three and a half production that could get much better, and I hope they'll do good use of all the previews. I have a ticket for next week and I'm tempted to return it and revist it in a few months. I agree with you, in that "Cabaret" delivers the impact and message quite independently too, but Jessie Buckley's take did not feel incongruous to me, and still delivered plenty of impact. I have to say, I'd read your review before going and was bit worried about the Emcee characterization being gimmicky, but I would say, I came off disagreeing with your assessment. You have to be able to sell the "costume", the performance has to marry with it and to me it felt that Redmayne's performance and conception of character fed into the costume, and not the other way round. I probably didn't make myself clear, but what I meant is not that ER's performance is gimmicky, far from it, just that the concept of the Emcee in this production depends so much on a number of props and other stuff that I feel the actor must be a little constricted by a very tight blocking that leaves little space for personal choices. What I thought is that his performance was indeed good, but that there are many many actors who could deliver very similar performances. |
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Post by couldileaveyou on Nov 19, 2021 12:00:22 GMT
I'm terrible with the spoiler brackets.... EDIT - Hurrah. It worked!
{Spoiler - click to view}
What was the costume that Eddie Redmayne wore in Money? Was it a skeleton?
Yes that was my interpretation of it. Yeah, it's a skeleton, it makes fully sense at the end of tomorrow belongs to me reprise. And no I was born several years after the donmar production |
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Post by couldileaveyou on Nov 19, 2021 12:30:45 GMT
Especially the members of the audience who laughed at "she wouldn't look Jewish at all". Right?? This has nothing to do with the production itself, but that line is such a bone-chilling reveal, I was horrified when the people in front of me started giggling |
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Post by craig on Nov 19, 2021 12:32:44 GMT
I've been baffled by Jessie Buckley's rise... I think she's awful. I love Cabaret and have been longing for a prestige version after so many years of the touring version feat. various C listers But I've held off on booking so far.
It sounds like a very interesting production without reading any of the spoilers, but I think I might wait to find out who is leading it when the cast changes. Not a huge fan of Redmayne either, tbh.
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Post by distantcousin on Nov 19, 2021 13:12:07 GMT
Especially the members of the audience who laughed at "she wouldn't look Jewish at all". Right?? This has nothing to do with the production itself, but that line is such a bone-chilling reveal, I was horrified when the people in front of me started giggling As a Cabaret afficiando, and someone who's even been in a production, I can safely say that you ALWAYS get some audience members who will giggle at this line. |
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Post by Deleted on Nov 19, 2021 14:23:37 GMT
I've been baffled by Jessie Buckley's rise... I think she's awful. What a really sad way to describe a fellow human being. You could be a bit politer, kindness costs nothing. |
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Post by Deleted on Nov 19, 2021 16:00:56 GMT
I've been baffled by Jessie Buckley's rise... I think she's awful. What a really sad way to describe a fellow human being. You could be a bit politer, kindness costs nothing. If that's what he thinks, he's allowed to express that. Maybe 'awful' was the most polite way he could express what he felt? Maybe 'awful' was the kindest way to put it in a public forum. |
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Post by Deleted on Nov 19, 2021 22:28:52 GMT
What a really sad way to describe a fellow human being. You could be a bit politer, kindness costs nothing. If that's what he thinks, he's allowed to express that. Maybe 'awful' was the most polite way he could express what he felt? Maybe 'awful' was the kindest way to put it in a public forum. Yes and no. Saying you don't understand the hype and doesn't think she is as good as other think gets the same point across. There is always a way to be more polite than calling a person "awful" when giving your opinion of their capabilities (rather than talking about, for example, objectionable conduct, where the word might be appropriate). And if you really can't be kinder than "awful" then it's probably the point to think about whether it's better just not to say anything. |
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Post by Jon on Nov 19, 2021 23:54:58 GMT
Have to say what they've done to the Playhouse is amazing, it felt like a club in Weimar Berlin. I was sat in the dress circle where stage is usually and it was great just looking at the surrounding and working out how they've transformed it, I assume it's like The Jungle where they raised the stalls so that's it's level with the stage.
As for the show itself, it's a very good production. I'm familiar with the material but this production manages to mix the fun with the darkness that slowly creeps in. Eddie Redmayne, Jessie Buckley and Omari Douglas were all great in their respective roles but honestly everyone was top notch.
I imagine this will have a healthy run although I think ATG should keep the theatre in the current layout for something else in the future with a few tweaks.
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Post by orchidman on Nov 20, 2021 0:42:10 GMT
This should become a first class show when they get rid of Eddie Redmayne who is predictably miscast, a la Follies and Imelda Staunton. He gives a performance that is all surface, neither dangerous nor damaged, a good looking square pretending to be weird.
Jessie Buckley gives an interesting and powerful interpretation as Sally Bowles and makes the show worth seeing at these prices.
Not convinced Omari Douglas is good enough to justify creating the obvious problem of turning Ernst Ludwig into a very confused National Socialist.
Impressive staging and decor, it's a 4/5 show that can become a 5/5 if they don't sacrifice sensible casting at the altar of name value next time around.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 20, 2021 5:10:01 GMT
If that's what he thinks, he's allowed to express that. Maybe 'awful' was the most polite way he could express what he felt? Maybe 'awful' was the kindest way to put it in a public forum. Yes and no. Saying you don't understand the hype and doesn't think she is as good as other think gets the same point across. There is always a way to be more polite than calling a person "awful" when giving your opinion of their capabilities (rather than talking about, for example, objectionable conduct, where the word might be appropriate). And if you really can't be kinder than "awful" then it's probably the point to think about whether it's better just not to say anything. If you can't say anything worse than awful, a very large % of the planet would be mute and the internet would be a barren wasteland with the occasional tumbleweed and cat video going by.
Lets not join hands, sing kumbaya and pretend what nice, sweet people we are. People who pretend they are, are usually the worst (see Evangelical Christians) and many will say nice things to you, but slag you off behind their back. I like upfront and honest. At least then you know where you stand.
I like a strong opinion. At least have a strong opinion on something (not you directly, PJ, i meant people in general)
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Post by Deleted on Nov 20, 2021 6:20:19 GMT
Yes and no. Saying you don't understand the hype and doesn't think she is as good as other think gets the same point across. There is always a way to be more polite than calling a person "awful" when giving your opinion of their capabilities (rather than talking about, for example, objectionable conduct, where the word might be appropriate). And if you really can't be kinder than "awful" then it's probably the point to think about whether it's better just not to say anything. If you can't say anything worse than awful, a very large % of the planet would be mute and the internet would be a barren wasteland with the occasional tumbleweed and cat video going by.
Lets not join hands, sing kumbaya and pretend what nice, sweet people we are. People who pretend they are, are usually the worst (see Evangelical Christians) and many will say nice things to you, but slag you off behind their back. I like upfront and honest. At least then you know where you stand.
I like a strong opinion. At least have a strong opinion on something (not you directly, PJ, i meant people in general)
Yeah completely agree. My experience in life is the more overly and constantly nice and smiley people are the more fake and dangerous they can be. Humans are flawed with different side of personality and ups and downs. People are entitled to opinions and its dangerous to patrol what they say when it's harmless as that Assume no one is saying horrible stuff about positions etc then. They're people too. |
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Post by SomeOtherMe on Nov 20, 2021 11:18:39 GMT
In case it helps anyone, there’s quite a bit of availability showing at the moment. Mostly in the above-£100 range but some at £75 from the end of next week. There were a couple at £25 but I wasn’t quick enough. But the next couple of weeks were all basically sold out when I looked last night, so they’ve definitely just appeared.
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Post by shambles on Nov 20, 2021 15:46:27 GMT
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Post by craig on Nov 20, 2021 22:54:46 GMT
I've been baffled by Jessie Buckley's rise... I think she's awful. What a really sad way to describe a fellow human being. You could be a bit politer, kindness costs nothing. I meant as a performer. I'm sure she's a lovely person! Sorry if you thought I was being unkind, certainly wasn't my intention. |
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Post by Penny on Nov 20, 2021 23:49:23 GMT
Really enjoyed this tonight but a couple of minor issues :
No loo paper in the ladies which was unacceptable after such a long 1st half , when they are meant to be checked ! I was about 5Th in the q so no excuse , I told them at the bar and they promised to sort it
Omari Douglas - think he is great but thought he was wrong for this
And the main one - DO NOT ORDER the meal ! It was absolutely disgusting and we didn’t eat it . When they came to clear the tins , they asked us if we enjoyed it and we said no and the guy just looked amused !
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Post by sph on Nov 21, 2021 0:21:50 GMT
Tbh I would never order a meal in a theatre (unless it had a dedicated restaurant on-site). Any food you order would have been delivered by an outside caterer hours earlier and reheated or served cold from what little kitchen facilities would be available - and in most theatres that means a kettle and microwave.
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Post by Penny on Nov 21, 2021 6:31:46 GMT
Tbh I would never order a meal in a theatre (unless it had a dedicated restaurant on-site). Any food you order would have been delivered by an outside caterer hours earlier and reheated or served cold from what little kitchen facilities would be available - and in most theatres that means a kettle and microwave. Neither would I normally but we just went for the whole experience as a treat . It was all cold - beetroot and tomato salad to start ( I use the word salad but it was just chopped up beetroot and tomato 😂) small cubes of chicken and white bean salad as a main and basically a chocolate as a dessert . There was also a pretzel which was hard enough to have knocked someone down if you had thrown it at them and finally in the interval a brownie , which was actually the best bit . Luckily we had eaten a bit earlier but my 16 yr old was ravenous 😄 |
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Post by meister on Nov 21, 2021 8:58:15 GMT
Tbh I would never order a meal in a theatre (unless it had a dedicated restaurant on-site). Any food you order would have been delivered by an outside caterer hours earlier and reheated or served cold from what little kitchen facilities would be available - and in most theatres that means a kettle and microwave. The meal during ‘Network’ at the NT was great…and beautifully choreographed!! |
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Post by BurlyBeaR on Nov 21, 2021 9:28:38 GMT
I knew the food would be pants. It’s a theatre, not a restaurant, no matter how much you “theme” it. Unless you’re going to “theme” a chef and a kitchen on the premises don’t offer food because odds on it will be disappointing, despite charging top dollar for it.
Also, it’s a strange turn events when people eating in theatres has been a subject of our bad behaviour thread for years, now people are being served up three course meals.
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Post by alece10 on Nov 21, 2021 10:17:18 GMT
I knew the food would be pants. It’s a theatre, not a restaurant, no matter how much you “theme” it. Unless you’re going to “theme” a chef and a kitchen on the premises don’t offer food because odds on it will be disappointing, despite charging top dollar for it. Also, it’s a strange turn events when people eating in theatres has been a subject of our bad behaviour thread for years, now people are being served up three course meals. But the meal is served before the start of the show hence the early arrival time for those having dinner. Its all taken away before the start of the show and dessert is during the interval. So there is no actual eating whilst the show is on. |
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Post by crowblack on Nov 21, 2021 10:28:46 GMT
I knew the food would be pants. It’s a theatre, not a restaurant, no matter how much you “theme” it. Unless you’re going to “theme” a chef and a kitchen on the premises don’t offer food because odds on it will be disappointing, despite charging top dollar for it. Also, it’s a strange turn events when people eating in theatres has been a subject of our bad behaviour thread for years, now people are being served up three course meals. Someone was very determined to slice up all their steak or whatever the hell it was all through a quiet and dramatic bit of dialogue in Network. It rather suggested to the rest of us (we were third row stalls) he was more interested in his food than the play. |
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