Prima Facie - Harold Pinter / Cinema Broadcast

Generally-speaking, I wouldn't put amex cardholders in the 'struggling to pay to theatre tickets' category. But I'm sure the few that redeem the offer will have a nice time.

My point wasn't on function or accessibility persay, but more demographic. The type of person with an Amex is not going to be someone with a penchant for drinking at Wetherspoons.

Amex also gets you a free pastry with purchase of coffee.

I didn't know that!  Where and how?

The offers for Amex cardholders change from time to time.

If I recall, the pastry offer was a limited time. I’ve done the backstage tour before. And yes, I’ve been to Wetherspoons lots of times too!

www.nationaltheatre.org.uk/amex/cardmember-benefits

Thanks for the reminder, booked!

Reminder this offer has started - you get three days to watch it after claiming.

Watched the NT at Home broadcast. I’m glad I had the opportunity to see this. I imagine that atmosphere would have been electric, and could see that the effects would have been good.

I admired Jodie Comer’s performance. She fair rattled through the lines and the scenarios fluidly; it was a bravura performance. I wanted to feel more emotion for myself (even though her character was crying) and moments of calm and stillness.

I think the main weakness and therefore my own lack of connection to her performance lies in the play itself. It seems rather an open goal to criticise (though rightly) the odds stacked against victims and the adversarial system. A more interesting play would have suggested some alternatives, or looked at the other effects on her and those around her, but I understand why the focus was restricted.

Pitting the upper class rapist vs the working class victim (who’d grafted her way to the top) was also rather loaded. But even the depiction of her brothers was unsympathetic.

The “legal truth” is of course different from “the truth” which might be revealed by a more inquisitorial approach. We know that our legal system relies on the adversarial system where the prosecution needs to prove its case beyond reasonable doubt. In reality, there also also practical issues - the lack of resources and strain on the police and CPS would probably affect the ability to prosecute successfully. I see that there is an ongoing Law Commission consultation - I couldn’t find an update on this (Dec 2021), but that may assist access to justice. www.lawcom.gov.uk/law-commission-to-review-the-trial-process-for-sexual-offences/

Anyhow, a thought provoking but a flawed play for me. 4/5 for performance. 3/5 for the play itself.

Bit disappointed that Jodie isnt going to be in the movie adaptation of the play.

I'm not sure that this was crying out for a film adaptation, if I'm honest.

It'll be interesting to see if they stick with the play's one-woman format or, as I suspect, flesh out into a full cast. Along with Jodie Comer's sensational performance, the one-woman format was one of the reasons I thought this worked so well on stage. Invariably it meant that there was a lot you didn't actually see and had to imagine, which was probably for the best given the subject matter. I don't know if there would be that same subtlety or sensitivity on screen, but we'll see.

Should be Comer's Oscar if this is going to be a thing.

Sorry, I love me some Erivo, but this is Comer's show.

This film adaptation is either going to be as good as Shirley Valentine (also started as a one-woman play) or a trainwreck like The Son or Dear Evan Hansen…


I’m sure Jodie was offered the film role, and likely declined due to scheduled film offers. This also just fuels the rumors that she’s been cast in Fantastic Four for the MCU.