Daddy: A Melodrama - Almeida Theatre

I don’t know one person who liked it here in New York, so I’m curious how this one plays in London.

I saw it tonight and didn't care for it. The first act is not bad, but sadly the overlong second part is a psychodrama and not a melodrama. It's watchable and it has its enjoyable moments, but with its almost three hours it gets just too much. I spent the last 45 minutes waiting for it to end. At least Slave Play is provocative, this is just dull dull dull.

They give everyone a sticker to put on the camera but no one used it and on every seat in the front two rows there is a towel, since it's a splashing zone. The acting is fine (although they don't all seem to be acting in the same play) and I really liked the David-Hockneyesque set, but that's pretty much it.

The audience was very young and diverse and enjoyed the first act a lot but the enthusiasm was noticeably going down as the second act went on. A couple of people in the gallery knew someone in the cast and spent the show performing appreciation and enthusiasm, which at least worked as a distraction.

Claes Bang is very handsome and charming, it's very different casting from Alan Cumming and his "freaky" energy. I wonder how the difference affected the dynamics between the two protagonists, but I'd hardly want to see it twice. I'm surprised they didn't just bring Slave Play, at least they could sell tickets on the strenght of the Daily Maily's pearl-clutching denunciation of wokeness.

9:55 I think but it didn't start on time

Do you mind explaining this, I’m not sure what you mean?

Ooooh, I see. Surprisingly, mine’s always turned off in my pocket. I’m not planning on diverting my eyes away from the nudity for one second, so I certainly won’t be prepping my phone to take any pictures.

Front centre of the Circle is best for this show. Stage is necessarily quite high due to the depth of the pool, so you would miss quite a bit of pool action from being near the front of the stalls (and the pool is beautifully lit at times which you’d miss when you can’t see down into it). I also think they’re being a bit optimistic by saying only the front two rows get wet. In particular there’s a scene towards the end of the first act where there is a lot of purposeful flinging of water at the stalls and it goes quite a long way into the crowd!

I'm there tonight! Will post a short review when I'm out

Hmm, not sure how I feel about this one. It was ok, funny at times, but I didn't really get it. I'm not sure what kind of message they wanted to get across, but it was kind of lost to me. I don't know if that's because I didn't understand half of the art references being made or what. I also thought the 2nd half (which was actually Act 2 and 3 put back to back) dragged and could maybe have benefited from being performed as separate acts? I thought the acting in general was good - especially Terique, Claes and Sharlene (although I was less keen on John and Jenny). The set was also very cool, like there was a whole waist deep pool what even??? 3 stars probably.

Tomorrow's matinee cancelled unfortunately (Covid).

I don't remember the program listing any understudies or swings. I feel like they'll cancel until the cast are recovered unless they can rehearse someone in last minute?

They could fly somebody in to cover one person if necessary though, couldn’t they? I know that’s what other theatres have done.

Have just received a “ We can’t wait to see you today” email for the evening show, so will be interesting to see what the situation is