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Post by jr on Jun 13, 2022 12:32:18 GMT
I attended 1st preview last Friday 10/6. I had been looking to see this play since I first read about it a few years ago. Not sure what to make of it: it has some funny moments, though I think a few jokes fell flat.
I found the acting fine but not great. Thought the best one was June Watson, though I think she exaggerated how old the character was: she is 86/87 so no need for that. Norma Dumezweni was good but she seemed too careful and controlled, probably normal for a first preview. She was sweating a lot and seem uncomfortable, maybe because of the heavy clothing?
Actors made a few mistakes but that's to be expected on a first preview.
There was a guy 2 seats away from me taking lots of notes. He wasn't the director, so probably assistant director? He was also checking audience's reactions.
There were a few familiar faces, though I only know Prasanna Puwanarajah by name (if it was him). He seemed very concentrated and never laughed that I could see, he was right in front of me.
Overall I thought it was a good play but nothing too exciting happening on stage. Probably after previews it will be better adjusted and actors more comfortable in their roles. I would love to read other members' comments.
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Post by zahidf on Jun 13, 2022 14:00:26 GMT
How long was it?
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Post by Rory on Jun 13, 2022 14:18:29 GMT
Noma Dumezweni told Graham Norton that they were aiming for 85 minutes and no interval.
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Post by jr on Jun 13, 2022 14:30:39 GMT
It started a bit late, think around 1 hour and 40 minutes. It needs to pick up the pace. |
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Post by zahidf on Jun 13, 2022 14:38:41 GMT
It started a bit late, think around 1 hour and 40 minutes. It needs to pick up the pace. Ah thanks. Was originally down for 3 hours when it went on sale! |
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Post by Being Alive on Jun 15, 2022 10:33:51 GMT
Hour and 40 mins last night...and it felt it.
I'm not overly familiar with the Ibsen play but that didn't seem a problem...but I was just bored if I'm honest. To me, not an awful amount happened - Nora left in exactly the same way she arrived really and that was quite dull.
I thought all the cast were fine - Noma would be good reading a takeaway menu and shes good here - but I just didn't care about any of them.
Interesting that this production has been aged down from Broadway, as Noma is nearly 15 year younger than Laurie Metcalfe and thus the other characters aged down around her. Patricia Allison was good in her role, but seemed too young for what the character was saying and her place in it all - it was Condola Raschad on Broadway and she feels a better fit.
Donmar weirdly not full either - only my second visit and first time seeing it in the round.
It probably is 3 stars in all fairness, but I was pretty bored.
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Post by Mark on Jun 15, 2022 18:46:58 GMT
I remember this getting raves on Broadway so disappointing to read this. Going Saturday, have only just read A Dolls House, never seen it, but I’m looking forward to seeing Noma atleast.
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Post by mrbarnaby on Jun 16, 2022 23:26:04 GMT
Couldn’t imagine anything worse than Noma droning on in that flat monotonous voice for nearly 2 hours. Her success is a mystery to me.
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Post by couldileaveyou on Jun 17, 2022 1:43:08 GMT
I saw the first preview and I thought there were real pacing issues, I'd swear that on Broadway it was at least ten minutes shorter. Noma is good, the problem is that she has a beautiful voice and she knows it, so she takes forever to say every line. The whole cast is pretty strong, although interestingly enough the best performances don't come from the celebrated stage actors but from June Watson and Patricia Allison: the first brings the humour, and the latter brings the brio. It's pleasant and enjoyable but I remember liking it much better in NY. I'm not sure if it's the production's fault or the text just doesn't hold up to closer scrutiny.
***
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Post by lonlad on Jun 18, 2022 11:03:28 GMT
Extraordinary and every bit the equal of the Broadway version and, in some ways, better: June Watson outpaces even Jayne Houdyshell as Anne Marie. Noma is devastating -- pained, angry, fully self-aware, and the audience responded with an unusually heartfelt standing ovation. Those who can get behind the paywall should read Dominic Cavendish's rave in The Telegraph: he nails it.
Go.
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Post by mrbarnaby on Jun 18, 2022 15:29:27 GMT
I saw the first preview and I thought there were real pacing issues, I'd swear that on Broadway it was at least ten minutes shorter. Noma is good, the problem is that she has a beautiful voice and she knows it, so she takes forever to say every line. The whole cast is pretty strong, although interestingly enough the best performances don't come from the celebrated stage actors but from June Watson and Patricia Allison: the first brings the humour, and the latter brings the brio. It's pleasant and enjoyable but I remember liking it much better in NY. I'm not sure if it's the production's fault or the text just doesn't hold up to closer scrutiny. *** Beautiful voice? Please. |
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Post by Being Alive on Jun 18, 2022 15:36:52 GMT
Extraordinary and every bit the equal of the Broadway version and, in some ways, better: June Watson outpaces even Jayne Houdyshell as Anne Marie. Noma is devastating -- pained, angry, fully self-aware, and the audience responded with an unusually heartfelt standing ovation. Those who can get behind the paywall should read Dominic Cavendish's rave in The Telegraph: he nails it. Go. This is SO interesting because I saw Tuesday preview and was bored to tears... Thought everyone was fine, but no one great (not even Noma). Just thought the play was...really boring and like it had nothing to say. |
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Post by Steve on Jun 18, 2022 16:57:59 GMT
I really enjoyed the matinee of this, though it's definitely best appreciated as a sequel (the Donmar's blurb insists otherwise lol), and for the most part, it's far too analytic and sensible to be Ibsen (who creates a real sense of unrestrained "crazy" in his writing lol). All 4 actors give terrific performances, the play has really interesting dramatic twists and turns, and the play did indeed make me think a lot, and I love that about it. Some spoilers follow. . . What I like best about Ibsen is how he creates an explosive sensuous desire for something, be it "freedom," or "love" or "sex" or whatever. He's like a volcano, the way he writes! Hnath isn't, and that's a hinderance. But Hnath is smart, and Hnath is empathetic and Hnath has a great plot to explore these characters we know so well from "A Doll's House," and in some ways, the fact that Hnath isn't as bonkers as Ibsen actually makes him a strong voice to critique Ibsen, to critique the way Ibsen allows his "crazy" to undermine and malign the humanity of the characters he doesn't favour. Rigid entitled manbaby, Torvald, gets utterly stiffed by Ibsen, and Hnath does some wonderful things to flesh out his humanity here, and in fact, Brian F O'Byrne, in the climax of this play, gets the only pure Ibsenesque moment of the whole play, a moment of genuine irrational fire, and he lands it ferociously and satisfyingly! Patricia Allison, as Emmy, Nora's abandoned daughter, gets no such moments, but her performance is perfect, because she plays it like she does, regardless. Although the play delivers her rationality in spades, her eyes suggest she burns with an irrational fire, that could turn on a dime, and for that reason you can't take your eyes off her. The other two characters are the thoughtful ones, the justice-seeking feminist and the responsibility-fulfilling nanny, the ones that Hnath endows with his forensic smarts, and they duck and dive like lawyers making careful legal arguments, while actors Noma Dumezweni and June Watson allow us to see and feel the strong pulsing emotions underneath their careful phrasing. It's all quite powerful. If you've seen and love "A Doll's House," (I believe the amazing Young Vic version, with Hattie Morahan, is available on Digital Theatre, if you haven't), this is must-see viewing. If you haven't, it probably isn't. I missed Ibsen's explosive abandon, but I loved the fleshing out of the characters, drama and perspectives. 4 stars from me.  |
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Post by Mark on Jun 18, 2022 20:42:24 GMT
I’ve never seen “A Doll’s House” but read it last week in anticipation of seeing this tonight and I’m glad I did - definitely helps to know the characters and original story. As for the plot, yes it’s very simplistic but as is the original play. All about the subtleties and characters.
Had no such issues with pacing and it zipped along at a good pace. 1hr 35 tonight so they’ve lost 5 minutes somewhere.
I thought the cast were universally excellent, especially Noma and June Watson.
One last thing to mention. I was seated in the stalls on the right hand side (usually would be the “stage left” side) and there was a LOT of noise pollution coming from the building next door, loud thumping bass throughout. Particularly noticeable in such a quiet play.
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Post by theoracle on Jun 19, 2022 22:02:28 GMT
Having never been a fan of A Doll's House, I booked very much to see Noma Dumezweni and she doesn't disappoint. Once she enters the stage, she fills the Donmar with her presence. It's great to see one of the most striking British actresses return to the London stage in such an intimate setting. What's more, she's accompanied by a brilliant cast - notably June Watson and Patricia Allison who really owns the scenes they're in. A lot of interesting questions are raised and it feels so relevant given the recent legal changes to divorce law. There are some genuine full-hearted laughs during this as well as gasps and I loved getting to watch other audience's reactions to the piece as the show went on. Very highly recommend going if you're thinking about seeing this wonderfully witty play.
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Post by JJShaw on Jun 24, 2022 8:19:50 GMT
Saw this week, really enjoyed it and they are right in saying you don't have to have seen "part 1" to understand it. A great show keeping my attention despite not much of a progressing plot but rather something you need to sit with and think about (if that makes sense).
A little late to start but it was roughly 90-95 mins, I would have liked to have stayed for the post show talk but it was a strike day so I thought I better get home!
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Post by vernongersh on Jun 26, 2022 12:05:55 GMT
Just saw that this weekends' performances were cancelled due to Covid. Anyone know if they'll still be performing this week? I hope whomever has the virus has mild symptoms and gets well soon.
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Post by theatrefan77 on Jun 26, 2022 23:51:55 GMT
This was just ok. Not terrible but not great either. The acting is good but the play is too pretentious and slightly boring for my liking.
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Post by jamb0r on Jun 27, 2022 15:49:06 GMT
Just saw that this weekends' performances were cancelled due to Covid. Anyone know if they'll still be performing this week? I hope whomever has the virus has mild symptoms and gets well soon. Cancelled tonight and tomorrow |
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Post by vernongersh on Jun 29, 2022 13:15:57 GMT
I feel so bad everyone over at Donmar. The show has been cancelled for tomorrow as well. Hopefully, everything is mild.
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Post by alessia on Jun 29, 2022 13:27:11 GMT
Just saw that this weekends' performances were cancelled due to Covid. Anyone know if they'll still be performing this week? I hope whomever has the virus has mild symptoms and gets well soon. Yes I was supposed to go on Saturday- thankfully they emailed the day before, unlike the Globe who cancelled King Lear on the spot so I made the journey for nothing... Not sure I'll re-book for this, as it doesn't sound that unmissable. Might keep the refund money for something else. I really like the Donmar but it has been a while that I've seen something truly good there... |
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Post by vernongersh on Jul 5, 2022 16:16:39 GMT
Any advice for seating? As it appears to be theater in the round - does one side of the stage seem better than the other?
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Post by theatrefan77 on Jul 5, 2022 16:28:24 GMT
It doesn't really matter where you seat for this production. I was in the circle row A and the view was very good. Pity about the play.
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Post by lynette on Jul 8, 2022 13:50:06 GMT
Quick q - is it air con in there? Box office very ambiguous response.
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Post by Forrest on Jul 8, 2022 14:31:30 GMT
lynette , yes. The air con/ventilation (circulation of air?) is quite good. (I went last night and the only reason why I noticed was because I forgot to take a mask, which I'd normally wear in a theatre, and this made me slightly reassured. I was row A, right next to the stage, so perhaps it's a bit better there, but that I cannot be sure of. But it seemed pretty fine to me.)
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