3,317 posts
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Post by david on Oct 8, 2022 17:08:12 GMT
This is in my opinion a 5⭐️ show from director Lynette Linton, her creative team and the cast she has assembled to bring Pearl Cleage’s writing to the stage. For me this play had everything. A wonderful set and costume from Frankie Bradshaw, a clever light design from Oliver Fenwick and some lovely musical moments courtesy of Ben Burrell. The cast were just a joy to watch for the 2hrs 45 minutes that just flew by this afternoon.
With a wonderful mix of both humour and heartbreak (particularly in Act 2) that is delivered expertly by the cast that makes you both laugh and cry in equal measure, this play for me is on a par with “Small Island” for a great time at the NT and leaves you stunned at what you have just watched. Giles Terera and Samira Wiley as Guy and Angel were the standouts for me.
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1,864 posts
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Post by Dave B on Oct 9, 2022 8:59:23 GMT
Also saw it yesterday but in the evening after you David  Enjoyed it a lot. The restricted/narrow front row were great, we were almost bang on centre so the moment just before the interval was really powerful with Wiley finishing about a metre from us - fab. I agree with pretty much everyone above, really also enjoyed Sule Remi as 'Doc'. Absolutely loved the lighting effect {Spoiler - click to view}
replacing the gunshot, that was a spectacular visual and I'm glad they held it a moment.
ETA - also a very full house last night. Suspect reviews are (rightfully) driving bookings up.
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1,249 posts
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Post by joem on Oct 9, 2022 11:01:36 GMT
Before "Friends" there was..... "Blues for an Alabama Sky"! Well, just about. The opening act of this certainly has a modern flatmates-type vibe, despite the 1920s Harlem setting, though arguably the bohemian bits also hark back to the earlier artistic demi-mondes of La Boheme.
It gathers seriousness and heft as it goes along but it has too much humour and lightness to be called a melodrama, even though it does have melodramatic elements. It manages to be a wonderfully satisfying blend of comedy and serious drama.
Good acting all round but Giles Terera never disappoints. One of our modern stars of the stage.
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Post by Deleted on Oct 9, 2022 12:23:15 GMT
This is in my opinion a 5⭐️ show from director Lynette Linton, her creative team and the cast she has assembled to bring Pearl Cleage’s writing to the stage. For me this play had everything. A wonderful set and costume from Frankie Bradshaw, a clever light design from Oliver Fenwick and some lovely musical moments courtesy of Ben Burrell. The cast were just a joy to watch for the 2hrs 45 minutes that just flew by this afternoon. OK. This convinced me to give this production one of the two remaining slots on early November trip itinerary. |
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725 posts
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Post by theatremiss on Oct 9, 2022 14:17:56 GMT
Gutted I couldn’t see this due to rail strikes
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Post by tmesis on Oct 11, 2022 10:00:55 GMT
I bloody loved this.
It was beautifully staged and acted - all five characters really engaged me and swept me along with the story. It seems unfair to single out Giles Terera when they were all at the top of their game but he was just exceptional - every nuance, gesture, look…I can’t wait for his Othello.
It was also quite touching that the audience response last night was quite vocal; lots of groans, oohs and ahs and an almost total standing ovation at the end.
Oh and the music - so effective! Not just the songs, but the incidental music was so atmospheric and evocative
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Post by jamb0r on Oct 13, 2022 21:42:04 GMT
I thought this was WONDERFUL. I echo all of the praise from others in this thread.
Initially I was disappointed that Samira was out again tonight, but now it’s just given me an excuse to go back again as many times as it takes to see her. I could happily watch this multiple times.
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Post by theoracle on Oct 14, 2022 7:59:08 GMT
Enjoyed this a lot - managed to catch a Samira Wiley performance and very much enjoyed everyone’s performances. The music was great and the set nicely detailed without being particularly complex. Giles Terera seems to be living his best life lately - telling stories that seem to particularly resonate with him. It was fantastic seeing him back on an NT stage and getting a very well deserved standing ovation. Enjoy, everyone who’s booked to see this!
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Post by mikey on Oct 14, 2022 21:52:54 GMT
Is there any chance this will extend beyond early Nov?
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Post by Mark on Oct 14, 2022 21:58:15 GMT
Is there any chance this will extend beyond early Nov? Alas, no. Next production is already planned in. |
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Post by theatrelover123 on Oct 17, 2022 18:07:54 GMT
Samira off again tonight  |
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Post by partytentdown on Oct 18, 2022 7:43:28 GMT
Samira off again tonight Is there a way to find out on the day if she's off? I'm supposed to see it tomorrow and would really like to see her if possible. |
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Post by theatrelover123 on Oct 18, 2022 11:38:06 GMT
Samira off again tonight Is there a way to find out on the day if she's off? I'm supposed to see it tomorrow and would really like to see her if possible. Unfortunately not. I called them at about 4pm yesterday and they said at that time that nobody was scheduled to be off but accidents and illness might happen between then and curtain up, and that they are clear about not guaranteeing availability, particularly as "it's an ensemble and we have understudies in place". I got there at about 7pm yesterday and when I checked around the right hand door of the auditorium there was no sign announcing the indisposition of Samira. It was only that I then happened to walk past the left hand door on my way to the bookshop that I saw the sign on that side. I imagine that many people who went in the right hand door didn't clock the sign, even if they walked past it. Loved the show. |
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Post by thistimetomorrow on Oct 18, 2022 22:29:07 GMT
I was there tonight and although there was an understudy slip in the programme, I am fairly sure Samira was on. Enjoyed the 2nd half of this much more than the 1st half, can definitely see the August Wilson comparisons.
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Post by theatrefan77 on Oct 19, 2022 0:07:30 GMT
I saw it last week with understudy Helena Pipe. She did a decent enough job. Lots of fans of Orange is the New Black were disappointed and enquiring about Samira Wiley's absence. A front of house member said that she hasn't done many performances and her understudy seems to be on more times than her.
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Post by mrmarmelstein on Oct 19, 2022 11:01:46 GMT
Do filmed performances at both shows on 2nd November suggest this is getting an NT Live, or is that standard filming for the NT Archives?
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Post by jaggy on Oct 19, 2022 13:48:24 GMT
Do filmed performances at both shows on 2nd November suggest this is getting an NT Live, or is that standard filming for the NT Archives? Definitely not getting the NT Live treatment (screened in cinemas). It will most likely be for the archives which might end up on their NT at Home site like The Corn is Green, Trouble in Mind, Paradise, etc. |
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