92 posts
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Post by chameleon on Jan 20, 2018 21:22:34 GMT
One of the best they've done downstairs (despite one of the worst titles..); maybe not the most original story, but a very sharply written, acted, directed 70 mins..
They're starting to open these to the press. Get your tickets before the reviews come in.
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1,239 posts
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Post by nash16 on Feb 1, 2018 18:12:29 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Feb 1, 2018 21:45:15 GMT
It's an urban myth that Hampstead Downstairs used to employ bouncers to bar the entry of professional critics. It wsa simply that they didn't invite critics or hold press performances. Do you imagine that Ed Hall used to stand at the bottom of the stairs saying: "Oi, Billington, I know it's you under that burkah. F**k off back to the Finborough and the RSC, matey."
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1,239 posts
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Post by nash16 on Feb 1, 2018 23:32:59 GMT
It's an urban myth that Hampstead Downstairs used to employ bouncers to bar the entry of professional critics. It wsa simply that they didn't invite critics or hold press performances. Do you imagine that Ed Hall used to stand at the bottom of the stairs saying: "Oi, Billington, I know it's you under that burkah. F**k off back to the Finborough and the RSC, matey." I'd forgotten about that, but I remember it happening now. Before Hall's appointment as AD no less. To think an apology on Front Row was sufficient to erase the furore surrounding the situation. Ridiculous. It wouldn't happen now. Keep burkahing, Michael. |
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423 posts
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Post by dlevi on Feb 2, 2018 6:25:56 GMT
Critics weren't invited to review the plays, but they were allowed to come to see them. I believe that is still (pretty much) the case. But most critics passed on that because their diaries are extremely full to begin with. Maybe they're now allowing them to review the plays simply because it gives Hampstead more press attention especially in light of the relative failure ( and dullness) of their more recent offerings ( Gloria being the notable exception) .
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Post by Deleted on Feb 2, 2018 8:33:00 GMT
Also Downstairs is the theatre you can more reliably find female playwrights represented, so I wouldn't be at all surprised if there were several reasons for Ed Hall wanting to increase its visibility and that one was somewhere in the back of his mind along with the others.
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Post by Boob on Feb 3, 2018 1:02:01 GMT
Really liked this play too! Glad to see it’s got good reviews (better than the show in the main house.)
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3,578 posts
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Post by showgirl on Feb 3, 2018 5:10:55 GMT
The writer has another play coming up in the new Paines Plough, season, too, so if I enjoy this one I shall aim to see her next.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 4, 2018 11:33:49 GMT
Just booked for this. Glad I spotted before I paid the £5 donation they’d added to the £14 ticket price
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3,578 posts
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Post by showgirl on Feb 4, 2018 12:05:10 GMT
I saw the donation part all right but was unpleasantly surprised to find that as well as the cost rising (from a bargain £5) after the first 5 performances and concessions applying for matinees only - both long-standing arrangements for Downstairs and still leaving the cost very reasonable - the price rises again, form £12 to £14 after another 12 performances. I don't recall this being mentioned in advance so will have to aim to go earlier in the run next time.
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423 posts
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Post by dlevi on Feb 9, 2018 9:20:23 GMT
I saw this last night and while it's well done , it's pretty much a typical Royal Court Upstairs script except perhaps with more heart. If you like this sort of play, then you'll like this. If like me , you're tired of "lost youth being trapped by society and making the same mistakes their parents did" plays then you can skip this. Or you could even pretend to have seen it and no one would be the wiser.
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