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Post by viserys on Dec 23, 2018 17:23:22 GMT
I can't single out a particular show as a disappointment (though I've yet to see Hadestown this upcoming week before the year is over...). The only show I found myself bored with was Tartuffe at the Haymarket, but I still file it away under a positive experience because I got to see Audrey Fleurot live on stage.
My negatives are more of a general kind:
- the astonishing speed with which prices have risen/are rising in the West End,
- the fact that a rather great Broadway season full of creative new work such as Hamilton, Evan Hansen and Comet was followed by an incredibly uninspired season consisting mostly of jukebox musicals and a theme park monkey,
- the fact that Stage Entertainment got their mitts on Bat out of Hell in Germany and turned it into exactly the blazing dumpster fire I had feared,
- and for me personally that Bat didn't run longer than it did in London.
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Post by Deleted on Dec 23, 2018 17:40:32 GMT
Heathers has been the only disappointment for me this year. Mainly because of the weak cast.
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3,040 posts
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Post by crowblack on Dec 23, 2018 17:53:29 GMT
A Very Very Very Dark Matter is one of the worst things I have ever seen in my life - jaw-droppingly bad, and I was so looking forward to it. After Three Billboards, I though his writing was getting deeper. Pity at the Royal Court was quite painful and there was a point where I just wanted to scream at them to stop, but at least you felt they made an effort. Allelujah was like a bad 80s sitcom. I really didn't like John: the young couple were annoying without being interesting and their 'story arc' predictable from the off. The Divide wasn't a good play and its gender politics were antique, but was worth seeing for the fantastic central performance by Erin Doherty. Foxfinder was potentially interesting but miscast so the sexual dynamic didn't work, and then fizzled out.
Some of the best plays I've seen recently have been from young / new writers, for example the Bruntwood plays. They have almost all been on in small spaces and deserved a wider audience. Older, established and (yes) generally male playwrights seem to be able to turn up with a "will this do?" and get big budgets, fanfares and the main stage. More quality control next year please.
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5,062 posts
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Post by Phantom of London on Dec 23, 2018 18:56:27 GMT
Firstly before listing any shows, the 2018 negative for me by a long chalk is the sudden death of Alex Beckett who passed away at 35 whist performing in Ways of the World at the Donmar Warehouse.
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923 posts
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Post by Snciole on Dec 23, 2018 19:08:00 GMT
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Post by catcat100 on Dec 23, 2018 19:37:52 GMT
So was thinking that there wasn't much I didn't enjoy this year but had a look at my list and looks like I've already forgotten a number of turkeys.
Quiz - Noel Coward - Poor Chris Tarrant impression
Instructions for correct assembly - Royal Court - Conveyor Belt
Consent - Harold Pinter - Characters I couldn't give a damn about
Lehman Trilogy - Lyttleton - Characters & storyline I couldn't give a f*** about
Prisoner - Dorfman - A couple of sticks does not make a set, storyline just as bereft
Romeo & Juliet - Barbican - These kids have never had a mild temper tantrum let alone a war between two families, adults no better
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3,040 posts
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Post by crowblack on Dec 23, 2018 19:41:01 GMT
Instructions for correct assembly - Royal Court - Conveyor Belt I'd completely forgotten about that! |
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Post by dontdreamit on Dec 23, 2018 19:57:13 GMT
Mine were:
Fatherland- but I think it’s more that I don’t really like this type of theatre and should have avoided it.
Knights of the Rose- I laughed quite a lot during this, but unintentionally.
A Little Princess- the musical. There were some changes from the original book which I didn’t like, and the whole thing just felt very forgettable.
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3,040 posts
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Post by crowblack on Dec 23, 2018 20:35:04 GMT
Fatherland- but I think it’s more that I don’t really like this type of theatre |
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2,496 posts
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Post by zahidf on Dec 23, 2018 23:57:31 GMT
Allelujah was terrible
I'm not running and Julie were both bad as well
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3,580 posts
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Post by showgirl on Dec 24, 2018 4:23:57 GMT
Not going to list all mine (and plays/shows I left at the interval or left early if there was none) might run close to double figures but no-one yet has mentioned the atrocious 17c at the Old Vic. Perhaps people have either forgotten or expunged the memory because it was so bad?
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1,503 posts
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Post by foxa on Dec 24, 2018 11:46:22 GMT
You're right showgirl, I had forgotten 17c and yes, indeed it was one of the worst - not only for its dullness but its extreme pretension and lack of dancing.
Joining 17c would be Mood Music - also at the Old Vic.
Nightfall, The Strange Death of John Doe and Bat out of Hell were all disappointing.
What I have seen very little of this year is really good comedy. Maybe we aren't all laughing at the same things.
Also some new plays are so zeitgeisty that I wonder if, even in a year's time, they will be of any interest or relevance.
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Post by Mr Snow on Dec 25, 2018 9:59:35 GMT
Nele Needs a Holiday. Oval house.
So badly predictable, it was life diminishing!
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Post by Deleted on Dec 25, 2018 12:21:31 GMT
Only real let down for me was Chess at the ENO. One of my all time favourite musicals. Always such a difficult musical that divides opinion and I know the following is not what most people thought. However:
- Big fan of Michael Ball (LOVED him in Les Mis, Aspects and Hairspray) but thought this was bad casting for the Russian (just way too old and how on earth were we meant to believe than both Burko and Cassidy would fancy him I have no idea)
- The ending - should be Florence belting out last line of Anthem. In fact the RAH version of the script is definitive for me
- The orchestra - for me it was not wonderful to have them large and on-stage - it was re-orchestrated to sound more, well, orchestral. For me chess is in the main a pop piece and I like it heavily synthesised and well, poppier. (Again I know I am in the minority but orchestra on stage makes it a concert, for a musical it interferes with my imagination)
- Visually I didn't enjoy it - can't really put my finger on this one. Could be the venue. (Much prefer Bat at Dominion or in Manchester despite the set being identical).
In all honesty I much preferred the Craig Revel Horwood version. I think maybe I just like my Chess sexier lol.
(Did also very much enjoy the Rebecca Storm tour back in the day)
I'm probably weird though as didn't massively enjoy the ENO Sunset which people were RAVING about and much preferred the tour. Just didn't get the gushing. Again to my ear it having that huge strings section made them play it slower (don't get me wrong WAS still fab but for me it actually sounded better going from 60 to 16 and coming out of the Leicester Curve pit!)
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4,806 posts
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Post by Mark on Dec 25, 2018 12:32:34 GMT
Biggest Disappointments
The Band's Visit - what a total dud of a best musical winner.
Hadestown - I didn't get the love for it...
Sylvia - so much potential, but rushed and messy
The Humans - again, I didn't get the love for it.
And the actual worst
Strictly Ballroom - Great potential, but what a hideous show
It Happened in Key West - Funny for all the wrong reasons. Dreadful
H.R.Haitch - Fringe theatre at its worst
Knights of the Rose, whilst seen, does not feature on this list as I viewed it as a comedy. If it was meant to be seen as a serious piece, I shall re-evaluate.
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591 posts
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Post by lou105 on Dec 26, 2018 11:06:21 GMT
Only real let down for me was Chess at the ENO. One of my all time favourite musicals. Always such a difficult musical that divides opinion and I know the following is not what most people thought. However: - Big fan of Michael Ball (LOVED him in Les Mis, Aspects and Hairspray) but thought this was bad casting for the Russian (just way too old and how on earth were we meant to believe than both Burko and Cassidy would fancy him I have no idea) Did we collectively know that Russell Watson was offered this? I found myself escorting a relative to a concert of his and he said that he'd been offered a part in Chess, but couldn't do it as his tour was booked in. I can only assume it was Anatoly, and he sang Anthem straight afterwards. Interesting thought..not sure how the acting would have gone. |
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5,193 posts
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Post by Being Alive on Dec 26, 2018 14:51:03 GMT
Seen some duffers this year I’m afraid (and actually walked out of one which I’ve never done before...)
5. I’m Not Running (NT) I went in with people saying it was rubbish, and it was just a waste of time. First act was ok, but the direction was terrible, and the characters were awfully fleshed out.
4. Allelujah (Bridge) oh Alan bennett. You can be so good, but this was so bad. Patronising, lazy, and dull. Even Deborah findlay looked annoyed to be there...
3. Chess (ENO) - whilst it was lovely to hear the orchestra play it, I thought the whole thing was a mess. Utterly miscast throughout (Burke?!...) and it didn’t have ending it should (the RAH version gives Florence a moment to shine)
2. Macbeth - NT - left at the interval, which I’ve only ever done once before. Hated it. Anne Marie Duff was ok, but RK was poor, walking round in circles, and the design was bizarre.
1. (The worst show !) Macbeth (RSC) - didn’t leave at the interval due to my bus home not being for a few hours. Eccleston was abysmal and forgot his lines, Niamh Cusack couldnt walk in her heels, the concept was appalling.
But we had some good things this year!!! 😂
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Post by Deleted on Dec 29, 2018 11:47:28 GMT
5. The Band’s Visit
4. Barnum
3. White Christmas
2. Titanic
1. The Calendar Girls (The Worst)
5: great songs, poor show. 4: Marcus Brigstocke. 3: Story lacked substance. 2: I found it extremely dull. 1: One of my favourite shows of 2017 ruined beyond recognition.
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Post by Deleted on Dec 29, 2018 12:40:12 GMT
Chicago now joins The King and I on my list.
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