1,046 posts
|
Post by David J on Oct 11, 2018 12:21:42 GMT
I see Tom Mothersdale, who played the neurotic boyfriend in Annie Barkers John earlier this year, is playing the hunchback
I’m kinda intrigued to see him in the role
|
|
1,046 posts
|
Post by David J on Oct 10, 2018 14:43:41 GMT
It’s been a surprisingly good year for new British musicals for me, with Everybody Lives Jamie, The Grinning Man, and Midnight. Same for revivals like Company, The York Realist, The Mountaintop, Summer and Smoke
Otherwise it hasn’t been a stellar year for new plays and Shakespeare productions. The Village, The Plague and Bridge Theatres Julius Caesar are the exceptions
|
|
1,046 posts
|
Post by David J on Oct 7, 2018 9:27:55 GMT
I couldn't even tell half of what was going on during Another Hundred People. Sitting at the side of the front rows is great but the blocky set design does mean you miss some stuff.
Next time I'll look to get a seat further back
|
|
1,046 posts
|
Post by David J on Oct 6, 2018 22:21:31 GMT
She improved so much by the end. Actually I didn’t mean to say she needs to project rather there were some notes she still needs to work on.
Whereas I didn’t quite believe her Marry me a little, her rendition of Being Alive was soft but quite sincere. Listening to that song for the first time it really hit home for me
Despite my quibbles a great debut performance that can only get better. Being at the front I could really seee how overwhelmed she was at the curtain call. Well deserved ovation
I need to see this production again. Not just to see Rosalie Craig but to really take in this musical.
A phenomenal ensemble production and its clear everyone are having a ball performing with one another.
|
|
1,046 posts
|
Company
Oct 6, 2018 20:21:13 GMT
via mobile
Post by David J on Oct 6, 2018 20:21:13 GMT
Marianne Elliott cake on to say Rosalie has had a cold all week so it was better for her to be off tonight
This is the first time seeing Company so I’ve got nothing to compare this to
First of all I love Jennifer Saayeng‘s acting. Even when she’s not talking you see how overwhelmed and isolated she feels
This is her first time, but I feel she needs to project more. She also sings Marry Me a Little softly. Don’t know if Rosalie does that but I recall the urgency when Simon Bailey sang “I’m Ready” (during Marry me a little the musical revue)
|
|
1,046 posts
|
Post by David J on Oct 6, 2018 18:23:54 GMT
Are you here tonight. I’m stalls B19
|
|
1,046 posts
|
Post by David J on Oct 6, 2018 16:37:21 GMT
I can’t remember the first time I saw this musical, but seeing this now reminds me why I had no urge to see it again (despite enjoying the film)
Everyone has gone on about how it needs a fresh coat of paint and they’re not wrong. Whilst a minimal production can be creative, this is the most minimal of a minimal production you can get. The solo performances give a little variety but once you seen skinny clad men and women strut their stuff in All That Jazz you’ve seen it all
Duncan James’ charismatic Billy Flynn and Mazz Murray’s stellar Mama Morton were the highlights. Alexandra Burke was off but Emma Harris made for a sultry Roxie. Laura Tyler could do with projecting more as Velma
I’m inclined to give this two 3/4 stars just for the professional performances and the orchestra for being a character of its own. Really the overture, entr’acte and after show music was the only times the production had some oomph, but otherwise I kept thinking “okay do something different, could someone wear something that isn’t black...”
An average production
|
|
1,046 posts
|
Post by David J on Oct 6, 2018 13:05:39 GMT
They are offering an exchange, which we might have to do and hopefully later get cheap tickets for don quixote in the afternoon. A shame because we managed to get £10 seats at the front
My mum has been given the email to the management so she can vent her annoyance at. Apparently they chose this performance because it isn’t selling well anyway
|
|
1,046 posts
|
Post by David J on Oct 6, 2018 12:38:49 GMT
We’ve just been contacted by the Old Vic to be told that the performance we’ve booked (12th January 14:30) has been turned into a relaxed performance. Our ticket prices have been reduced but we can get a refund or exchange tickets
This is very annoying because I’m taking my mum up to see this, along with don quixote. She doesn’t frequent London a lot, and this would mean exchanging tickets for another day in January and she’ll have to pay more rail fare
I’m in favour of relaxed performances (being on the spectrum myself) but for the Old Vic to turn round to tell their paying customers that the performance they’re going to will now be catered to a less quiet audience, assuming they can easily go on a different date, is terrible
I thought these relaxed performances were added seperately, or do theatres decide to change already established ones out of the blue
|
|
1,046 posts
|
Post by David J on Oct 4, 2018 20:14:53 GMT
Watching the live broadcast. Shuddered to see Emma Freud back presenting. She said she has rushed in and was clearly out of breath and not with it
This of fine so far. I like ld how Will Keen started off stammery, giving a bitty delivery, as his jealousy took over from that. Except that’s all he does and apart from raising his voice occasionally there’s no development
The small cast hurts this production for me. I noticed how empt Sicilia felt. There’s a lack of helplessness and entrapment for hermione
The bear is probably the worst I’ve seen
|
|
1,046 posts
|
Post by David J on Oct 3, 2018 12:30:48 GMT
I’m down for Rutherford and Son, though Roger Allam has a lot to live up to Barrie Rutters scary performance
Small Island will be broadcast
|
|
1,046 posts
|
Post by David J on Oct 1, 2018 21:04:35 GMT
Glad I caught this at the new City Theatre Studio in Southampton
I knew this was depicting Martin Luther King’s final hours in the motel room, but I didn’t expects to see where this play actually went.
There was plenty of touching, hilarious, and poignant moments thanks mostly to the acting in this two hander. Gbolahan Obisesan gave a very convincing grounded the King himself, especially seeing what he goes through with Rochelle Rose as this sassy, flirtatious, but allusive room service maid
Maybe I didn’t need the montage that came at the end, but at least they thought to keep it up to date without pulling any cheap punches
Well worth the praise the play has received
|
|
1,046 posts
|
Post by David J on Oct 1, 2018 20:49:56 GMT
Planning to go on 17th
|
|
1,046 posts
|
Post by David J on Oct 1, 2018 13:15:19 GMT
The 2014 Globe Theatre production was the best I’ve seen with Eve Best giving a hilarious but poignant performance. Kathryn Hunter was pretty good in the Michael Boyd one.
Otherwise yeah it’s an uneven drawn out play where you don’t see the lovers together for most of the first half and the ending can go on for an eternity. If you’re unlucky to see a production that is average at best it will drag. The Ivo Van Hove version (despite a great leading pair) and last years RSC production spring to mind
|
|
1,046 posts
|
Post by David J on Sept 30, 2018 10:15:52 GMT
Haha, funnily enough i thought that too. I thought that too. Are we 100% sure it was real the second time when it started looking around or was it just a cunning piece of puppetry ? It was very effective if so, gasps of "Ahhhh it's real !" around me. It was definitely real. And sitting at the front I could see it was getting all squirmy before it was taken off. Do know if it liked being held and stroked the way Hayley Squires’ character was
|
|
1,046 posts
|
Post by David J on Sept 30, 2018 10:12:27 GMT
Apart from The Pres and the Officer I thought the first act was was both thrilling and sickening to watch
I remember performing The Press Conference years ago so it was pleasing to see it performed (superbly by Jonjo O’Neill). Then it was like the curtain was pulled back and we got to see the authoritarian meat grinding machine at work
You’d think Pinter meant to wrote all those pieces to be performed together because they worked in tandem to present an alternative authoritarian, oppressive world. A real warning to us all, when there are people today trying to collectivise us on vague notions of identity or otherwise chastising us for not sharing a particular viewpoint.
What brought it down a tad was Anthony Sher. Not as bad as his King Lear but everyone else was running circles around his deliberate delivery, which made One for the Road feel laboured at times
Paapa Essiedu was my favourite out of the lot. Even when he isn’t speaking whilst Sher drones on he is acting his socks off. I particularly enjoyed watching his frustration as he tries to make sense of Kate O’Flynns traumatised character in Ashes to Ashes
|
|
1,046 posts
|
Post by David J on Sept 29, 2018 20:48:05 GMT
John Culshaw was Donald Trump this week.
But sorry as much as it would have been nice to have a fictional president I’m getting sick and tired of the trump bashing so it didn’t set that piece in a good light for me
|
|
1,046 posts
|
Post by David J on Sept 29, 2018 20:00:55 GMT
Seeing Pinter 1 right now. And seeing David Suchet in the audience was a pleasure
The first act is undoubtedly a challenging one to sit through. Not for the faint hearted
I didn’t like the Donald Trump obe
|
|
1,046 posts
|
Post by David J on Sept 29, 2018 16:25:18 GMT
So I’ve seen Pinter 2 and enjoyed both plays. The Collection more than The Lover. Was wonderful meeting learfan
Out of interest was The Lover conceived to be played stylised and broad as it’s done here or is this typical Jamie Lloyd fashion
|
|
1,046 posts
|
Midnight
Sept 22, 2018 21:56:51 GMT
via mobile
Post by David J on Sept 22, 2018 21:56:51 GMT
Wow I did not expect this to be so chilling to watch. This really struck home the atrocities that happened under Stalin and a warning for the things that are going on today.
The cast is phenomenal. The couple the story follows goes on an emotional rollercoaster as more and more dark secrets are revealed. But it is the KGB officer who turns up mysteriously that has you on edge. The guy is scary to watch, especially when he smiles and acts possessive towards the couple
Enjoyed the music. Sondheimesque and it captures the mood and atmosphere generated in this play well
The only downside for me was the ending. So many terrifying twists are made throughout the musical but there comes one in the last act that felt like it could have been in a Twilight Zone episode. Don’t know if that’s in the source material but it was confusing and didn’t gel with everything else. Wasn’t a let down but it did lessen the final impact for me
But otherwise this is one of the best shows I’ve seen this year
|
|
1,046 posts
|
Post by David J on Sept 22, 2018 21:24:06 GMT
I saw this Eugenius this afternoon and found it to be okay.
As everyone have said it was wacky, self aware, not taking itself seriously, full of pop culture references, making fun of things. Just like Toxic Avenger, Carrie, Xanadu and Loserville did
And that’s my problem with this. I’ve seen it before. Done better in my opinion. I didn’t find the story and characters very interesting until Neil McDermott turns up on earth in the second act. He was the funniest aspect of the show for me
Not bad, but nothing special for me
|
|
1,046 posts
|
Post by David J on Sept 22, 2018 21:07:54 GMT
Going to one and two Friday and Saturday, cant wait. I’m seeing both next Saturday as well. Where are you sitting for no 2? I’m going to be in the front row
|
|
1,046 posts
|
Post by David J on Sept 16, 2018 12:34:42 GMT
I've received a subscriber newsletter yesterday where Greg states: "We are making some exciting changes to the Royal Shakespeare Theatre auditorium specifically for this season by extending the audience further round the stage at the Circle levels than ever before, creating new perspectives on the action, truly exploiting the unique qualities of our thrust stage." So basically you're not using the musicians in the extreme ends of the circle and switching back to the usual seats with a restricted view. It's empty gestures, just as these are companies are jumping on the virtue signalling bandwaggon lately with this gender-bending casting And they are relying on us having short-term memory because as you say a lot of this stuff they are proclaiming has been done before. Same with films proclaiming they are finally bringing us strong female characters when there have been plenty of (well-written) ones already
|
|
1,046 posts
|
Post by David J on Sept 15, 2018 16:04:45 GMT
Finally visiting this beautiful theatre
I enjoyed the play. A slow start but by the interval it gets quite dark at times and there is a moment in the second act that is quite harrowing.
It it has the hall marks of a 17th century play with some comic relief, a usurping villain (played superbly by Art Malik) and revenge.
Anya Chalotra is superb in the lead role and gives a tormented performance at the start of the second act
The switch to prose/verse is a bit awkward at times and I could have done without the popular culture and political references
Still it’s a good show
|
|
1,046 posts
|
Post by David J on Sept 15, 2018 7:39:22 GMT
I remember seeing that. Scared me to no end.
And I still wish they kept it in.
Shows how in this day and age parents and media would rather shield children from scary stuff and harsh realities that they’re going to have to face at some point
And children love to be scared
|
|