|
Post by nick on May 10, 2021 18:40:42 GMT
I can't believe CTM has been going for nearly 10 years. Both the quality of the writing in how the social and medical issues are tackled has been absolutely fantastic over the years as has the acting from the cast. In such a long running series, I expect to get dips in the quality of a show, but for me this has never been an issue and this series is no exception. Great Sunday night telly. I agree that it is "must watch" TV for me. It walks a fine line between a number of styles - soap, social comment, comedy, tragedy and a touch of spiritualism, very well. In last night's episode I guessed the 2 surprises very quickly but, for some reason, it doesn't matter. There is a magic formula that very few other programmes have achieved.
|
|
|
Post by nick on Apr 15, 2021 13:05:17 GMT
I hope they'll commission some new works alongside retreads*.
* sorry 'retreads' sounds wrong. I'd like to see a decent version of Godspell because I'm an aging hippy.
|
|
|
Post by nick on Apr 7, 2021 7:09:38 GMT
In a crisis (nearly) everyone makes a sacrifice. But it's never fair. In WWII every group had to make changes but it was the young men who gave their lives while, let's say, rich people living in the countryside felt a much smaller impact. But, on the whole, the government was trusted so when they made decisions most people were happy to follow them for the greater good.
Things are rather different these days. Boris has flipped flopped and made so many half thought out decisions we don't trust his judgement.
Nobody wants Covid to get a grip again. If we were told by somebody we trusted that passports would stop the need for another lockdown then many people (not all) would accept it. But I don't think any person or group has the full trust of the public.
|
|
|
Post by nick on Apr 4, 2021 19:56:00 GMT
Do productions have to keep the original choreography? I'm fairly sure Chorus Line, Fiddler and West Side Story were the three that throughout history required original choreography, and Chorus Line is the only one where that's still the case... (As we've had new choreo versions of the other two) I know very little about these things but I thought Pippin had to use certain sections of the original choreography. I'm hoping someone more knowledgable than me might chip in.
|
|
|
Post by nick on Apr 1, 2021 9:17:40 GMT
There is an argument for mask wearing in winter to reduce the transmission of, not just Covid, but other things like flu and colds. Might also be a precaution for the next potential pandemic (which is a “when” rather than an “if”). Just like other health precautions it might become the (new) normal.
I absolutely agree with it being personal choice though.
|
|
|
Post by nick on Mar 31, 2021 15:48:43 GMT
I'm not sure down with the kids is necessary for Cinderella. She's did some good writing for Killing Eve and is up for an Oscar so I'm happy to give her the benefit of the doubt.
I also enjoyed her in Call the Midwife.
|
|
|
Post by nick on Mar 20, 2021 19:55:04 GMT
Sorry but it “literally” does make sense if you add in human nature. Realistically you’d never get people in nightclubs to wear masks. That is why nightclubs will be the last places to open. Hopefully when social distancing is a precaution rather than a necessity. I’ve disliked most of what this government have done during the pandemic but this roadmap seems to, eventually, to be following science, maths and psychology. Sorry I'm not referring to any roadmap. I'm referring in general to people spouting nonsense about our 'new normal' and future post-pandemic lives, saying that masks in social places will become the norm. Maybe I didn't read back far enough but I don't think we're talking about the same things. Anyway here's Wonderwall. Ha. Ok. We’re talking slightly different things. I’m sorta hoping but not holding my breath that we can have a new normal where washing hands and taking time off when you got a cold/flu/Covid/the next big thing becomes more common. But I’m with you, wearing masks in a nightclub is ludicrous. So close them during the pandemic and open them when it’s safe. The world is an interesting but mixed up place.
|
|
|
Post by nick on Mar 20, 2021 17:47:04 GMT
It’s a statistics game, isn’t it? If you wear a mask half the time you are out then you halve the risk of getting/passing Covid. I get it but literally makes zero sense. If that's the case, you're better off putting masks on everyone in nightclubs, and no masks on trains. Make it make sense lol. Sorry but it “literally” does make sense if you add in human nature. Realistically you’d never get people in nightclubs to wear masks. That is why nightclubs will be the last places to open. Hopefully when social distancing is a precaution rather than a necessity. I’ve disliked most of what this government have done during the pandemic but this roadmap seems to, eventually, to be following science, maths and psychology.
|
|
|
Post by nick on Mar 20, 2021 5:10:02 GMT
True, although a bit odd if it's a free for all in a nightclub but you must mask up at the pictures. This is the bit I never understand about people saying 'oh masks will be the norm going forward' - sorry but where on earth is the logic of me wearing a mask on the tube or bus going into the city and then removing my mask to sit and drink in a pub or meet and maul new strangers and potential partners in a nightclub or whatever? It’s a statistics game, isn’t it? If you wear a mask half the time you are out then you halve the risk of getting/passing Covid.
|
|
|
Post by nick on Mar 18, 2021 13:01:13 GMT
I’ve just had my email for the change in dates. I’m still in the circle (so I guess it exists) and, curiously, the “new” date is the same date as last time they shifted the start date. It’s mid November so hopefully Covid will be mostly a fading memory (optimist me).
|
|
|
Post by nick on Mar 14, 2021 20:35:12 GMT
I'm sorry but men (ALL men) still need to be educated. I am genuinely interested in how you would do this educating. We already have compulsory courses about consent and other behaviours at most universities. While women are still scared to walk out at night we need to find more ways to change men’s behaviour. That’s done by a steady drip of education - conversation, training, statistics, debate, protest, fatherly chats, shaming and calling out bad behaviour etc etc
|
|
|
Post by nick on Mar 14, 2021 20:31:50 GMT
And before someone suggests that this is not fair on us good guys, SOMEONE has to change their behaviour and why should it always be the women?
I think a curfew has some merit. It will never happen but it’s only as ludicrous as telling women to dress differently, walk in groups, keep their keys in their hands and all the other advice they get at the moment.
|
|
|
Post by nick on Mar 14, 2021 20:27:53 GMT
I think the analogy to smoking is very pertinent. Used to be “cool” but is now seen by the majority as antisocial behaviour.
I think changing laddish behaviour is much tougher but needs the same type of attrition over time. And education is the key. My son’s generation is light years ahead of mine because of how he was taught by university courses or enlightened friends or many other ways. But the journey continues. We must push things further.
Like smoking there will be a tipping point. My wife is asthmatic and for much of her life she has to modify her behaviour to allow smokers to smoke (eg never going in a pub). This is where we are with women - they have to modify their behaviour because of some men’s actions. We need to turn this on it’s head so women can act normally and it’s men who have been guided to modify their behaviour. It’s not easy and it won’t be perfect but it’ll be a damn sight fairer than it is now.
|
|
|
Post by nick on Mar 14, 2021 11:43:22 GMT
I'm sorry but men (ALL men) still need to be educated. We (men) are more likely to objectify another person (I want to say women but it goes deeper than that). The reason is that our behaviour is reinforced by what we see around us especially when we are growing up. We see women being objectified by the media (Daily Mail, I'm looking at you). We still see actions left unchallenged. Not gender but how shocking was it to see Alex, the weatherman, atanding up to Piers Morgan?
Let's put the responsibility on men to look to their behaviour, to challenge behaviour we know is wrong. It's often small things - interrupting a women talking where we wouldn't do the same to a man, eyeing a woman inappropriately etc. I'm a child of the 60s/70s and I HOPE that I have never upset a woman by my actions but I suspect I have and I apologise.
|
|
|
Post by nick on Mar 12, 2021 16:17:55 GMT
The Mash Report, a comedy program critical of the government has been axed by the state broadcaster at the behest of a director general appointed by the government. Welcome to Britain Today formerly known as the BBC. (Exaggerated?) Cancellation should be based on ratings not Politics, if there is a market for left wing comedy the BBC has a right to create and transmit these programs and hope this is not indicative of any political influence. With the Bill repressing the right to free protest going through Parliament next week whatever your Politics you should be up in arms but obviously in small numbers preferably alone whilst whispering any grievances. "Cancellation should be based on ratings..." is wrong. The great strength of the BBC is its ability NOT to pander to ratings. It should be supporting minority programming. Of course this strengthens the argument for not cancelling The Mash Report. Not that I particularly agree with your argument.
|
|
|
Post by nick on Mar 8, 2021 16:49:04 GMT
Royal Ballet/ROH production of Elite Syncopations for £2.50 from march 12th First proper ballet I ever saw, with Monica Mason. Can't beat a bit of MacMillan. link
|
|
|
Post by nick on Mar 5, 2021 8:58:31 GMT
As soon as I get an email showing my new date and where my circle seats have gone, I shall hop on here.
|
|
|
Post by nick on Mar 4, 2021 15:54:51 GMT
Bored on my lunchbreak and was looking at tickets for this... Why has the circle just...vanished? Does the Gillian Lynne now only have a Stalls? And LOL that the revolving fairground seats are £105 What? I've got tickets for the circle! Mind you they keep moving dates so I'll see when AND WHERE when I get the next email. They were cheap because they were restricted view but all this revolving stuff might make that better or worse. Who can tell. It's a roller coaster** **That's not a new rumour about ALW's plans for the front seats BTW.
|
|
|
Post by nick on Feb 4, 2021 20:57:19 GMT
Am I right in thinking Beautiful City was added to Godspell?
Edit: Wikipedia says so - must be true.
|
|
|
Post by nick on Jan 30, 2021 13:33:03 GMT
I remember having a revolve seat when it opened. It was very exciting and to add to the excitement Paul Nicholas sat on my lap. I went with a school trip and didn't know about the revolve. I had no idea where I was after it revolved. It was such an amazing theatrical moment.
|
|
|
Post by nick on Jan 23, 2021 11:32:39 GMT
£500 is a lot of money, and many people will actively try and get Covid to claim it. I appreciate it is replacing sick pay but the truth is whichever way it is spun, this would make infection rates skyrocket. Universal Basic Income would make more sense. That way people could afford to isolate and there's no discrimination in who gets it. Interesting point. Those for the £500 argue that it will encourage people to be tested and therefore go into isolation and reduce the spread. Your counter argument is that people will abuse the system to get the money. Both are true - some will do one and some will do the other. It's a gamble as to which will be the major effect. I guess that's why it's not a done deal. The argument for universal basic income grows daily I believe.
|
|
|
Post by nick on Jan 23, 2021 10:57:29 GMT
I love Colin. Such a sweet, well-rounded character and played well. The music is fabulous. But I can't say it is an easy watch. That era shaped my life and knowing what is to come for the characters is difficult. This is how it should be. But it does make it emotionally draining. Well made if a little predictable in terms of how RTD creates characters. [br The actor playing Colin (callum Howells) made is west end debut in She Loves Me at the Menier. Interesting. He was very good at the Menier Edit. Actually he looked inexperienced but was one of those people where I think - "He's someone to watch out for"
|
|
|
1984
Jan 18, 2021 7:37:21 GMT
Post by nick on Jan 18, 2021 7:37:21 GMT
The book came out of copyright on the 1st Jan so no surprise there's a new version in the works.
|
|
|
Post by nick on Jan 15, 2021 8:41:03 GMT
She's 61 so, as a teacher, she could have retired at 60 but many don't. Seems the right age to me.
|
|
|
Post by nick on Jan 14, 2021 9:22:01 GMT
Obviously a show hasn't outstayed if there are still people willing to buy tickets.
I've been slow seeing a few shows - Wicked, Lion King and War Horse spring to mind. They all were full with an appreciative audience.
I'm going to say that any show that has to severely discount to get an audience then it's probably due for a rest. I'd say Stomp fell into that category but I really enjoyed it.
|
|