562 posts
|
Post by jadnoop on Dec 6, 2018 9:48:07 GMT
I wonder how they're going to handle returns - RADA Hamlet didn't let you buy them at all, Kabeiroi opened up a further ballot to clear the unsold tickets, and Barbican Hamlet just gave up caring after a while and let anyone buy any tickets that cropped up later in the day. If they're successfully tying bookings to logins then I suppose it would be easy enough for them to continue to ensure that only authorised purchasers will be allowed to buy returns, but then it could get repetitive and weird and not-worth-the-hassle to have to run new ballots every so often (unless they did one final one in the middle of January, let LOADS of people "win", and the deal is "you're the ones who are allowed to buy returns if they pop up but these are absolutely by no means guaranteed so good luck with that"). I happened to be passing the NT so popped in to ask. Apparently the box office haven't yet been told what will happen with returns or if any ballot seats are unsold. So if there are any plans already in place, there's no official stance yet.
|
|
562 posts
|
Post by jadnoop on Dec 6, 2018 1:00:18 GMT
Anthony Neilson's 'contemporary reimagining' of Edgar Allan Poe's Tell-Tale Heart had it's first preview tonight.
The first comments from twitter are an interesting, if mixed, bag. A few walk-outs and very negative tweets; a few positive comments; and a note about how horrific it is. Apparently an audience member threw up!
Intriguing.
|
|
562 posts
|
Post by jadnoop on Dec 5, 2018 17:56:54 GMT
Is there any day seating for this? Had a search online and couldn't find much.
|
|
562 posts
|
Post by jadnoop on Dec 5, 2018 8:26:02 GMT
Annie Baker's The Flick is like that. (Technically there's one tiny fourth part, but it's non-speaking if I remember correctly).
|
|
562 posts
|
Post by jadnoop on Dec 5, 2018 8:17:00 GMT
Being placed in a queue regardless of your reason for visiting the website is one of my many unresolved issues with the NT's online system, though in fairness to them, other theatres also do this when booking opens for a new season. Some people may simply wish to book tickets for a production already on sale or check other information but are unable to do anything for the duration. If phone lines can have an automated system to filter calls, surely websites can also have a simple tab system, eg "Book Tickets For New Season" or "Access Other Areas"? They have had it in the past, so it's weird they don't have it now. When Angels in America booking opened, I remember there was an option when in the queue for "not booking for AIA? Click here to visit the NT website" so it's a bit odd they haven't kept that up. They changed the queue-it system after AIA. Possibly in part because a bug meant that you could bypass the queueing system entirely. I suspect that part of the reason that bug existed was because of the split between the parts of the site that did and did not send you to the queue-it system.
|
|
562 posts
|
Post by jadnoop on Dec 3, 2018 19:03:47 GMT
They finally have the seat map back up! And dynamic pricing has already kicked in on at least some dates. Comparing the seat map between sites, I hadn't realised that each site is assigned very different seats, and the availability seems to be quite different. Presumably theatre-goers gravitate towards some sites more than others.
e.g. 20th April has very different availability between ATG, SeeTickets and Ticketmaster.
Do more experienced TB users know which site is most likely to get the front-row stalls tickets (assuming they haven't already been on sale)? Or are they set aside for in-person day tickets?
|
|
562 posts
|
Post by jadnoop on Dec 2, 2018 12:33:18 GMT
Yes, as I think I've whinged previously on this thread, you can either hang on to artistic integrity by doing the show in a small theatre, or cast a big name star, but not both. I would have booked for Crimp + Mitchell, but now can't because of Blanchett. I get the frustration at not being able to get tickets. However, I don't see why as actors who reach a certain level of fame/stature should essentially be stopped from appearing on smaller stages at the NT.
I can imagine that some actors (or musicians) get frustrated at needing to appear in larger and larger auditoriums, and in turn being limited to the kinds of plays that work at a larger scale. There's an intimacy and audience connection that must exist performing on a smaller stage compared to the larger ones. And as audience member I think there's a certain excitement at seeing a star perform in a closer environment; even if this means that my chances of getting a ticket in the first place are greatly diminished.
Additionally, I suspect that the development of the actors, the script and the stage are probably not as rigid as might be suggested. In this case, IIRC the play and stage were announced long before Blanchett was, so it may be that she came on board later in the day. One could argue that when this casting decision was made the NT should have shuffled to the play to a larger stage, but it's not that simple; the writer & actors might have specifically wanted a more intimate setting, actors' availbility might be limited, and in any case the other stages will have been in place as well.
For what it's worth, I'm disappointed that I couldn't get tickets for this. However, I'm glad that they took this; it looks like it'll be an exciting piece for those who manage to go.
|
|
562 posts
|
Post by jadnoop on Dec 2, 2018 4:19:22 GMT
Excuse my ignorance here, but I do consider myself a bit of a film buff and honestly didn't realise she has that kind of obsessed following. She's definitely respected among my circle but not regarded as one of the greats. When or how did she suddenly become the focus of such obsession? Your post is ridiculous There are less than 20 000 tickets (Bear in mind the Spice Girls Sold over 650 000 tickets for their reunion tour in less than a week) For the NT debut Of an actress Who has been nominated for 7 Oscars 7 BAFTAs 9 Golden Globes She is a major fashion icon And has rarely appeared on the UK stage For people To have interest in such a major player within the arts Is hardly obsessed And I think you are probably a film “buff” In the most amateur sense Second to Meryl Streep Cate Blanchett is the second most Oscar nominated actress for her acting roles who is still alive The same number as Judi Dench Who is much her senior 4 of her nominations have been for Best actress “Not Regarded as one of The greats” 🤣🤣🤣 She has had more nominations Than the likes Of Maggie Smith Jane Fonda Glenn Close Audrey Hepburn Elizabeth Taylor Jessica Lange There is more to life than the Oscars But that many nominations Isn’t something that can simply be ignored You're right about Blanchett being a huge star for this, but theres really no need to be mean to a random stranger online over something so trivial.
|
|
562 posts
|
Post by jadnoop on Nov 30, 2018 15:34:24 GMT
You think ? Not ATG not wanting you to see they haven’t released a whole bunch of seats better than the ones they’ve fobbed you off with then ? Well I checked today with a friend who was looking for tickets as well and didn’t have priority yesterday and when we got in it didn’t look like they had released anything better than what I bought yesterday. We tried a couple of dates and changed seats and Bands quite a lot but everything that came up was either restricted view or way back for way too much money. I bought her a good seat yesterday so she does not have to miss out completely but we didn’t buy any other tickets today. The tickets that were left were just not worth the price. The 'benefits' of controlling seat allocation for ATG don't need to be quite as extreme as that. Even within individual areas, the fact that they control how seats are doled out means that the issues around gaps don't come up for them. Some theatres have strict rules on leaving individual seats between people and so on, and that 'problem' disappears when you don't allow users to select the seats in the first place.
However, my guess would be that this has less to do with wanting to control the process (or speed things up) and just to do with momentum. For all it's faults ATG have a site that 'works' and any big switch in the system means added short-term risks and costs, even if the long-term benefits are large.
|
|
562 posts
|
Post by jadnoop on Nov 29, 2018 9:38:10 GMT
Out of interest, has anyone had luck getting a response from asking JLC / ATG via Twitter for the link? I've not heard anything but am not sure if I've sent to the wrong place, or am just at the end of a long backlog.
|
|
562 posts
|
Post by jadnoop on Nov 29, 2018 9:26:45 GMT
Given that unique presale links or codes can be supplied to customers why on earth do producers choose instead to send things out at the last minute?! They did the same with All About Eve, but luckily that seemed (fairly) smooth. With this I feel very sorry for whoever is running twitter for ATG, presumably frantically dealing with hundreds of tweets...
|
|
562 posts
|
Post by jadnoop on Nov 13, 2018 9:32:56 GMT
Laura Wade's new play 'The Watsons' based on an unfinished Jane Austen novel looks really interesting.
From a quick search online, it looks like the reviews are all pretty positive too. I don't know how likely it is to transfer to London, but I have my fingers crossed.
Has anyone seen this yet?
|
|
562 posts
|
Post by jadnoop on Nov 6, 2018 19:26:20 GMT
Is that how it works, you're only good at your job if, say, more than a certain number of TheatreBoard members have heard of you? Does that mean I'm better at my job than Drama Desk- and Tony award-winning actor Denis O'Hare is at his, 'cos I *know* I'm chatty enough on here that you'd have to work hard to miss me! I’m merely expressing surprise that in their on-going obsession with all things American the NT are employing a USA actor with no mainstream acting profile in the UK at all. Why ? Why not employ a UK actor ? With all due respect I can't help but think that your view of how much UK theatre is 'obsessed' with America is clouded by your apparent dislike of the country (or at least its popular culture). Don't get me wrong, I'm not suggesting that there aren't more American actors/plays/etc. brought over compared with other countries. However, one of the few constants of TheatreBoard is that whenever an American play/actor/actress/writer/director is announced for London, Jan will moan about how 'obsessed' the UK is with America.
|
|
562 posts
|
Post by jadnoop on Nov 5, 2018 16:27:21 GMT
Really excited to see that ENB are bringing back Bausch's Rite of Spring as part of what looks like a really interesting triple bill next year. www.ballet.org.uk/production/she-persisted/ Can't wait to see it again. Fingers crossed this is the start of a larger collaboration and they can put on more Bausch pieces.
|
|
562 posts
|
Post by jadnoop on Nov 5, 2018 8:50:23 GMT
NT Advance members tickets have gone on sale for this
|
|
562 posts
|
Post by jadnoop on Nov 4, 2018 17:09:58 GMT
The Bridge toilets seemed a fairly good analogy for the play: Pretty but rather poorly thought out.
Why on earth did anyone decide to have exposed absorbent (but hopefully fire-retardent) sponge as the ceiling material in a room that's smelly, splashy, and needs to be easily cleaned? The pattern might look nice now, but within a year I suspect it will be damaged and fraying in places, smelly, blotchy and quite disgusting. And given that the toilets should be empty while the performances are going, I suspect that any sound absorbing properties aren't of much practical benefit either.
|
|
562 posts
|
Post by jadnoop on Nov 3, 2018 16:18:36 GMT
Ugh, this was awful. I wouldn't call it racist, or anything, just very juvenile. Like a panto written by a child who's just discovered the f-word. Full of lame puns and gurning, this was trying so hard to be controversial but was just cringe-inducing.
Sad to say it was my first walk out. I feel bad doing that, but life's just too short.
The set and lighting was good though. Seats were pretty comfy too.
|
|
562 posts
|
Post by jadnoop on Nov 1, 2018 4:18:17 GMT
What are Theatres like at exchanging tickets? Specifically if I’ve booked a massively inconvenient ticket before they’ve announced an extension which would be much more convenient? You will need to call and check with the specific theatre as the rules vary from place to place (or google their Ts and Cs). However, quite a few will allow you to exchange tickets for another date for a small charge (e.g. NT and Barbican are £2/ticket if I remember correctly).
|
|
562 posts
|
Post by jadnoop on Oct 30, 2018 17:42:57 GMT
I was lucky enough to get to see the 3d showing at the BFI as part of this years London Film Festival (making Prince William my entry for the 'famous people you've seen in the audience' thread). I definitely agree that this was a great film, interesting and very moving.
However, I have to say that I'm mixed about some of the processing. Don't get me wrong, the general clean up of the images, the stabilisation, and addition of vocals in particular were wonderful. However, I found the colouring (essentially pastel tones with somewhat unnatural tones like Victorian-era postcards) gave something of the feeling of the uncanny valley. Similarly, while correcting the film speed worked well, the fact that the interpolation was (understandably) computer-generated meant that at moments you had very unusual & unnatural movements, similar to Bob Sabiston's work on films like Waking Life and A Scanner Darkly or face-morphing videos. The 3d effects on the other hand, which I was pretty nervous about, seemed to be uniformly excellent throughout the film.
Ultimately, I thought this was a really interesting and worthwhile film and one I look forward to seeing again. However, I suspect that in a generation or so, the technological side will be viewed like Terminator 2, Jurassic Park or Independence Day; huge step changes, but still only a dip into the waters of what can be done for movies with computing.
|
|
562 posts
|
Post by jadnoop on Oct 29, 2018 13:44:45 GMT
January 2020?! This seems ridiculous. If theatres really want people to book over a year in advance IMO they should be far more relaxed about returning tickets. You can return tickets at the young vic According to their website they allow for exchanges but not out-and-out returns for a refund:
"We will not normally issue refunds. Where possible, tickets may be exchanged for another performance of the same production if..."
I appreciate allowing for exhanging performance dates, but if they want us to stump up and commit to seeing something ~15 months away, I think that returning tickets should be accepted.
|
|
562 posts
|
Post by jadnoop on Oct 29, 2018 13:36:38 GMT
January 2020?! This seems ridiculous. If theatres really want people to book over a year in advance IMO they should be far more relaxed about returning tickets.
|
|
562 posts
|
Post by jadnoop on Oct 26, 2018 6:18:29 GMT
Wendell Pierce as Willy Loman Who?? He was fantastic in a couple of David Simon's shows; playing a musician in Treme, and Bunk in the amazing The Wire. Both are definitely recommended if you're a fan of slow, deep dramas.
|
|
562 posts
|
Post by jadnoop on Oct 24, 2018 11:55:26 GMT
I often have to discard clothing when I go out. Last Sunday, for example, I wore a long-sleeved shirt and a sweater indoors but switched to a short-sleeved shirt when I went outside. Just checking, you do know that having a grass carpet and tree growing in the centre of your living room isn't normal, right? That small trick that real estate agents don't want you to know: Renting out a little sleeping space in the walk-in fridges in central London restaurants is much cheaper than nearby flats.
|
|
562 posts
|
Post by jadnoop on Oct 24, 2018 10:54:47 GMT
And I would like to see him Direct an actual new play/ piece of writing By somone else Didn't he direct The Red Barn at the National a couple of years ago? That borrowed liberally from the aesthetic of classic film noir but I thought it was pretty interesting to be honest.
Admittedly that had pretty middling reviews, but IMO that was at least partly down to the decision to market it as some sort of exciting pyschological thriller rather than as a slow-burn drama.
|
|
562 posts
|
Post by jadnoop on Oct 21, 2018 19:56:14 GMT
For the avoidance of doubt, are we saying that it's acceptable to have completely random erotica posted on this board?
I'm no prude, and accept that this will probably get me laughed off the messageboard, but I kinda feel like this is really pushing the line for what is a pretty family-friendly site. I accept that we are (presumably) all adults here and that the photo is not pornographic. However this has nothing to do with the discussion and seems to me to be a step up from the 'cheeky chappy' type content that is pretty common here.
(I know that some will say that I should use the report button, but since admin members have liked the posts, this is at least tacit acknowledgement and acceptance.)
|
|