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Post by dlevi on Mar 24, 2023 6:25:53 GMT
I saw this last night and found it to be unadulterated bliss from start to finish. True it's pretty much a perfect show to begin with but Nick Hytner has delvered a classic in a way that is completely fresh to that often "elusive" younger audience. Audiences at revivals of classic musicals tend to skew older, last night though the crowd was younger ( in large part thanks to the pit) and multi-cultural. For those of us who are older it wasn't simply a nostalgia trip at an old favorite, it was a bold re-thinking. There was palpable sexual energy between the two couples ( especially Sky and Sarah) which gave the whole evening a feeling of living in the present. And with theall inclusive bows I felt as if we were visiting s genuine community called "Runyonland". Quite simply, I found this to be a great production of a great musical.
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Post by dlevi on Mar 23, 2023 5:35:54 GMT
Am almost tempted now to try it for myself as I'm wondering if I'd stand a better chance of enjoying a play with mixed reviews and of which I have lower expectations than with recent productions at the RC which others' comments have persuaded me to see despite my initial instinct and which proved that I should have trusted my own judgement. For instance, I loathed The Glow, escaped asap from the inexplicable and unintelligible Kylie Jenner and regretted enduring the baffling and seemingly interminable For Black Boys (etc) but quite enjoyed Rare Earth Mettle. The public and critics seemed to like or even love the first 3 but were more divided and less enthusiastic about the last. Shame that if I do go, it will use up yet another scarce matinee slot due to the long running time - even if it was engaging, I'd risk falling asleep if I tried to sit thrugh something so long in the evening. I know exactly how you feel about risking going to the Royal Court. I was fascinated and frustrated by "The Glow" , I left "For Black Boys" because it clearly wasn't intended for me, I thought Voices from the Underground a total mess, like you I enjoyed Rare Earth Mettle though it was far from perfect - my point being not that we have similar tastes but that more than a lot of theatres the Royal Court time and again offers us something rare: surprise. Yes our time is valuable , and we could look at a list of their productions in under Vicky Featherstone and probably not remember 90% of them, but sometimes in the midst of those forgettable plays something of worth emerges. "Black Superhero" is far from perfect but at least it offers up insight and discussion from characters we don't often meet on stage in the theatre.
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Post by dlevi on Mar 22, 2023 23:53:32 GMT
I was at the matinee today and while the show was watchable it was also pretty bad. I didn't find a moment of genuine theatrical inspiration anywhere to be found - not in the score, or the mundane lyrics or the pathetic dialogue. I also found it to be morally reprehensible in that while they mention that B & C kill people the show was far more interested in celebrating them than condemning them. It was the least imaginative production of a musical I've seen since "Pretty Woman".
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Post by dlevi on Mar 22, 2023 23:44:42 GMT
I saw this tonight and was surprised at how engaging it was. Often funny, sometimes insightful but for me what worked were the characters. They were actual individuals and not just mouthpieces for different points of view. Terrific direction from Daniel Evans and no weak performances anywhere to be found. A perfect play? No but it asks a fair number of unanswerable questions and gives us all something to think about. I'd give it 4 stars because I think people should see it. three stars would indicate that it's missable.
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Post by dlevi on Mar 18, 2023 6:27:47 GMT
I saw this last night at the Park and I found it sloppily written ( with an occasional laugh out loud line), amateurishly acted - with the exceptions of Sara Crowe ( who found comic gold in some of her reactions and line readings) and Donna Berlin as the pragmatic stage manager. Mr Gatiss's staging is awkward and unconvincing. The initial meeting ( or rather reunion) between Mr Bradshaw and Mr Hallard happens off-stage and the awkwardness of their situation is dismissed very quickly. As for the rest of the play I suppose you could dismiss it as "a bit of fun" but there are hints throughout that Mr Hallard actually wanted to write a semi-serious play about lonely people finding themselves through a group effort. As the drama unfolds in the second act I sat there bewildered: Were we supposed to care about any of these people? Mr Bradshaw and Mr Hallard's lack of chemistry doesn't help. I just found the whole evening to be mildly funny and instantly forgettable. And to have the shortest of snippets of ABBA music between scenes and a longer excerpt for the bows makes me feel as if they're cheating ABBA fans of what they probably came for. 2 stars from me.
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Post by dlevi on Mar 10, 2023 7:25:25 GMT
I didn't hate it, I just felt as if they didn't know what they wanted to say. There was a disconnect between the songs and the book. Very well performed and I wasn't bored but the whole thing felt very much like a triumph of regional theatre instead of something which spoke to a larger world.
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Post by dlevi on Mar 10, 2023 7:18:19 GMT
WTF? Ok so the seat numbering is ridiculous and the good-natured volunteer ushers haven't a clue. The running time is close to 3 hours but our usher said " I think they're going to make cuts later this week" The backless seating is a Godsend for the local chiropractors - they should set up massage tables in the lobby. The slow revolve is so slow that a third of the audience could not see the 3 magic tricks which were performed early in the play.
But what about the play?
Ridiculous. Utterly ridiculous. 5 geographically untraceable accents descend on a remote island and behave in a manner which has no basis in any reality. Jenna Russell gives a committed performance and I admire her for it but what must she be thinking? Actually what must any of them be thinking. The direction is vague and arrogant. The design is spartan and then obscure. This is pretentious crap and we were not alone as we escaped into the night at the interval (90 minutes in) . Which leaves me to wonder - does everyone abandon the first two rows at that point? Bleah!
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Post by dlevi on Feb 28, 2023 11:39:55 GMT
I saw this a few weeks ago as well and while not the worst play of the current season it was one of the most disheartening given how good the same author's play "The Animal Kingdom" had been. I know its hard times for the Hampstead Theatre but it's starting to feel like the Anthony Clark days all over again. They need someone to come in an actually give it some real life.
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Post by dlevi on Feb 21, 2023 17:55:47 GMT
I thought it was a terrific production. Sophie and Ben are both terrific and Sophie does achieve that rare thing of achieving empathy from the audience even though we know what she's going to do. And assuming it was Dominic Cooke's idea to have Ben play all the men in the play, it's a brilliant one and works wonderfully. I went to the box office at around 1:00 pm and got a rush ticket for £25. Was the ticket the same rush/day seat Soho Place was advertising for the previews? I don't see any info on their site although Theatre Monkey says they sell £20 tickets in person each day? They seemed to have stopped advertising the same day/rush policy. I happened to be in the area and walked up to the desk and asked. The post-opening price is £25 . Totally worth it.
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Post by dlevi on Feb 20, 2023 22:37:31 GMT
I thought it was a terrific production. Sophie and Ben are both terrific and Sophie does achieve that rare thing of achieving empathy from the audience even though we know what she's going to do. And assuming it was Dominic Cooke's idea to have Ben play all the men in the play, it's a brilliant one and works wonderfully. I went to the box office at around 1:00 pm and got a rush ticket for £25.
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Post by dlevi on Feb 7, 2023 23:29:59 GMT
I'm just in from seeing this and all I can say is: wow.
To address the concerns which have been aired here:
Running time is 2:45 now including the interval.
Yes there are blackouts which go on too long but when the lights come up I found it worth the wait.
The timing of the subtitles is still off but not enough to ruin the astonishing production.
and it'll only get better.
Like Simon Stone's "Yerma" 7 years ago this production is going to be the hottest ticket in town ( well maybe second hottest ticket after "Streetcar") - this is an utterly contemporary play in every way. The emotions are immediate and raw. The dialogue is tight and funny and packs a wallop when it needs to. The design is superb and there isn't a weak performance on the stage. I can't wait to see it again. it's thrilling.
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Post by dlevi on Jan 29, 2023 22:53:44 GMT
Ok, it's not a good play but that doesn't mean I didn't laugh an awful lot. I thought Reece Shearsmith was terrific with some blissful comic timing. Frances Barber was a bit much ( though she was supposed to be) be - she's not inherently funny so the performance for me wasn't great - but everyone else was fine and the two kids were even better than that. It's a 2023 version of 70's West End comedy. I think ( and hope) it'll run based on the names involved as well as the laugh quotient.
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Post by dlevi on Jan 24, 2023 9:48:01 GMT
Zak Zarafshan's play is pretty good fun and has some insightful ideas about parenting . It's "The God of Carnage" meets "Angels in America" but without the discipline of those two plays. Terrific performances from the cast of 6. The play could use some cutting within its various sequences and some of the jokes fell flat but the whole evening builds to something quite moving and the packed house had a great time.
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Post by dlevi on Jan 23, 2023 10:16:00 GMT
This was terrific. Alex Edelman is great story teller, while the show is often hilarious he does get to some deeper truths about our contemporary marginalized society. A real joy.
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Post by dlevi on Jan 23, 2023 10:12:27 GMT
I saw this one Saturday and I thought it was stunning. Beautifully cast and with palpable sexual chemistry between Blanche and Stanley and Stanley and Stella the play truly sizzled. The spartan design liberated the play in a way that was always surprising. Hopefully I'll get a chance to see it again. Wow.
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Post by dlevi on Jan 5, 2023 13:50:10 GMT
So I'm rather shocked at the dismissiveness of the comments here. I saw this last night and loved it. Worth every five star review its gotten. I found it smart, witty and exhilarating. Heigh-Ho!
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Post by dlevi on Jan 3, 2023 9:24:15 GMT
I loved this show not because it was great but because I think it perfectly captured for the stage the energy and silliness of a Bollywood movie. The music was beautiful, the lyrics were often good, and the book was ludicrous. However , the performances were all terrific especially Raza Jaffrey. Why doesn't he do more musicals? When they did the show in the states they decided they needed to explain every aspect of Bollywood culture and in so doing took out any sense of fun. I'd happily see it again but it needs to be done on a large scale , I agree with showtoons in that I don't want to see an actor musician version of it.
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Post by dlevi on Jan 2, 2023 22:56:23 GMT
My top 5 ( in random order) 1. Everything Everywhere All at Once - a wild trip which delighted me. 2. The Banshees of Innisherrin - a movie which was at once hilarious, heartbreaking and a remarkable piece of writing and performance. 3. AfterSun - a remarkable work that was even better the second time. 4. RRR - a bonkers exhilarating Bollywood epic that has to be seen to be believed. 5. Tar - a mesmerizing piece of virtuoso filmmaking with a staggering performance from Cate Blanchett
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Post by dlevi on Dec 28, 2022 9:18:09 GMT
Not a bad year really, though the return of "Hex" did put a damper on things.
The Band's Visit - an amazing achievement on all fronts.
The P Word - a surprising and beautiful play
The Southbury Child - a much underrated "state of the nation" play with a career best performance from Alex Jennings
Jack Absolute Flies Again - a wonderfully performed , often hilarious and surprisingly moving play.
The Corn is Green - Dominic Cooke's innovative and respectful revival was deeply satisfying and thanks to Nicola Walker's performance an unforgettable experience.
and in a category all it's own ABBA: Voyage - just thrilling - even the hot dogs were delicious.
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Post by dlevi on Dec 24, 2022 0:34:32 GMT
This was a happy surprise. I'm not sure what i expected but what I discovered was a delightful original musical movie. A great score from Pasek and Paul, delightful choreography and winning performances. A feel as if it will be an annual event.
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Post by dlevi on Dec 19, 2022 23:44:18 GMT
It's faint praise to say I've seen worse but I have. I didn't mind it all except for the ridiculous last scene with everyone coming into the restaurant to give their conclusion. I thought Fay Ripley was rather wonderful and Gavin Spokes was charming in probably the most offensive role in the play. I wasn't bored which I quite often am these days.
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Post by dlevi on Dec 16, 2022 22:57:10 GMT
Saw this tonight and they're clearly just finding their feet with the sudden change of cast. No formal announcement of Patricia Hodge being out except for a monitor at the top of the stairs which was on the second screen after the initial cast listing. If the opportunity arises I'll go back in January once they're more comfortable .
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Post by dlevi on Dec 16, 2022 9:24:37 GMT
I was at the matinee yesterday and had a great time. John Bishop is a delight and McKellen is a joy from start to finish. My reservations are with "the book". The show could shave off 10 minutes and no one would be the wiser. I did enjoy the fact that they acknowledged that there weren't a lot of kids in the audience. There were some technical snafus but I think some of them might be part of the show. The supporting players were all having a good time, but I think they've been indulged too much in the rehearsal room. There was an overall laziness in the writing but it was good-natured so I guess that's ok. I do think that 3 Liz Truss jokes in the space of 15 minutes is a bit much. They should choose one. I did love the fact that The Energy Company was the villian - but there should've been some sort of a payoff to that. I see from the comments here that there are a fair number of discounts available and at those discounted prices you'll certainly get your money's worth. But at those higher ATG prices? Not so much.
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Post by dlevi on Dec 10, 2022 10:58:11 GMT
While I didn't particularly like Mr Dyer's social agenda based re-thinking of what the play was about ( the need for the society around Othello to see him fail, Women's empowerment etc.) I thought the design elements of the production were outstanding as were the committed performances by the actors. The production held my attention through out. Not a triumph by any means but in no way a disaster.
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Post by dlevi on Dec 9, 2022 22:53:12 GMT
When I saw this last year I thought it was awful but when an opportunity for a cheap ticket came up I couldn't resist. I should have.
The show seems slicker than last year but that's the only improvement. It's still a mess. Who is their audience? The show itself makes no sense, has no wit or consistency of style and the score is truly awful - miserable unwieldy melodies matched only by pathetic lyrics. They've spent money on the design elements but that doesn't mean its good. The return of this catastrophe should be Rufus's undoing - a waste of money and talent on something that has always been reeking of nepotism. Shame on them all.
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Post by dlevi on Dec 7, 2022 9:21:28 GMT
Bright, breezy and brief this was a thoroughly enjoyable evening that didn't outstay its welcome. Delightfully acted by Emma Corrin and Deborah Findlay with terrific support from a variety of Virginia Woolfs. Neil Bartlett's adaptation makes one believe that the novel itself might even be an easy and entertaining read, though I suspect it's only the latter. And Grandage along with designer Peter Mackintosh has created a charming world of their own. My only negative about the evening was the ticket price.
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Post by dlevi on Nov 29, 2022 21:50:55 GMT
Well with no Stag panto this year, it's nice to know that at least we'll have one next year. I haven't booked yet but come August I will.
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Post by dlevi on Nov 25, 2022 17:36:51 GMT
Dinner with Groucho "resembles a comedy." Greg Hicks isn't funny but playing TS Eliot doesn't demand that he be funny.
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Post by dlevi on Nov 24, 2022 23:47:45 GMT
I saw this a couple nights ago and instantly forgot about it. The prospect of a dinner with TS Eliot and Groucho Marx is a funny one, it's a shame they really had nothing to say to one another. I got at least 95% of the references but to what end? The play was dull and while Ian Bartholomew is a swell actor, where was Groucho? The public persona was there in costume only and the private one was present at all. Lots of talented people involved but for me a waste of time.
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Post by dlevi on Nov 20, 2022 10:49:15 GMT
Saw this on Friday night and it was terrific. I had loved it at the Young Vic but they've expanded the ensemble and Zachary Quinto adds the appropriate amount of sneer in his performance as Gore Vidal. The design has been re-configured to stunning effect and the capacity audience ate it up. It looks to be a good old-fashioned West End hit.
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