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Post by alessia on Aug 27, 2023 16:29:42 GMT
I also liked this a lot, nothing much to add to what people above have already said. Surprisingly funny and perfect length, I enjoyed the way it was framed as a play inside a play, and as a wedding. Maybe the very last bit when the surprise is revealed was a bit too on the nose with the explanation (but saying that, I had not realised what was going on until 5 minutes before). Apart from that, I have nothing negative to say. I'd never seen Jonny Lee Miller on stage before, he is incredible. Some empty seats in the back stalls at the matinee yesterday, which I found surprising.
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Post by theatrefan77 on Aug 27, 2023 23:11:14 GMT
I was there on Saturday matinee too and was also surprised by the amount of empty seats including quite a few in the second row of Stalls. Maybe some people could not make it as it's supposed to be sold out.
I did enjoyed the play although I find it a tad pretentious in parts. Very well acted. Jonny Lee Miller was really excellent.
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Post by theatremiss on Aug 28, 2023 12:01:12 GMT
I was there on Saturday matinee too and was also surprised by the amount of empty seats including quite a few in the second row of Stalls. Maybe some people could not make it as it's supposed to be sold out. I did enjoyed the play although I find it a tad pretentious in parts. Very well acted. Jonny Lee Miller was really excellent. There was a rail strike on Sat so perhaps people couldn’t make it. I didn’t make La Cage
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Post by dlevi on Aug 30, 2023 9:41:27 GMT
God how I hated this play - not at first but then as it droned on and on I couldn't help but think that Lucy Kirkwood did it better with her play at the Royal Court last year. This was Pillowman-lite crossed with a bit of "Trouble in Mind" . (SPOLIER? I don't think so. The play they're performing is just scenes which serve the author's purpose - and so there was nothing believable or threatening about it. And at the performance I attended there was simply no electricity between the actors. Just a misfire on everyone's part as far as I'm concerned.
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Post by cavocado on Aug 30, 2023 10:41:45 GMT
God how I hated this play - not at first but then as it droned on and on I couldn't help but think that Lucy Kirkwood did it better with her play at the Royal Court last year. This was Pillowman-lite crossed with a bit of "Trouble in Mind" . (SPOLIER? I don't think so. The play they're performing is just scenes which serve the author's purpose - and so there was nothing believable or threatening about it. And at the performance I attended there was simply no electricity between the actors. Just a misfire on everyone's part as far as I'm concerned. I came out of this feeling the opposite. I liked how cleverly and rapidly this unfolded. Some bits were quite predictable, but I still felt a lot of tension and found the ideas interesting and lots of it quite disturbing. Jonny Lee Miller was excellent. I preferred it to the Lucy Kirkwood, but I thought that play's manufactured mystery about the playwright was badly judged, so maybe I went into the RC in the wrong frame of mind. The framing scenario for A Mirror was less self indulgent and annoying, so I felt more able to go with it, enjoy the play, and go along with the audience participation.
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Post by foxa on Aug 30, 2023 11:05:30 GMT
The framing device for the Kirkwood play really did backfire. Going to see this on Saturday so fingers crossed it's not too annoying as I am going with someone who can be annoyed.
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Post by drmaplewood on Aug 30, 2023 13:23:25 GMT
I saw this last night and really enjoyed it, 2 hours whizzed by for me.
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Post by Latecomer on Aug 30, 2023 18:21:55 GMT
I agree with both sides on this one. I enjoyed it, mostly down to some good acting and it is funny, but at the same time I think it’s quite simplistic? I can think of a few ways I would have gone with this one, however, I did not write a play, so respect! And it’s great fun! I think I may just be a cynical old theatre-goer these days! Lovely to see JLM and thought all the cast were really good!
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Post by romeo94 on Aug 30, 2023 20:55:52 GMT
Does anyone know if there is any audience participation for those sitting in the side stalls wedding-style seats?
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Post by thistimetomorrow on Aug 30, 2023 21:59:33 GMT
Does anyone know if there is any audience participation for those sitting in the side stalls wedding-style seats? audience participation is everywhere in the theatre, doesn't matter where you're sat
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Post by showgirl on Aug 31, 2023 3:24:54 GMT
Does anyone know if there is any audience participation for those sitting in the side stalls wedding-style seats? Don't worry: no-one is singled out, so it's not the kind you may be asking or concerned about. Plus the chap next to me yesterday didn't join in once.
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Post by showgirl on Aug 31, 2023 3:31:41 GMT
I saw the matinee yesterday and really enjoyed it for a good hour but after that it began to seem too long and quite an ordeal; not because of the play itself but being forced to sit in those cramped, uncomfortable seats for 2 hours with no interval was quite gruelling and definitely impacted my ability to concentrate and the overall experience. Plus I had a huge person on my right who impinged on my space and a leaner on my left (no doubt due to the pillars), so I had even less room than I should technically have done. In my opinion the play should and could have been a bit shorter - by at least 15 minutes - or should have included an interval. I'm sure others would argue against an interval on the basis that it would break the continuity, but in that case, edit it a little. Besides, though it was very clever and layered, I felt it became a little too intricate and could have lost some of its complexity, or the final stage could have been reached sooner with some pruning in the middle. Based on my initial reaction I would have enthused about it and said it was one of the best things I'd seen in ages; it was still very impressive but somewhat less could have been more.
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Post by romeo94 on Aug 31, 2023 6:54:09 GMT
Does anyone know if there is any audience participation for those sitting in the side stalls wedding-style seats? Don't worry: no-one is singled out, so it's not the kind you may be asking or concerned about. Plus the chap next to me yesterday didn't join in once. Ah great. Thank you!
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Post by Latecomer on Aug 31, 2023 16:42:24 GMT
I saw the matinee yesterday and really enjoyed it for a good hour but after that it began to seem too long and quite an ordeal; not because of the play itself but being forced to sit in those cramped, uncomfortable seats for 2 hours with no interval was quite gruelling and definitely impacted my ability to concentrate and the overall experience. Plus I had a huge person on my right who impinged on my space and a leaner on my left (no doubt due to the pillars), so I had even less room than I should technically have done. In my opinion the play should and could have been a bit shorter - by at least 15 minutes - or should have included an interval. I'm sure others would argue against an interval on the basis that it would break the continuity, but in that case, edit it a little. Besides, though it was very clever and layered, I felt it became a little too intricate and could have lost some of its complexity, or the final stage could have been reached sooner with some pruning in the middle. Based on my initial reaction I would have enthused about it and said it was one of the best things I'd seen in ages; it was still very impressive but somewhat less could have been more. Framing would easily have allowed a “disco in the foyer” break in proceedings as an interval (and could have been quite fun!) ! I too was “taken out of the play” after a while…that chair at the front of the stage blocked my view for some of the time…and I always find that hard not to take personally!!!!! I wonder if there was a moment where the pacing just fell and we stopped being delighted and surprised? Maybe an interval would have helped and then a change of tone for the second half?
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Post by barelyathletic on Sept 6, 2023 9:18:09 GMT
I saw this last night and though it was a really excellent night of theatre. Funny and smart (without being annoying) and provocative, with plenty to chew over when you come out. I thought JLM was astonishingly good, even though I had a cheap side seat stage right so got a fair amount of back acting. The rest of the cast was strong and I loved the ideas and the way it was staged and directed. It very much reminded me of Sam Holcroft's excellent Edgar and Annabelle that I saw at the National nearly ten years ago, and once again she's shown herself to be a really gifted playwright who's not predictable or easy to pin down, and who I think deserves a lot more attention. One of the best of the year for me and I hope it has further life somehow.
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Post by foxa on Sept 6, 2023 16:42:08 GMT
Jonny Lee Miller was so good in this (his physicality from the moment he enters is wow) and Tanya Reynolds who was new to me also wonderful.
The first time I've seen one of Sam Holcroft's plays, though I read Rules of Living which I found really appealing,
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Post by pws on Sept 6, 2023 17:44:22 GMT
Saw this on Monday. There were some, odd, empty seats but it was otherwise full. It zips along and is very funny in parts. It's definitely a play you do not want an interval for. JLM prowling round the stalls kept it moving, but all the acting is good. Some standng ovation.
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Post by capybara on Sept 7, 2023 21:54:25 GMT
Quite enjoyed this tonight. Very meta and lots of twists and turns. I thought it was very well presented, with some lovely touches.
JLM was excellent but I especially enjoyed Tanya Reynolds’ performance as Mei.
Four stars.
Special mention for the Almeida staff who dealt superbly with the gentleman who suffered an epileptic fit about 30 minutes in. They were calm, considerate and did not rush the man or his friend.
JLM was quick to notice the disturbance, said “off” and brought the show to a halt which lasted about 15 minutes.
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Post by mrnutz on Sept 9, 2023 8:41:29 GMT
I saw the matinee yesterday and really enjoyed it for a good hour but after that it began to seem too long and quite an ordeal; not because of the play itself but being forced to sit in those cramped, uncomfortable seats for 2 hours with no interval was quite gruelling and definitely impacted my ability to concentrate and the overall experience. Plus I had a huge person on my right who impinged on my space and a leaner on my left (no doubt due to the pillars), so I had even less room than I should technically have done. In my opinion the play should and could have been a bit shorter - by at least 15 minutes - or should have included an interval. I'm sure others would argue against an interval on the basis that it would break the continuity, but in that case, edit it a little. Besides, though it was very clever and layered, I felt it became a little too intricate and could have lost some of its complexity, or the final stage could have been reached sooner with some pruning in the middle. Based on my initial reaction I would have enthused about it and said it was one of the best things I'd seen in ages; it was still very impressive but somewhat less could have been more. I completely agree with this - I enjoyed it and thought all of the performances were great, but I would have enjoyed it so much more with 20 minutes trimmed from the run time or a 'wedding-themed' interval in the middle to break it up. It ended at 22:39 last night so more than 2h10m of sitting in a fairly uncomfortable wedding seat. Sometimes less is more, people! 3/5
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Post by mattnyc on Sept 16, 2023 16:56:51 GMT
Enjoyed this very much this afternoon but yeah, this needed an interval, being at this theatre. Those seats aren’t comfortable for any amount of time but two+ straight hours can be torture on your back PLUS it was insanely hot in there today. It’s almost as if they discussed how to make the audience miserable and did just that.
But the play was very good and Jonny, as always, was magnificent.
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Post by partytentdown on Sept 16, 2023 18:56:56 GMT
I've listed a Single ticket on the noticeboard for Monday, £22 if anyone fancies it
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Post by mistressjojo on Sept 18, 2023 21:24:26 GMT
Saw this tonight and very much enjoyed it. I didn't miss the interval at all, and my seat in the rear stalls was comfortable enough. The whole cast is solid, but it really is the JLM show. Much more my thing than Next to Normal (which was good, no shade here. But this was more my speed.) Although there was singing !
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Post by shakeel on Sept 20, 2023 21:01:41 GMT
Thought this was very mediocre. The framing device added very little, I thought. And the overall message just felt quite shallow — yes, authoritarianism is bad and involves complicity. Not sure it needed 2 hours to say that.
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Post by seeseveryshow on Sept 22, 2023 23:06:45 GMT
I started checking my watch barely 45 minutes into it tonight. Excruciatingly uncomfortable seating. I was in stalls A4, a terrible side seat. Claustrophic. Sound was tough when performers had their backs to us.
After more than 2 hours of this long and disappointing play, I was delighted to exit. Easy access by bus to and from Angel tube station. Lobby foyer area seemed nice. The theatre itself not so much. Saw similar trough urinal at the Menier last night, and thought it was disgusting in both venues.
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Post by mkb on Sept 24, 2023 1:58:38 GMT
When you strip away all of the exterior dramatic froth, the nub here is a simple proposition that art does not need to convey literal truth, only the essence of the truth. I am unconvinced that Sam Holcroft's script makes a compelling case, and I could find counter arguments.
But those layers of froth provide a clever framework and an intriguing watch for the most part. I was particularly amused that at one point we have a play within a play within a play. I don't think I have encountered such a three-level iteration before.
Jonny Lee Miller, all shaven-headed and commanding, is a revelation, and Tanya Reynolds also supplies a stand-out performance.
Two-thirds through I found time dragging a tad, and longed for an interval. The pacing here definitely demands it.
Four stars.
One act: 14:04-16:05
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Post by aneild on Sept 27, 2023 20:21:10 GMT
I really enjoyed this. Thoroughly well-acted, and it has a nice central conceit. It was maybe too clever for its own good in the end, but it was a tremendous twisty ride while it lasted.
On the other hand, this was my first time in the front row of the Almeida circle. The legroom is absolutely crippling, which, combined with the tight bench seating, was non-ideal for me at six feet tall. Lucky the show was so enjoyable but I wouldn't sit there again.
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Post by mattnyc on Sept 27, 2023 21:00:21 GMT
It’s a show I’ve thought a lot about in the weeks since i saw it. Especially being American where book banning is in fashion again, it really hit home for me.
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Post by Dave B on Nov 28, 2023 10:14:36 GMT
West End Transfer!
Trafalgar Theatre 20 Jan - 22 April
Jonny Lee Miller & Tanya Reynolds return.
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Post by mattnyc on Nov 28, 2023 10:29:57 GMT
Oh, wow. I’ll miss the intimacy of this show from the Almeida but I definitely would absolutely love to see this again.
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Post by Being Alive on Nov 28, 2023 10:54:23 GMT
I thought this was good at the Almeida (3 stars) but it'll lose so much going to a theatre that's almost twice the size I think...
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