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Post by mrbarnaby on Jan 25, 2024 11:53:52 GMT
Well this all saves me some money ! Hoorah!
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Post by imstillhere on Jan 25, 2024 12:45:52 GMT
A poor first season.
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Post by danb on Jan 25, 2024 12:58:31 GMT
Every year I hope that something will be announced to make me engaged enough to visit what sounds like an exciting and interesting venue. But their programming has been so poor since I’ve been interested that I just haven’t bothered.
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Post by princeton on Jan 25, 2024 13:24:45 GMT
It's not a first season - It's actually the final season which Tim Sheader has programmed even though he's no longer Artistic Director. Drew McOnie is responsible for programming the 2025 season and beyond.
I seem to be alone in thinking it's not a bad season at all. A Shakespeare, a new dramatisation of a classic English novel (they've a long tradition of doing those) and a timely revival of a Broadway musical directed by someone who's worked on two of the most exciting recent musical revivals.
Also kudos to them for looking at the pricing structure and making over 33,000 tickets available at £15, and all Monday tickets at £15, £25 and £35.
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Post by theatrefan62 on Jan 25, 2024 13:29:26 GMT
To be honest it's not even the season. I've just lost faith in the venue. They used to be one of the gold standard for revivals of classics (along with Chichester). But the highs of Into The Woods, Seven Brides, On The Town and JCS seem a long time ago.
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Post by bobbievanhusen on Jan 25, 2024 14:02:45 GMT
To do The Secret Garden and not do the Lucy Simon version is a big disappointment. I guess we wont get that version anytime soon now.
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Post by theatreian on Jan 25, 2024 14:30:17 GMT
It's years now since I've been to the OAT. Their scheduling in recent years has been very uninspired. This year is no exception. I guess everyone has their own taste but this season certainly isn't mine!
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4,513 posts
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Post by Being Alive on Jan 25, 2024 14:37:16 GMT
I thought La Cage last year was a bonafide hit?
I agree Carousel and Legally Blonde were misfires but every theatre has had at least one misfire a year since reopening (although I guess when you're only open 5 months of the year it's a shorter time to have a misfire)
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Post by ladidah on Jan 25, 2024 14:47:30 GMT
I loved La Cage and Legally Blonde
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Post by toomasj on Jan 25, 2024 14:52:15 GMT
To be honest it's not even the season. I've just lost faith in the venue. They used to be one of the gold standard for revivals of classics (along with Chichester). But the highs of Into The Woods, Seven Brides, On The Town and JCS seem a long time ago. Whereas Chichester generally smashes it out of the park. The Sound of Music was wonderful, South Pacific superb. Then very strong productions of Crazy For You and Assassins. Prior to that, Mack and Mabel, Half a Sixpence, Oklahoma!… their record is astonishing really. They have the very occasional dud like Me and My Girl, but that was mainly down to some very ill-judged star casting. Chichester regularly reimagine classic musicals while keeping the heart of the piece intact. No gimmicks or changes for change sake; they respect their audience but also manage to keep shows fresh with (generally) superb casting and new ideas. Aside from the poor programming, it feels OAT for a handful of years now has been cutting off its nose to spite its face. They recognise the need to produce popular musicals to get the bums on seats, but can’t bring themselves to abandon their over-eager approach. This leads to productions fighting with themselves to find a tone and stick to it. There’s *always* a gimmick. They can’t stop themselves. Weird new orchestrations. Poor casting decisions. Strange modernist choreography/staging. Every single musical there under his tenure has had at least one to make the production “different”. What they don’t realise is the theatre itself is the novelty. It’s a lovely venue with so much potential to do brilliant things. Not everything I see there NEEDS to be pretentious - it just is. That’s OAT out for another year, then. Especially given what they’ll do to poor old Fiddler on the Roof. I wonder what the gimmicks will be this year?
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Post by c4ndyc4ne on Jan 25, 2024 15:14:56 GMT
Not a first season, a final.
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Post by mattnyc on Jan 25, 2024 15:19:50 GMT
Oh, i got so excited when I saw “Secret Garden” listed until I read the description.
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2,353 posts
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Post by zahidf on Jan 25, 2024 15:43:39 GMT
It's not a first season - It's actually the final season which Tim Sheader has programmed even though he's no longer Artistic Director. Drew McOnie is responsible for programming the 2025 season and beyond. I seem to be alone in thinking it's not a bad season at all. A Shakespeare, a new dramatisation of a classic English novel (they've a long tradition of doing those) and a timely revival of a Broadway musical directed by someone who's worked on two of the most exciting recent musical revivals. Also kudos to them for looking at the pricing structure and making over 33,000 tickets available at £15, and all Monday tickets at £15, £25 and £35. With that pricing, ill have a look at Fiddler. Ive seen 12th Night too many times, so will give that a miss. Secret Garden doesnt sound great, but may revisit it if reviews are good
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Post by erik24601 on Jan 25, 2024 16:07:37 GMT
What an utter snooze-fest.
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Post by Dr Tom on Jan 25, 2024 16:22:47 GMT
To do The Secret Garden and not do the Lucy Simon version is a big disappointment. I guess we wont get that version anytime soon now. Agreed, but I think this is a play rather than a musical (unless I’m reading everything wrong)?
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Post by mattnyc on Jan 25, 2024 17:00:57 GMT
To do The Secret Garden and not do the Lucy Simon version is a big disappointment. I guess we wont get that version anytime soon now. Agreed, but I think this is a play rather than a musical (unless I’m reading everything wrong)? It looks like a play, yeah.
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Post by david on Jan 25, 2024 18:30:25 GMT
I had a look at this year's offerings and despite loving the venue, these programmed shows don't really do anything for me I'm afraid to get me visiting there this summer. Hopefully a return next year.
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Post by ThereWillBeSun on Jan 25, 2024 18:38:08 GMT
Well this all saves me some money ! Hoorah! My sentiments exactly (haha)
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Post by theatremiss on Jan 25, 2024 20:16:17 GMT
Totally underwhelming. Saves me some money then
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Post by mattnyc on Jan 25, 2024 20:23:11 GMT
There really was more excitement for that random photo they posted a few months ago than to anything they actually announced today.
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6,359 posts
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Post by Jon on Jan 25, 2024 20:30:01 GMT
I personally don't think it's that bad but it will be interesting to see what Drew McOnie does with the Open Air in 2025.
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Post by theoracle on Jan 25, 2024 23:27:57 GMT
His approach to programming the Park has been interesting to say the least and directorial choices have certainly been questionable at times. I’m actually quite concerned by what he might do at the Donmar given that’s a very different audience to OAT and with the ACE cuts the venue faced, it could end up being very rocky indeed
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6,359 posts
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Post by Jon on Jan 25, 2024 23:38:46 GMT
His approach to programming the Park has been interesting to say the least and directorial choices have certainly been questionable at times. I’m actually quite concerned by what he might do at the Donmar given that’s a very different audience to OAT and with the ACE cuts the venue faced, it could end up being very rocky indeed The Open Air never had funding from ACE so if anything he's got experience in running a theatre without subsidy.
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Post by toomasj on Jan 26, 2024 3:24:07 GMT
His approach to programming the Park has been interesting to say the least and directorial choices have certainly been questionable at times. I’m actually quite concerned by what he might do at the Donmar given that’s a very different audience to OAT and with the ACE cuts the venue faced, it could end up being very rocky indeed Good point. It will be a big step up going to the Donmar. He’s no Michael Longhurst, Sam Mendes, Michael Grandage or Josie Rourke. His brand (I would use a ruder word if I could) won’t fly there. The sponsors, donors and audience won’t stand for it. There is an expectation of quality. I think we are in pretty much universal agreement the last few seasons at the OAT have been a dark age for the venue. The new programme is - on paper - pretty dire. And I’m sure he knows this. Maybe he has something up his sleeve?
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Post by bobbievanhusen on Jan 26, 2024 4:31:29 GMT
Good point. It will be a big step up going to the Donmar. He’s no Michael Longhurst, Sam Mendes, Michael Grandage or Josie Rourke. His brand (I would use a ruder word if I could) won’t fly there. The sponsors, donors and audience won’t stand for it. There is an expectation of quality. I think we are in pretty much universal agreement the last few seasons at the OAT have been a dark age for the venue. The new programme is - on paper - pretty dire. And I’m sure he knows this. Maybe he has something up his sleeve? You do love a sweeping statement... You've basically written off his 15+ years of achievements at the Open Air just because you didn't like a few of his shows. How ridiculous. His time there has been very succesful and broken many records for it's productions. Besides, the role is far more than just choosing what shows to do. The outreach programmes, upkeep, bringing in children and young people, community, diversity, pricing, talent, and it's those things that the Donmar will have seen as being a good fit for them.
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Post by mrnutz on Jan 26, 2024 9:25:25 GMT
I fear for the Donmar!
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Post by MrBunbury on Jan 26, 2024 9:49:13 GMT
I am quite happy with the season. I will definitely book Fiddler and Twelfth night.
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Post by andypandy on Jan 31, 2024 2:17:30 GMT
These are bad choices in current events. Mostly because we neeeeeed to be entertained. La Cage did that.
I won't be visiting next year!
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Post by Being Alive on Jan 31, 2024 8:58:07 GMT
I disagree that we need to be entertained - theatre can be for that but it can be for a whole heap of other stuff too...
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Post by theatrefan62 on Jan 31, 2024 9:22:25 GMT
I would say Fiddler can he entertaining too, like many of the musicals of that era it has lighter and darker moments.
Twelfth Night isn't exactly a heavy show either.
To not do Fiddler because of its Jewish story would be deeply problematic.
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