578 posts
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Post by michalnowicki on Jul 27, 2018 15:30:04 GMT
Wow, feels like I'm resurrecting a dead thread. Anyways, here are some of my thoughts.
Saw this on Thursday matinée. Staging it in County Hall, in the room that resembles a court is brilliant. Good story, great plot twists (that made a lady behind me audiably gasp) and good legroom in Row E. Seat courtesy of TodayTix, very acceptable. The main problem I had with the show, was that the actors sometimes mumbled in a way it was difficult to understand them (especially the Prisoner). The room was running quite hot, but thankfully they used big fans during the interval.
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Post by Deleted on Oct 5, 2018 15:30:14 GMT
I'm amazed this has been running a year now! It's been so under the radar from what I've seen. But since it's now hitting a year, kinda intrigued to see it.
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Post by westendwahwah on Oct 5, 2018 17:41:58 GMT
The venue really makes this, it’s a pretty good staging of a classic. Imagine it’s cheap to run, because it’s barely had any promo & started fizzling in terms of audience numbers very early on in the run.
They have a couple of year agreed use on the venue bc it’s a dead space so can just keep rolling on if it’s cheap, I imagine.
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3,072 posts
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Post by david on Oct 5, 2018 18:52:36 GMT
It’s definitely worth seeing this. It’s a nice piece of theatre, but it’s the setting that makes it in my opinion.
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805 posts
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Post by duncan on Nov 25, 2018 10:01:54 GMT
38 - Witness for the Prosecution - London County Hall Leonard Vole comes to Roberts and Mayhew saying he is about to be arrested for murder. Taking the case they find he has been "sponging" off the deceased elder lady and only his wife can provide him with an alibi - but she has her own plans and becomes GASP!!!! a witness for the prosecution! Well the setting certainly bumps this up a point or two - a wonderfully staged creaky old pile of toot. I was in Gallery C and seat 25, now the problem being that the lady on my right moved after 30 seconds to the empty seat to my left as there was a ruddy great pillar in her way which meant she couldn't see diddly squit. Aside from that though, a marvellous building and then an ingenious decision to set in the old council chamber, the layout of the seating gives this a feel that I've never seen before in theatre. I've seen things in the round, I've seen things from seats on the stage, I've seen things in the Globe, I've seen things where you are required to leave the theatre and spend time in the car park but this had an exceptional feel to it. A big pat on the back to whoever decided to host this in the old debating chamber. Yes its entertaining and everything is well done but for me its coasting along on having such a wonderful setting. Maybe having seen and enjoyed the two film versions (and set fire to and stamped all over that utterly repulsive BBC remake of a few years ago) it was all too obvious what was happening. I was interested in how they would handle the twist and despite the nice use of lighting I could still tell what was actually going on in relation to the twist as Emma Rigby playing a "second" character isn't good enough to pull it off, which makes it all the more odd that the lead doesn't notice what is going on. Maybe he can be excused by being discombobulated by a trip to Limehouse. The rest of the cast are all fine although Jasper Britton seemed to be tripping over his lines a few times, the set is sparse but effective and some of the audience get to be the jury - I do wonder what would happen if they decided to be gits and give a different verdict!!! A setting inspired 8/10, stick this in the Wyndhams or Noel Coward and it would most likely by a 7 at best.
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391 posts
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Post by Distant Dreamer... on Feb 6, 2019 12:03:52 GMT
Whats the venue like? On the website they recommend arriving 45 minutes before the production starts for "security checks", really?!
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3,072 posts
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Post by david on Feb 6, 2019 12:09:57 GMT
Whats the venue like? On the website they recommend arriving 45 minutes before the production starts for "security checks", really?! It’s just your normal bag checks. When I went to the venue the Security staff were pretty quick in getting the checks done so there wasn’t much of a delay waiting to get in. I’d certainly get there for around 45mins if you need to pick up your tickets at the box office as well.
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391 posts
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Post by Distant Dreamer... on Feb 6, 2019 12:55:44 GMT
Okey Dokey...may well give it a try some time! Does anyone know how long this cast are staying for?
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Post by Deleted on Feb 6, 2019 13:28:31 GMT
Is this a sleeper hit or something? I keep forgetting it's on and I wanna see it. Not forgetting in a horrible way, it's just out of the way and you don't really hear much about it.
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249 posts
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Post by gmoneyoutlaw on Mar 25, 2019 16:08:37 GMT
I'm thinking about going but want to know the benefit of sitting in the jury box of close to the jury box.
They offer a free program and two drinks for the ticket price in the jury box which would be enticing but it it worth it. Do the actors approach the jury during the performance? I'm assuming they would. How often?
Has anyone here seen the current cast? I'm going to be in London at the end of May.
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Post by Deleted on Mar 26, 2019 21:52:18 GMT
Always seem to be good deals on this at Tkts in Leicester Square etc.Agreed it has done well to have lasted this long .
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391 posts
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Post by Distant Dreamer... on Apr 8, 2019 13:38:29 GMT
Any ideas on where the stage door is located at this venue?
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117 posts
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Post by eliza on Apr 13, 2019 20:15:04 GMT
I'm thinking about going but want to know the benefit of sitting in the jury box of close to the jury box. They offer a free program and two drinks for the ticket price in the jury box which would be enticing but it it worth it. Do the actors approach the jury during the performance? I'm assuming they would. How often? Has anyone here seen the current cast? I'm going to be in London at the end of May. I can't remember exactly how much you get approached but at the beginning the jury all got sworn in and someone at the end had to state the verdict (I'm pretty sure that was an audience member and not a 'plant').
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17 posts
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Post by theplayer on May 26, 2019 21:29:33 GMT
Saw the Thursday matinee. The play is engaging and the "court" setting is unique. Can't believe it took me so long to get around to seeing it.
I heard the cast is due to change next week. The current cast is brilliant!
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18,788 posts
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Post by BurlyBeaR on Jun 11, 2019 22:29:53 GMT
I'm thinking about going but want to know the benefit of sitting in the jury box of close to the jury box. They offer a free program and two drinks for the ticket price in the jury box which would be enticing but it it worth it. Do the actors approach the jury during the performance? I'm assuming they would. How often? Has anyone here seen the current cast? I'm going to be in London at the end of May. Summoned last minute to a ‘workshop’ 🤮 with a silly o’clock start tomorrow I found myself in London tonight. Did I go to some cheap, brash, camp musical? No. “I Am Chaaaaa-hay-hay-hayyyy-chiiing” so I went to the County Hall to see this on a last minute TodayTix deal. LOVED. IT. Dead old fashioned but say what you like about Aggie she does a good plot twist. People who didn’t know the ‘denouement’ literary actually gasped as the twists came at the end. The venue is stunning, the seats are big and comfy with lashings of legroom. There’s even a sort of bench or pew in front of you to lay your butties out on. You could probably fit a McDonald’s on it, or a Chinese takeaway. Dead convenient. To answer the question about the jury seats , there’s a bit of interaction. Before it starts the court secretary makes them all swear on the bible but this is done as people are taking seats so it’s not part of the performance. Throughout the play when the court officials come onto the set and it’s all rise, the jury have to get up too. A lot of the dialogue is directed at the jury, and then at the end there’s a bit of nonsense where each jury member writes their verdict in a bit of paper and these are gathered by an official. There’s one person in those seats who has to stand up and read their verdict, so all attention is on them for a few words. Very enjoyable evening ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
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42 posts
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Post by ruggerlad on Sept 3, 2019 9:03:53 GMT
I saw the matinee last week and have to say its quite possibly the most fun I've had at the theatre as an overall experience for ages.
Got a ticket from TKTS, the lady there expertly guided me to a Jury ticket which was £59 down from £95. This included a programme and 2 drinks which in reality was probably worth £20.
Due to my own confusion about how to get their I arrived ten minutes before the start but had no problem with my back search and was in my chair in good time.
The space is stunning and quite breath taking.
As said above we were sworn in and warned that although we could have drinks we couldn't have them in front of us while court was in session, infact the court clerk patrolled this with a rod of iron, hilariously hissing at offenders to 'remove your drink' on more than one occasion when passing by.
Great staging in the round, room items brought on and off swiftly, great performances too nothing cheesy all played straight which added greatly. And the twist is fantastically achieved and delivered.
I'd see it again.
Two thumbs up
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Post by craig on Sept 5, 2019 16:04:33 GMT
Glad to hear you enjoyed it. I'm Christie obsessed and this has been on my list for ages. I've just been informed I'll be seeing it for my birthday and I'm very excited.
It's been such a huge hit but you don't really hear people talking about it...
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42 posts
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Post by ruggerlad on Sept 7, 2019 8:26:59 GMT
Glad to hear you enjoyed it. I'm Christie obsessed and this has been on my list for ages. I've just been informed I'll be seeing it for my birthday and I'm very excited. It's been such a huge hit but you don't really hear people talking about it... Oh if you’re Christie obsessed you are going to love it. I think it might be the most satisfying Christie play I’ve seen on stage. And I’ve seen a lot of the years. Didn’t mention the fantastic sound too, which adds beautifully to certain moments.
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18,788 posts
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Post by BurlyBeaR on Aug 12, 2021 18:15:19 GMT
Reopens 14th September and highly recommended.
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520 posts
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Post by danielwhit on Aug 13, 2021 22:45:05 GMT
Reopens 14th September and highly recommended. Has it been delayed? I was sure I saw a poster the other day in the tube saying it was either back or resuming in August. I may be wrong. Still need to go and watch this sometime - for a non-conventional theatre the production is lasting a pleasingly long time.
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4,554 posts
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Post by Mark on Aug 13, 2021 22:47:04 GMT
Reopens 14th September and highly recommended. Has it been delayed? I was sure I saw a poster the other day in the tube saying it was either back or resuming in August. I may be wrong. Still need to go and watch this sometime - for a non-conventional theatre the production is lasting a pleasingly long time. Yes they pushed it back maybe a month or so ago.
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6,294 posts
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Post by Jon on Aug 13, 2021 22:48:05 GMT
Has it been delayed? I was sure I saw a poster the other day in the tube saying it was either back or resuming in August. I may be wrong. Still need to go and watch this sometime - for a non-conventional theatre the production is lasting a pleasingly long time. They delayed it to September back in June when Step 4 was pushed back to July.
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Post by Jan on Aug 14, 2021 7:08:33 GMT
I booked January for this because I thought there was a risk of a delayed opening, of course that means I’m risking an early closing. I like the director of this, Lucy Bailey, she has an unjustifiably low-profile when AD positions become vacant (not that I know she’d want one).
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Post by dontdreamit on Aug 30, 2021 9:03:09 GMT
My partner is looking at booking this, but every date they have looked at seems to have all stalls seats sold out or off sale. Is it likely that these tickets will come back on at some point?
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4,955 posts
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Post by TallPaul on Aug 30, 2021 10:46:23 GMT
My partner is looking at booking this, but every date they have looked at seems to have all stalls seats sold out or off sale. As excuses go, it is quite creative, so credit where it's due. "Sorry, bab, I tried but it was sold out." 🙂 Out of curiosity, I've just looked at five random dates in September and October, including weekends, and all have availability in the stalls. At the prices they're charging, I'm not surprised!
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4,554 posts
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Post by Mark on Sept 28, 2021 22:55:09 GMT
What an enjoyable evening! Far superior to The Mousetrap and a really great setting to see this play.
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498 posts
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Post by anthony on Oct 28, 2021 18:48:34 GMT
Saw it today and I really, really enjoyed it! Cast were great, albeit with some dodgy accents. Didn't see the end coming (and is much more shocking than The Mousetrap, which I thought was somewhat predictable!)
I imagine audiences in the 1950s would have loved this. The last 5 minutes is just wonderful kitsch. I can hear the gasps from a 1950s audience! Venue is beautiful.
I'm somewhat tempted to go and see it again, just so I can be in the jury!
Although I think it's maybe become a bit of a tourist attraction... 5 phones in the first 10 minutes going off and then an alarm in the last 5 minutes of act 1. Show also had to be stopped 5 minutes in as the trap door wouldn't close. The cast is huge, with the majority not even having a line to speak...
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Post by edi on Jan 13, 2022 6:18:30 GMT
Finally TT £25 rush tickets in the courtroom allowed me to take it off my list.
The combination of the setting and the story makes it a worthwhile visit. I didn't like the final twist but too late to discuss with ms Christie.
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18,788 posts
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Post by BurlyBeaR on Jan 19, 2022 12:58:27 GMT
The ending of the original short story was different, Aggie changed it because {Spoiler - click to view} she didn’t want leonard vole to walk free as was the case originally. So the girlfriend was introduced along with Leonard being stabbed at the end.
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Post by edi on Jan 19, 2022 17:05:11 GMT
I think the original story would be much stronger.
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