614 posts
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Post by jamb0r on Jun 30, 2018 17:16:55 GMT
Enjoyed this this afternoon! Very funny but also very gruesome - definitely not one for the squeamish! Aidan was excellent as were the rest of the cast.
I was in one of the £10 seats in the back row of the stalls and the view was absolutely fine. The people in front didn’t get in my way, and the overhang from the circle above didn’t cut anything off. The gunshots weren’t too loud from the back, I didn’t jump once (and usually I’m a jumper).
Without spoiling, I let out a VERY high pitched squeak in the final few minutes! I might stop at Battersea on the way home.
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Post by dramallama on Jul 2, 2018 10:18:52 GMT
Am I the only one who thought Aidan Turner wasn't that great in this? I can't really put my finger on why but I didn't really enjoy his acting. I still enjoyed the show, though - especially the scenes with Davey and Donny were amazing in my opinion.
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185 posts
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Post by harry on Jul 2, 2018 12:09:00 GMT
Enjoyed this this afternoon! Very funny but also very gruesome - definitely not one for the squeamish! Aidan was excellent as were the rest of the cast. I was in one of the £10 seats in the back row of the stalls and the view was absolutely fine. The people in front didn’t get in my way, and the overhang from the circle above didn’t cut anything off. The gunshots weren’t too loud from the back, I didn’t jump once (and usually I’m a jumper). Without spoiling, I let out a VERY high pitched squeak in the final few minutes! I might stop at Battersea on the way home. Hi jamb0r. As a fellow wuss, do you know if the gunshots are live blanks fired from the guns, or recorded sound effects played through the speakers? Don't know why but real blanks make me much more jumpy than loud pre-recorded bangs... Thanks!
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614 posts
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Post by jamb0r on Jul 2, 2018 12:12:15 GMT
Enjoyed this this afternoon! Very funny but also very gruesome - definitely not one for the squeamish! Aidan was excellent as were the rest of the cast. I was in one of the £10 seats in the back row of the stalls and the view was absolutely fine. The people in front didn’t get in my way, and the overhang from the circle above didn’t cut anything off. The gunshots weren’t too loud from the back, I didn’t jump once (and usually I’m a jumper). Without spoiling, I let out a VERY high pitched squeak in the final few minutes! I might stop at Battersea on the way home. Hi jamb0r. As a fellow wuss, do you know if the gunshots are live blanks fired from the guns, or recorded sound effects played through the speakers? Don't know why but real blanks make me much more jumpy than loud pre-recorded bangs... Thanks! I definitely know there were some (possibly all) that were played through the speakers (not too loud), and weren't live blanks. Someone else might need to confirm if that was true for all of them - I am pretty sure it was. I remember them being quite obvious when they were going to happen too and not really a surprise, so hopefully you should be fine!
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Post by dramallama on Jul 2, 2018 12:16:37 GMT
Hi jamb0r. As a fellow wuss, do you know if the gunshots are live blanks fired from the guns, or recorded sound effects played through the speakers? Don't know why but real blanks make me much more jumpy than loud pre-recorded bangs... Thanks! I definitely know there were some (possibly all) that were played through the speakers (not too loud), and weren't live blanks. Someone else might need to confirm if that was true for all of them - I am pretty sure it was. I remember them being quite obvious when they were going to happen too and not really a surprise, so hopefully you should be fine! I don't know whether they used blanks or speakers but I usually jump at everything and I didn't jump once for this play.
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Post by lookingatthestars on Jul 2, 2018 12:56:48 GMT
Am I the only one who thought Aidan Turner wasn't that great in this? I can't really put my finger on why but I didn't really enjoy his acting. I still enjoyed the show, though - especially the scenes with Davey and Donny were amazing in my opinion. I would agree. There was something 'dumbed down' about his characterization, which does not come across when you read the play. Although I do think he may have been directed this way ( and I saw it in previews, he may still have been working on the process) Pity really, as it's such an extreme character, it would have been nice to see his psychopathic tendencies in all their glory, I know it's a dark comedy, but the characters still need to have all their traits, not just the comedy ones. I think a good example of this is Jim Norton's Bishop Brennan in Father Ted. A comedy/satire show, but he was a decently fleshed out character - enough to come across as a genuine bad guy, which made some plot points funnier. With a few adjustments you could pick that character up and put him in a serious show, and I think he would be quite an evil priest. If you picked up this Padraic and put him a serious IRA drama, not sure he would transfer well. A actor looks after the character, the director looks after the tone of the piece {Spoiler - click to view} Also, I felt he didn't have a big enough connection to the cat,I remember seeing an amdram production of this, and the actor was so upset about the cat, so brokenhearted, I felt sorry for him. It is the reason the play happens in the first place. I didn't feel it as much here,....but again I saw a preview
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1,115 posts
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Post by Stephen on Jul 2, 2018 15:02:41 GMT
Really glad about the gunshots. The production images reminded me of a very entertaining production of "Kill Johnny Glendenning" I ushered many times in Glasgow. As great as that show was, there were MANY extremely loud and realistic gunshots. It took just about the entire run to get used to them. They even had a shotgun!
Definitely seeing this production.
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1,064 posts
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Post by bellboard27 on Jul 2, 2018 21:25:32 GMT
Saw this on Saturday. We both really enjoyed it. Those £10 stalls row B tickets are a bargain!
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Post by Boob on Jul 3, 2018 22:27:08 GMT
Agree about £10 Row B stalls seats - great value and view (low stage). Production was weak I thought, massively overplayed the comedy and had no standout performances. A pity, as I love the play and thought the original production was pitch perfect.
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816 posts
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Post by stefy69 on Jul 5, 2018 5:48:12 GMT
Really pleased to see such splendid reviews for this in the majority of this mornings newspapers
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1,064 posts
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Post by bellboard27 on Jul 5, 2018 6:45:19 GMT
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Post by asfound on Jul 5, 2018 7:54:04 GMT
Looks good, I'm guessing the £10 front row seats become available down the line? Or not if the reviews are good and it sells better than expected?
Also, I feel I'm the only person that prefers loud, visceral gun shots and effects. I guess they don't want to give the predominantly elderly audience heart attacks but a lot of productions seem to do the gunshots as sound effects through speakers which just a bit weak and Hollywood, not really in the spirit of live theatre to me.
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294 posts
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Post by dani on Jul 5, 2018 8:16:15 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Jul 5, 2018 8:21:06 GMT
How often does the Sun publish theatre reviews these days? When the foxiest man on Sunday night TV is in a play one supposes.
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Post by Boob on Jul 5, 2018 14:27:25 GMT
Yes, I actually think the fact the gunshots come through the speakers and not from the guns themselves had a detrimental effect on the overall tension and feeling of danger. They do handle the “effects” well tho.
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1,115 posts
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Post by Stephen on Jul 6, 2018 1:56:35 GMT
Is anybody able to post (in spoiler text) when to expect the gunshots and if there are any other loud noises/moments in the play. Would love to book for next week!
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Post by Deleted on Jul 6, 2018 8:47:18 GMT
^ Has it occurred to you that this might NOT be the play for you?
Just a thought...
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486 posts
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Post by wiggymess on Jul 6, 2018 10:33:47 GMT
Could someone please say if: {Spoiler - click to view} Any real cats are used? If so, presumably they are not put under any distress?
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1,866 posts
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Post by Marwood on Jul 6, 2018 11:48:20 GMT
No real cats get stressed, abused or ran over by a mulleted eejit on a bicycle- and i’ll leave it at that...
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Post by lookingatthestars on Jul 6, 2018 12:02:33 GMT
Could someone please say if: {Spoiler - click to view} Any real cats are used? If so, presumably they are not put under any distress? {Spoiler - click to view} One real cat is used. Absolutely no harm comes to him/her. And I believe there are two cats used in rotation.
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486 posts
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Post by wiggymess on Jul 6, 2018 12:40:32 GMT
Could someone please say if: {Spoiler - click to view} Any real cats are used? If so, presumably they are not put under any distress? {Spoiler - click to view} One real cat is used. Absolutely no harm comes to him/her. And I believe there are two cats used in rotation. Thank you. I'd never hear the end of it if {Spoiler - click to view} I took my wife to see something dubious (real) animal-wise
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Post by Deleted on Jul 6, 2018 12:49:56 GMT
No real cats get stressed, abused or ran over by a mulleted eejit on a bicycle- and i’ll leave it at that... Mrs Slocombe breathes a sigh of relief.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 6, 2018 12:58:24 GMT
I mean a Poldark and a pussy joke is too easy right...right.
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1,115 posts
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Post by Stephen on Jul 6, 2018 13:03:43 GMT
^ Has it occurred to you that this might NOT be the play for you?
Just a thought... Nope. I know I really want to see it. It's just something that I really struggle with and get incredibly anxious about.
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4,957 posts
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Post by TallPaul on Jul 6, 2018 14:00:00 GMT
Can I ask a serious question, Steve?
What will you do if, at the end of your course, you are offered your dream role, the one that will give you your big break, but it involves gunfire?
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Post by Deleted on Jul 6, 2018 14:26:09 GMT
Considering he's asking for information so he can prepare himself, I shouldn't imagine that scenario would present a real problem. There'll be a script, a rehearsal period, probably a tech rehearsal or two, so he will know precisely when the gunfire is due to sound, and presumably he'll be able to practice before getting in front of an audience.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 6, 2018 14:42:35 GMT
And if people keep using their mobile phones, he can also practice ON the audience too. Everyone's a winner.
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1,115 posts
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Post by Stephen on Jul 6, 2018 15:43:05 GMT
I'm more interested in directing anyway but I would hope I'd cope ok! And yes, for me, it's all about being prepared hence the wondering if the exact moments of loud noises.
Obviously the enquiries have become a bit annoying to some. From now on I'll keep them in the loud noises thread so you can avoid them. I just assumed it was something that may affect several other members too.
Thanks for the advice on this show though!
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4,957 posts
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Post by TallPaul on Jul 6, 2018 16:28:03 GMT
I obviously can't speak for everyone, but I wasn't annoyed at all. It's a perfectly legitimate question you asked, as I hope mine was?
It's dark, running water that terrifies me. You're far too young to remember A Touch of Frost, but in one episode, David Jason has to wade through the River Aire under Leeds railway station. Apart from not being able to act for toffee, I just wouldn't be able to do it.
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Post by lookingatthestars on Jul 6, 2018 16:55:51 GMT
Is anybody able to post (in spoiler text) when to expect the gunshots and if there are any other loud noises/moments in the play. Would love to book for next week! Difficult to remember them all at the exact point in the text they occur. I would say if you read the play just before you see it, then you'll know when they are coming up ( If you don't mind knowing the plot)
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