|
Post by Deleted on May 8, 2018 22:19:07 GMT
They do seem to have form. Wish I had waited on this one! Tell me about it. I spent £178 on two tickets in the presale. Must have been feeling rich that day. Now I already feel a bit ripped off.
|
|
923 posts
|
Post by Snciole on May 9, 2018 10:07:24 GMT
The thing is on paper this seems like a hit. Alfred Molina is a very good and respected actor who doesn't do a lot of theatre in London. Alfred Enoch is an upcoming name with some solid work behind.
Apart from being about Rothko I still feel I have no idea what this play is about and who it is for from a marketing point of view. Molina isn't Nicole Kidman and I am amazed that £89 tickets were even on offer let alone knocked down before it even opened.
The issue is it is really hard to producers and audiences to judge a hit based on story or names. For audiences we have got used to buying in advance through FOMO but how many shows are true sell outs that are impossible to get tickets for? The producers clearly thought this would be a big hit. They wouldn't have cast someone like Molina if they didn't think they could flog expensive tickets for him and the show.
|
|
515 posts
|
Post by callum on May 9, 2018 10:56:26 GMT
I think the issue is that Molina is a respected *character* actor — to use the same comparison, he is in a different universe to Kidman. Even Jeremy Irons. I would say he is more Lesley Manville level. Joe Bloggs on the street would probably best know him for Spider-Man 2.
|
|
1,115 posts
|
Post by Stephen on May 9, 2018 21:38:59 GMT
Just passed Alfred Enoch grinning away on the tube and tucking into, and well deserved I'm sure, a Wok to Work!
|
|
196 posts
|
Post by rockinrobin on May 9, 2018 23:10:51 GMT
Ah, isn't Alfred Enoch handsome... There was a short Q&A after tonight's performance and his smile was painfully charming. Anyway. I like art, I like two-handers and really enjoyed the show. It was nicely intense. It was also surprisingly funny - I didn't expect so many laughs. And of course, watching Alfred Molina on stage is pure pleasure - he is magnetic as pompous, grumpy, irritating Rothko. The "baby Alfred" (Enoch) seemed a bit upstaged by his charismatic co-star in the beginning (on the other hand, his character is also kind of starstruck in the first scenes) but I think this is a very strong performance too. And I will surely be dreaming about this smile tonight. Sorry.
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on May 12, 2018 6:13:05 GMT
Ah, isn't Alfred Enoch handsome... He is, but I always think his neck is very long. Or perhaps his head is small. He reminds me a bit of a giraffe.
|
|
2,811 posts
|
Post by couldileaveyou on May 12, 2018 6:38:07 GMT
Saw the first preview ten days ago or so and really liked it. I thought the reveal about Ken's past was bananas, but it's still a beautiful play. Alfred Molina is sensational, even better than in the past, and the mere fact that he doesn't make you hate his character is a testament to his talent. Enoch also good, just not as transfixing as Eddie Redmayne was when baby me saw it at the Donmar.
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on May 12, 2018 16:52:07 GMT
Well. I'd hate to be the person who has to wash Freddie E's white t-shirt every day. The Bold 2in1 they must go through.
I rather liked the play, I'd never seen it before. Very funny and rather touching at the end. The two Freddie's were smashing but Freddie E's dimples stole the show though. He's a peach. I may take him home.
|
|
1,197 posts
|
Post by theatrefan77 on May 12, 2018 17:32:17 GMT
Also enjoyed this when I saw it on Tuesday. The performances were really good and the play is well written although slightly pretentious in parts.
Planning another visit with one of the £10 tickets in Stalls row B. Thanks for the tip! This board is so wonderful
|
|
562 posts
|
Post by jadnoop on May 12, 2018 21:08:40 GMT
Just came out of tonight's performance, and I really liked this.
Given how somber & serious the blurb made it seem, this was a surprisingly fun & funny play that (mostly) zipped along nicely. It's definitely not for everyone, and the audience seemed split between those giving a standing ovation at the end and those shuffling in their seats during the performance. Knowing a little about people like Jackson Pollock and (later) pop art is probably useful, but I found this an engaging play that touched on pretty universal themes; stuff like the value of art, selling out, and time.
If the play had been too reverential towards Rothko then it would have been insufferable, but I felt it held a good balance; presenting him by turns as smart & eloquent, but also insufferable, pretentious, and deeply flawed.
The staging & sets were simple but effective, as was the lighting. And it goes without saying that both Alfreds were great (especially Molina).
The one possible negative for me was that the selection of paintings felt at times too literal in terms of reflecting the narrative. In the context of Rothko's speeches about his paintings being nuanced and alive, it felt too obvious/cheesy for the final two paintings to reflect the characters' choices. In contrast, the earlier mmoments of painting, or preparing the canvases were exhilarating.
All in all though, an absolute treat at £10. Thanks demonbarber for mentioning the deal.
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on May 16, 2018 22:59:18 GMT
Oh I absolutely loved this tonight! I'd go as far to say, I was in awe the whole show, and I don't quite know why so. Firstly, £10 front Stalls is a steal. If you're in the middle, you may miss a tiny bit of hammering, but otherwise perfect view. The play and performances, I can't explain why, but I just was completely engrossed from start to finish. I was afraid at first I would find it a bit too intellectual, but fears were slowly put asode. I was surprised how funny it was! And also, in the tender moments, both actors completely shone. If Alfred Molina wasn't eligable last time around, don't be surprised to see both of these guys nominated next year at the Oliviers. They were both absolutely fantastic! House seemed packed, including all boxes. Audiece loved it, many laughs and several people standing at the end, myself included. 5 stars. I'd go again in a heartbeat. Abosolutely loved it from start to finish.
|
|
4,593 posts
|
Post by Someone in a tree on May 17, 2018 6:04:44 GMT
I’m going to add my name to really liking this
But get a cheap ticket!
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on May 17, 2018 8:35:25 GMT
Molina was eligible last time (the Donmar is a SOLT member, also Eddie Redmayne won Best Supporting Actor for it in 2010) but didn't even garner a nomination. The creatives all seem to be the same this time round but This House was nominated for Best Revival rather than treated as a long-overdue transfer, so I presume the same would apply here. In which case I don't see why he shouldn't be eligible again, but only time will tell.
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on May 17, 2018 20:53:51 GMT
I loved this, and like Daniel I was a bit in awe of it too. Splendid performances, script, staging and music. I would go and see it again in a heartbeat.
For me it’s about the old acquiescing to the new. The old guard passing the baton. Dionysus and Apollo. I loved how the themes were reinforced through the art, the lighting, the music.
But man, the seats in the Wyndham are bloody uncomfortable.
|
|
3,472 posts
|
Post by showgirl on May 18, 2018 3:37:01 GMT
I'd love to see this and take OH with me as he's very into art, and for some reason I didn't see this at the Donmar. However, being a thrifty senior I am waiting in the hope that DM release more £10 row B seats for June and July - does anyone know, please, if there is a system for this, ie the date on which it's likely to happen?
I could have booked a £10 seat for myself this month as I found literally one left for a matinee, but it would've been mean not to include OH and besides, at 90 mins this would be ideal for an evening slot.
|
|
2,811 posts
|
Post by couldileaveyou on May 21, 2018 6:28:53 GMT
Oh my, this was good this afternoon. Performances both outstanding, mostly compelling dialogue, the discussion of colour in particular was simply stupendous writing, I thought. Only thing I would have cut totally was the whole sub-plot about Ken's parents being murdered. Sure, it set up a couple of neat lines later on, but it felt artificial in a play supposedly trying to cut through all the pretention. A bit unworthy of the intellectual level of the rest of the script, I think. It makes sense when you watch the play's sequel and realize that Ken is Batman.
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on May 21, 2018 9:29:27 GMT
Oh, one other thing, for those who have seen it: did he drop a cigarette on the floor when he was thrown the packet, swear and then carry on? Nope. That was just for you.
|
|
294 posts
|
Post by dani on May 21, 2018 10:03:04 GMT
I didn't think much of the play. It's well done, though. Alfred Molina is a master of his craft, and I found the relationship with Alfred Enoch's Ken believable. I loved the design and thought this was overall worth my time, even though the writing was overweeningly pretentious, full of allusions to philosophy and classical myth without really managing to say anything about the nature of creativity.
|
|
294 posts
|
Post by dani on May 21, 2018 20:06:42 GMT
the writing was overweeningly pretentious, full of allusions to philosophy and classical myth without really managing to say anything about the nature of creativity I took that to be his character, and a deliberate choice rather than the author showing off. Interesting. You may be right, but I think the play has ambitions to say something profound about art, and it doesn't achieve that. If it's only a portrait of Rothko rather than a meditation on something bigger, it's a bit niche for me.
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on May 21, 2018 21:09:06 GMT
It would be interesting to see this in a double-billing with Art.
|
|
614 posts
|
Post by jamb0r on May 22, 2018 8:18:18 GMT
It looks like they've put 9 seats from stalls row A on sale online for £10 for most performances in the next week. Maybe they've not selling very well as day seats so now offering them up online?
|
|
294 posts
|
Post by dani on May 22, 2018 8:37:42 GMT
think the play has ambitions to say something profound about art, and it doesn't achieve that That's true, beyond using him to blast the pretentions of other artists. He was specific rather than general, except regarding cubism. Maybe the start of thought rather than true meditation, I can see that. I guess because I was expecting a focus on Rothko, it didn't bother me, but I do really see that argument for sure dani . My friend said "Oh well, it's a bioplay, what did you expect?" But it's not a bioplay, really, because the only other character besides Rothko is one that John Logan has made up. That suggests, to me, an intention to create a kind of Socratic dialogue. It works, up to a point, but I still think the play has exaggerated delusions of intellectual seriousness.
|
|
1,115 posts
|
Post by Stephen on May 22, 2018 9:01:00 GMT
Had a lovely time seeing Red last night. Something quite different I thought. Lovely set and sound design. All very beautiful while still having dark undertones.
Alfred Molina is incredible as Rothko and I'd imagine has been a great mentor to younger Alfred Enoch who, after taking a little while to settle in, plays the young artist/employee with great innocence and tenderness.
It's entertaining and fast paced enough at 90 minutes to only just begin noticing how uncomfortable the stalls seats at the Wyndhams are. (I'm sure they're not so bad at the Noel Coward) The theatre also seemed fairly full which is always lovely.
I'm interested to find out how the play would work at the Donmar being really inside the Bowery Studio with audiences perhaps even getting some Red on them. Did anyone experience it there and here? If so I'd be interested to hear of the differences in the use of the space.
4* from me.
|
|
4,560 posts
|
Post by Mark on May 22, 2018 9:04:54 GMT
I saw it at the Donmar when I was only just starting to get into my plays (looking back I saw Jerusalem the same day!). I remember it being excellent and it was no surprise it went to New York and had a successful run.
|
|
1,115 posts
|
Post by Stephen on May 22, 2018 10:59:14 GMT
just begin noticing how uncomfortable the stalls seats at the Wyndhams are I am hoping that one thing they will do during the refurbishment closure this summer is replace or re-pad those seats. Lovely colour, shape and brilliant legroom (Row N) but just uncomfortable! That would be great.
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on May 22, 2018 11:27:58 GMT
It would be interesting to see this in a double-billing with Art. I don’t think Art would stand the comparison TBH
|
|
482 posts
|
Post by drmaplewood on May 23, 2018 20:02:44 GMT
Front row stalls for all performances until next Tuesday are currently £10 FYI
|
|
1,866 posts
|
Post by Marwood on May 26, 2018 18:49:21 GMT
Everyone evacuated after 10 minutes tonight, currently standing outside while the fire brigade investigate - all very ‘exciting ‘
|
|
1,064 posts
|
Post by bellboard27 on May 26, 2018 21:23:15 GMT
That was great. Thoroughly enjoyed it.
The fire alarm and visitation of the fire brigade was followed by “technical” issues which seemed to be about raising the safety curtain. On resumption we started from the beginning. Just over 50 minutes late (some did leave a bit before the end).
|
|
1,866 posts
|
Post by Marwood on May 26, 2018 21:27:40 GMT
Ushers were telling us there were problems backstage which set the alarm off - the curtain was the icing on the cake. I didn’t really take to this I’m afraid, all well acted but the whole thing just seemed a bit pointless- only paid £10 so wasn’t tempted to hang around to give the firemen something proper to investigate.
|
|