5,278 posts
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Post by mrbarnaby on Apr 25, 2018 20:09:40 GMT
Oh
Dear
This sounds
Like
Another
Disaster
For the
N
T
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Post by Deleted on Apr 25, 2018 20:31:30 GMT
Critics might well like it
Given they arse licked
That turd
At The Almeida last night
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Post by basi1faw1ty on Apr 26, 2018 5:07:57 GMT
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3,475 posts
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Post by showgirl on Apr 26, 2018 9:11:36 GMT
5 stars from Libby Purves (Theatrecat).
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885 posts
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Post by lonlad on Apr 26, 2018 9:19:00 GMT
Scathing review on whatsonstage.com - 2 stars but reads like no stars
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Post by theatrelover123 on Apr 26, 2018 11:29:00 GMT
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1,187 posts
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Post by theatrelover123 on Apr 26, 2018 11:32:11 GMT
Seeing Absolute hell tonight. Knackered and not sure I can cope with 3 hours of it. If I am not feeling it after a 90 min first half in the cheap cramped seats in Row C and we feel like leaving, will we miss much? Obviously I am not going with that intention in mind but it would be good to hear from those who have seen it as to whether we will be missing an unmissable second and third act. Well I stayed for the whole 3 hours as I was entertained and intrigued after the first half which was fun and done well. I gradually become more disillusioned with the play itself, the various miscastings, the various over-acting and facial mugging (and lack of natural acting apart from maybe Charles Edwards) and the various odd directorial decisions (walking walking walking woman for example) which made me leave thinking less of the production as a whole. 3 stars from me (I think)
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Post by Deleted on Apr 26, 2018 11:37:31 GMT
Scathing review on whatsonstage.com - 2 stars but reads like no stars I bet something about their sales model means they can't sell tickets to NT productions in the same way as they can to West End shows. Less profitable or something. Bet you.
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Post by Snciole on Apr 26, 2018 12:13:24 GMT
Scathing review on whatsonstage.com - 2 stars but reads like no stars I bet something about their sales model means they can't sell tickets to NT productions in the same way as they can to West End shows. Less profitable or something. Bet you. I was surprised to see they even did. I suspect for most WE shows they buy tickets in bulk then sell on at an inflated cost, maybe with the NT it is a cut rather than a profit. Equally maybe the reviewers are independent but as I have said elsewhere the set up is definitely towards sales rather than pointing people to news and reviews. I think the reviews will be divided by those that like an epic, rambling play and those that don't.
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Post by Rory on Apr 26, 2018 12:59:15 GMT
Why does the Telegraph always seem to be the last to publish its reviews? Come on Dominic!
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Post by basi1faw1ty on Apr 26, 2018 15:49:57 GMT
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Post by basi1faw1ty on Apr 26, 2018 17:39:15 GMT
So to summarise:
★★★★★ theatreCat
★★★★½ The730Review ★★★★ Radio Times The Stage Financial Times Mark Shenton Time Out Boyz Magazine LastMinuteTheatreTickets British Theatre Guide (the reviewer doesn't give stars but judging by the review I'd say he'd've given it at least a 4)
★★★½ The Reviews Hub
★★★ Telegraph Independent Guardian TheArtsDesk BroadwayWorld Evening Standard LondonTheatre1
★★ WhatsOnStage TheUpcoming
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Post by Snciole on Apr 28, 2018 9:28:53 GMT
I was speaking to a friend about this last night and he revealed that he initially thought it was publicity for a 40s photograph exhibition.
I don't know how well this is selling but I thought it was an interesting comment.
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Post by tmesis on Apr 28, 2018 15:50:35 GMT
This tried my patience at 3 hours so goodness knows what it was like in early preview. A rambling play with no story arc and unlikeable characters. Apart from Charles Edwards it's poorly (over) acted. Kate Fleetwood was particularly miscast - I really think you need someone with the charisma of Dench to bring it off. Quite a nice set and I was in row B of the stalls so the dim lighting wasn't a problem but I can see it would be further back.
Yet another unsatisfactory offering from NT.
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Post by NeilVHughes on Apr 28, 2018 16:25:53 GMT
tmesis my thoughts exactly. As the reviews were diametrically opposed to my view of an early preview was tempted to see it again to see if the cuts had somehow worked a miracle. Now you have saved me the bother.
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3,081 posts
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Post by david on Apr 28, 2018 22:48:59 GMT
Having seen this tonight, I have to agree with Theatre Monkey’s assessment. Not perfect, but it kept me entertained and engaged for the full 3hrs. I’m glad I saw it from row D in the stalls, because with the low lighting on stage, I’m not too sure what you would have seen from the back of the circle. I think this is one production in my opinion where being close to the stage really does have some benefit.
As with previous posts, Charles Edwards really does give the standout performance, though I did love the Madge character as the religious woman.
I’m not sure what the point of some of the cast where. For example, the secretary typing away and the girl who says nothing but just walks around the stage in silence for 3hrs. These are things that maybe should of been cut as they really didn’t add anything to the plot.
I wonder what the reception would of been like if the play had been staged at the time of its writing?
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Post by Deleted on May 1, 2018 8:22:14 GMT
Well. Half the audience upped and left during the interval so the response at the end of the show was a bit muted. I think I saw Kate Fleetwood say something like "thanks for staying to the end everyone" jokingly to Charles Edwards during the bows.
Not quite sure why they left in droves really, I thought it was a very entertaining evening and the set was wonderful. I'm going to have to read up on any changes a bit more though as the play is a bit fruity for the most part so I can imagine how shocking it must have been back in the day. It's all very heightened and with the talent on display, I think it was intentional for everyone to be a bit OTT in their delivery and performance which I didn't mind. Having said that, Charles Edwards was absolutely smashing, a really wonderful performance which I think worked well with the campery elsewhere. I do think Fifi the prostitute might have stepped into the wrong play though, I think she was auditioning for a Yaël Farber production. I hope she got the part. I thought Kate Fleetwood was miscast but I did admire her acting choice to pitch her performance as a 1940s Petula Gordeno and thought Jonathan Slinger as Maurice was also very good. He does that 'nastiness beneath the surface' thing so well. One minute you're laughing at him, the next you're taking a deep breath.
Oh and when they decide to revive 'Cabaret' again, Sinead Matthews would be a glorious Sally Bowles.
I'll bet they all needed a wee after the show though.
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Post by crowblack on May 1, 2018 9:02:26 GMT
Half the audience upped and left during the interval I always find this odd - I'd like to see this play, but not in a barn-like venue and not at those prices. But if you've already paid those prices and hauled your arse there, is your time really that precious? It just seems rude.
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Post by Deleted on May 1, 2018 9:06:05 GMT
I have seen some shows where my time was definitely far more valuable than the dross I was having to sit through, and I'm not a lawyer or a wealthy person or even a parsley type, who genuinely thinks about my time in terms of its worth, but some shows really are that bad. I've only left at the interval maybe three times in the last 15 years though, so I do have an extremely high tolerance for theatre that is merely subpar.
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Post by nash16 on May 1, 2018 9:45:18 GMT
I always think if a play hasn't produced enough drama or interest in the first half, why on earth should it's audience stay?
Writers of plays where the second half suddenly pays off have only themselves to blame. Grab our interest!
The worst is when you go into the interval and end up talking about your days rather than the play.
Absolute Hell is, of course, a character study, rather than a play with a driving narrative. We stayed for all of it, but I totally get why people would watch the first half feel they've seen it and can head off. A shame for the actors though.
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Post by Deleted on May 1, 2018 9:56:37 GMT
That's all true of course. Plus, if you leave after the first act, you miss Aaron Heffernan's teeny tiny nipples in the second half. Also, for anyone who saw the last run with Dame Judi, did they have the . . . {There is nothing like a dame . . . } . . gang rape suggestion at the end of the first act? Or was that an addition for this performance? Can't see Dame Judi going for that much.
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Post by basi1faw1ty on May 1, 2018 10:01:15 GMT
I really feel so sorry for the cast, being drafted into such a Marmite show as this, and seeing the curtain rise at act 2 to be greeted with a quarter of the audience missing. From what I've read in reviews, and the fact that I have the script and have watched the TV version and loved it, I'm only going to enjoy it even more
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Post by basi1faw1ty on May 1, 2018 10:02:41 GMT
That's all true of course. Plus, if you leave after the first act, you miss Aaron Heffernan's teeny tiny nipples in the second half. Also, for anyone who saw the last run with Dame Judi, did they have the . . . {There is nothing like a dame . . . } . . gang rape suggestion at the end of the first act? Or was that an addition for this performance? Can't see Dame Judi going for that much. That's in the original script. It was cut out the TV version. Not sure about the 1995 production though.
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Post by couldileaveyou on May 1, 2018 10:08:45 GMT
God I was there in front row last night and after the interval four people at my left and other four at my right didn't show up again and I was left on my own in the middle of row A #awkward
It's beautifully designed and well acted, it had its moments, but on the whole I don't think it was worthy of the 7,50£ I spent.
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Post by Deleted on May 1, 2018 10:11:15 GMT
God I was there last in front row last night and after the interval four people at my left and other four at my right didn't show up again and I was left on my own in the middle of row A #awkward It's beautifully designed and well acted, it had its moments, but on the whole I don't think it was worthy of the 7,50£ I spent. Oooh did you have glasses on?
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Post by Deleted on May 1, 2018 10:13:58 GMT
the girl who says nothing but just walks around the stage in silence for 3hrs. Fifi the prostitute. Brilliant piece of casting and directing, I thought. Authentic in her use of keys and movement to avoid arrest but attract custom. She was seen frequently walking her "beat" outside the club, a reminder of how harsh times were, but also representing the ability to survive against the odds and indeed the unchanging rhythms of life even amid the constant upheaval. In contrast to Fifi, the secretary was alluded to as an irritating noise and representative symbolism of the "establishment." We didn’t have to see her We could have imagined her It seems vulgar to show her And then have to refer to her in the playtext as well
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Post by Deleted on May 1, 2018 10:15:01 GMT
It’s sold dreadfully by the way
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Post by couldileaveyou on May 1, 2018 10:17:39 GMT
God I was there last in front row last night and after the interval four people at my left and other four at my right didn't show up again and I was left on my own in the middle of row A #awkward It's beautifully designed and well acted, it had its moments, but on the whole I don't think it was worthy of the 7,50£ I spent. Oooh did you have glasses on? Yes I did! Shame I didn't see you
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Post by crowblack on May 1, 2018 10:20:43 GMT
I really feel so sorry for the cast That's my point, really - you ought to sit through it for their sake, really. It must be so disheartening. The only time I've felt tempted to leave was the recent Woyzeck, but I was doing 3 plays in 2 days with weak glasses, it was a sunny afternoon, I had a rubbish seat and I still had Killology and the night bus to Liverpool to go. I thought, might as well stay, it might get better (it didn't, but I've seen plays that have).
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Post by Deleted on May 1, 2018 10:30:45 GMT
Yes I did! Shame I didn't see you Ooooh, I saw you during the interval because you seemed to be left on your own on the front row as I was looking at all of the evacuees! You looked very dapper though. Careful ladies and gents, this one is a heartbreaker. If I was 20 30 years younger . . .
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