3,471 posts
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Post by showgirl on Dec 11, 2017 4:55:19 GMT
"Son and daughter have come home to celebrate Mother and Father's wedding anniversary, but the atmosphere is strained and the dog is nowhere to be seen. Just as they hit stalemate, things start to take an unexpected turn..."
I saw this in Bath on Saturday; not ideal when I'd have a chance to catch it in London later but it suited my plans and it's a small but perfectly-written and performed gem which stands out from all the standard seasonal fare. Very dark at first but transformed by light and unexpected humour (some laugh-out-loud moments for me), so a great alternative both to panto and to having to choose between something serious or light-hearted, as it offers both the latter options. Only 80 minutes long and I loved it so much that I'd be tempted to see it again in London if I could.
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1,119 posts
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Post by martin1965 on Dec 11, 2017 8:09:31 GMT
Flip! Fancied this neither run fits my plans. Maybe it will get another life somewhere.
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Post by Jan on Dec 11, 2017 16:34:33 GMT
Flip! Fancied this neither run fits my plans. Maybe it will get another life somewhere. I saw his monologue “Title and Deed” at Print Room (breaking my new plays rule) and it was rather good. I think I’ll see this too. |
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Post by Honoured Guest on Dec 11, 2017 17:22:22 GMT
(breaking my new plays rule) It's your new plays guideline. |
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Post by Jan on Dec 11, 2017 18:48:07 GMT
(breaking my new plays rule) It's your new plays guideline. Or maybe it was my new play red line. Because it was a monologue I didn’t count it as a play anyway. |
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Post by Honoured Guest on Dec 16, 2017 12:32:41 GMT
perfectly-written and performed gem I second that! I was engaged, provoked and amused from beginning to end. And empathised with all the characters despite their mutual antagonisms. The play is continually surprising so don't read ANYTHING about it beforehand. However, it's only fair to report a range of audience reaction, from very early walk-outs to bemused people left completely untouched to enthusiastic lovers of it such as me. An outstanding play, brilliantly played and staged. Very intelligent without a hint of alienating cleverness. But not everyone likes it! |
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3,471 posts
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Post by showgirl on Dec 16, 2017 14:57:22 GMT
Gosh, there were no walk-outs at my matinee and I didn't detect any obvious adverse reactions. But we certainly see here how plays/shows some love are anathema to others. I did read all the reviews I could find in advance and it made no difference to my enjoyment, but again, that's personal preference - mine probably stems from fear of not following the plot!
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Post by Jan on Feb 3, 2018 11:40:10 GMT
It is about 25 years since I last saw a new play and I've heard good things about them so I thought I'd try another. This one is directed by Michael Boyd and has Greg Hicks in the lead. Micky Billington gave it 3* and HG above gave it more.
It seems one thing that hasn't changed in 25 years is that the general theatre-going public aren't that interested in new plays, over 50% of the seats were empty. Another thing that hasn't changed is that very few new writers are genuinely original - here we start with Pinter and end with Ayckbourn but with an American accent and without the talent of either. It is a black comedy I suppose, but the audience didn't laugh much, partly this is because the characters are not that well developed and are often just pegs on which to hang ancient jokes and fragments of contemporary stand-up comedy routines ("Have you noticed how young people always say "like" ....."). The play itself is quite thin and mean-spirited but with a metatheatrical gimmick to lend it a spurious air of profundity and sophistication. It is well directed by Boyd but the highlight is the first 10 seconds. The great Greg Hicks can't do much other than demonstrate again he has no real aptitude for comedy. Think I'll leave it for another 25 years before seeing another.
The new Print Room seating is comfortable but there is still a problem with legroom.
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