1,005 posts
|
Post by nash16 on Oct 4, 2023 11:04:01 GMT
Another 3*, this time from Time Out.
I do like their lack of kowtowing to the expected 5*, “it’s Bernadette, it’s Lea, it’s Sondheim” enthralment that the likes of whatsonstage have, naturally, gone for with this. Not having as much of an investment in “the industry”, I tend to believe their views more.
Hoping this will be the case with Sunset Boulevard too, as the newspaper critics will have seen live camera work onstage many, many times before, and will see that it’s actually a lot of recent, if old, ideas rehashed, unfortunately at the loss of the story and any sense of being moved.
It’s always interesting the difference between reviewers for the industry website reviewers versus the newspaper ones. But can be a cold wake up call for those caught up in the event, rather than the originality of the content.
|
|
1,005 posts
|
Post by nash16 on Jul 23, 2023 15:35:34 GMT
I hope there’s something decent going into it for the 6 months before MJ. Tbh this show hasn’t been selling well and it was OK but nothing great so not something I’d make a return visit to Same. They’ve normally got something lined up when they close a show. Can’t think of what show could go in though. Any recent touring shows that were looking for a home maybe?
|
|
1,005 posts
|
Post by nash16 on Jul 23, 2023 13:38:14 GMT
Sad that this is closing early. I’ve been twice with family. Definitely need to make a third trip.
What will replace it?
|
|
1,005 posts
|
Post by nash16 on Jul 22, 2023 0:38:38 GMT
Just to assure you my comment was not “conjecture based on site gossip”. What an odd thing to say. Okay, well you simply stated what has been stated further up the thread already and there are many people on this thread who would love proper confirmation of a run at the Savoy in 2024 followed by a tour. As Mr Barnaby originally mentioned it, I'm happy as their info is usually spot on. If you have proper inside info that can take things beyond conjecture, please spill (and if so, please can you also confirm what the plans are for a new production of Martin Guerre which has been workshopped at the OV for a while)... I’m in love with “proper inside info” now. 😂
|
|
1,005 posts
|
Post by nash16 on Jul 21, 2023 8:10:44 GMT
Their aim with this run is for it to lead to a U.K. tour, rather than a West End transfer, thus the removal of the revolves this time round. This run is also being used to try and attract investors to make a film version of the musical. No idea if either are going to work out yet though. Worth pointing out that this is conjecture based on site gossip - none of this has been confirmed by the OV. Ticket sales have not been as strong as hoped, though admittedly in a market where other shows are also struggling to put bums on seats. Just to assure you my comment was not “conjecture based on site gossip”. What an odd thing to say.
|
|
1,005 posts
|
Post by nash16 on Jul 20, 2023 23:30:17 GMT
Is this transferring next year or was that just a rumbling? Their aim with this run is for it to lead to a U.K. tour, rather than a West End transfer, thus the removal of the revolves this time round. This run is also being used to try and attract investors to make a film version of the musical. No idea if either are going to work out yet though.
|
|
1,005 posts
|
Post by nash16 on Jul 20, 2023 23:25:33 GMT
Loved this tonight in Manchester! What a performance with astonishing bursts of energy throughout! As for the audience, I’m not sure if some thought they were watching the telly. Drifting in and out of the auditorium. Such disrespect. One or two people desperate for the toilet… okay… but there was a constant stream of people in and out. Why?! Were they Cruising?
|
|
1,005 posts
|
Post by nash16 on Jul 13, 2023 11:17:05 GMT
Is it the only job she can get now? And flip, what a job…
|
|
1,005 posts
|
Post by nash16 on Jul 12, 2023 10:02:22 GMT
I've now seen four shows in a row in the last two weeks and have not experienced one single instance of bad behaviour. What the hell is going on?! You must give it time. Allow time.
|
|
1,005 posts
|
Post by nash16 on Jul 12, 2023 9:49:05 GMT
There last night and what a waste of the Royal Court downstairs. What is going on at this venue recently? We left imagining that what had been promised in the commissioning of it did not turn out in the end product, because as others have said, it’s a lot of talking and mobile phones with very little substance.
The acting is great, from everyone. But what could have been elevated from a regular Liverpool set sitcom has been let down by the writer and director. You’ve got 4 great women onstage; give them something better.
Watching it we thought it was going build to be a subversive take on climate change, and the effect on the young whilst the older generation carry on with their lives. But...
By the interval there was nothing dramatic to make us bother waiting for the second half, which I always find criminal. We did stay and in the final scenes it became clear this wasn’t actually going anywhere. Anywhere it had gone was tied up within a couple of lines. And at the end it looked like it was trying to start the whole process again.
As I say, the actors are great, but the material is weak, despite the laugh lines.
With the play upstairs not faring much better either, it’s definitely an uninspired time at this venue.
|
|
1,005 posts
|
Post by nash16 on Jul 12, 2023 9:41:26 GMT
Funny thing is I tried for Rush (as a rehearsal, to find out exactly the same) yesterday and it never appeared for this production in particular. I mean the red button it the App never turned to ‘Get Rush’ while for other productions it did at the same time. I even checked if I indeed unlocked them (which I did). Waited for 5 mins and gave up. I believe it was Press Night yesterday! 5* from Domestos (I could have predicted that one)
|
|
1,005 posts
|
Post by nash16 on Jul 9, 2023 20:16:23 GMT
I was there for the matinee. I did feel a bit meh not to see Fiennes, but blooming heck Will blew me away with his performance. Does anyone know if this was his first time on? If so he appeared quite at ease with the role. I did manage to snag a single back of stalls seat in a few weeks so I can see the play again, and possibly see Fiennes, but I won’t mind if I see Will too. does anyone think this might get a transfer? They’d be foolish not to transfer it… especially as the 2024 men’s euros approach Back to the Olivier next summer (May to August) for the Euros, as predicted by many on here, then to the Gillian Lynne almost straight after for a limited run.
|
|
1,005 posts
|
Post by nash16 on Jul 7, 2023 23:37:42 GMT
I think we just watched a play about bleach.
Bleach.
We need to veer Mark away from being anything but a tremendous actor in things. When he gets involved in creation or writing, things like this happen.
|
|
1,005 posts
|
Post by nash16 on Jun 23, 2023 0:29:04 GMT
Also saw it up in the Circle, last week, and agree with Matty that it was uncomfortably hot.
That may have affected my enjoyment, but I really felt this was poor. Unfortunately as soon as the Romeo started talking I feared the worst. There was no connection to what he was saying, or most of them early on, it was just being spoken very very fast. I knew the running time was finally the “two hours traffic” but I think that was a mistake with the cuts and the lack of time to let any relationships truly build or fall.
What were those dance/movement sequences? Deary me.
Paul Higgins and the experienced actors nearly saved it.
But even the youngsters around us, whom this is presumably aimed at, were restless and not, for the most part, engaged with it.
It felt very high school standard.
A misfire for Frecknall.
|
|
1,005 posts
|
Post by nash16 on Jun 21, 2023 22:08:06 GMT
We saw the show on Saturday. Really enjoyed it. Second half was slightly baggy, which was a shame, especially as the more important issues seemed to be a bit shoe-horned into that half (including racism in football; here just given a couple of almost monologue moments, when actually it’s begging for more time especially if the play is attracting football fans as it obviously seems to be. A real opportunity, but sort of rushed.) I could also do without laughing at the prime ministers. It irks when people find them funny and nudge nudge, when actually we should be feeling white hot rage that they’re still not locked up. But that could be just me.
Those second half hurried issues aside, it’s a great night out. Something for everyone. And made me care in those penalty shoot outs. Someone shouted out at one point.
Re the revolve and potential West End transfer: they’re not actually using the (infamous) drum revolve for this. Instead it seems to be a revolve placed atop the normal Olivier Stage (we were Row B and were wondering why we were craning our necks so much until my partner pointed it out).
So this should make a transfer pretty easy. I remember seeing Death of a Salesman at the Lyric theatre with a similar revolve set up, so it’s definitely possible. But obviously even this added revolve can be temperamental as the poor people on Monday night found out. A limited run if transferred should make economic sense.
Really recommend it though.
|
|
1,005 posts
|
Post by nash16 on Jun 16, 2023 1:25:09 GMT
Any chance this will transfer? Not going to be able to catch it before it closes. Reviews have been excellent, but sadly sales have been poor*, so still up in the air. *if you check the seating plans for nearly all dates, the exact same seats in the stalls centre block have been “sold”, with few if any sold at the sides or upstairs. Not a good sign… It has yet to catch fire with a fan base fully, or entice those who wouldn’t normally head to the Southwark Playhouse. They have obviously been aiming at a transfer from the start, and the reviews seemed to ensure that, but not so sure now. Maybe a very limited run at the Ambassadors or the Arts?
|
|
1,005 posts
|
Post by nash16 on Jun 14, 2023 7:58:33 GMT
I know it is only two days in, but has anybody seen this yet? Any impressions? Was also in this evening. As the above poster said the score is very forgettable with there are some questionably stupid lyrics. The story is told well. Act one could do with trimming down, perhaps lose the awful ‘lecture’ song/shorten that storyline as it doesn’t add much. Act two had a good pace that kept my attention with some better songs (but still not brilliant). The chemistry between the two leads was missing, his love for her sort of comes out of the blue perhaps over time as they bed in their chemistry will be there and it’ll make more sense. It is worth a watch and will be interesting to see if they trim it down/make any major changes in the next few weeks. It was nice to be in the presence of Sir Trevor who was sat opposite us making his notes. Started around 1933 and was out by 2201. Expect this will tighten up over the next few weeks. “Started around 1933 and was out by 2201. Expect this will tighten up over the next few weeks.” I know Trev does long shows, but a 268yr running time has to be a new record for him, surely?
|
|
1,005 posts
|
Post by nash16 on Jun 6, 2023 20:52:16 GMT
I fear you have taken what I wrote a bit too literally. What I meant to infer was that, even with the slight ness of the play prior, adding the rousing Zadok the Priest at the end, in this year of Coronation, seemed designed to prompt a SUBSEQUENT standing ovation at the curtain call, with the music, in a way, hypnotising an audience into forgetting what had come before. It really irked me. Then as soon as Zadok the Priest started up I literally shook my head thinking, well that’s cheap. But it worked. The National Theatre old school Faithful stood instantly a la Pavlov’s dog. I saw this tonight and the standing ovation (or even just applause) didn't happen at Zadok the Priest but at the curtain call. Also, maybe it's because I'm an American, but I don't understand why that anthem would trigger an automatic standing ovation. (I know its association with the recent Coronation, but don't see any parallels within the play, other than the brief reference Gielgud makes to using it as a pacing cue. And I don't see that tie-back triggering an ovation.) I had trouble understanding many of Burton's speeches (Shakespearian or not). I think in some of the scenes he wasn't necessarily meant to be understood because he was drunk, but if the line for the ladies' loo hadn't been so long, I was going to request the closed captioning glasses at the interval. But when he gives Gielgud his 'To Be' speech.... wow!
|
|
1,005 posts
|
Post by nash16 on Jun 3, 2023 13:37:18 GMT
That manipulated standing ovation was something else, wasn’t it. I remember sitting there thinking well this is dragging on a bit now as Act 2 rolled on; looking around and seeing similar faces. Then as soon as Zadok the Priest started up I literally shook my head thinking, well that’s cheap. But it worked. The National Theatre old school Faithful stood instantly a la Pavlov’s dog. I would have stood for Gatiss performmace, which was masterful, but little else. Yes a standing ovation, manipulated skilfully. I’m sure Mendes had the last scene down before anything else. I enjoyed this but I thought it was unbalanced. Gatiss gave us Gielgud so perfectly and interpreted the man so well, as it seemed to me, that the others didn’t have anywhere to go - impersonation, interpretation, no idea, etc? In that light I thought JD was very good with her Elizabeth Taylor except for the accent. Did Taylor have that southern American drawl? She was British as a child and in Taming of the Shrew for example her accent is lighter, much lighter. Did we need to be told about how difficult it was to be gay? Dunno. I’m not sure about Burton. Did he actually arrive so drunk? If this is so, well, I’m surprised he treated his fellow actors so badly. We hadn’t heard that before, had we? I haven’t read the book. And again that ending - so full of irony, the comments written up BUT are we now going to have it all spelt out for us? Can’t the play do the work? If we clever enough to get hamlet as Mendes assumes, aren’t we clever enough to know what happened to Burton and Gielgud? Or is this an age thing? Asking for the elderly. All in all, worth the money. I hope it does well America. Little thing : I bought a programme which has a couple of interesting articles in it but it was difficult to understand who was who in the minor roles. Little pics with name and role and also a teeny bio would have been nicer than the full splurge imo. And of course although they had tow bios of guys who were in the original, it would have been nice to know more about all of them.
|
|
1,005 posts
|
Post by nash16 on Jun 3, 2023 13:32:00 GMT
Did Lily James enjoy performing in All about Eve so much that she wants to star in another similar sounding play. Have to say it doesn't sound too exciting even with Thomas attached. I think Lily will enjoy being on a stage without GA, who apparently was a nightmare to her.
|
|
1,005 posts
|
Post by nash16 on Jun 2, 2023 17:19:24 GMT
It just drags, doesn’t it? The running length is way too long and we just spend mid first half onwards willing him to de-age a bit quicker.
The actor-musician cast are great, despite some inevitable iffy acting.
But ultimately the songs were either foot stomping or slow ballad, with little decipherable in terms of difference between them.
It won’t be going to the West End any time soon because, ultimately, it lacks a strong enough story (and any hint of drama) to pull an audience through.
|
|
1,005 posts
|
Post by nash16 on May 23, 2023 15:59:37 GMT
Yikes. Saw a great cover on when I went, but now it seems the leads and their covers are down too.
|
|
1,005 posts
|
Post by nash16 on May 22, 2023 23:05:05 GMT
I think this show in particular is over hyped because we’ve had so few BIG shows recently that tick a lot of boxes, and it’s also Previews where everyone is obviously very excited for the revival to finally be here.
I went early on in its first incarnation and was surprised by the absolute love for it subsequently during that run. It IS very good, but it still didn’t fully hold together or really pull me through with it. And save one song, the rest just…served a function.
Having said that, I’m excited people are excited and coming back from this rejig of it with positive comments as they really need this version to work to get it across the river and making some money for the Old Vic, or back on the great white way (where it can make even more). And sometimes people just need/want a show to love.
If the reviews drop in terms of their love for it, it may cause it future problems.
But it’s safe commercially at the Old Vic: musical based on a well loved film. Easy!
|
|
1,005 posts
|
Post by nash16 on May 20, 2023 1:30:54 GMT
There are more names due towards the end of the marathon. What a feat she is doing.
|
|
1,005 posts
|
Post by nash16 on May 16, 2023 18:08:38 GMT
😂👏 They’ll get the chipboard out again too… Jamie Lloyd directing! Nicole scherzinger to lead as norma… So instead of coming down a staircase, Norma will be stepping off of a chair.
|
|
1,005 posts
|
Post by nash16 on May 6, 2023 22:36:19 GMT
Agree with Marwood (and, shock horror, The Guardian review). Went tonight as well and it’s fine, but nothing more. It lacks stakes and real excitement because there seemingly weren’t many actual fireworks or battle of wills in the first place, reading the programme.
Thought Gattis was excellent; Flynn fine; but Middleton woefully miscast (or not directed) with no attempt to bring Liz Taylor truly to the stage.
Was Zadok the Priest just to finish off the old school NT audience who were there in droves and will froth with joy for this?
3*. A nice curio, and Gattis giving a beautiful performance, but a waste beyond that. (All the “supporting” characters too! And none of them needed. The NT must be flush at the moment.)
|
|
1,005 posts
|
Post by nash16 on May 5, 2023 20:22:15 GMT
What is going on??
|
|
1,005 posts
|
Post by nash16 on Sept 15, 2022 12:23:50 GMT
Harold Pinter theatre in the New Year for this. Exciting.
|
|
1,005 posts
|
Post by nash16 on Mar 27, 2022 23:31:53 GMT
First preview cancelled on Saturday.
|
|
1,005 posts
|
Post by nash16 on Mar 13, 2022 2:11:04 GMT
What an excellent venue for this. Suits it’s intimacy so well. And a joy to finally see it here in the U.K.
|
|