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Post by Sotongal on Mar 19, 2024 17:45:58 GMT
I was in an online queue for about half an hour, managed to get tickets, went to the payment page and it dropped out saying Bad Gateway Error. So, I rang the Box Office and after about fifteen minutes it was answered and a very nice Box Office guy said my tickets were still held in my account and so I paid for them over the phone. He did say they were having some problems with so many people online queueing for tickets.
This is the second time in about a month when I’ve online queued for tickets (last one was the Mayflower Theatre, Southampton’s new system)where there’s been problems.
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Post by Sotongal on Jan 27, 2024 16:54:01 GMT
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Post by Sotongal on Nov 9, 2023 12:29:34 GMT
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Post by Sotongal on Nov 2, 2023 15:26:04 GMT
Ah yes, those RADA actors, that need that break so much more. We watched this on Monday evening and enjoyed it. Notable actors have ‘helped out’ RADA before by acting with students in the RADA studios - Tom Hiddleston appeared in Hamlet (directed by Ken Branagh) a few years ago there.As RADA President, it isn’t really surprising Ken should act in and direct Lear. I suspect the two hour non stop running time, is maybe partly to try to engage younger people with shorter attention spans than the three plus hours Lear usually needs. (Though it does mean the deterioration of Lear, etc, is speeded up a bit!) But think that’s Branagh’s big problem-he can be a great actor and a great director, but he cannot/shouldn’t direct himself (not many actors can). He would be better off doing one or the other, but not both at the same time. (Does he give himself notes?!) However, he is one of the few great Shakespearean actors, alongside McKellen and Dench, in as far as he has a way of delivering the lines which make them instantly understandable - many times we’ve had to ‘tune in’ to the Shakespearean language with other actors, but with these three you don’t, it’s understandable straight away. Couple of observations re Branagh. Gorgeous hair, makes him look more older Thor like, than old Lear. We were sat quite near the front in the stalls so could see facial expressions pretty well-he didn’t seem to feel it in his face(if that makes sense) his eyes pretty much didn’t change expression. Oh also, the ending was the theatrical piece you might expect from Olivier. 😉 Would say McKellen’s version is by far the best Lear we’ve ever seen, but this is perfectly fine, but could have been better (and the RADA cast were good enough, particularly the older ones who’d been off and done other things and came back to perform in this). And yes, it is pretty much sold out. Well, any well known actor could help out any drama school of any level, anywhere, if they so wish. Branagh is President of RADA so it’s not surprising he’s supporting it.
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Post by Sotongal on Nov 2, 2023 11:04:05 GMT
We watched this on Monday evening and enjoyed it.
Notable actors have ‘helped out’ RADA before by acting with students in the RADA studios - Tom Hiddleston appeared in Hamlet (directed by Ken Branagh) a few years ago there.As RADA President, it isn’t really surprising Ken should act in and direct Lear. I suspect the two hour non stop running time, is maybe partly to try to engage younger people with shorter attention spans than the three plus hours Lear usually needs. (Though it does mean the deterioration of Lear, etc, is speeded up a bit!)
But think that’s Branagh’s big problem-he can be a great actor and a great director, but he cannot/shouldn’t direct himself (not many actors can). He would be better off doing one or the other, but not both at the same time. (Does he give himself notes?!)
However, he is one of the few great Shakespearean actors, alongside McKellen and Dench, in as far as he has a way of delivering the lines which make them instantly understandable - many times we’ve had to ‘tune in’ to the Shakespearean language with other actors, but with these three you don’t, it’s understandable straight away.
Couple of observations re Branagh. Gorgeous hair, makes him look more older Thor like, than old Lear. We were sat quite near the front in the stalls so could see facial expressions pretty well-he didn’t seem to feel it in his face(if that makes sense) his eyes pretty much didn’t change expression. Oh also, the ending was the theatrical piece you might expect from Olivier. 😉
Would say McKellen’s version is by far the best Lear we’ve ever seen, but this is perfectly fine, but could have been better (and the RADA cast were good enough, particularly the older ones who’d been off and done other things and came back to perform in this).
And yes, it is pretty much sold out.
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Post by Sotongal on Oct 17, 2023 20:35:21 GMT
Was supposed to be Press Night tonight, but we were told it was cancelled (not sure if that’s just for the Reviewers or the whole performance). Told we could go next week instead, but we can’t go next week.
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Post by Sotongal on Oct 13, 2023 10:46:49 GMT
Whilst I enjoyed this, I found the material rather dated. This is reflected in the age of the audience too but good to see that you’re able to have a fun night out whatever your age. Rupert is fantastic as usual but really wanted to shout out Jack Bardoe who gave a brilliant performance as his son. The programme featured some interesting information about John Mortimer too which I think is worth reading. I’m not really sure if there’s a linear plot but there were humorous moments and clearly provided the audience with some nostalgia that I couldn’t quite tap into. Glad I went anyways and hope others do too We saw it in Bath. Shout out for Jack Bardoe being an actor to watch out for! 👍🏻
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Post by Sotongal on Jul 7, 2023 9:53:53 GMT
Press has started ramping up for this already- Series 21. Start looking out for rumoured contestants. So far I've heard Angela Scanlan and that guy from Ackley Bridge. Apparently, Josie Gibson is being chased by both Strictly and I’m A Celeb, according to today’s papers.
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Post by Sotongal on Jul 5, 2023 16:43:38 GMT
James Graham is an amazing playwright, he has an uncanny finger on the country's pulse and manages to make dramas out of news stories, political events, whatever.... but always finding a dramatic conflict with which to explore ideas beyond the basic narrative. This is no different and I believe he may achieved the wonderful feat of bringing new audiences into the theatre. The audience (crowd?) on Monday night was somewhere between a theatre audience and a football crowd, joining in on chants they recognised and cheering mentions of the teams they follow. It was a play of two halves. The first was I think more exciting, pure entertainment, the audience getting that little thrill where they recognise characters and events but with the heightened reality that being on a stage brings to them. Although there wasn't a ball in sight and I knew the outcomes, some of the recreated penalty shootouts were genuinely tense and dramatic. The second half where Graham brings in other themes is slightly (very slightly) less absorbing but it makes its points and does so effectively. Racism, leadership, identity - what it means to be English (there is no English anthem in football, only the UK one), violence... the British do beat themselves up a lot, we are no longer world leaders in football hooliganism and haven't been for years. I was reminded at the conclusion of Larkin's "An Arundel Tomb" - quite something, for a play about what is still such a macho sport to evoke these feelings. Can you enjoy this play if you know nothing about football and care even less? Well, of course. It is a potent piece. I don't have to be a fan of world wars to appreciate Downfall. Great work from the ensemble and the high standards you'd expect from Joe Fiennes and Gina Mckee. I think Graham's got another winner here, I expect this to transfer to the West End. The National is on quite a run! Well done lads. We were there Monday evening too and I agree with your points. The first half was exciting, there was an aim,they were all focusing and fully going for it, but in the second half it wandered around a bit- almost like Graham was depicting in the various second half topics the uncertainty the players and Southgate have felt, about finding their way through those points joem has listed. Really enjoyable production. I once sat next to Southgate at a football lunch and he’s a really nice man.
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Post by Sotongal on Jul 5, 2023 16:36:48 GMT
Attended last Saturday’s matinee performance of this and really enjoyed it. Gypsy is a golden age musical that has just passed me by so I was able to view it with no expectations or comparisons to previous productions. Rebecca Thornhill was wonderful as Mama Rose. A real triple threat, culminating in a totally captivating performance of Rose’s Turn. The rest of the company were brilliant too, with a special mention for Evelyn Hoskins as Gypsy Rose Lee/Louise. She nailed naive and innocent before completely owning the confidence her character develops towards the end of the piece. It really is a lovely little space and there’s not really a bad seat in the auditorium. There’s only one way in and out (apart from fire exits at the end) so I was mildly concerned about the queues at the interval but given the average audience age, they were easy enough to bypass on the way to the toilet in the bar! The food was essentially a roast buffet. Pork was tender and tasty, veg mix was pretty decent too. As was the dark chocolate mousse dessert. Plenty of other options available too. It all makes for quite a unique theatre experience. Oh, and one programme is provided per table booking but they were quite happy to provide a second free of charge. If driving (as most will, it’s in the middle of the sticks), be aware Sonning high street gets completely rammed at the weekend. You’ll be sitting in it for a good 10/15 minutes coming up to the single lane bridge over the river but there’s plenty of spaces in the Mill’s car park. You’re told to arrive for food two hours before the show begins at 2.15pm. We were late having got caught in traffic, so didn’t get there until just before 1pm and still had plenty of time to spare after eating. A thoroughly enjoyable afternoon. Four star meal, four star show. Have to say it’s got probably the best Ladies Loos of any theatre on their restaurant lower level! Yes, the queue of cars through Sonning can be slow peak times and weekends when there’s things going on, on The Thames. Unfortunately, South Oxfordshire Council won’t agree to a new road bridge across The Thames at Reading, (ten minutes away) joining the A329M even though it would relieve the lovely village of Sonning from so much traffic. By the way, the Mill at Sonning shares an island with the Clooneys residence! And for any Midsomer Murders fans-the theatre featured as ‘Empson Playhouse’ in the recent episode ‘For Death Prepare’.
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Post by Sotongal on Jul 5, 2023 11:38:37 GMT
I loved this many moons ago at a charing cross. I do wonder how it scales up into big theatres though ? Also, the band (if memory serves me right was only 6 - keys, percussion & strings) sounded great in a small venue. Again, is this too small for a big venue ? It was pretty good at The Mayflower Theatre, Southampton, back in April, the anniversary week of the sinking of RMS Titanic, the city where the ship and sinking obviously has a strong local connection. (Would agree the musical numbers are a bit samey, though). The Mayflower is the biggest theatre on the south coast and has 2,300 seats. Apart from occasional plays it takes all the main musical touring productions (and is only five minutes from the main Southampton station, with car parks nearby!) www.mayflower.org.uk/whats-onThis tweet might give you an idea of the set in Southampton.
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Post by Sotongal on Jun 30, 2023 19:45:10 GMT
Saw this yesterday evening.
We were sat near the back of the (raked) stalls and could see very well. As far as we could see, the Stalls, at least, were full.
It’s a great production, light hearted and fun.
Charlie Stemp somehow manages to be graceful and like a strip of elastic-he’s so fluid in his movements. All the cast were excellent. .
Well worth going to see.
Broadway next stop!
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Post by Sotongal on Jun 25, 2023 9:44:03 GMT
Another impressed critic!
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Post by Sotongal on Jun 24, 2023 19:10:18 GMT
Rabble Theatre, Reading, has produced a powerful historical work, Henry I, which is being performed in the ruins of Reading Abbey (five minutes walk from Reading Station), which is actually where Henry I is believed to be buried. Do catch it - In the ruins of Reading Abbey until 1st July. Winchester Great Hall: 12 - 15 July. St Paul’s (the Actors) Church, Covent Garden, London 20 - 22 July rabbletheatre.com/
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Post by Sotongal on Jun 24, 2023 18:45:04 GMT
Anyone know if they offer a reduced rate on the day if tickets go unsold? Don’t think they do usually, but its worth ringing up to ask. The ticket includes a meal in their restaurant and you can’t (as far as I’m aware) buy tickets for just the performance on its own. It’s a great production with a wonderful set in a limited performance space. Well worth seeing. Also-for any Midsomer Murders fans, the Mill at Sonning doubled up as Empson Playhouse in the recent episode ‘For Death Prepare’!
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Post by Sotongal on Feb 26, 2023 17:46:27 GMT
“Eve Ponsonby and Kris Marshall star in Charlotte and Theodore - a sharp, smart and on the money two-handed exploration of ‘cancel culture’, the patriarchy and pronouns”.
Written by Ryan Craig.
On until Saturday 18 March at the Ustinov, Theatre Royal Bath, before going to Richmond Theatre Tuesday 21 March - Saturday 25 March and then the Cambridge Arts Theatre Monday 27 March to Saturday 1 April.
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Post by Sotongal on Feb 13, 2023 18:19:51 GMT
There was a play at the NT maybe it was called The Kitchen? Fully functioning restaurant kitchen on stage. It was ‘Network’, starring Bryan Cranston at the Lyttleton Theatre, in 2017/18. Director was Ivo Van Hove. Tickets to sit on stage were ballotted - luckily we got two tickets and a meal onstage. It was excellent! “The play also features a live onstage television studio and an onstage restaurant titled Foodwork, where audience members can enjoy a three-course meal while watching the play”.
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Post by Sotongal on Jan 8, 2023 15:41:24 GMT
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Post by Sotongal on Nov 22, 2022 19:58:07 GMT
The Heat is on in Saigon has always, to my mind, been a look at how the GIs treated the locals as commodities. Their behaviour is not comfortable to watch and rightly so. They are not the heroes of the scene. And the fact that this segues into Movie in my Mind gives the club workers an opportunity to escape into fantasy for a few moments even though we can see that fantasy as deeply flawed. But why do they have to force the South East Asian performers to flaunt themselves like that in skimpy bikinis and erotic movements in front of the ACTUAL audience, thereby exposing them to the male gaze? Why does The Movie in Mind have to have such excrutiatingly bad lyrics which are all about "I need a man to save me" and pander to the white saviour trope? Change the lyrics and it could be a great songs about how much the girls truly despise the men and the war. Let them sing that they hope to make one of the GIs their ticket to the USA, but not in such a godawful sappy way. Since Miss Saigon is a subject close to my heart, I've been following this discussion closely and what I find most interesting is that so far it's an discussion entirely had by MEN. Presume they are not actually forcing south East Asian performers to be in Miss Saigon,in ‘skimpy bikinis and making erotic movements’ whilst knowing what the content is, unless they want to be in it? Take it out and it’s a different show. It is about American GIs and their attitudes and interaction with local girls in Saigon in the Vietnam War of the 1970s. The male characters come out of this badly and are an uncomfortable watch. There are and always have been, plenty of uncomfortable watches/sights/deeds in theatre productions, as there are in real life. In the end, ‘you pay your money and you make your choice’ as the saying goes and as one chooses what productions to go and watch.
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Post by Sotongal on Nov 17, 2022 16:44:50 GMT
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Post by Sotongal on Sept 6, 2022 21:44:05 GMT
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Post by Sotongal on Sept 5, 2022 11:14:47 GMT
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Post by Sotongal on Sept 4, 2022 13:13:32 GMT
Thank you - I certainly did! They kept those front centre seats free again, it must be because of the stage effect because the ushers kept checking beforehand that the people on the sides weren’t moving further in. I was in the second row, one from the centre, and… {Slight Spoiler - click to view}…I felt a blast of wind from the effect. The gentleman next to me was right in the centre and he was certainly startled, and ended up with a few “leaves” on his lap. What an incredible production, I loved it. Everything seemed to be working as it should - including the cuckoo clock and vased flower. I notice on Twitter that members of the Sondheim Society were back for a repeat visit and remarked on how much tighter and funnier it has become since their first trip. Milky White was an absolute treat, what a performance! Very funny and I even shed a tear when she and Jack said goodbye to each other… that’s never happened to me before! Alex Young is incredible, her comic timing and delivery really shone. But every performance was spot on, just delightful from beginning to end. The changed Mysterious Man character works really well, I think. It made the second half even more dark than usual. It took me a beat to work out why he would have found the Baker’s father’s note, but then when it clicked it hit hard. The only thing (I think) was missing was the cameo from Sleeping Beauty and Snow White, I don’t remember them appearing but that’s an exceptionally minor quibble. I do agree that The Witch’s transformation outfit could be a lot more glamorous, but in my head-canon I think this might be the little girl imagining her as a “scary” grown up lady, someone relatively “normal” from the real world but who has upset or frightened her in her real life. Given the relationship between the Witch and Rapunzel, perhaps the girl has even modelled her after her own mother. I wish (sigh) I’d been able to get seats slightly further back to take everything in, but maybe being so close is why I didn’t have any trouble with the masks used by the Witch and the Wolf. In conclusion, in my best Prince voice, I long to go back to “the Whooooods”!
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Post by Sotongal on Sept 3, 2022 16:49:41 GMT
Five seats in the centre of the front row (C) of the stalls and one dead centre in the second row were unoccupied in what otherwise appeared to be a near full house. I think that may be because of the one of the stage effects. I was middle of the third row which is E for this production and it made me jump. I’m in seat D5 this evening, it sounds like I might be in for a fright! Enjoy the show! 👍🏻
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Post by Sotongal on Sept 3, 2022 11:49:11 GMT
Just received a brochure from the Theatre Royal, Bath and it does have in bold font… ‘Opening in Bath prior to the West End’ 🎭 the producers clearly want the west end, but if no suitable west end venue wants the show, then it can't come in. That applies to any out of London production hoping to move into the West End, surely?
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Post by Sotongal on Sept 2, 2022 17:34:28 GMT
Loved this yesterday afternoon. If Milky White or the actress inside is nominated in any category for an award they'll have my vote. Five seats in the centre of the front row (C) of the stalls and one dead centre in the second row were unoccupied in what otherwise appeared to be a near full house. I think that may be because of the one of the stage effects. I was middle of the third row which is E for this production and it made me jump. Gorgeous theatre but poor legroom. National Express from Victoria Coach Station at 9.30 arriving Bath at 12.25 and the return at 18.15 arriving Victoria 21.20 are ideal for matinees at the Theatre Royal and cheap at £17.80 return. Watched it yesterday evening and we enjoyed it. Three hours long (including interval) but zips along without a pause or dragging. The two princes duets went down well with the audience. Love the set design and how the it echoes/copies that of the little girl’s toy stage shown at the beginning. Seeing Milky the Cow reminded me of the little toys (the child had one at the start) where you press upwards under the base of the cow and the various strings through it make the cow move (though the child’s toy is quite small so hard to appreciate from the audience).Thought the actor Milky got this quite well! Would be a shame if this doesn’t transfer to somewhere in the West End.
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Post by Sotongal on Sept 2, 2022 17:24:00 GMT
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Post by Sotongal on Aug 22, 2022 21:17:32 GMT
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Post by Sotongal on Aug 20, 2022 21:25:17 GMT
Last night at Half a Sixpence at Kilworth, the mainly older audience were nearly all well dressed - but the group in the row behind me clearly had no idea they are not supposed to chat and comment on every scene and song, throughout the performance. It would be good if the pre-show reminder not to film or take photos included a request not to chat while the show is in progress. Great show by the way! Have often wondered why theatres can’t put ‘No photos, phones off during performances’ on their websites, tickets, programmes, on entrance doors and signs either side of the stage?
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Post by Sotongal on Aug 20, 2022 21:16:58 GMT
Bat felt particularly bad this afternoon, although it may just have been where I was sat. Big group of people behind me talking after every song. After the interval (and much cava by the looks of it), the talking got louder and the singing started. I asked them to stop talking and was told “no”. Then a mobile phone went off further down the row… Yeah, Bat seems to be attracting a few oiks these days who get tanked up on booze before and mid performance... Have discussed bad behaviour with a relative and his girlfriend, who both work in stage management in London shows. We came to the conclusion there may be two parts to why this bad behaviour might happen. One is that not only are people getting tanked up before they go, but they can take alcohol to their seats, to drink during the shows. The second thought was whether some theatregoers are sort of confusing musicals with music concerts, where getting sloshed during a group or singers concert is what people often do- that and joining in with the songs and going in and out to the loos multiple times! There have apparently, been some show stops during various Saturday ( it’s usually Saturdays!) musicals where the Police have had to be called.
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