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Post by foxa on Oct 21, 2023 9:38:12 GMT
Can't make today's matinee so just put two tix for free on the noticeboard.
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Post by foxa on Oct 12, 2023 14:49:24 GMT
I really enjoyed the Alexander Payne directed 'The Holdovers' this morning (I think someone on this thread recommended it - so thank you!) A slightly old-fashioned boarding school set comedy-drama with three smashing central performances (hello Oscars!?) and a great soundtrack. Human, funny, well-observed.
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Post by foxa on Oct 9, 2023 16:52:40 GMT
I've just put 2 tix for tomorrow morning's Maestro showing at the RFH on the noticeboard if anyone is interested.
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Post by foxa on Oct 7, 2023 20:18:58 GMT
I thought the first 15=20 minutes of this were really great - like ThereWillBeSun, loved the Narrator, found it visually interesting and funny - and then,IMO,it lost its way. So much repetition, so many fiddly set changes, so many monologues.I brought a friend who said that she was willing it to end. But quite enthusiastic curtain call.
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Post by foxa on Oct 7, 2023 9:48:07 GMT
Interesting theatregoer22 - from where I was seated (mid section but far over to one side) , I only heard 3 moments when there was a biggish laugh (one was really funny) in what felt like a very long film. Then a tiny splattering of hesitant applause at the end with people rushing to leave.
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Post by foxa on Oct 6, 2023 19:58:28 GMT
I saw The Killer this afternoon and although it was well-filmed and there were a couple on well done set pieces, mainly it was a bit repulsive. As Marwood says, we know nothing about this cold hero so don't care about him, or anyone else really.Thought the reaction from the audiennce was very muted.
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Post by foxa on Sept 26, 2023 15:49:38 GMT
Saw this last night as well and agree with cartoonman that the second half was stronger than the first, but also with Someone in a tree that it was just fine overall.The use of narrator and overall structure seemed very familiar and only a few scenes really were gripping. But there was some good staging and one actor (the one who played a childhood companion who came back as a jokey surprising recurring minor figure from his life) was always a welcome presence. I overheard some students commenting on it on the way out and one, when asked if he liked it, replied, 'I respected it.' Fair enough.
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Post by foxa on Sept 24, 2023 22:09:02 GMT
The set design looks surprisingly dull/ugly from the photos I've seen. Is it? Yes, I thought so. And the lighting generally did not enhance either. But some of the photos I've seen accompanying the reviews look even worse than I thought it did at the time.
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Post by foxa on Sept 17, 2023 16:06:21 GMT
We enjoyed this at the matinee yesterday.The direcion wasn't as well-shaped as in the West End - Steve makes a good point about some of the characters being too far down the journey too quickly (though Freema Agyeman made me laugh quite a bit) and there was a section about 3/4's of the way through where it suddenly went a bit baggy.But I would still recommend it as a fun theatre trip. Gohil is very good. The Lyric Hammersmith is looking great: lots of good eating/drinking options,the tickets were good value, liked the sound design and there was enough in the script that was still relevant/interesting. Though we didn't try them, noticed the bar was offering various sharing options, one of them including clafloutis (as mentioned in the script.)
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Post by foxa on Sept 11, 2023 20:01:00 GMT
jm25 - for £10 I would not hesitate for even a nanosecond! IMO, it doesn't hurt to know the plot of Uncle Vanya so if you have time, you might read a short synopsis. Enjoy!
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Post by foxa on Sept 11, 2023 16:14:56 GMT
It is a good interview (liked the disussion about standing ovations!) and reminded me of another time I saw Andrew Scott onstage: Birdland! Quite a strange piece. He doesn't settle for easy.
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Post by foxa on Sept 10, 2023 15:21:46 GMT
I'm going to see this next weekend (tempted by the Lyric's 3 productions for 2 deal.) I saw and very much liked the original production and honestly thought it was a pretty cast iron script, hard to mess up, So disappointing to hear it's not hitting right.
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Post by foxa on Sept 10, 2023 14:26:17 GMT
After missing out because of the cancelled Saturday matinee two weeks ago, finally saw it last night. We ended up getting two good stalls tickets to replace the four cheaper seats we had before as two of our party could no longer make it. My reactions was much like BVM review above - cannot fault the production and there is much to admire but I felt myself more at an emotional arm's length than I epected. I was also disappointed in the music, with only 'I'm Alive' staying with me. Still glad to have seen it - think Jack Wolfe is a star and the production values, set, lighting, staging, etc were very high.
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Post by foxa on Sept 9, 2023 9:39:35 GMT
This is an enjoyable evening largely because of the script, which is still funny, and the energy of the lead performances. I didn't entirely get the set - the perforated white boards used for the walls probably symbolised something, but just reminded me of cheap office dividers. The play was originally set pre-WW1, but the costumes were (I think) somewhat updated (mid-calf length dresses when not formal, trousers for women) With the evening clothes it's harder to say for sure.
Ferran and Carvel are both such resourceful actors so they are fun to watch. Ferran absolutely nails the tea party scene. As others have mentioned, Carvel takes an eccentric line on Higgins - tongue flicking, etc -and there was no discernible chemistry between him and Ferran which removed one interesting dynamic from the ending. But he has a way of throwing himself into the role which is entertaining and makes a certain sense, for example, in the exchanges with his mother.
Some of the supporting performances were also good - Michael Gould as Pickering is incredibly sympathetic and every reaction was just right - and Lizzy Connolly was funny in a smaller role.
It's played at a quick pace, so I didn't miss having an interval- it flew by. A few expected preview mishaps with dropped props- including a chocolate which Carvel then ate.
We certainly felt for £10 stalls tickets we more than got our money's worth!
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Post by foxa on Sept 8, 2023 14:49:15 GMT
For those still hoping to book - availability looks pretty good. I couldn't get a ticket for Fallen Leaves for one of the two showings, I could make, but easily added a Price Promise ticket for Holdovers.
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Post by foxa on Sept 7, 2023 21:45:18 GMT
I ate there a few years ago (when Oslo was on at the National) and it was noticeably poor. Nothing pleasant that you want from food (taste, texture, appearance) except it filled you up. The new tapas place La Gamba nearby is good. Thanks, I'll have a look - I used to just go to Byron burger on The Cut before a NT/OV/YV show because it was reliably fast, filling & tasty, but it's closed down. I might just bring a packed dinner! If you like a burger, Honest Burger on the Festival Terrace is fine. Cote is reiable as well. I used to like Wahaca but last coupleof times I ate there, it seemed tp have dipped. I want to try the new fancy place at the National, Lasdun.
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Post by foxa on Sept 7, 2023 17:47:54 GMT
Btw, is the Bfi Riverfront restaurant as poor as the tripadvisor reviews suggest? I've never eaten there. I ate there a few years ago (when Oslo was on at the National) and it was noticeably poor. Nothing pleasant that you want from food (taste, texture, appearance) except it filled you up. The new tapas place La Gamba nearby is good.
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Post by foxa on Sept 6, 2023 16:42:08 GMT
Jonny Lee Miller was so good in this (his physicality from the moment he enters is wow) and Tanya Reynolds who was new to me also wonderful.
The first time I've seen one of Sam Holcroft's plays, though I read Rules of Living which I found really appealing,
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Post by foxa on Sept 6, 2023 12:46:04 GMT
I've got tickets for Maestro and The Killer - I wanted morning/afternoon tix so didn't go for galas. Both had reasonable availability at £15 - perhaps it's the things I was looking out but didn't see that many sold outs.
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Post by foxa on Aug 31, 2023 11:43:52 GMT
A big 'why?' hangs over this production. So much of the appeal of Chekhov is in the small meaningful exchanges between the characters which a solo performer, no matter how talented, just can't convey. The scenes that worked best were some of the duologues where trying to figure out who is who and the use of names was less distracting. I liked the updating of Alexander to the film director and the discussion of finances. Also there was some clever use of the door for theatrical flourishes, with Scott exiting as one character and entering as another or interrupting himself. I love Andrew Scott and have seen him on stage in Dying City, Present Laughter, Hamlet and Sea Wall. This was the first time when I felt he was struggling and even his enormous charisma couldn't entirely save the day. (Though with someone less talented it would have been unbearable.) Some sections felt sketched in and may well grow later in the run. Above someone mentioned disruptive laughter, but I wasn't aware of that last night. Partial standing ovation at end. I think Steve sums up the problems with this play well and agree with his star rating - I suspect it will remain a 'noble failure.' Two pluses from the evening, my companion said she now wants to read Uncle Vanya (she also said 'Justice for Sonya!') and it was good to see the Richmond Theatre looking in good nick and packed. I bet they were sad there wasn't an interval as they would have made a killing at the bar. We had a good pre-theatre meal at Franca Manca.
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Post by foxa on Aug 30, 2023 11:05:30 GMT
The framing device for the Kirkwood play really did backfire. Going to see this on Saturday so fingers crossed it's not too annoying as I am going with someone who can be annoyed.
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Post by foxa on Aug 30, 2023 9:13:06 GMT
Oh no - I am bringing someone to see it tonight. And definitely paid.
I've seen Andrew Scott on stage quite a few times and he's never been bad, so thought this was a pretty safe bet.
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Post by foxa on Aug 28, 2023 11:26:28 GMT
Yes, just got the same.
Bleh.
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Post by foxa on Aug 26, 2023 19:02:33 GMT
We were there for today's matinee, so alas missed out. The problem reportedly was the sound system - that's a first for me in terms of cancelling a show.
While we were waiting, the Donmar offered everyone either a free soft drink or snack,which was appreciated as it was very hot and we'd been standing a long time. It was after 3 before they finally said it was cancelled. On the way out we saw a few people in tears.
Wonder if there is any chance they will be able to fit us in later in the run - I booked these tickets so long ago, it feels weird to miss out. However, it wasn't a long journey for us, so easier than those dealing with trains/accommodation, etc. We had an ice cream at Udderlicious then wandered down to the (very busy) National Portrait Gallery and National Gallery (staying longer than we planned because of the deluge.)
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Post by foxa on Aug 13, 2023 9:43:10 GMT
I caught this last night. It's a series of short scenes all with the uniting theme of words, with a particular emphasis on their social and cultural implications. The strongest scene, I thought, was the first when after the PM uses an inflammatory phrase, a group of advisors gather to discuss how to deal with it, exposing the inadequacies of their own language (even to the point of looking up synonyms for 'sorry.') This scenario is returned to, while the rest of the scenes are standalone - some very short, some more extended. Some refer directly to having a relationship with language other than English - a woman apologises for using a phrase from her mother tongue in a meeting, a wife is furious at her husband's co-opting and corruption of her mother's family recipe. There are less interesting scenes looking in a very familiar way at the language of social media/text.
All of the actors are very good. Sirine Saba brings warmth and variety to her characters who are often motored by a simmering rage. Kosar Ali is funny as the assistant who really wants to take notes.
It's one hour twenty played with no interval.
It's not boring (though one person did walk out about 2/3s of the way through), but it also doesn't feel like a play.The scene chosen to finish the piece was powerful, but it didn't land like a natural ending. Some scenes were no more than skits and due to the shortness of the scenes, it was rare for there to be more than one three-dimensional character onstage - and sometimes not even that.
So ultimately not a terrible evening at all, but a frustrating one.
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Post by foxa on Aug 2, 2023 15:20:48 GMT
I saw the original production with Billie Piper and Jonjo O'Neill l and loved it. Given that, I decided to wait to book for this one as unless it's great, I don't want to tarnish that memory.The original production(IMO) was really ALL about the couple and their intensity/intimacy/charisma (as well as Prebble's excellent writing and big ideas.) You were so rooting for them. If the doctor characters are making more of an impression, that seems off-kilter to me.
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Post by foxa on Jul 27, 2023 20:24:09 GMT
Does anyone ever have issues booking on the Almeida website? I’m trying to book a ticket for this on 18th August. It shows as having limited availability on this date but when I click the link, it says it’s sold out? The same thing happened to me when I tried to book for Streetcar here. Not sure if it’s just me? By chance I’ll be in London around that time and really want to grab a ticket if possible! Hi solotheatregoer, just checked and it's showing all dates as sold out except 18th August,which as you say says Limited Availability but when you click on the date it then says sold out. I wonder if you might have more luck if you gave them a call - the Almeida box office is usually helpful and though they can't magic tickets if there aren't any, they can give you good advice about potential returns/more tickets released/explain what's happening with that one date. Hope you bag something!
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Post by foxa on Jul 21, 2023 12:30:42 GMT
Friends booking for this today was very straightforward. Decided not to book for The Homecoming - perhaps I'll regret this, but I've seen so many productions of it....
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Post by foxa on Jul 15, 2023 10:09:44 GMT
A split on the reviews for this. Probably weighted more in the 2 stars (The Stage, the Standard, the Arts Desk) and 3 stars (Time Out, Telegraph, Times, Guardian) favour, but a couple more enthusiastic ones, notably 4 stars from inews and Broadway World who both found it beguiling.
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Post by foxa on Jul 12, 2023 22:21:22 GMT
FWIW I think Fun Home was under the previous AD. Possibly - it was June - September 2018 and David Lan, stepped down, I think, end of January 2018,but likely scheduled it. So I could substitute Best of Enemies, The Second Woman, Jesus Hopped the A Train... There have been some good shows during his run as AD (as well as some duds.)
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