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Post by foxa on Mar 14, 2023 9:52:50 GMT
Seeing this in Richmond tomorrow evening. Feeling a bit nervous about the 3 hour 40 running time!
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Post by foxa on Mar 10, 2023 17:11:31 GMT
I haven't booked for this yet - and I book for most things in the main house Young Vic. I feared it was going to be uncomfortable and pretentious - one I can deal with but both!- no.
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Post by foxa on Mar 7, 2023 20:48:11 GMT
Richard Kind was bizarrely good as Nathan Detroit - so effortlessly funny - and had a terrific rapport with Samantha Spiro as Adelaide. He would watch her songs as if he just adored her.
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Post by foxa on Mar 7, 2023 20:45:39 GMT
Oh no! Hope you got in.
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Post by foxa on Mar 2, 2023 12:15:52 GMT
As Young Vic friend, just tried to book for one of the time slots. Not a long wait but, even give that by the time it was my turn, tickets only available for 4 a.m. so didn't book anything. Not too disappointed, because the times for the pre-booked slots weren't the best - but may try to rock up on the day and queue.
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Post by foxa on Feb 25, 2023 20:53:31 GMT
Very much with Forrest on this one - I wasn't bored, visually it was splendid,some good performances (I particularly enjoyed Ionna Kimbook as the new wife) but I didn't really get what it was saying (and this wasn't helped by the Devil's prologue - something about what used to be called the devil is now 'systemic' - huh?) The last 15 minutes were a bit of a mess (the couple in front of me actually said out loud, 'This is going on too long.) Mr Foxa, who is better on history than me, was trying to work out what the civil war setting was saying to a modern audience,but didn't come to a conclusion. I think the playwright was reaching for something about property possibly (along the lines of property is theft because look at all the horrible things it makes people do) ...I really don't know. However actually had a pleasant afternoon and very much enjoyed our Udderlicious ice creams on the way home (banana caramel and pistachio.)
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Post by foxa on Feb 24, 2023 21:31:42 GMT
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Post by foxa on Feb 23, 2023 12:43:01 GMT
Mix of reviews, 2 to 4 so far, but urgh some of the 2 star reviews read compellingly. I will probably risk it, but may free Mr Foxa from the duty - not sure even an ice cream would make up for it.
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Post by foxa on Feb 22, 2023 13:50:10 GMT
That BWW review is pretty harsh - calls an actor a 'theatre starlet' (? - does that mean her theatrical debut?) and criticises Howells' 'weird mouth acting' (also ?) However, even with raves, this one is not for me as it just seems such a tired idea. How many times and ways has Romeo and Juliet been updated?
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Post by foxa on Feb 22, 2023 12:44:25 GMT
Yes barrowside , Faith Healer is the one I didn't book for - having seen the splendid Donmar production (though I wonder if that brought us the current curse of rain curtains) and then the filmed one at the Old Vic (also very good) during lockdown. I am most excited about Lemn Sissay's adaptation of Metamorphosis with Frantic Assembly, but also booked for God of Carnage and The Empress - as Dave B says, the 3 for 2 deal is hard to beat. I didn't entirely understand the seating plan as A LOT of the auditorium seems not to be for sale at the moment. Possibly they are trying to group people together so they can shut off sections. Does feel funny to already have a 2024 theatre date in the diary, but there you go!
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Post by foxa on Feb 21, 2023 14:35:49 GMT
Hmmmm a bit of a head=scratcher of a season. I didn't see Oppenheimer when it was on, but read it and really liked it. I could see why the RSC did it as it requires a big cast and vision and the resources they have to do it justice. Perhaps that's the case with one or more of these? Also think that the opportunity to create a role in a new play could possibly make a stint at the RSC more appealing for ambitious actors. They may turn out to be great successes, but a couple of them sound like they could be very hard to sell to audiences.
The RSC's page with the announcement has gone down with technical problems - which must be a headache for them.
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Post by foxa on Feb 19, 2023 13:12:53 GMT
I really enjoyed this. Some of the characters are under-characterised/serving as representatives for a time/class (agree with a lot of annette 's comments about this and the unlikely happy ending couple.It also had some familiar resonances of Blood Brothers.) BUT I loved its ambition and the staging - one of my favourite uses of the Olivier stage. To know that they are all meant to be in a brutalist high rise, while seated in that brutalist auditorium felt very right. So often shows feel a bit swamped in that space - but with that big cast and adventurous staging it really utilised every inch. Talented cast. Quite a few wow moments. I would see it again.
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Post by foxa on Feb 18, 2023 0:30:53 GMT
Wow - the Vault Festival was buzzing tonight - all the bars packed, lots going on. Lower Marsh Street was so busy that a tourist stopped to ask me if it was busy because it was Friday or for some other reason. The Festival must give a real lift to local businesses.Hope it can find a new home. Saw Compositor E (which joem describes very well) at the Network Theatre and enjoyed it.It helps if you know a bit about Macbeth and James I. It has an excellent sound design and some clever projections. Then had a drink in the big packed bar to get a bit of the festival vibe.
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Post by foxa on Feb 16, 2023 15:10:12 GMT
Real mix of reviews for Graceland, currently upstairs. Saw that one review referenced its difficult journey with the director leaving (?) before the end of the rehearsal process and the playwright having to step in for the performer for 2 of the previews.
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Post by foxa on Feb 15, 2023 12:40:13 GMT
It is a huge hit for new writing/emerging companies. The news of this on twitter crossed with people tweeting about desperately trying to find even remotely affordable housing for the Edinburgh Festival. The Vault Festival seems like a place where new artists could try out their work without absolutely losing their shirts. (I remember seeing a show in Edinburgh years ago where the comedian broke off to say - 'instead of doing this show, I should have just burned £5000 in my back garden.' I suppose now it might be more like tens of thousands.)
But yes, I wasn't quite sure exactly what the fundraising was aimed at - some of it, I assume to pay staff to make plans for the future?
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Post by foxa on Feb 15, 2023 12:33:31 GMT
Ooh pop-up ramen sounds good!
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Post by foxa on Feb 15, 2023 10:20:03 GMT
After hesitating, I booked to see this later this month - I enjoy Leo Bill's work pretty consistently so thought I could risk a cheap seat. Oh well, if I don't like it, I'll cheer myself up with an ice cream cone from Udderlicious on Upper Street. (I'll probably do the same, even if I do like it.)
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Post by foxa on Feb 13, 2023 14:29:54 GMT
Can anyone explain why you can only book certain seats on the YV website? You can’t book anything after Row P in the downstairs. Is it a case of they’ll allow you to book those seats if the rest sell? I noticed that. For one show, I saw the seats that I wanted and booked them. For the other, I put in the price band and number of tickets that I wanted and it seemed to offer seats that I hadn't seen before at that price. But in each case, they were inexpensve tickets near the stage - I wonder why they seem to be holding back the seats further back. Don't know if it has something to do with it being Friends rather than public booking?
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Post by foxa on Feb 13, 2023 12:45:33 GMT
Booked for Beneatha's Place and, after a little hesitation, the Miss Saigon Play. The Second Woman (with Ruth Wilson) isn't on sale yet. On the website it says booking begins 17th Feb for that, but also 'later in the year.' I reckon they didn't want to spoil the booking for the other plays by the likely rush for The Second Woman. I'm not as excited by this season as others, but the inexpensive seats are such a good deal at the Young Vic and - who knows!
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Post by foxa on Feb 11, 2023 13:04:44 GMT
marob I saw The Pass too and remember it exactly as how exciting seeing new writing and good acting in that upstairs space could be! Shame the current production is disappointing. I have muscle memory of having great evenings at RC, so hope to again. Soon.
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Post by foxa on Feb 10, 2023 12:14:52 GMT
I'm seeing something Friday 17th Feb (Compositor E) so will report back on that for sure.
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Post by foxa on Feb 6, 2023 9:19:31 GMT
Public booking just opened for Private Lives and When Winston Went to War With the Wireless. Was on right at 9 and done in about 5 minutes.
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Post by foxa on Feb 3, 2023 14:58:33 GMT
I was wondering if this was on the cards - it's been a pretty bruising few years. The Royal Court has such an amazing legacy and building, I hope they find someone wonderful.
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Post by foxa on Feb 1, 2023 9:31:36 GMT
Thank you so much, Dave B - super useful. After I go, I'll post back!
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Post by foxa on Jan 31, 2023 22:49:01 GMT
Thanks so much for the recommendations!
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Post by foxa on Jan 31, 2023 16:47:26 GMT
Advice - In a couple of weeks, I am going to the Vaults Festival for the first time (I know, I know.) The show I'm seeing is at the Network Theatre - I think it's a little bit away from the main action. Any advice on a good place for a quick drink, etc.? ( Dave B loved your reviews! Makes me feel guilty for not being more adventurous and going more. The bar prices sound good - hoping the Network has a bar? On social media, I saw a sad little sign outside the venue seeming to suggest it was missing the bustle of the other spaces)
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Post by foxa on Jan 30, 2023 13:16:44 GMT
How weird - I just looked and indeed all sold out except for 29th April which said 'low availability' but when you actually click on that date, it too seems to be sold out. Could there have been huge group bookings? The book was popular, but still...
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Post by foxa on Jan 25, 2023 23:01:19 GMT
Cancelling halfway through is just so unusual. Are people falling ill at the interval?
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Post by foxa on Jan 24, 2023 16:31:13 GMT
And she's been nominated for this role - her EIGHTH (!!!) Oscar nomination.
I was wondering about this film, thinking I might like it. So glad to hear these good reports.
Lately I've seen (IMO) too many slick, shallow, mean-spirited bilms (like The Menu), so am looking for something else.
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Post by foxa on Jan 23, 2023 13:59:17 GMT
Really interested to read your review, Steve, thank you, and, as I was thinking of seeing if I could pick up a cheap seat sometime, reassured that there is no embarrassing audience interaction. The tickets for this seem to be selling a little better perhaps than the previous two downstairs shows, so it may be finding its audience. I saw on twitter someone saying in reaction to this play that the Royal Court should pay its performers more- probably not quite the takeaway the RC was hoping for!
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