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Post by foxa on Jan 17, 2023 14:07:08 GMT
There are different editions! The 1984 Methuen edition (sorry I don't know how to attach a photo) has: 'By coming suddenly into a room that I thought was empty - which wasn't empty, but had two people in it.... Then the stage directions: 'A locomotive is heard approaching outside etc.; Followed by: 'Afterwards we pretended that nothing....' This is very interesting! In the original text printed in 1947 the reference to what she saw is definitely there, but apparently the line has been censored in England. This is from The Selected Letters of Tennessee Williams vol 2: Wow, that is interesting - didn't know any of that. The Lord Chancellor's suggested alteration was terrible - the Olivier production choice was much better. Williams died in 1983, so I assume he agreed Oliver's choice. Another change to look out for - when I saw the show pre-Christmas the final line was as it is in the Methuen script, but played awkwardly, IMO, given the lack of naturalism. When I saw it on Saturday, the line was cut, and it worked better.
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Post by foxa on Jan 17, 2023 10:42:43 GMT
There are different editions! The 1984 Methuen edition (sorry I don't know how to attach a photo) has: 'By coming suddenly into a room that I thought was empty - which wasn't empty, but had two people in it....
Then the stage directions: 'A locomotive is heard approaching outside etc.;
Followed by:
'Afterwards we pretended that nothing....'
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Post by foxa on Jan 15, 2023 10:23:45 GMT
I saw this for a second time yesterday afternoon - after attending an early performance before Christmas when Patsy was carrying a book. It has developed and improved so much and there were some significant changes. The rain curtain is used less (very good choice); the staging of the final scene is different (incuding cutting a line) and, of course, the relationships have deepened. In the first viewing, I didn't feel much connection between Stella and Blanche, but now it is there and enjoyed Anjana's performance so much more. The scene alessia mentions between Stanley and Blanche in the second act is much more dynamic and engrossing. This time, I was sat in the main section of the audience rather than to the side and the view was better. I get the feeling that since the reviews, the demand for tickets has really picked up. The man next to me got a return and said he had arrived at the theatre at about 11.15.There seemed to be a long list of people waiting for returns (but it's not impossible to get them - at the last minute I returned a ticket.) Received a standing ovation at the end. I would move my opinion to a solid 4 stars now.
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Post by foxa on Jan 13, 2023 17:02:10 GMT
I'm at the matinee tomorrow - back row stalls/cheap seats, but wanted to catch Ferran now that she was settled in the role.
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Post by foxa on Jan 7, 2023 19:12:25 GMT
I was at the matinee today and emjoyed it. There are a few creaky bits, but also some lovely performances and, as I hadn't read the play or read much about it, was intrigued by the plot. Patricia Hodge is wonderful - she understands the character so entirely and her stagecraft is masterful. Rich and surprising line readings such as 'Do you like me?' Also thought the German actor playing Muller, Mark Waschke, was outstanding. As others have said, the child actors are great. I felt aware that the ticket prices were higher than I'm used to paying at the Donmar (I was in Row B of the side circle) but for this production it seemed worth it.
Just a side note: noticed that the actor playing Marthe wasn't there for the curtain call.
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Post by foxa on Jan 5, 2023 15:28:32 GMT
Looks like I was one of the rare people who managed to see this (a few weeks ago.) We didn't love it - the book, in particular, was very weak - but was still glad to have seen it.
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Post by foxa on Dec 31, 2022 21:02:30 GMT
Just came on to say how much I loved Sondheim's Old Friends (now on the BBC iplayer.O Gosh and seeing Petula Clark at 90, Sian Phillips and Julia McKenzie performing at 80 something was inspiring. Stand outs for me were Maria Friedman's Mrs Lovett, Gotta Get a Gimmick with Bernandette, Casey and Longford and an unexpected Broadway Baby.
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Post by foxa on Dec 31, 2022 16:38:23 GMT
I didn't see nearly as much as I was seeing pre-pandemic, but my faves were:
1. Eureka Day (Old Vic) audience laughter at this made me realise how much I missed live theatre. 2. The Band's Visit (Donmar) 3. Folk (Hampstead) 4. Jitney (Old Vic) 5. Much Ado (National)
Also enjoyed: Oklahoma (Young Vic), Tammy Faye Musical (Almeida) and Collaboration (Young Vic.)
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Post by foxa on Dec 21, 2022 0:18:45 GMT
Just got home from seeing it tonight and am still getting my thoughts together. I think this will be a very different production in January. Before the play began,the director, Rebecca Frecknall, introduced herself to the audience, explained that this was essentially their 3rd preview, with Ferran, who she described as 'the bravest person I know,' taking over on very short notice.
Although she does extraordinarily well, the lack of rehearsal for Patsy Ferran is obvious - she carries a book with her and although she only referred to it a couple of times, you were aware of it, which made it harder to lose yourself in the play and also, at times, made me anxious as if it could all fall apart at anytime. I loved Frecknall's Summmer & Smoke,which also starred Ferran and also had a minimalistic set. However, the minimalism worked better with that play - I couldn't help but miss the curtains, the significant empty chair, the bed, etc which are so important to Streetcar. It also, given the lack of rehearsal, gave extra problems for Ferran who was constantly having props handed to her and dressing/undressing onstage. Overall, I didn't love the design - another rain curtain (it was the chilliest seeming Streetcar I've ever seen which made all the talk of the heat seem a bit ridiculous and the poor actors were needlessly damp a lot), incredibly ugly costumes for Stella. I would be surprised if they don't look again at the staging of the ending - it was unfocused and very disappointing.
Yet there were sections that worked very well. I liked Dwayne Walcott's Mitch, played more attractively than usual and particularly his scene at the end of Act 1 with Ferran was strong. Ferran is an intelligent actor who is always watchable. Paul Mescal is fine - in a way this role works against his obvious strengths as an actor, but he found some moments. It's such a great play and there are talented people involved, so it's not going to be a waste of anyone's time.
Very attentive audience, a few standing at the end.
So I gave it 3 stars - though they really, really need to fix the ending.
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Post by foxa on Dec 17, 2022 12:01:07 GMT
Thank you, dlevi and theatrefan77 . Really interested to see this and as am not booked until 7th Jan, I hope it has settled by then (though you never can tell.)
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Post by foxa on Dec 16, 2022 22:57:00 GMT
Waiting for this to start. Patricia Hodge out. Jane Lambert plays Fanny today Oh! Looking forward to hearing what you think (I booked for this and convinced a friend to do so as well, so feeling a little nervous as we both paid more than we usually would.)
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Post by foxa on Dec 12, 2022 16:31:01 GMT
Previously, I would say Will came across as if well-cast in the dancing role (i.e. he inhabited the character in a non-cringey way) whereas both his cape work and his couples' choice were a tiny bit embarrassing. I wonder if they'd gone for a more musical theatre dance rather than street dance if they would have done better.
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Post by foxa on Dec 9, 2022 12:02:30 GMT
I was thinking that - too many pasos. Think Helen & Gorka has a strong pair of dances/music.
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Post by foxa on Dec 9, 2022 11:51:45 GMT
I was meant to go on the 15th so that was cancelled. Pretty quickly sent off an email suggesting 3 alternative dates, but have heard nothing back. Wonder if I should have suggested more dates...
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Post by foxa on Dec 8, 2022 18:09:57 GMT
I was looking after a friend's dog so just when I finally got into the booking it began making noises like it needed to be taken outside, so all very stressful - panicked and ended up quickly booking two inexpensive but very bad seats for Motive - and that's it.
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Post by foxa on Dec 8, 2022 15:41:17 GMT
239.
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Post by foxa on Dec 8, 2022 15:28:10 GMT
I am down to 467 - the lowest I've been in the 3 hours since I first logged on - yet somehow still very far.
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Post by foxa on Dec 8, 2022 14:55:45 GMT
Went out and walked the dog. Lost queue place and am now 1220. I'm not sure I even want to see this play anymore.
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Post by foxa on Dec 8, 2022 13:43:24 GMT
Booked a cheap ticket for this and the Secret Life of Bees today. Very quick booking system unlike the NT!! I did the same. Took about 10 minutes.
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Post by foxa on Dec 8, 2022 13:11:19 GMT
There’s been 1216 people ahead of me for 20 minutes. They clearly don’t know what they’re doing LOL, I am picturing mine all bumping into each and performing TikTok dances.
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Post by foxa on Dec 8, 2022 12:47:57 GMT
Who are these 1076 bookers before me?
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Post by foxa on Dec 8, 2022 12:35:09 GMT
Yep.I am in a paused queue, which hasn't changed for about 10 minutes.
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Post by foxa on Dec 4, 2022 18:09:51 GMT
As a side note, before the show we went to eat in the terrace restaurant which is now called Bobs Lobster at Terrace. What a rip off. I ordered croquettes and £8 and Arancini at £9. I got 2 croquettes and 1 arancini for my money. so £17 for 3 balls! When I was at the South Bank I saw there was a new terrace restaurant - shame it isn't better! The NT really struggles to get their catering right. I end up going some place like Honest Burger (not the daintiest of pre-theatre meals) beforehand.
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Post by foxa on Nov 29, 2022 11:03:42 GMT
I dithered a bit and finally booked two cheap seats at the back in May (£19.50 - not many of them left.) Interested to see what the immersive aspect will be. Does the Bridge still do those interval madeleines? Maybe they will switch it to something more New York? Fresh donuts?
I really enjoyed the West End production with Richard Kind (the funniest Nathan Detroit) and Samantha Spiro.
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Post by foxa on Nov 28, 2022 19:00:10 GMT
Thanks FJ - somehow I missed most of the previous discussion about this production but a friend was just in touch asking what I knew about it, so I conveyed your thoughts which she said were very helpful.
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Post by foxa on Nov 28, 2022 18:57:50 GMT
I think a problem with theatres themselves offering free tickets is that their customers who paid in advance and full price might feel annoyed (thus the secrecy demanded of seat filling sites.)
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Post by foxa on Nov 26, 2022 17:41:47 GMT
Theatres and arts organisations generally seem to have a big push for new and younger audiences, which is understandable to a degree, but I wonder if after lockdown, etc. some of their reliable older audiences have drifted away as there isn't all that much to entice them back. I was annoyed a while back when a prominent fringe theatre was celebrating on social media about the young diverse audience they had in for a matinee (which is great, obviously) but then made fun of the couple of 'grey-haired' people in the audience in a 'bet they didn't know what hit them way' (rude, ageist, patronising.)
I think loyalty points for programmes/drinks/upgrades is a good idea. Or if you are on a Friends scheme for a theatre and they've had a dud season then perhaps an offer of something extra if you show faith in them by renewing.
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Post by foxa on Nov 26, 2022 14:13:47 GMT
Real mix of reviews so far, from 2 stars (Telegraph) to 5 (The Upcoming) with most settling around the 3* mark. Though critics often get a rough ride, it feels like most were really trying to pick out what did and didn't work (Philip Arditti is much praised, the direction more controversial) in a constructive way.
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Post by foxa on Nov 23, 2022 12:30:45 GMT
You all are bad for my pocketbook! I wasn't going to book, but then remembered I had a small refund credit with ATG so put that towards a couple of rear stalls seats (Row Q) in Richmond - still more than I would usually pay but FOMO plus James Norton wins out!
(Currently good availability at Richmond and booking was quick/easy)
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Post by foxa on Nov 23, 2022 10:05:58 GMT
I have historic affection for the Royal Court - I love the buidling and have, in the past, seen some great things there - but it's been a while since I saw anything I loved. I want to go to something this season, but haven't booked for anything yet. They've all sounded such hard work.
Steve's reviews manage to be compassionate and intelligent - certainly both more so than me. I love reading them, but accept I am more likely to be irritated than he is!
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