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Post by callum on Jan 2, 2017 0:55:06 GMT
Saw both Cunninghams that have played London and BS really wasn't to my taste. Have been holding back making a third visit until there's a new Cunningham so excellent news for me.
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Post by callum on Jan 2, 2017 0:50:52 GMT
Barbara Windsor? Was expecting her to be Fairy Godmother for Cinderella, actually.
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Post by callum on Dec 29, 2016 1:36:09 GMT
Any chance that this could get filmed and shown next Christmas? Maybe like one of the old ITV pantos?
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Post by callum on Dec 28, 2016 13:42:44 GMT
Could take its summer spot in Wyndham's after Don Juan finishes? Similar dates to PPT?
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Post by callum on Dec 12, 2016 19:39:56 GMT
Well, in London I saw Red Velvet, Ma Rainey's Black Bottom, The Painkiller, The Maids, People, Places and Things, Sunset Boulevard, Guys and Dolls, Romeo and Juliet, No Man's Land, Aladdin, King Lear, iHo, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child and The Red Barn. In New York I saw She Loves Me, A Streetcar Named Desire, Long Day's Journey into Night, The Color Purple and Fully Committed and also in Edinburgh seeing the production of The Glass Menagerie that's transferring to London.
Obviously Ma Rainey and PPT were highlights but also have to give some love to some plays that have had a mixed reception on this board; Romeo and Juliet, No Man's Land and Red Barn. I pretty much loved all three. The visual style of R&J and TRB was particularly thrilling and thought the plays themselves were very engaging. On the other side, Painkiller was a VERY long 90 minutes and found Guys and Dolls (at the Phoenix) to be, in general, quite cheap.
For NYC, I loved seeing grand dames of theatre Gillian Anderson and Jessica Lange do their stuff on stage; Lange in particular was spellbinding. Now that Anderson's co-stars Vanessa Kirby and Ben Foster have done fabulous work in The Crown and Hell and High Water since I saw the play, I look back on seeing the play with extra fondness especially as I missed it in London.
Upset that I missed Yerma and Groundhog Day but am looking forward in 2017 to seeing Angels in America and Hamilton especially.
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Post by callum on Dec 7, 2016 1:06:53 GMT
I'm 19, and find NT no more unwelcoming than any other theatre - which I suppose might be the problem. I see that NT does half price for under 16s, perhaps extending this to under 25s would be a good shout.
BFI Southbank next door has an excellent scheme where under 25s can show up to a screening 45 mins before start time and get in for £3. Although NT doing something similar does ring a bell, seeing a play and seeing a film are very different experiences; rarely does one book to see a film months in advance.
Travelex £20 tickets are decent, but I've always found myself stumbling upon them by chance. Although I wouldn't go as far as the Donmar's FREE student tickets, NT definitely have to do more to encourage younger patrons. When I queued for day tickets for Red Barn (which you would suppose at £15 would be a magnet for any student theatregoers), I was the only one queuing under 40, and only with a handful of other people under 60! I've never felt uncomfortable sitting in a more 'mature' audience but not many of my friends have the desire for theatre that I have - a discounted easy-access student scheme would definitely convince them to join me some time for the right price.
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Post by callum on Dec 2, 2016 13:35:02 GMT
Thank you v much - was planning on doing day seats but front row was already on sale here, got middle of the row for £15 so spending Valentine's Day with Ruth 💘
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Post by callum on Nov 28, 2016 23:06:08 GMT
Enjoyed it a lot. Flew by and lack of interval very fitting. Was sadly in the circle slips (just missed out on front row stalls in day seat queue) so couldn't appreciate what's been said about Debecki on here. However I still found her very competent but Hope Davis really stood out for me. The nuance and tone of her vocal performance was phenomenal, really quite affecting. Also makes you wonder how Mark Strong has devoted himself so much to bit-parts in movies as he's such a terrific stage actor, though I suppose it just shows what a versatile performer he is.
Obviously I agree with the cinematic qualities and think that his resulted in perhaps the most visually elaborate play I've ever seen. The country house and Mona's apartment were equally lush and opulent and baroque - really something to behold. Reminded me slightly of the way Hangmen was presented.
Reading the mixed reactions on here definitely made me enjoy the play a lot more, would love to see it again but from front stalls.
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Post by callum on Oct 31, 2016 11:05:32 GMT
see it for the great cast, and it is still a mighty play. It's good to have Glenda back....I wonder if the play was her choice. She wanted to do Cinderella in the Palladium but she lost fairy godmother to Amanda Holden.
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Post by callum on Oct 30, 2016 15:20:59 GMT
Eesh - seeing this front row next Wednesday. Would it be best for me to suddenly realise that I can't make the 7pm start because of work and seek a refund?
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Post by callum on Oct 21, 2016 23:26:28 GMT
Saw it in Edinburgh but will definitely revisit it in the Spring - if only to dissect Cherry Jones' performance even more. She's spectacular in Transparent and she also steals the first episode of the new Black Mirror on Netflix so I can definitely recommend.
Although it does put to bed any hope I had of Sally Field bringing the Broadway prod over in 2017/18. When was the last time TGM was in London and who played Amanda?
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Post by callum on Sept 22, 2016 20:05:57 GMT
I went to Sunday matinee while I was there in June and managed to get centre Row D in dress circle (mezzanine) a couple of hours before from tkts - that should be an indication of how well it was singing in June.
Still, I really enjoyed it although found the plot a tad muddled. Danielle Brooks brought the house down and it was the closest a quant white Englishman will get to a proper gospel church!
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Post by callum on Sept 22, 2016 19:58:25 GMT
The nests are for the slim of hip and shorter in stature indeed, callum. Yes, there are up to 9 day seats, plus standing, but the lines are starting before 7am... Thank you Monkey, might head down next Wednesday and try my luck for a two show day.
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Post by callum on Sept 22, 2016 2:39:43 GMT
Sorry to go against the grain but A5 for Hangmen is an experience I would not like to endure again! Perhaps because that production involved some scenes above the stage in Act II, but I still found the seat quite uncomfortable. Moved to the middle of Row B in balcony for P,P&T. Though I supppse that's what you get for being 6ft2!
Also, has anyone heard anything about any day seats being available in person? I know that TodayTix do an online lottery but I'd much rather get up early and head down to the theatre if I really want to see the play on a particular day.
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Post by callum on Sept 1, 2016 23:47:59 GMT
Saw this on Broadway this year with Laura Benanti, Jane Krakowski, Zachary Levi and Gavin Creel - totally delightful. Set was absolutely exquisite, as was the live band. Found the second half a but disjointed but am looking forward to this production and its casting, especially Ilona.
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Post by callum on Jul 26, 2016 1:45:28 GMT
www.eif.co.uk/2016/glassmenagerie#.V5bAH1clcb07-21 August. Had no idea that this was happening until Baz tweeted about it! Cherry Jones is absolutely terrific. Ridiculously excited to see one of the great US theatrical actresses do Tennessee Williams - surely a highlight of this year's Edinburgh Festival? Amazing concessional prices too.
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Post by callum on Jul 26, 2016 1:37:49 GMT
Yep, saw it last August. Can't say it particularly wowed me, not an enormous loss from my perspective. For this production, it seemed VERY tailored to the Lincoln Center (I can't imagine any London theatre being capable to pull off the ship effect for those that saw it) and as such a transfer whilst still retaining the character of this production would be difficult.
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Post by callum on Jul 7, 2016 16:35:22 GMT
On a similar note, although I assumed Audra would be marketable over here to an extent, I noticed that even with Rebel Wilson, Guys and Dolls are still selling premium stalls seats (central row G in the stalls) for £18 on TodayTix. Maybe more American names have less traction over here than I thought? Rebel Wilson is Australian so her box appeal has added little to the US-in-WE-traction debate. Apologies. I just meant that she found her success by appearing in a lot of US films/tv shows (Bridesmaids, Pitch Perfect, How to be Single etc), much like Audra is lauded for her work in American theatre.
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Post by callum on Jul 7, 2016 1:10:49 GMT
IF Shuffle Along transfers, then maybe Audra would do this instead of Lady Day? Although she's not as big here as in NYC, I can't imagine either show would do particularly well without her. I cannot see Shuffle Along transferring to London, given that it's just flopped on Broadway. And it's telling the story of a forgotten but important Broadway show. If they couldn't keep it running over there, they would be INSANE to bring it here. Neither can I, I was just referring to an earlier post saying that there was a rumour. Still, to play devil's advocate and say that it is transferring, Shuffle Along's premature closing on Broadway shows it would have close to zero chance of surviving without her in London. On a similar note, although I assumed Audra would be marketable over here to an extent, I noticed that even with Rebel Wilson, Guys and Dolls are still selling premium stalls seats (central row G in the stalls) for £18 on TodayTix. Maybe more American names have less traction over here than I thought?
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Post by callum on Jul 5, 2016 23:15:03 GMT
IF Shuffle Along transfers, then maybe Audra would do this instead of Lady Day? Although she's not as big here as in NYC, I can't imagine either show would do particularly well without her.
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Post by callum on Jul 1, 2016 16:24:12 GMT
Apologies Monkey - and Jacobi would be good but wouldn't it then be nearly six months on stage?
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Post by callum on Jul 1, 2016 15:01:12 GMT
Very sad news about Joh Hurt withdrawing. Difficult trying to think of an actor than has a similar standing of John Hurt that could be a viable replacement. Two of the prime candidates, Ian McKellen and Patrick Stewart are already taken at the Wyndham's up the road!
I can think of a lot of actors that would be right for the part but don't seem particularly willing to commit to such a long run (Gambon, Anthony Hopkins, Michael Caine) while there are equally another set of actors that seem too young to play Branagh's father (Jeremy Irons, Bill Nighy, Jim Broadbent, Tom Wilkinson). Very torn on who the replacement could be - if it all it could match the stature of John Hurt.
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Post by callum on May 24, 2016 23:17:43 GMT
A Tram Named Desire?
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Post by callum on May 22, 2016 20:56:58 GMT
The touring set for Poppins is still a big set so it won't look out of place at Drury Lane. I wonder if The King and I if its still transferring next year might end up at the Palladium, it needs a big theatre and I think a limited season might do well. Yep, saw The King and I last summer at the Lincoln Center, and if they wish to retain the same staging (with the boat in particular) only Drury Lane or the Palladium will do in terms of scale. But I'm not sure how well this would appeal to children - won't it mainly be for older adults who remember the original film? Perhaps I'm wrong but I'm not sure family audiences would flock to the King and I as much as Mary Poppins, Charlie, Wizard of Oz or Shrek.
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Post by callum on May 20, 2016 23:13:50 GMT
I asked Baz on Twitter about the possibility of A Long Day's Journey Into Night transferring. I assume we're talking about the Bristol Old Vic production with Lesley Manville rather than a Broadway transfer of the Jonathan Kent production with Jessica Lange, Michael Shannon and Gabriel Byrne? Either way, he'd heard nothing about any transfer so perhaps not likely for the immediate future. Jeremy Irons is busy with Justice League and other projects so I imagine it's not happening any time soon. True, although does that film over here? Maybe I'm getting mixed up with Star Wars. But if it does film here he could possibly do that during the day then LDJIN at night. Obviously would be a heavy workload but if in Justice League his role is anything like it was in Batman vs Superman it's mainly just talking in Batman's ear and hanging around the Batcave. Just speculation on my part of course, but not unheard of for actors and certainly doable.
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Post by callum on May 20, 2016 22:41:05 GMT
Would also love She Loves Me to come over from NYC, really want to see Jane Krakowski on the West End again although she is very busy so who knows.
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Post by callum on May 20, 2016 22:39:42 GMT
I asked Baz on Twitter about the possibility of A Long Day's Journey Into Night transferring. I assume we're talking about the Bristol Old Vic production with Lesley Manville rather than a Broadway transfer of the Jonathan Kent production with Jessica Lange, Michael Shannon and Gabriel Byrne? Either way, he'd heard nothing about any transfer so perhaps not likely for the immediate future.
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Post by callum on May 20, 2016 1:29:53 GMT
Or indeed the Savoy once Funny Girl finishes?
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Post by callum on May 20, 2016 1:28:38 GMT
Could Rylance even be going to the Phoenix? Can't imagine Guys and Dolls being extended and he was virtually selling out the Duke of York's with Farinelli and King last year so perhaps an even larger theatre? Just a thought and the dates might match up.
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Post by callum on May 18, 2016 22:54:42 GMT
Bit harsh on Marisa! Although then again a lot of people on this board are a sucker for a glamorous older lady.
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