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Post by Jon on Feb 9, 2024 11:39:33 GMT
I always thought of the Young Vic as doing a mix of new writing, revivals and classics, regardless of what it's founding mission was. During (I think) Lan's regime there were very good classic productions like The Glass Menagerie and Faustus, with a mix of American plays and new writing. He was apparently particularly proud of bringing more dance, opera and music to the programming. During the recent leadership there were successful reworked classics like Twelfth Night, Death of a Salesman and the American transferred Oklahoma. I am not sure a theatre could run solely on the brief of classics to young audiences - also something that other theatres like the NT and Orange Tree do as part of their remit. The Roundabout Theatre Company in New York mainly does revivals but has branched out into new plays. I do think a theatre company that only does revivals would be very limiting.
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Post by Jan on Feb 9, 2024 11:55:32 GMT
No surprise this professional contrarian is saying the opposite of what everyone else is thinking. "Everyone else". Ha ha.
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Post by Jan on Feb 9, 2024 11:56:46 GMT
I always thought of the Young Vic as doing a mix of new writing, revivals and classics, regardless of what it's founding mission was. During (I think) Lan's regime there were very good classic productions like The Glass Menagerie and Faustus, with a mix of American plays and new writing. He was apparently particularly proud of bringing more dance, opera and music to the programming. During the recent leadership there were successful reworked classics like Twelfth Night, Death of a Salesman and the American transferred Oklahoma. I am not sure a theatre could run solely on the brief of classics to young audiences - also something that other theatres like the NT and Orange Tree do as part of their remit. The Roundabout Theatre Company in New York mainly does revivals but has branched out into new plays. I do think a theatre company that only does revivals would be very limiting. I wonder if it has ever been tried in UK within living memory ? The RSC under Adrian Noble came close.
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Post by aspieandy on Feb 9, 2024 12:14:45 GMT
No surprise this professional contrarian is saying the opposite of what everyone else is thinking. She's not contrarian. Akbar is adhering to the very particular socio-cultural narratives her employer requires.
If you don't conform, you go the way of Suzanne Moore, Hadley Freeman and many others.
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Post by Jan on Feb 9, 2024 12:35:27 GMT
Apart from Oklahoma! What was the biggest hit they had under KK ? Death of a Salesman ? I wonder if that was initiated by the YV or if Marianne Elliot just offered it to them because she needed a venue prior to the West End.
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Post by Dave B on Feb 9, 2024 12:36:42 GMT
Apart from Oklahoma! What was the biggest hit they had under KK ? Death of a Salesman ? I wonder if that was initiated by the YV or if Marianne Elliot just offered it to them because she needed a venue prior to the West End. Best of Enemies & The Collaboration must be up there.
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Post by aspieandy on Feb 9, 2024 12:43:37 GMT
Death of a Salesman eventually - covid-delayed - went to Broadway. Was always the plan, imo. Miller Estate heavily involved from the outset (daughter Rebecca and her whatshis face husband ..).
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Post by foxa on Feb 9, 2024 13:03:12 GMT
I suppose it depends on how you define success. I don't think transfers (and they had some of those) are the only way to define it. A play like The Convert, a flawed but interesting play by a writer new to me at least, got mainly 4 and 5 star reviews, had a great cast and I was glad I saw it. My daughter and I both thought Jesus Hopped the A Train was a theatre-going highlight of that year - beautifully directed and performed, with a richness of language you don't always see on the stage. I thought both of those were more interesting plays than Best of Enemies, which did transfer.
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Post by Jon on Feb 9, 2024 13:06:01 GMT
I suppose it depends on how you define success. I don't think transfers (and they had some of those) are the only way to define it. A play like The Convert, a flawed but interesting play by a writer new to me at least, got mainly 4 and 5 star reviews, had a great cast and I was glad I saw it. My daughter and I both thought Jesus Hopped the A Train was a theatre-going highlight of that year - beautifully directed and performed, with a richness of language you don't always see on the stage. I thought both of those were more interesting plays than Best of Enemies, which did transfer. I always think defining success by the number of transfers is flawed because a show might not transfer for a number of reasons.
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Post by Someone in a tree on Feb 9, 2024 14:38:36 GMT
Oklahoma, Best of enemies and Salesman - I'm sure would of all hit the West End without the young vics intervention. Just look at the names attached? Looking at some of the dregs currently playing in the westend is a transfer a sign of quality ? Not really but it's good for the coffers
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