|
Post by A.Ham on Nov 4, 2024 17:16:58 GMT
I can’t say I was a huge fan of this… I felt like Manolo(!) did listening to Lily’s character blathering on for the first half an hour.
Having said that, it did improve, the story did develop and my attention was held until the end, even if I did join some of the dots ahead of time. However, if producers will insist on 90 minute performances with no interval, they really must in turn insist the theatres they book install comfier seats! I was certainly shuffling around a bit as the play reached its conclusion.
Very glad I’d not paid big money for this, but the £25 lottery is a bargain, and the stage wasn’t quite as high as I’d feared so the front row view was great (even if I did feel a bit awkward being sat right in front of the actors at the curtain call as I didn’t immediately leap to my feet as others around me did!)
3/5 stars from me - will a poll be added? Perhaps scored in glasses of red wine?!
|
|
4,204 posts
|
Post by anthony40 on Nov 4, 2024 19:36:49 GMT
I am there tomorrow night
|
|
|
Post by loathehydrangeas on Nov 7, 2024 12:06:44 GMT
Enjoyed this last night! It’s so funny — they really milked the “people don't hate (America) anymore, we just voted for Obama” line, was fun to see them corpsing a bit at the uproarious reaction.
The £25 front row seats are absolutely fantastic, I’m 5’2 and the stage isn’t very high at all, would definitely recommend! The crowd at stage door was bananas but very few people had anything to sign so was easy to get programmes signed and they were both lovely.
|
|
|
Post by samuel1980 on Nov 7, 2024 22:30:06 GMT
Saw this tonight from the front row which as others have said is a real bargain for £25 (plus booking fee even for ATG+ members which ATG refused to refund!). Great view of the stage and legroom is good.
Thought both leads worked very well together and had great chemistry but Lily impressed me the most, she really is perfect casting for the role. The play itself is ok, nothing earth shattering but it’s entertaining enough and enjoyable.
|
|
|
Post by iwanttix on Nov 9, 2024 11:44:06 GMT
Another one who saw it with a £25 ticket last night - absolute bargain, front row and the stage height wasn't an issue. Sitting in AA1 though the table was a bit in the way for some of it so just be aware if anyone else nabs that seat.
I thought it was great. Funnier than I thought it would be but also serious and tender in other parts. The 2 actors were brilliant and I honestly found it hard to drag my eyes away from Alvaro, there is something about him.
|
|
|
Post by bigredapple on Nov 9, 2024 13:16:56 GMT
How do I get my hands on one of these £25 front row seats?
|
|
1,860 posts
|
Post by Dave B on Nov 9, 2024 13:33:52 GMT
How do I get my hands on one of these £25 front row seats? Monday lottery. Links and discussion a bit further back in the thread
|
|
1,860 posts
|
Post by Dave B on Nov 12, 2024 13:35:53 GMT
I had to pay fees with my lottery ticket last week, I put a refund request in last Monday. It was only acknowledged yesterday. I expect I'll get my fees back but will update whenever I hear back. ATG have emailed me back to say But there is absolutely nothing about this in the ATG+ T&Cs so I'm a bit annoyed by this response and have queried it further.
Just to update on this, ATG just keep saying that lottery tickets are excluded per their T&Cs but their actual terms and conditions still don't say this. The only exclusions are :"Additional bookings fees may apply on selected music, comedy and named act events, or for productions at non ATG venues". They have ignored two requests for a copy of the complaints policy and instead just referred me to STAR. A lot of faff over a small amount but they have really annoyed me with their handling of it now.
|
|
|
Post by A.Ham on Nov 12, 2024 14:56:33 GMT
Keep going Dave - it might only be £3.95 but there’s a principle at stake here!
|
|
|
Post by samuel1980 on Nov 12, 2024 16:37:54 GMT
I’ve had a similar response from ATG and they won’t budge. They cannot just unilaterally insert an implied term in their T&Cs to this effect. I know it’s a small amount but it’s just poor form from them.
|
|
|
Post by dip on Nov 17, 2024 11:28:14 GMT
Was surprised by how much I enjoyed this - thought it was absolutely brilliant
|
|
|
Post by westendboy on Nov 17, 2024 16:27:55 GMT
Caught this last night and to be honest, this was a very average show, almost painfully average. I had read up about this play not getting the best write-ups when done in the States about ten years ago (I can see why), so found it odd to put it on in the West End, and with Lynette Linton directing. After watching her production of 'Shifters' (previous show at the Duke's) and was wondering if she could somehow elevate it to something better than what the US saw. Unfortunately, this was not the case.
To start off on some positive notes, the acting from the two leads was supridingly decent, for their West End debuts. As others on this thread have noted, the roles play to each actors' strengths, with Collins playing the ditzy American girl stereotype to a T, and Morte as the suave, yet tortured Spainard which is, yes, stereotypical, but he was engaging to watch. The set itself looked rather nice, as well as the use of shadows and silhouettes. But that's where all the positives end, I'm afraid.
Despite the decent acting and set, the biggest thing that brings this show down is the script. I'm sorry, it's just not very good. To me, it almost felt like it wanted to be a "fun night out" sort of show, but also have more to say with it's themes, which just end up feeling like they're coming out of left field, such as the discussions on Iraq and terrorism. It almost felt like Bess Wohl, the playwright, wanted to write a play that discussed these serious and, even taboo subjects, that could get people talking, before realising she had to write a script that could support these. It's a trend that I've seen with recent new plays (mostly with big names attached, like this), in which they want to be seen as more than they actually are, but still want to attact crowds that don't usually go to the theatre, or are looking for a good night out in London. It's almost the complete opposite of 'Shifters', which didn't try to be anything more than it was and instead it rellied on a well written and relatable script, along with some damn good acting.
The play also felt incredibly dated in places. I am aware that it's supposed to be set in 2009 (as well as written around that time), so there would be some references to things that were popular at the time, but even then all the references to Paris Hilton and Cameron Diaz didn't make the piece feel any less dated. You could definitely tell this was written in the late 2000s/early 2010s and not in a good way.
Overall, this play wasn't awful, but it wasn't very good either. For Linton's first proper foray into directing commercial theatre, it's unfortunately a miss. I hope whatever she directs next is smaller and more intimate, like 'Shifters', as I think that's where her strenghs lie. I know I've already compared this to 'Shifters' about two/three times now, but that show was too good to be followed up with this.
|
|
5,054 posts
|
Post by Phantom of London on Nov 18, 2024 11:14:45 GMT
I’m trying for the lottery right now and have entered the waiting room, however before the lottery opens at midday all performances are flagged as being sold out, did anyone have the same experience please?
|
|
|
Post by A.Ham on Nov 18, 2024 11:31:07 GMT
I’m trying for the lottery right now and have entered the waiting room, however before the lottery opens at midday all performances are flagged as being sold out, did anyone have the same experience please? No, when I’ve looked at it before it’s just shown the countdown time until lottery opens… I’d keep the window open and refresh from 11.59am. Best of luck. They’ve not sold crazily fast in previous weeks so sure you’ll be fine.
|
|
5,054 posts
|
Post by Phantom of London on Nov 18, 2024 11:47:23 GMT
No timer.
Just showing all dates for this week to be sold out! Maybe they’ve pulled the lottery as it’s selling well and put thickets on general sale?
|
|
183 posts
|
Post by dillan on Nov 18, 2024 11:48:55 GMT
No timer. Just showing all dates for this week to be sold out! Maybe they’ve pulled the lottery as it’s selling well and put thickets on general sale? Doubt it as the regular weekly lottery email was still sent.. this happened a few weeks ago, will probably refresh at 12pm!
|
|
|
Post by A.Ham on Nov 18, 2024 11:49:30 GMT
No timer. Just showing all dates for this week to be sold out! Maybe they’ve pulled the lottery as it’s selling well and put thickets on general sale? I’d see what happens at 12 if I was you. Fingers crossed.
|
|
5,054 posts
|
Post by Phantom of London on Nov 18, 2024 11:56:49 GMT
Everything is crossed, 3 minutes to go.
|
|
|
Post by raiseitup on Nov 18, 2024 11:57:09 GMT
|
|
|
Post by A.Ham on Nov 18, 2024 12:07:39 GMT
Rejoining from the link in the email worked for me and I could access this week’s performances. Hope you got what you wanted phantom!
|
|
5,054 posts
|
Post by Phantom of London on Nov 18, 2024 12:18:04 GMT
And failed.
Tickets available, but payment process failed first time ever with ATG. Bank couldn’t verify me.
|
|
|
Post by A.Ham on Nov 18, 2024 12:31:18 GMT
Oh no! Sorry to hear that 😟
|
|
|
Post by corianderleaves on Nov 18, 2024 17:57:28 GMT
Didn't enjoy this at all, although my friend who accompanied me had rave reviews. Lily Collins essentially reprising her role in Emily in Paris. Glad it was only 90 min long. Was okay entertainment for an evening given that I had a lottery ticket for a pretty good seat in the royal circle, really glad I did not pay a penny more.
|
|