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Post by lt on Nov 8, 2024 15:31:17 GMT
For me there were two:
Some Demon - Arcola Theatre, a powerful play with strong performances from the entire cast. Set in an eating disorders unit, the script is by new playwriter - Laura Waldren - who showed considerable narrative skills - more than many far more experienced writers.
Storming - Playground Theatre, a thought provoking three hander. It's based on the true story of Russell Weston, who stormed the US Capitol in 1998, resulting in the deaths of two officers. Diagnosed with schizophrenia and incarcerated, there isn't much incentive for Weston to get better, because he will only become a candidate for the death penalty if the system judges him sane. Great acting from the three actors, one of whom plays the voices in his head - a device that works incredibly well.
I never felt either of these got the attention they deserved. |
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Post by Steve on Nov 8, 2024 17:03:11 GMT
My main pick:
"The Bleeding Tree" at Southwark Playhouse: got no love, but was SO tense and atmospheric and poetic, with an astonishing central performance by Mariah Gale, at her furious emotive best, as a woman who kills her abusive husband;
Runners-up:
The River - Greenwich Theatre: was mysterious and well-acted, AND by Jez Butterworth, but it couldn't sell tickets to save its life. I suppose WE payed it some attention, but not the General Public;
Princess Essex - Globe Theatre: was immensely entertaining, and it felt like something the General Public would have an absolute ball watching, pitting Essex against Kent, a play about circuses and showmanship and history played with such great showmanship and much love by the actors, but even people here weren't interested.
"The Voice of the Turtle" at Jermyn Street was a revival of an old romantic comedy that felt incredibly fresh and funny, but it couldn't even fill Jermyn Street;
"Diva Live from Hell" sold a few tickets at the Kings Head, but there were plenty unsold, though it was 5 star funny, just incredibly funny (although perhaps I shouldn't mention it because it's a musical), with a peerless performance by Luke Bayer and it deserved to sell out, based on how good it was.
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Post by chameleon1 on Nov 9, 2024 12:32:13 GMT
One big problem here is that since Covid, and above-inflation ticket price increases driven by austerity, the overall audience is much smaller than it used to be. So big hits might still sell out, but your average decent show has a very hard time selling tickets. And even more so in the unsubsidised/fringe sector. So there are some pretty good plays that end up on the papering sites..
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Post by lt on Nov 9, 2024 17:00:50 GMT
One big problem here is that since Covid, and above-inflation ticket price increases driven by austerity, the overall audience is much smaller than it used to be. So big hits might still sell out, but your average decent show has a very hard time selling tickets. And even more so in the unsubsidised/fringe sector. So there are some pretty good plays that end up on the papering sites.. That may well be a factor but some of the fringe is such good value. Resticted tickets at the Arcola £12 (and with careful choice not vrestricted at all) and preview tickets £15. |
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Post by jr on Nov 9, 2024 19:47:53 GMT
Blizzard by Emily Woof at Soho theatre. A complete surprise since I didn't know about her beforehand.
Funny and moving. It went to NY after London, I hope it was more successful than here. Lots of papering and half empty when I attended.
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Post by lt on Nov 9, 2024 21:24:39 GMT
Blizzard by Emily Woof at Soho theatre. A complete surprise since I didn't know about her beforehand. Funny and moving. It went to NY after London, I hope it was more successful than here. Lots of papering and half empty when I attended. Completely agree, my brain had filed this under comedy, but you're totally right - it was great theatre too. In fact, I think booked it on your recommendation on TB! Emily was really funny, I laughed so much watching this. |
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Post by showqueen on Nov 11, 2024 10:51:53 GMT
The Fawn at the New Diorama - compellingly acted by a committed cast and exceptionally well directed family drama which morphed into a mythical allegory that spoke directly to the contemporary political moment.
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