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Post by Deleted on Apr 22, 2016 17:24:30 GMT
Javone was on Wednesday night (the production's first performance since press night) and could barely speak - apparently they were going to pull him at the interval but decided to have him finish the performance (which was stupefyingly awful). No surprise if he has been off since. Maybe he and Glenn Close are tucked up somewhere watching telly? The acting in THE SUICIDE is so poor that it's hard to believe, excepting one or two moments from a wildly game Paul Kaye and the very good woman who plays Javone's wife, who at least retains her dignity while all around her are losing theirs -- and in the case of the gifted if shamefully wasted Ashley McGuire, her clothes, for one brief, toe-curling moment. OMGosh, Ashley McGuire! Now I normally don't mind a bit of nudity with my theatre (often it can pep up a pretty ropey evening) but even I'd say that the nudity here was gratuitous. Apart from the fact that it made a bunch of 20-something girls in the row in front of me screech and giggle uncontrollably like annoying 10 year olds, there really is absolutely no need for it other than for shock value. I can't begin to imagine why she agreed to it. I also thought Paul Kaye was the worst one in it, along with the actress who plays the cafe owner. The second act is particularly awful I thought. |
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Post by Deleted on Apr 22, 2016 19:55:36 GMT
Well, ok - it's the interval and I'm actually toying with the idea of going back in as it isn't as bad as my very low expectations made me fear. It feels pretty vacuous and it's going after easy targets and lazy stereotypes but a lot of people seem to be finding it amusing.
I'd really like to see the original, which sounds a lot more interesting. But on its own terms, maybe this version is hitting the goal it's aiming for?
I might just go home now though...
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Post by Deleted on Apr 22, 2016 19:59:26 GMT
Oh yes, and the nudity - was the point that seeing a fat woman without clothes on is so horrible it's a fantastic joke to stick in? Because I couldn't see another one. So well done to the director on challenging the body fascism of the youthful audience on that one...
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Post by DuchessConstance on Apr 22, 2016 20:57:58 GMT
Wait, there was nudity? I'm sure I don't remember nudity in previews, unless it was while I was glaring at an ice-rattler.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 22, 2016 21:19:57 GMT
I don't remember any nudity either. There was an embarrassing 'lowering of leggings' moment, as I recall, but no actual nudity. Not that I feel cheated or anything...
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Post by perfectspy on Apr 24, 2016 1:25:08 GMT
I just saw the matinee show with the under study on. He was very good, looks like he could easily take the promotion to lead. The first act was very good but the play seemed to fall away in the second act with less laughs. I still liked it and was glad I saw it.
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Post by lonlad on Apr 24, 2016 22:32:58 GMT
Full nudity for Ms McGuire but over in a nanosecond.
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Post by Deleted on May 9, 2016 7:41:43 GMT
Can also affirm that there was indeed nudity for Ms McGuire (as well as the afore mentioned legging lowering!!)
Saw this Saturday complete with 10 minute additional interval for a set malfunction. I thought it was interesting, at times entertaining and not nearly the worst thing ever to grace a stage that some people have declared it. The cast are all excellent (all 100 of them...or so it seemed at times) and the set though clearly having technical issues still, is impressive as is the whole design/look. It also has some interesting things to say about society or people although perhaps isn't the best written play to grace an NT stage, it's still worth seeing.
I found myself getting very defensive of it on Sunday when a 'friend' on Facebook was essentially campaigning to get all advertising for it stopped because of the title. Apparently the mere mention of the word suicide shouldn't be allowed...She was also ready to get the whole thing taken from the stage if it wasn't a "sensitive portrayal" and no amount of 'it's not that kind of play' /'Please google this for some context' was stopping her. So while I'm not about to defend this as a work of art, I'm damn well defending it against idiots like that...
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Post by Deleted on May 9, 2016 12:15:28 GMT
I'd assumed that by subtitling it 'A Comedy', they'd flagged pretty well that it wasn't meant to be offensive/upsetting. I guess it's still not clear to everyone though ;-)
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Post by Deleted on May 9, 2016 13:01:14 GMT
This was basically what I said to the person in question...about 5 times over. Apparently the word 'comedy' is also lost on many people...
I did enjoy the hip-hop style movement pieces in the play as well- the movement and staging was all very interestingly done.
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Post by Steve on May 10, 2016 19:01:34 GMT
I found myself getting very defensive of it on Sunday when a 'friend' on Facebook was essentially campaigning to get all advertising for it stopped because of the title. Apparently the mere mention of the word suicide shouldn't be allowed...She was also ready to get the whole thing taken from the stage if it wasn't a "sensitive portrayal" and no amount of 'it's not that kind of play' /'Please google this for some context' was stopping her. So while I'm not about to defend this as a work of art, I'm damn well defending it against idiots like that... Your facebook friend will probably be campaigning against "Romeo and Juliet" next. Demanding a happy ending lol. |
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Post by Deleted on May 11, 2016 7:15:36 GMT
Haha yes! clearly the lover's tragedy will scar everyone for life...(well I've seen some pretty terrible productions that did scar me for life in other ways...)
I had to bite my virtual tongue yesterday and not send her the audience responses and video clips the NT put out just to prove the 'comedy' point...
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Post by Coated on May 12, 2016 0:05:09 GMT
Tell your friend that by stigmatising the word Suicide she is perpetuating the perception that it is a taboo, thereby putting unnecessary harsh pressure on anyone affected, making them feel that they will be judged and found wanting. Ooh, got a bit ranty there, but I'm related to a rather suicidal bunch and get fed up with self declared spokes people making assumptions - seeking out art and stories (particularly darkish comedy ones) about suicide is a fairly common way of getting to grips with the aftermath.
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Post by Deleted on May 13, 2016 12:45:08 GMT
Yes yes to all that! she tried to tell me it was out of 'professional concern' as she works in railway safety. I wanted to point out that a) the play doesn't have anything to do with railway related suicide, and b) that as you've said the need to discuss, show and confront issues like suicide via theatre or other mediums is VITAL for people affected and shouldn't be halted to 'protect' them.
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Post by Snciole on May 13, 2016 14:56:43 GMT
I wish I gave that much of an eff about my job...
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Post by Deleted on May 23, 2016 10:14:07 GMT
Well whatever turns you on Monkey  (just make sure you use protection...) Seriously though, I see why people hate it. I wasn't that vehemently against it but I wouldn't want to sit through it again. I'm only defending it because of certain idiots I know... |
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Post by Deleted on May 23, 2016 11:15:13 GMT
I got that...perhaps my levels of sarcasm were so high on a Monday morning it didn't translate...
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Post by foxa on May 23, 2016 15:21:26 GMT
;-) I'm super literal so I appreciate any and all translations. I was like 'Gee, I know he's a monkey of the world, but how did he have that particular experience.'
I mean, you ARE a monkey aren't you?
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Post by drmaplewood on May 24, 2016 8:23:32 GMT
Saw this in a very sparsely attended Lyttelton last night (circle barely a third full, emptiest I’ve seen it ever).
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Post by Deleted on May 24, 2016 9:12:43 GMT
Oh I forgot my favourite part of seeing this (before the show started) was sitting down in front of a large group of 'ladies of a certain age' when the pack leader loudly declared "If it's not good I'm never booking anything again"
Needless to say I fear for that group's theatre-going future!
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Post by Deleted on May 24, 2016 11:15:12 GMT
Oh I forgot my favourite part of seeing this (before the show started) was sitting down in front of a large group of 'ladies of a certain age' when the pack leader loudly declared "If it's not good I'm never booking anything again" Needless to say I fear for that group's theatre-going future! That's quite a reflection on how bad things are at the NT, isn't it - well, for certain elements of the audience, anyway. There were, at least, SOME things to admire in Everyman and Waste, but for me The Suicide was a complete waste of time. And it's unusual for me to say that - I can generally find something to praise... |
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Post by perfectspy on May 24, 2016 23:05:18 GMT
Your facebook friend will probably be campaigning against "Romeo and Juliet" next. Demanding a happy ending lol. I thought it was a happy ending....... |
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Post by Deleted on May 25, 2016 7:49:48 GMT
Me too. I even tried hard to like the set, as a chance to praise something; but even that was badly designed for those of us near the front - and I mean far worse designed than usual. Carelessly lit, too, with a light in everyone in row A and B's face from that underground corridor. No end of problems with it as well-show stopped for 15 minutes due to a fault when we saw it, and apparently this has been a consistent issue. |
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Post by Deleted on May 25, 2016 10:14:44 GMT
We did get an amusing stage manager for a moment "the actor whose leg got trapped wants to carry on with the show. You've only missed a scene change so we're going to carry on"
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Post by Deleted on May 25, 2016 10:43:03 GMT
Let's all believe that's what happened...
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(just make sure you use protection...)