The Ferryman(Royal Court)

I was into it for the first half hour or so - though as I commented earlier I thought the opening pyrotechnics were misjudged as it had me worrying that we might have to evacuate the theatre, and broke the fourth wall - but as the family and then the cute animals etc. started to pile in I found myself thinking about the structure, about the references to other playwrights (particularly when the Symbolic dead white bird appeared, and Chekhov's gun), wondering if the goose might sh-t or bite, whether the rabbit was scared or the baby would cry, and realised I was doing that because I wasn't finding myself immersed in the drama. When something interesting looked like it was starting to happen it was interrupted, or characters went offstage, or, in the case of the ill wife, only seemed to become flesh in the last minutes. The set is the image of my relatives' farmhouse kitchen where three generations of a mixed part-Irish family live but for me that comparison underlined the staginess of the uninterrupted speeches and the often too-literal action - at one point a character actually walks on with a book to explain the play's title. Given the generous running time I'd have liked more space, pauses, darkness, for the audience to create its own imagery and for threads to sink in. I wanted tension, but I felt the writer and director were so in love with the family they had created on stage that they kept losing sight of it.

Anyone know about the transfer so I can book earlylike...? Ta

I didn't love it quite as much as the critics but it's an entertaining evening, no question. It also does to some extent capture the fear and tension of the time. It's strongly reminiscent of Jerusalem in many ways (children, animals, nature, people living (or living formerly) on the edge) but lacks the bravura central role, good as Considine is in a much less showy role. But an excellent evening.

Thanks. Managed to negotiate the whole forgot password saga by being someone else so yes I am the anonymous woman. Two tix for near end of run which is  always a risk as cast might expire, I might expire or the world might expire. One of those days. 

Wow! spent most the play in state of some fear of the red stuff which on top of the oddles of tension that build up meant i did spent quite a lot of it slowly disappearing inside my jumper and then ovated at end in relief and some wonder. But yes how do you say much without ruining it for others so i'll stick to saying i thought there were shades of Jerusalem in this, stories and belonging to country and then a whole lot extra. Beautifully acted by a great ensemble cast, great set, there aren't enough bagpusses on stage, tension, laughter, weeping. I think Jez Butterworth has rather done it again, one of those plays when it ends and you don't feel that speaking immediately is the appropriate response.

Right can now go back and read the thread i'd been avoiding in case i found out spoilers.

In other news theatremonkey i missed you again?!

Oh and forgot to say DO NOT READ PRESS REVIEWS! They give far too much away....why, oh why do they feel the need to tell you the plot?

This is a great play and a wonderful evening in the theatre. Apart from the things other people have said it is thrilling to see a cast of 20 speaking parts all individually cast - when was the last time you saw a new play involving that number of characters? And the presence of children on stage did make me think that their absence from pretty much every play you see is rather artificial given that they are a central fact of so many people's lives. Do dramatic things not happen to people with children? Or do dramatic things only happen to people with children when they're not around?

The play did create a world that was unfamiliar to me (despite having seen a lot of Irish plays) and made me think of the era (which I remember well; I was 19 in 1981) in a new way. I took and take the view that the terrorists fighting a democratically elected government no more deserve political status than the Ku Klux Klan, but this play goes a long way to showing the other side of that debate - and the long history of repression and violence and hatred, and the terrible consequences for everyone.

Perhaps it's due to demand. Hopefully you'll get a ticket once it's sorted.

Here's a tip: if a theatre website crashes and they tweet it, tweet them your issue immediately and follow them. They will often follow you back and send you a direct message offering to save tickets for you. You're welcome.

I wonder
If this

Will be subbed at Oliviers

Like Jerusalem was

One of the best reactions I ever saw

When The Mountaintop

Took that one

😂😂😂

It's no good those badges simply aren't big enough