550 posts
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Post by drmaplewood on Mar 31, 2016 13:24:24 GMT
Edit: tickets sold.
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2,342 posts
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Post by theglenbucklaird on Mar 31, 2016 18:40:23 GMT
Great, just another 23 minutes to go..... That is the additional 20 minute interval |
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Post by cat6 on Mar 31, 2016 18:51:08 GMT
Not-too-off-the-wall-question: Regarding the intervals, are they long enough for a visit to the Ladies and a return before the curtain goes up? I live in dehydrated fear on theatre nights. 3 hours sounds like a killer. Thanks.
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756 posts
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Post by Latecomer on Mar 31, 2016 19:27:16 GMT
Not-too-off-the-wall-question: Regarding the intervals, are they long enough for a visit to the Ladies and a return before the curtain goes up? I live in dehydrated fear on theatre nights. 3 hours sounds like a killer. Thanks. I would recommend the loos up in the roof ....2 floors up...if you can manage the stairs quite well! There are lots up there and a hidden gem!  |
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Post by Deleted on Mar 31, 2016 19:31:37 GMT
There's a special Lady Antonia Fraser enclosure in the foyer this evening. Also Ed Vaisey is here
Just over 3 hours tonight. I enjoyed it although quite a few people around me didn't return after the second interval. Both intervals were supposed to be 15 minutes but seemed longer with a delay after everyone was seated so I suspect it will be a bitshorter after previews
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2,389 posts
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Post by peggs on Apr 1, 2016 8:40:27 GMT
Finished 10.30 last night but think started a few minutes late. Cat6 i'd say you'll have to go straight away to get to the toilets and back in time or at least not be worried when they start ringing the bell and declaring 3 minutes and just hold out and make them wait for you, I tried and failed to get there and back in time last night but didn't leave immediately we hit the interval as the rest of my row were quite happily having a rest and I was bang in the middle of a the theatre and row so was always going to be a slow one. Latecomer the toilets on the top floor again were queueing down the stairs again, I don't think this is very secret any more.
Not sure what I think of this yet, need to mull I think, didn't seem particularly long nor did the pauses seem excessive. As noted above they're doing that thing were you have to have your tickets handy to gain re-admittance at each interval.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 2, 2016 0:42:52 GMT
Finished just before 10.30 tonight, started on time. Intervals fall approx every 50 mins. Ladies, leg it to the loos fast if you're going, the queue for Lilian Baylis circle loos at the second interval stretched down one flight of stairs and all the way round to the top of the second!
I totally understand people returning tickets/not wanting to see this due to the long running time, but I think you're missing a real treat. It still needs a little bit of licking into shape but I was actually very impressed with it as it was tonight - certainly couldn't say the same for other previews I've seen in the past!
No need to worry about Spall not knowing his lines. He trampled on Daniel Mays' lines a couple of times but they got round it. It's not like he needed prompts or anything. Frankly, when you see how much his character has to say all evening, it's no wonder he admitted in an interview that the part was "a b*****d to learn"! I'm sure as previews go on, he'll get there. In any case, he builds this amazing character on stage, bringing a wonderful physicality to the role - at one point making the audience burst out laughing simply by the way he crossed his legs. It must be exhausting, but he looked to be enjoying the funny bits and was thoroughly malicious in the unpleasant bits. Hooray!
Liked George MacKay very much - a wonderfully petty and bullying presence, and fascinating as the one character solidly rooted outside the bedsit. (Yes, I know we see Mays leave the room, too, but Aston's world outside his home is still pretty constricted.)
Mays fans won't be disappointed. Although it's certainly interesting to see him play against type (and I wonder how long it will be before he needs physio for that foot he's pretending to drag!), I must admit I was wondering why he'd taken the role as Aston seemed lacking a bit in 'screen time', if you see what I mean.
But then of course we had the captivating scene where Aston explains what happened to him in the institution - and then I understood! Was in side dress circle and must admit would rather have been front stalls for that bit (in terms of being close enough to read faces), but the sheer horror, desperation and loneliness of his experiences there still came across. I spent most of the play wanting to hug him better (especially when he came home and found the broken Buddha, sob!), but there were some intriguing hints of his brother's menace as well.
Theatremiss and I were tickled to hear the cast admit at stage door they'd only discovered today that they are scheduled to do two shows tomorrow. Good thing somebody at the Old Vic mentioned it, eh?!
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374 posts
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Post by popcultureboy on Apr 2, 2016 7:51:24 GMT
There are always two intervals with The Caretaker, so let's all calm down and stop blaming the Old Vic for adding intervals to maximise their bar sales. It's possible the running time is extended here because of the decision to have Mays deliver all his dialogue so slowly? His performance broke my heart, don't get me wrong, but the slow slow slow rhythm he delivers all his lines with is what I'm holding responsible for the running time.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 2, 2016 18:39:33 GMT
It needs shaving just a touch and Timothy Spall (or the character) does repeat his lines frequently so they could snip that and get rid of 20 minutes  but all in all, it's an entertaining night and there are lots of funny bits but the showstopping moment is when Daniel Mays' character talks about his time in the institution. I admit it made me cry and I hadn't even had a G&T! Timothy Spall is good but then it's the really showy part but Daniel Mays is sensational playing against type. Just sensational. Also really liked George MacKay - there was a menacing, sexy unpredictability about him even though he looks so sweet albeit snugly shoehorned into a black trouser/black leather bomber jacket combo. Spall will get all the attention but it's Mays' show and is yet another example of why he is one of the best young actors around at the moment. |
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Post by Deleted on Apr 2, 2016 19:41:26 GMT
I'm facing the big 4-0 this year so I'm chuffed to read you describing Mays (only two years younger) as 'young'. Ryan, you can DEFINITELY be my friend! :-)
At stage door Mays was very modest, saying "Tim is the engine that drives the show", but I would hope at least some of the reviewers pick up on his own impressive pre-second interval speech.
Funnily enough, it dawned on me partway through Davies' verbal attack on Aston towards the end that I was only listening to Spall - my eyes were entirely fixed throughout on Mays and his reaction to the onslaught. Which was particularly odd because, of course, he wasn't saying anything - and at times, was barely moving. Ah, the joys of sitting in a theatre and being your own 'director'...
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Post by Deleted on Apr 2, 2016 20:10:09 GMT
I'm facing the big 4-0 this year so I'm chuffed to read you describing Mays (only two years younger) as 'young'. Ryan, you can DEFINITELY be my friend! :-) At stage door Mays was very modest, saying "Tim is the engine that drives the show", but I would hope at least some of the reviewers pick up on his own impressive pre-second interval speech. Funnily enough, it dawned on me partway through Davies' verbal attack on Aston towards the end that I was only listening to Spall - my eyes were entirely fixed throughout on Mays and his reaction to the onslaught. Which was particularly odd because, of course, he wasn't saying anything - and at times, was barely moving. Ah, the joys of sitting in a theatre and being your own 'director'... Haha, he seems young I suppose. I agree, I think the glory in his performance is often what he doesn't say. There's a moment . . {Spoiler - click to view}
where he stops as he notices the broken Buddha and you can see the sadness right there without him saying a single word or even looking at the audience. It's actually heartbreaking because earlier in the play he makes a point of saying he liked it.
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2,389 posts
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Post by peggs on Apr 2, 2016 20:56:22 GMT
Funnily enough, it dawned on me partway through Davies' verbal attack on Aston towards the end that I was only listening to Spall - my eyes were entirely fixed throughout on Mays and his reaction to the onslaught. Which was particularly odd because, of course, he wasn't saying anything - and at times, was barely moving. Ah, the joys of sitting in a theatre and being your own 'director'... Def one of the plus points for me of theatre over film/tv is that you can as you say pick what you watch and I often find that is watching the character who isn't saying anything. I was sat behind rather a large man so could see Spall doing all his lines but learnt to develop a lean approach to fit Mays in too as he's def worth watching. I suspect critics will recognise him, as said before that monologue is a bit of a killer and beautifully done, and the sort of steeliness he develops near the end nicely added to the character. I liked George Mackay, it's the first time i've seen him play a character with such threat, I knew he could do innocence but he was really menacing and the speed of some of those early speeches. Tim Spall very funny in some of the physicality of the character and took me something of a 360 in my feelings towards him. I'm not sure quite how I feel about Pinter but it was very good acting, seemed to bounce along quite nicely pace wise and I managed to get my train so those shaved minutes were great for me. |
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Post by theatremiss on Apr 2, 2016 21:28:28 GMT
I pretty much echo what jeanhunt has said. I thoroughly enjoyed this and I am planning to make a return visit so possibly day seats as I would love to be front row at the end of Act 2 when Mays delivers his speech. I was mesmerised and I think a little bit of my heart broke witnessing Mays playing against type. I also thought the lighting plays a very important part in this shoe and during Mays speech the lighting dimmed to the point where you couldn't see Spall a and the focus was totally on Mays. The 3hours flew by
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Post by Deleted on Apr 2, 2016 22:07:46 GMT
Yes I liked that moment too, Ryan. Also the 'Guinness in a mug' bit. You see just how hurt he is by the way people treat him.
Peggs - I mentioned those long lines to MacKay at stage door and that I was amazed they hadn't left him gasping! He said the first preview had left him a little bit short of breath but he was fine with it now. :-)
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Post by Deleted on Apr 3, 2016 10:59:46 GMT
Or they could get rid of the - according to several people I trust who have already seen this - entirely superfluous second interval, there's 20 minutes saved *and* the running time will come in at under 3 hours!
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228 posts
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Post by galinda on Apr 3, 2016 11:24:07 GMT
Saw this yesterday matinee and it started a few minutes late and finished just before half 5. The time flew by, great play and the cast are outstanding. Third time I've seen the caretaker - saw the version with david Bradley and also Jonathan Pryce. Can anyone remember who else was in the Jonathan Pryce version?
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270 posts
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Post by littlesally on Apr 3, 2016 11:32:40 GMT
Saw this yesterday matinee and it started a few minutes late and finished just before half 5. The time flew by, great play and the cast are outstanding. Third time I've seen the caretaker - saw the version with david Bradley and also Jonathan Pryce. Can anyone remember who else was in the Jonathan Pryce version? Peter McDonald? |
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Post by Deleted on Apr 3, 2016 11:33:40 GMT
And Tom Brooke.
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374 posts
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Post by popcultureboy on Apr 4, 2016 22:11:13 GMT
Or they could get rid of the - according to several people I trust who have already seen this - entirely superfluous second interval, there's 20 minutes saved *and* the running time will come in at under 3 hours! It's not superfluous. It's always staged this way. And the intervals are only 15 minutes. |
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Post by Deleted on Apr 5, 2016 7:45:13 GMT
Really? "Always"? 'Cos last time I saw it the running time was 2 hours and 30 minutes, and there was only one interval. (Also Tom Brooke appears to have only done it in Liverpool, it was Sam Spruell in London.) www.curtainup.com/caretakerlon10.html I'll concede being wrong on the length of the intervals though, I was going by what my friend who did see it told me rather than personal experience or checking the website. |
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Post by theglenbucklaird on Apr 6, 2016 21:45:38 GMT
Saw this yesterday matinee and it started a few minutes late and finished just before half 5. The time flew by, great play and the cast are outstanding. Third time I've seen the caretaker - saw the version with david Bradley and also Jonathan Pryce. Can anyone remember who else was in the Jonathan Pryce version? Peter McDonald? Yes Peter McDonald and Sam Spruell |
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Post by raiseitup on Apr 7, 2016 9:57:35 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Apr 7, 2016 10:53:13 GMT
Largely positive for the actors, so far as I could tell from the few reviews I read this morning - not so much for the play/directing.
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527 posts
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Post by danielwhit on Apr 9, 2016 18:02:18 GMT
Call me in the minority but I was bored.
Very strong acting from all three. Daniel Mays stands out the most, this role being so different from his stereotypical geezer that he is normally cast for. Can't fault the other two either - Spall flits between personalities well in Act Three.
Biggest problem I think was the production the play had been wrapped up in. The Caretaker was clearly written to examine the individuals rather than to render an multifaceted plot, but the direction (as good as it was in its way) of the production seemed to strive for "play it straight, hope for the best". It's as if the original text and current production were sparring against one another - to no-one's benefit.
Act One I described in a text as "Plot so far: man arrives in flat, man moves in, other man leaves, random bloke walks in and the curtain comes down. Something about Sidcup". The second act didn't really improve (however gave the highlight in May's electro-therapy speech). I very nearly left in the second interval. The characters definitely showed signs of development in the final act, but even with this I was sure I could describe all the intricacies of the production in 5 minutes flat.
The Old Vic is having a curious season. It strikes me more and more that Warchus is trying to find his style for the place this year, perhaps the 2016/17 season will feel more cohesive.
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Post by DuchessConstance on Apr 11, 2016 23:22:29 GMT
I found it refreshing to see something so completely character-based rather than plot-driven. Not spectacular but very good.
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but all in all, it's an entertaining night and there are lots of funny bits but the showstopping moment is when Daniel Mays' character talks about his time in the institution. I admit it made me cry and I hadn't even had a G&T! Timothy Spall is good but then it's the really showy part but Daniel Mays is sensational playing against type. Just sensational. Also really liked George MacKay - there was a menacing, sexy unpredictability about him even though he looks so sweet albeit snugly shoehorned into a black trouser/black leather bomber jacket combo. Spall will get all the attention but it's Mays' show and is yet another example of why he is one of the best young actors around at the moment.
