The Birthday Party

I love this play, it's one of those where I'll always try to see a new production if there's one nearby. Hopefully I can get to this one as by then I'll be living in Inverness (but expecting to make occasional London trips). Also hopefully, it will have front-row dayseats as the HP Theatre often does.

But I doubt it will sway any HP waverers, especially those who have an aversion due to finding his work too opaque. Ultimately it's as opaque as you want it to be, but for many his work will simply never click with them and I can't see this changing that for many or any of them. It might help to regard it as an exercise in rhythm and texture, in fact I often see it as a young writer flexing his muscles in that sense. The story is open to our interpretation but when handled well in a good production the dynamics of it can be exhilarating.

I really enjoyed the 50th anniversary production at the Lyric Hammersmith. It made me sit up and take notice of Sian Brooke, as she actually managed to bring substance to the very slight role of Lulu. There's an exchange where Stanley asks her what sort of sandwiches she has, and she replies "cheese". Brooke somehow invested that one syllable with more meaning and enticement than I thought possible.

I'm having trouble picturing Mangan as Goldberg so it'll be very interesting to see him in the role.

Thanks for info, I went with cheaper o seat option, it is the evening which is always something of a gamble in January but cheaper seat won out. Have had missed Pinter experience but difficult to walk away from this cast.

Right, with the Pearl Mackie addition I have to go now.
I'm thinking of going with P7 at £35 in previews...
Anyone think there's a better price v view than that?

Well yes really. Obviously. Otherwise I wouldn't have said it.
I've no idea who this 'Pearl Permanently-Surprised-Face Mackie' is, I meant the Pearl Mackie that almost single-handedly rescued a dying tv show that I've loved since I was a child.

I'm struggling to think what show that is, but she was crap in Doctor Who.

And doesn't she look thrilled to be involved?

Threads merged

I think this is one of my favourite plays. I think i’ve Seen it before but I can’t remember where or when. I have certainly read it many times.

TodayTix will be doing £25 rush tickets. Think that'll be the way I get tickets for this, unless any other offers come around that allow me to book in advance.

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Just letting everyone know it looks like there are minimum of 10 TodayTix rush tickets, and they just gave me the centre of the front row of the stalls for the first performance tonight, so their allocation may all be front row. Looking forward to it!

Saw the 2nd preview last night. It's already in fine shape: really strong ensemble, no one predominating, Toby Jones, Zoe Wanamaker, Stephen Mangan all superb. The tone, so hard to achieve precisely in this play, is impeccable: hilarious and anxiety-producing in equal measure. I loved it.