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Post by partytentdown on Oct 21, 2018 11:20:03 GMT
What the hell was going on under the stage? Sounded like someone was un-velcroing something for about 20mins at one point.
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Post by Ade on Oct 21, 2018 13:02:39 GMT
What the hell was going on under the stage? Sounded like someone was un-velcroing something for about 20mins at one point. It was so loud yesterday matinee. I get it’s going to be slightly more noisy with it not being a permanent stage, but surely they could have been quieter. That said maybe they aren’t aware if nobody has told them. |
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Post by Mr Snow on Oct 24, 2018 6:14:49 GMT
I though this must be the inspiration behind the the asking for your money back thread? If I paid 12£ at Edinburgh fest and it lasted an hour I’d be thinking “Next”. But I paid 4 x £65 and it felt longer than The Ring. Our night was approx 1 hr 15mins. There were walkouts in a play with no interval (never seen that outside The Fest) and even those annoying creatures who self regardingly laugh very loudly were silent by half way through.
I thought Broadbent looked embarrassed at the curtain call.
I overheard a lady at ROH last night who said much the same and said she’d reviewed it on line and given 1star. But the bridge had sent a questionnaire and she didn’t want to be unkind so told them two stars! I feel many of the comments on this thread are like that, please stop being “kind” and call this out for what it is. A boring mess.
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Post by crowblack on Oct 24, 2018 9:19:36 GMT
asking for your money back thread? I do think this could become a byword for awfulness though, so it was interesting to see in a Springtime for Hitler, Plan 9 from Outer Space way. |
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Post by Steve on Oct 24, 2018 10:03:04 GMT
Although far too succinct to cover such serious issues in depth, for me, this is a memorable, original, funny and worthwhile comedy-horror satire on the colonial attitudes and actions of our ancestors. Without getting into specific spoilers, McDonagh is no Tarantino. He is not riffing on sensitive issues for the sheer "edgy" frisson of it. Instead, he creates his own cruel fairy tale about a man who writes cruel fairy tales, that connects the cruelty of yesterday to the cruelty of today. Man has not evolved for hundreds of thousands of years, so for me, it's imperative to understand how and why our ancestors of only 150 years ago, no different from us, could live perfectly happily, guilt-free, doing terrible things. I think this satire of a dopey egotistical Han Christian Andersen, who thinks of himself as a nice chap, yet engages in dreadful behaviour, does a superb job of getting to the bottom of this question. And equally importantly, thanks to Jim Broadbent's laser-precision comedic caricature of a gentle bumbling self-regarding Andersen, this is all very funny, if you allow yourself to tune into the play's savage satirical tone. Phil Daniels is perfectly cast, and equally hilarious, as he does love to overegg a pudding, and here he is invited to do so with glee. The scenes with Broadbent, Daniels, Elizabeth Berrington, and some kids, in Dicken's house, are hysterically funny. The set is a marvel, a myriad of fairy tale dolls hidden in dark recesses, with an enormous ticking pendulum as a thumping resonant reminder of the fact that time passes, but beneath the surface of things, nothing ever changes. Overall, despite it's thinness, I felt this was a massively original and memorable production, effectively engaging with the past in a way very few more conventional plays ever do. 4 stars.  |
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Post by crowblack on Oct 24, 2018 10:17:36 GMT
Han Christian Andersen, who thinks of himself as a nice chap, yet engages in dreadful behaviour But why pick on this writer, and Dickens, a humane campaigning journalist and author? Why make them, here, crude, stupid torturers, limb-choppers, rapists, murderers, and utterly talentless? What point is he trying to make linking a Danish writer and a British writer, neither from privileged backgrounds, with atrocities in a Belgian colony in Africa? Satire, if that's what this is meant to be, needs - a the very least - a germ of truth and intelligence for it to work, and this has neither. |
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Post by londonmzfitz on Oct 24, 2018 12:34:41 GMT
Han Christian Andersen, who thinks of himself as a nice chap, yet engages in dreadful behaviour But why pick on this writer, and Dickens, a humane campaigning journalist and author? Why make them, here, crude, stupid torturers, limb-choppers, rapists, murderers, and utterly talentless? What point is he trying to make linking a Danish writer and a British writer, neither from privileged backgrounds, with atrocities in a Belgian colony in Africa? Satire, if that's what this is meant to be, needs - a the very least - a germ of truth and intelligence for it to work, and this has neither. Er ... Spoiler, spoiler, spoiler, spoiler, etc etc. I like Steve's review. In that it didn't make me feel like a hit (silent s) for laughing - inside Dickens house has comedy! Look at how many "reads" this thread has had. People are talking about it. I saw it a week ago and it's still in my head. I've told colleagues about it and oh my word their faces as I try and explain the storyline ... Opening night tonight, can't wait to read what the press say. I think it's an interesting piece if you can view it without getting all uppity about how totally un-PC it is. "Marmite" - absolutely, I don't think there's a middle ground on this. |
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Post by wiggymess on Oct 24, 2018 12:40:25 GMT
Han Christian Andersen, who thinks of himself as a nice chap, yet engages in dreadful behaviour But why pick on this writer, and Dickens, a humane campaigning journalist and author? Why make them, here, crude, stupid torturers, limb-choppers, rapists, murderers, and utterly talentless? What point is he trying to make linking a Danish writer and a British writer, neither from privileged backgrounds, with atrocities in a Belgian colony in Africa? Satire, if that's what this is meant to be, needs - a the very least - a germ of truth and intelligence for it to work, and this has neither. Because if you go into this thinking it's a biopic then it's, frankly, your own fault? |
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Post by Deleted on Oct 24, 2018 12:49:15 GMT
Opening night tonight, can't wait to read what the press say. I think it's an interesting piece if you can view it without getting all uppity about how totally un-PC it is. "Marmite" - absolutely, I don't think there's a middle ground on this. I'm sure this isn't your specific intention here at all, but there is a wider recurring thing of people writing off disapproval of an offensive piece as being uppity about it being un-PC. Maybe some of the current generation *are* humourless, but more likely we just don't think someone's sh*tty racist jokes are as funny as wholesome yet surreal memes.  |
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Post by Deleted on Oct 24, 2018 12:51:36 GMT
Opening night tonight, can't wait to read what the press say. I think it's an interesting piece if you can view it without getting all uppity about how totally un-PC it is. "Marmite" - absolutely, I don't think there's a middle ground on this. I'm sure this isn't your intention at all, but there is a wider recurring thing of people writing off disapproval of an offensive piece as being uppity about it being un-PC. Maybe some of the current generation *are* humourless, but more likely we just don't think someone's sh*tty racist jokes are as funny as wholesome yet surreal memes. I bet I will love this piece |
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Post by Deleted on Oct 24, 2018 12:52:54 GMT
(Sorry, Parsley, I edited a couple of words into my post after you quoted it.)
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Post by crowblack on Oct 24, 2018 13:06:16 GMT
Because if you go into this thinking it's a biopic then it's, frankly, your own fault? Oh, please! There is a difference between a satire or a surreal, grand guignol take, and something that is just an utterly random brain fart. |
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Post by wiggymess on Oct 24, 2018 13:27:39 GMT
Because if you go into this thinking it's a biopic then it's, frankly, your own fault? Oh, please! There is a difference between a satire or a surreal, grand guignol take, and something that is just an utterly random brain fart. I didn't say there isn't. I just don't understand how you could get upset about a CLEARLY fictional representation of HCA/Dickens. |
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Post by crowblack on Oct 24, 2018 13:55:37 GMT
how you could get upset about a CLEARLY fictional representation of HCA/Dickens. There's another thread on this forum about fictionalising real people and the ethics of it. There are those who get angry about Schaffer's Amadeus, for example. If this was done in some way that, say, extracted some kernel of truth and from it spun some sort of fantastical psychedelic riff then ok - say, that there was something in their writing or in their letters that hinted at some really bizarre skeletons in the cupboard, but here, what? Why? It's not the worst thing about the play, but if you are going to go about mocking and denigrating other writers you had better make damn sure your own writing is absolutely top notch, and this isn't. |
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Post by wiggymess on Oct 24, 2018 14:03:23 GMT
how you could get upset about a CLEARLY fictional representation of HCA/Dickens. There's another thread on this forum about fictionalising real people and the ethics of it. There are those who get angry about Schaffer's Amadeus, for example. If this was done in some way that, say, extracted some kernel of truth and from it spun some sort of fantastical psychedelic riff then ok - say, that there was something in their writing or in their letters that hinted at some really bizarre skeletons in the cupboard, but here, what? Why? It's not the worst thing about the play, but if you are going to go about mocking and denigrating other writers you had better make damn sure your own writing is absolutely top notch, and this isn't. Let's agree to disagree on this. I don't think any story, based on historical characters or not, should follow some arbitrary set of rules. I'd really hate that, and I'm glad it's not the case. |
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Post by Deleted on Oct 24, 2018 15:11:14 GMT
God
This is BAD
It will appeal to a pathetic racist subgroup
Who might think it’s edgy
And some of whom were in hysterics this afternoon
And all of whom were white lower middle class males
In reality the writing is truly horrific
And Jim Broadbent
Yet again shows
He is basically a talentless panto actor
(That dreadful Christmas carol)
Who has ridden on the coat tails
Of much greater actors
For his entire career
Panto is at play here with his usual
Whiny intonation
It will do little to enamour people to The Bridge
Which is already ailing
And it will do nothing to attract diverse audiences
It’s not clever enough for a satire
And not funny enough for a comedy
I noted the running time has been cut to 80 mins
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Post by sf on Oct 24, 2018 16:08:42 GMT
Well. That was really... something.
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Post by n1david on Oct 24, 2018 16:10:49 GMT
I had to return my ticket for tonight's Press Night, but I'm secretly hoping for big discounts just to get a sense of what certainly seems to be a memorable production.
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Post by asfound on Oct 24, 2018 16:28:08 GMT
God This is BAD It will appeal to a pathetic racist subgroup Who might think it’s edgy And some of whom were in hysterics this afternoon And all of whom were white lower middle class males In reality the writing is truly horrific And Jim Broadbent Yet again shows He is basically a talentless panto actor (That dreadful Christmas carol) Who has ridden on the coat tails Of much greater actors For his entire career Panto is at play here with his usual Whiny intonation It will do little to enamour people to The Bridge Which is already ailing And it will do nothing to attract diverse audiences It’s not clever enough for a satire And not funny enough for a comedy I noted the running time has been cut to 80 mins Why do you your bad reviews always seem to make me want to see a play all the more? |
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Post by londonmzfitz on Oct 24, 2018 16:36:09 GMT
Opening night tonight, can't wait to read what the press say. I think it's an interesting piece if you can view it without getting all uppity about how totally un-PC it is. "Marmite" - absolutely, I don't think there's a middle ground on this. I'm sure this isn't your specific intention here at all, but there is a wider recurring thing of people writing off disapproval of an offensive piece as being uppity about it being un-PC. Maybe some of the current generation *are* humourless, but more likely we just don't think someone's sh*tty racist jokes are as funny as wholesome yet surreal memes. Ah, but what if it was ..... (cackles) No, it wasn't honest - I get really irritated with the term "snowflake" being bandied about, as an example. I may have put my comment badly. I was thinking in terms of the review I read online from Time Out (quoted earlier in this thread but I can't blooming find it so here it goes again) - www.timeout.com/london/theatre/a-very-very-very-dark-matter#tab_panel_4 from Gaia "not funny for English people to sit there laughing about the Irish Famine" etc. That one review got me thinking ... how would Miss Saigon fare on that criteria , "Vietnam war turned into a song and dance". Phantom "Deformed murderer abducts girl and people applaud". Etc. I really want to share this link with you guys, a tenuous nod to my thoughts above. Dolphins ... www.mumsnet.com/Talk/am_i_being_unreasonable/3386868-AIBU-to-be-livid-how-dolphins-are-portrayed-compared-to-how-they-are |
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Post by Latecomer on Oct 24, 2018 17:53:26 GMT
I was at the matinee today and enjoyed it, with reservations. I could see what it was trying to do....very eloquently put by Steve.....but have to agree with Parsley that it was quite poorly written for me. So had ambition...and not a total failure as it did take me into another world....loved the snow through the windows and the puppets....and the dialogue in the attic. I did get annoyed at the language (and I don’t normally mind swearing at all....indeed I quite enjoy it usually) and I felt it was being used throughout just to shock and get laughs....be cleverer please! Particularly distressing in a scene with young children....is this not child abuse?
Quite liked that they messed with the back stories of real people....
Sorry I missed you Parsley!
Oh and the young man on the front row who came in just before the start and LAUGHED really LOUD at all the inappropriate bits....how annoying was he!
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Post by crowblack on Oct 24, 2018 17:57:27 GMT
how would Miss Saigon fare on that criteria I don't think Miss Saigon would be made now, and there were complaints at the time. We are better informed, and 'distance' no longer exists. I find it difficult to watch the comedy stoning in Life of Brian because it is still happening, and there are videos of it online. Similarly, ITV cancelled a scheduled Carry On Don't Lose Your Head the week that kidnapped taxi driver was beheaded. It's not something we can compartmentalise as belonging to the past, because unfortunately it doesn't, and the technology even primary schoolchildren carry in their pockets shows them that it doesn't - it makes it immediate and raw. They are apparently about to do another film of Oliver!, but in an era where we know more about the reality of children being forced into prostitution and see them being run as criminal street gangs will it still feel the same as the rather chocolate-boxy film we watched as kids, the teenaged prostitutes singing gaily about black eyes etc.? I rather like gallows humour, as it happens, but I've had a rather odd life with some pretty dark stuff in it and it's a way to cope - I don't like it when it's done by tourists. I think it has to be earned. |
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Post by Stephen on Oct 24, 2018 18:55:32 GMT
@parsley what about Jim Broadbent's performance in London spy. Hardly talentless panto?!
Your review does make me really excited to see this one though!
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Post by Deleted on Oct 24, 2018 18:59:27 GMT
@parsley what about Jim Broadbent's performance in London spy. Hardly talentless panto?! Your review does make me really excited to see this one though! Thought he was the worst thing In an already flawed show |
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Post by Stephen on Oct 24, 2018 19:02:50 GMT
@parsley what about Jim Broadbent's performance in London spy. Hardly talentless panto?! Your review does make me really excited to see this one though! Thought he was the worst thing In an already flawed show |
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