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Post by showgirl on Dec 25, 2017 20:22:16 GMT
As I saw this last week and another member has mentioned seeing it soon, I've started a thread but won't post my comments yet. If however anyone else wants to add theirs now, please go ahead.
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Post by Deleted on Dec 25, 2017 21:01:55 GMT
Running time
And is it any good?
Thanks
Happy Xmas!!
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3,578 posts
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Post by showgirl on Dec 26, 2017 15:55:34 GMT
Oh dear, @parsley - you would ask, as I was trying not to rain on anyone's parade.
Running time is c 2 hours 10 (as stated on the theatre's website, actually), but whether it's any good is of course a matter of opinion. So, though I've liked previous work by this writer I thought this was a mistake, mainly in trying far too hard, though to do what I couldn't say.
The cast do their best but to me there seemed to be too many attempts either to force laughter or conflict, when something less extreme would have been more convincing, especially in the context of the family relationships and plot - though there wasn't much of the latter. Some developments seemed implausible or ill-explained and the overall tone was uncertain. That said, I did see a relatively early performance, so maybe this has bedded in now.
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Post by etceteranz on Dec 26, 2017 18:01:40 GMT
Bring back Pine - highlight of the downstairs xmas programming to date!
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Post by Deleted on Dec 26, 2017 20:26:26 GMT
Bring back Pine - highlight of the downstairs xmas programming to date! Wanted to like Mother Christmas - a festive family drama that follows three consecutive gatherings - but it was all a bit forced (like showgirl said), repetitive, predictable and ultimately rather pointless. Lots of histrionics from the cast, which didn't help either. I also wasn't a huge fan of Pine (from a few years back at Hampstead Downstairs) - mostly because of the several strange moments when one of the characters would start conversing with the audience/fourth wall as if they were there to buy a Christmas tree. Didn't work for me, and just distracted from the play - which wasn't bad but didn't really draw me in. |
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Post by etceteranz on Dec 26, 2017 21:48:12 GMT
I always hope they would turn Pine into a BBC / ITV /Channel 4 Xmas Show...one day..with the same cast i reckon! would be magical.
I was thinking they could bring back Hello/Goodbye and have the events revolve around the Xmas season..that would make it better!
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3,578 posts
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Post by showgirl on Dec 27, 2017 4:33:22 GMT
I wasn't wild about Pine but imo it was much more enjoyable and successful than this. If I had to make a New Year resolution on behalf of theatres/writers/producers it would be to believe that less is more, in so many senses: fewer histrionics (as cited by @baladorn); shorter running times, simpler plots and so on.
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1,863 posts
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Post by NeilVHughes on Dec 30, 2017 9:14:47 GMT
An innocuous cross generational, your parents f*** you up play.
As previously mentioned feels forced and there was little or no subtlety in the characters and very little back story, what was the son doing and why/how was the young daughter pregnant?
Didn’t warm to any of the characters and in the end just wanted to them all to just shut up the spoilt brats.
Need to change my previous statement on the Cell Mates thread, Hampstead ‘does’ Christmas, whether they ‘can’ is to be proven.
Also in the Cell Mates thread Ayckbourn was mentioned, this play could be described as sub-Ayckbourn, the majesty of Ayckbourn is believable characters which you want to get to know and the humour and situation builds from the characters, in this play we get a situation and the characters are shoe horned into it.
The bar on parents f*** you up was raised to such a high level in Anatomy of a Suicide at the Royal Court a play like this just appears dated similar to Rules for Living at the National and recently revived at the Rose Kingston.
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Post by patterdalepip on Jan 5, 2018 15:48:43 GMT
I left at the interval else I would have needed some of the anti depressants that the characters were taking or else I would be slashing my wrists- very depressing and not what I wanted for a Christmas play. Bring back Pine or Elephants
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Post by Deleted on Jan 5, 2018 19:07:35 GMT
Saw this last week
Easily
The worst play of 2017
Simply dreadful
Are actors this desperate for Work?
Alexandra gilbreath
Possibly the worst acting ever seen
It was painful and embarsssing to sit there
Massive misfire from Hampstead
They Could have extended The Firm for another 3 months
Such a shame the work downstairs is so wildly
Variable
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1,119 posts
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Post by martin1965 on Jan 5, 2018 21:04:47 GMT
Breaking news, Parsley the Prince of Misery goes to a play and slags everyone off!! Cant he find another hobby so he doesnt clog up this forum?
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Post by Deleted on Jan 5, 2018 22:38:04 GMT
Breaking news, Parsley the Prince of Misery goes to a play and slags everyone off!! Cant he find another hobby so he doesnt clog up this forum? Have you seen this play? If so please add your comments and thoughts as we are all dying to hear your eloquent opinions But if you have not seen it Pretty pointless posting in the thread Really |
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Post by Latecomer on Jan 6, 2018 17:21:57 GMT
Breaking news, Parsley the Prince of Misery goes to a play and slags everyone off!! Cant he find another hobby so he doesnt clog up this forum? This is totally unfair and uncalled for. This year I have been to 2 plays recommended as excellent by Parsley and thoroughly enjoyed them both. He has very high standards but that's fine by me. I don't like it when forum members attack a person...by all means disagree with thier opinions on a play (although we are all entitled to our view of something), or even how they approach that criticism but don't attack the person themselves. |
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