When We Have Sufficiently Tortured Each Other (NT)

100% with you there sooz. Especially the dildo part.

I saw that someone said they got there at 3am, but I’m not quite sure that means if you didn’t get there at 3am you wouldn’t get tickets.

Will keep an eye on theatremonkey and see what happens.

That was the first preview though, so it will only get worse unless the reviews are universally dreadful.

Anyone think that the woman who fainted was actually a plant? (don't be funny -- I don't mean a pot of ivy or something)

She only went because of the exclusiveness and hype around it. Without that, those out just to complain and say how overhyped it is wouldn’t even think twice. Her article also has no mention at all of the writer and director, as though they are of no consequence (although both are probably better off out of it, to be honest).

Also, the ridiculous idea of being the most shocking thing since Hair! Even a little bit of research would point her to the same director in the same theatre with Cleansed, just a couple of years ago, which goes way darker (and there’s plenty more since 1968).

She is, but I am curious about the misogyny point. It's not exactly a feminist novel (yes, I know, this has a feminist director), and the strap-on ending does remind me of the have-cake-and-eat-it get-out of so much male-penned schlock horror: the 'final girl' trope. As in, you can show all kinds of unpleasantness happening to generally rather attractive young women as long as one gets to turn the tables and escape in the closing reel.

Nope. The whole thing went on for a good ten minutes and was in a spot that caused quite a lot of annoyance with people having to move for them to carry her out. Also when we left the ambulance was still outside the dorfman entrance.

did the actors carry on as if nothing was happening ?

So, we were at last night's 4th preview, and it's a thumbs down from us.

I must say at the start that neither of us are Martin Crimp fans, and haven't loved much of Mitchell's work since she stopped doing the Chekhov's and Greeks at the National Theatre. Her work since then has just seemed cold, cold, cold (like the weather leaving the theatre last night).

No fainters last night, and not much audience reaction anywhere else either.

Cate Blanchett does her damned best though to make it work, and even manages to wring some humour and a couple of laughs from the material. Not sure how happy Crimp/Mitchell are deep down about that.

The play is the main flaw: just terrible.

And not really even a play. Instead a 2hr psychological debate on the politics of coupling and the power play within. This all makes it sound more exciting than it is. Coupled with the strap on (worn, but unused, right at the end), the lube, the kissing of everyone to everyone else, the nudity. You hear that and you think, well it sounds entertaining...

But it's not. It just goes on and on and on, and once the initial joy of seeing Blanchett do her thing (and she can do many things), and hearing her elevate a Crimp monologue into an acting masterclass, you're left with not a lot.

Pity the four "extras" too. They literally get to stand around for 115mins and move for 5. A few get lines. The ripped young guy gets 1 line. The rest of his role is getting beaten up and wiping off blood. Something for Ryan to look at though..

Jess Gunning is wonderfully engaging, even if made to talk about how fat she is (?!!!) and how much she eats. Her song is a highlight, if only cause she's got a lovely voice.

We get a Ke$ha track played alongside a few others. Audience start to perk up.

But then someone (usually Cate or monotone Stephen) starts to talk again and everyone sort of sighs. A couple in front of us definitely weren't engaged with the girlfriend looking up longingly at her boyfriend with a "can we go?" expression. He wanted to stay.

The garage set doesn't help things. No extra set reveals take place. The microphones are pointless as mentioned by someone else. The sex is, of course, all mimed, but weirdly cold. Cate gets fingered, and seemingly everyone goes down on Stephen.

But for why?

It's also NOT "shocking" or "outrageous" to anyone who has seen sex on stage/film before, or indeed had sex!

So, a disappointing evening on one level, and yet the evening we all knew would be getting on another. People can't expect a phenomenal exhilarating night out with Crimp & Mitchell at the helm unfortunately.

I know people have been lambasting each other for "seeing it because of Cate", but let me tell you, she really is the only reason to see it. She is otherworldly and her versatility and range even in this one role are quite jaw dropping.

What I would say to Cate is, next time, pick something the audience would enjoy.

Because this is a long, slow bore.

The strap-on was fixed in its state at half mast. And even that was more turned on than this play is.

(Briefly, re tickets: I wouldn't freeze to death Queueing for Day seats. Instead the Returns queue looked to be being handled really well. Your name goes on a list when the Dorfman box office arrive around 6pm, they then sent those people upstairs to sit on the 1st level, which is where we chatted with two of them, then when tickets "come back" (lots of house seats in the Pit not being used it seemed last night, with 3 pairs of gallery too) a lovely rep came up the stairs and brought each person down to pay. 7 in the queue last night and we saw all 7 get in. And none had had to freeze. First person got to the Dorfman at 4:40pm to queue up.)

Yes, to be fair they were very quiet about the whole thing. I’m sure there would have been some people oblivious to it