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Post by lonlad on Sept 25, 2018 14:45:19 GMT
How weird that anyone's commentary about this production, so far anyway, seems to me a lot of pointless chat about how quickly they can exit the theatre in case of an emergency (or a dud show). Is the production really THAT bad? Finty has some formidable footsteps to follow in - her mum on the West End, Rosemary Harris on Broadway, and Ellen Burstyn of all people in the Americanised film.
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Post by Someone in a tree on Sept 25, 2018 20:38:38 GMT
During Barnum I wanted to exit very quickly
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Post by Dr Tom on Sept 26, 2018 21:56:33 GMT
“I found it difficult to be sympathetic towards her because she was so pathetic.”
Those are words I heard from another theatre goer when leaving the uncomfortable Menier tonight. The room seemed pretty full and it was a warm night.
They seem to have made the room wider, put in more seats, lost the central aisle and left with a full aisle on only one side. The seats are as cramped and uncomfortable as ever, where you easily get acquainted with your neighbours. On the plus, they opened the fire exit at the back (leading into the bar area) to help with the exit.
I was on the back row, discounted tickets, disappointed as the site I used to book showed an aisle in front. Instead, I had two tall men who kept leaning forward. I could see most of the unnecessarily wide set and sound projection was excellent. You’d miss a lot at the front as the stage is so wide. Voice projection was excellent and all the cast were easy to hear.
The plot?
Set in the 1960s and based on a true story, this is a slow affair. I was waiting for a twist that never happened. Running time 2 hours 35 minutes. Strange breaking the third wall monologues.
How far do you trust your neighbours?
Would you still trust them if they gave you this show as a recommendation?
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Post by vickster51 on Sept 28, 2018 21:15:13 GMT
It's been an age since I posted here, but I'm in need of advice. I'm meant to be takin my parents to The Humans next week, but concerned it won't be their cup of tea after seeing it tonight. Just wondering what this play / production is like as an alternative?
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Post by Dr Tom on Sept 29, 2018 7:09:12 GMT
It's been an age since I posted here, but I'm in need of advice. I'm meant to be takin my parents to The Humans next week, but concerned it won't be their cup of tea after seeing it tonight. Just wondering what this play / production is like as an alternative? I haven't seen The Humans to compare, but this is middle of the road and inoffensive.
Depends a lot on what they like though.
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Post by Deleted on Oct 3, 2018 7:36:04 GMT
Well. I rather liked this. The set is marvellous. There's even a blooming great car on the stage. And they don't even get in it! That's extravagance for you. Although I thought the toaster looked a bit modern. It's a nice Sunday teatime show, not much happens but it's engaging enough and there are a couple of lines about the KGB wanting to avoid diplomatic problems which raised a few titters. The cast are great. There's a bit too much hand wringing from Finty Williams for my liking but on the whole I liked her. Although she clearly couldn't make up her mind as to whether she wanted her cardigan buttoned up or not. So we got both. Regularly. I didn't like Jasper Britton but that was more the character than his performance. But I LOVED Tracy-Ann Oberman. She really lights up a scene when she's in it and has a real star quality about her. Plus she's a knockout looker. She was so good that I ... {Bridge ober troubled water}
... wanted her to escape in time and get away with it. Get there early enough and you get to see Finty (who is looking like the perfect mix of mother and father) in a dressing gown getting the breakfast ready and having a tidy up. I hope she's on double time. Oh and I will definitely be keeping an eye on my neighbours from now on. You never know what they're up to. I mean, I have a neighbour who does his ironing in his underpants right in full view of the window so clearly I keep an eye on him already but I'll be sure to watch the others too. |
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Post by lynette on Oct 27, 2018 23:28:11 GMT
Yes, loved this. Crackingly good all round, set, direction and acting. Indeed much hilarity about the Russian intelligence comment. Interesting how once we all thought they were clever and devious, now we know they are not necessarily so... The era evoked so well in the detail. The phone in the hall - where else?- so you were always standing in a draught from the front door and having to 'go' to answer it. Cardigans, cardigans..the fridge, quite a good one in fact for the time, so hint of a decent salary in the household. An era just before everything changed. And the lies,'small' lies about boyfriends and betrayal.
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Post by lynette on Oct 28, 2018 11:30:07 GMT
Just to add a note. If you found this intriguing and are now watching your neighbours, may I recommend 'The Americans' which is on Amazon Primie and I think had its first series on terrestrial tv? It takes its starting point from a couple planted by the USSR into post WWII America and goes right up to Gorbechov. It is brilliant.
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Post by dontdreamit on Oct 28, 2018 11:43:38 GMT
Just to add a note. If you found this intriguing and are now watching your neighbours, may I recommend 'The Americans' which is on Amazon Primie and I think had its first series on terrestrial tv? It takes its starting point from a couple planted by the USSR into post WWII America and goes right up to Gorbechov. It is brilliant. I can second this- what an amazing piece of tv it was. It had us hooked right from the start! |
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Post by sherriebythesea on Nov 9, 2018 18:23:08 GMT
I’m here having dinner before show. Is the dinner/theatre combo something that younger people don’t do? Everyone seems so old. Except me, I’m ageless.
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Post by lonlad on Nov 10, 2018 0:14:20 GMT
Great interview on broadway.com with both the leads
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Post by lynette on Nov 10, 2018 0:33:50 GMT
I’m here having dinner before show. Is the dinner/theatre combo something that younger people don’t do? Everyone seems so old. Except me, I’m ageless. At the Menier? I’ve been twice to the restaurant before the show there and twice been disappointed so don’t go now. The first occasion the service was so bad we didn’t get all the food before the show. Second time also,it was the poor service. Really nice Australian Cafe right opposite and nice looking Italian also. Book the Italian, gets full. |
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Post by Mr Crummles on Nov 12, 2018 13:13:55 GMT
I really enjoyed this production. It asks some interesting questions about the nature of friendship and trust. Barbara, the main character, is an anxious, lacking-in-confidence 50s housewife, constantly assaulted by doubts and worries. Perhaps because of a constant sense of impending disaster, she looks for reassurances in friendship, trust and loyalty. She finds those reassurances in her husband and close friends. The Canadian neighbours living across the road - a lively, chilled-out Helen and her more reserved, but friendly husband, Peter - play an important role in her life, as the people who help her to come out of her small shell. When an agent from the British Intelligence Services comes to her house to spy on her beloved neighbours, all her world of security is shattered. Lies all of a sudden seem to be everywhere. She is forced to lie to her friends and daughter and, in return, is lied to. Is everything in her relationship with her best friend a lie, though? Is love a lie without full truth? Should secrets destroy all sense of trust? Does someone love you less because they lie to you? Can someone hide part of her/his life and yet be a trusted friend? And who, after all, is betraying who, Barbara oppressively asks herself, as a sense of corruption of friendship takes over and frankness, transparency and honesty disappear from her relationship with people who matter so much to her? I am sure most people go through a scaled-down version of Barbara’s dilemma at one point of their lives. I thought the whole cast was impeccable, Finty Williams’ brittle Barbara, Chris Larking’s timid but supportive Bob, Tracy-Ann Oberman’s feisty Helen, Alisdair Harvey’s congenial Peter, Jasper Britton’s bullish Intelligence officer, and Macy Nyman’s lovely and vivacious Julie. I can’t read anybody’s mind, but I had a feeling from the audience’s response at the end of the show – a rather robust applause - that they really appreciated it.
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