Rutherford and Son (The Nash)

We luv our Allam.

Set up an NT membership direct debit because I really fancy Roger *front row centre* and this sounds very good.

I didn't know the play at all, but it really reminded me of An Inspector Calls, in that the rich, more upper class family starts to disintegrate with an outsider's influence.

I'm steeled for my chance on Friday to see what looks like it'll be quite a production. Previews are likely to be a little longer but do end long before last tube trains home.

Really? How personal are we talking?

So a few 1st preview thoughts -

If your sat in Row A of the stalls be warned that the stage set will move forward off the main stage. This will be relevant if you have tickets for the right hand side seating (numbers 1-20). As the set itself is on a platform, I did notice that if you are around 5ft 7 so smaller you will be at eyeline with the platform. Interestingly seats A20 and higher where unoccupied so whether this was due to people not turning up or the box office relocating people is anybody’s guess. I was sat in D21 stalls and had no issues sighline wise.

Get to your seat when the doors open for a bit of nice preshow entertainment.

Overall as things on it’s a very nice evening out at the theatre watching this. It’s all done traditionally with no gimmicks or a modern take on the story. If you enjoyed the Oscar Wilde season, this this will be right up your street.

At 3hrs long it’s done as 3 Acts with 2 x 10 min intervals. It really didn’t feel that long and pace wise I thought it zipped along quite nicely and was engaged the full time ( even with 2 mobile phones ringing during the performance 😡).

Acting wise Roger Allam really is very good as the father John Rutherford ( and has a rather fetching beard) and gives the character enough bite and steel to make you believe he really is a horrible man who cannot see the damage he causes to his children to drive them away from the family home. As the two adult children Sam Troughton Jr and Justine MItchell really do shine in this production as they do battle with Rutherford Snr to assert their independence and create lives for themselves without the controlling influence of their father. Sadly, Harry Hepple as the other son really doesn’t get that much stage time but does a good job when needed.

As a 1st preview only one fluffed line by Roger Allam, but overall an excellent start to this production. 4*

Timings -

ACT 1 - 1hr

ACTS 2 AND 3 - 50mins

(all approx!)

Alright don't whine about it 😉

Could you smuggle it in? that's what I would do #classy

At the world-famous Crucible Theatre, there was just a dimming of lights between Acts 1 and 2, with the 'proper' interval between Acts 2 and 3. By the time it finally came, I had almost lost the will!

I think you should be ok with this production, but please don’t hold me to this!

No, it's thoughtless and I hope they rethink. I sometimes go to the theatre with my Mum and always check running times when I'm with her. This would be an ordeal for her, I think, mobility and loo-wise. We're going to the Ian McKellen tomorrow but two, hour-long chunks wth a 20 min break is do-able.

You don't have to smuggle. I am 5ft2in and after years of having my enjoyment spoiled by not being able to see properly I now often take a small cushion into the National (I like to book row B or C) and to various other theatres (unless I know the seats have a good rake) and have never had any problems. 

Doesn't help with standing ovations though....