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Post by Deleted on Sept 27, 2019 6:23:29 GMT
Enjoyed this. First time I'd seen the play. It's very much "of it's time" in the way the characters talk about and treat the disabled child, gasps from the audience at some of this, but it does reflect contemporary thinking and attitudes. And also of course reflects Peter Nicholls' own experience. One thing that didn't quite ring true is that a couple of times the term "spastic" is used and the reading of the line treats it as an insult, but it was seen as a neutral descriptive term at that point. A big difference between this production and previous ones is that the actor who plays Joe is a woman with a disability (Storme Toolis) - interview with her and the director here. First time this has been done, in the UK at least. Very good move I think. Running time 2 hours 30.
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Post by rumbledoll on Sept 28, 2019 7:10:44 GMT
In doubts of seeing during a very short weekend break, but only due to the prices.. Trafalgar used to run a cheap ticket scheme (15 quid per ticket to buy one-two weeks in advance), but I can’t see that it’s been available for this production.. anyone here can consult maybe? Thanks!
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Post by lou105 on Sept 28, 2019 7:18:57 GMT
It's included in the TodayTix £25 offer, but the seats offered are at the back. Since it's not selling too well I'm holding on for now. There have previously been £15 flash sales on Trafalgar 1 plays but no way of predicting. I know it's frustrating when you're trying to plan on specific dates.
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Post by Deleted on Sept 28, 2019 7:48:18 GMT
Yes, TodayTix often does rush tickets for the Trafalgar too
I sat near the back in row P, view was fine although the seats are very narrow, more so than those further forward I think
Stage is quite high for this - most of the action takes place on a living room set which is on a raised platform - so first couple of rows might not be great for this one.
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Post by edi on Sept 28, 2019 9:08:35 GMT
Today T £25 promotion is on until 7th Oct so there won't be £15 tickets sooner. I am also waiting for those
For education education I got £15 tickets front row and stage was high but not unbearably. Is stage higher for Joe Egg?
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Post by Deleted on Sept 28, 2019 9:48:07 GMT
I didn’t see Education so can’t compare. For this the front of the stage is floor level, with the living room set on a raised platform, which is about the height of Toby Stephens’ waist - the actors have to clamber up onto it. This is a little bit back from the front of the stage so is probably ok from the front
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Post by dlevi on Oct 5, 2019 17:47:21 GMT
Saw this today and was disappointed. I've seen two productions of the play over the years and this was the least of them. Mr Stephens and Ms Skinner have little chemistry and so the first act which relies heavily on their playfulness is rather dull. The last ten minutes of the play are undeniably moving but it was a long trek to get there. Simon Evans the director failed to find the humour and inherent theatricality within the play. And weirdly the lighting design was downright sloppy.
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Post by theatrefan77 on Oct 5, 2019 23:44:20 GMT
I enjoyed it and thought it was very well acted in general with Toby Stephens being the weakest link. It's certainly a very interesting play, well written and worth watching.
Just rewatched the Eddie Izzard-Victoria Hamilton-Prunella Scales version on youtube and I thought it was better than the current one.
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Post by Mark on Oct 19, 2019 8:23:50 GMT
Baffled by the lack of discounting for this. Theatre less than half sold and the best “deal” is £35 from TKTS.
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Post by olliebean on Oct 19, 2019 15:33:30 GMT
Baffled by the lack of discounting for this. Theatre less than half sold and the best “deal” is £35 from TKTS. There's been a fair bit of papering.
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Post by Dr Tom on Oct 19, 2019 16:01:23 GMT
Baffled by the lack of discounting for this. Theatre less than half sold and the best “deal” is £35 from TKTS. There's been a fair bit of papering. I haven't had papering offers for this one, but I did get a 50% off email last week. Looks like a personalised link, so I can't share it. But it's a case of sign up to as many mailing lists as possible. A lot of shows do discount, but try and not make it too obvious.
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Post by edi on Oct 19, 2019 16:58:56 GMT
There's been a fair bit of papering. I haven't had papering offers for this one, but I did get a 50% off email last week. Looks like a personalised link, so I can't share it. But it's a case of sign up to as many mailing lists as possible. A lot of shows do discount, but try and not make it too obvious. I haven't got any offers yet and I am signed up to a fair bit of papering/discount, etc... I am holding out for a todaytix £15 offer, they usually have one for Trafalgar St productions
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Post by lou105 on Oct 21, 2019 16:32:33 GMT
I enjoyed it and thought it was very well acted in general with Toby Stephens being the weakest link. It's certainly a very interesting play, well written and worth watching. Just rewatched the Eddie Izzard-Victoria Hamilton-Prunella Scales version on youtube and I thought it was better than the current one. Ah thanks for suggesting that. Half way through it right now!
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Post by theatrefan77 on Oct 22, 2019 13:04:32 GMT
Hope you enjoyed it!
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Post by edi on Oct 23, 2019 7:17:13 GMT
It was worth waiting. Todaytix £15, got tickets for next Monday. Back of stalls but it's a small theatre anyway
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Post by londonpostie on Oct 23, 2019 7:52:38 GMT
Only been there once. I remember one level and a slightly mountainous rake. Think we were 60-65% back and tbh that was far enough. Still, a bargain is a bargain ..
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Post by edi on Oct 23, 2019 10:59:21 GMT
My ticket is row N and I cannot imagine it being too far from the stage. If I recall the stage is reasonably high.
However now there are row L tickets being offered by todaytix. I find it annoying that they don't offer the best for the first.
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Post by edi on Oct 29, 2019 7:02:05 GMT
This play didn't work for me.
To start with it's very dated. People's attitude, health professional attitude changed a lot. But the biggest change is the internet. It's easy to find people in similar situations and with similar dark thoughts so there is more support and less isolation.
Second I thought the comedy overwhelmed the underlying drama. It was like a 70s sitcom that delivered the lines for laughs. Therefore it didn't hold my attention.
In addition I had difficulty hearing the actors every now and again and I lost my concentration a few times.
I want to add that I really wanted to like this, especially that I grew up in a similar situation and it shaped my life and decisions.
The theatre was half full and the usher very kindly let us move forward.
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Post by Rory on Oct 29, 2019 9:39:32 GMT
It's strange that this production, with a relatively short run and with such a good cast, seems to be struggling to find a full audience. Last time the play was revived in the West End it did so well it transferred to another theatre (New Ambassadors with Clive Owen to the Comedy with Eddie Izzard, both co-starring with Victoria Hamilton).
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Post by partytentdown on Oct 30, 2019 7:29:59 GMT
It's strange that this production, with a relatively short run and with such a good cast, seems to be struggling to find a full audience. Last time the play was revived in the West End it did so well it transferred to another theatre (New Ambassadors with Clive Owen to the Comedy with Eddie Izzard, both co-starring with Victoria Hamilton). And also to Broadway I believe!
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Post by Dr Tom on Nov 8, 2019 8:16:45 GMT
From my viewing last night, it’s a watchable play, a bit dated, performed well.
Sat in Row A (second row), behind AA. Both are level with the stage. My seat was fine but row AA is has space for wheelchair users and the wheelchairs extend further back than other seats, so the others in row A were rather cramped. The wheelchair user couldn’t move forward as that was the staging area. Nothing could be done, but something to be aware of.
Theatre was mostly full, including two women who found everything hilarious.
One to tick off the list but not one I’d rush to see again. I doubt this production will transfer.
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Post by joem on Nov 11, 2019 22:37:42 GMT
After a couple of turkeys in the last few days I was a little apprehensive of this, being something I wanted to "tick off" for years.
Pleasantly surprised. This is a watchable play and I don't find it dated but of its time. Toby Stephens did the lighter bits well I thought and also moved onto the darker parts fairly seamlessly. Well written, does what it sets out to do. House about 85% full I'd say.
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Post by Dave B on Nov 12, 2019 23:06:48 GMT
We saw it tonight and thought Skinner and Stephens were both fab.
About 3/4 full with staff being very proactive and asking if people wanted to move. Our 24hour Todaytix deal for row Q ended up being row F. A nice bonus!
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