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Post by showgirl on Feb 1, 2020 5:04:27 GMT
"Neil and Zef are two twenty-something computer whizzes with questionable dress sense and a highly developed interest in video games and Netflix. They’re also the UK’s ‘National Defence Information Security Team’ - recruited by GCHQ for their sky-high IQs and ability to work quickly and discreetly, no questions asked.
With unfettered access to the world’s data and infinite powers of electronic intrusion, these unlikely agents are essential cogs in the national security machine. But when their window onto intelligence operations shows them more than they were meant to see, they begin to question their roles in a system whose reach is unlimited but whose safeguards are not…
Al Blyth’s explosive espionage thriller challenges the ‘nothing to hide, nothing to fear’ mantra and explores how we can live honestly, love freely, and stay authentic when the advances in cutting-edge technology outpace the law.
The Haystack is Blyth’s first full-length play and Roxana Silbert makes her directing debut as Hampstead Theatre’s Artistic Director."
Creating a thread as though I've yet to book, I'm keeping an eye on this and am sure others will be seeing it. Not only does it sound an interesting premise in itself, but I'm also keen to see work by a new writer and the first production directed by the new AD. As shown by the previous play in the main house, new work doesn't always to live up to its promise and this sounds like another long one (box office advised currently 2 h 45 but likely to come down in previews) so I'll be going to a matinee if at all.
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Post by samuelwhiskers on Feb 1, 2020 5:40:04 GMT
This is another of those “first full length professional production at a major theatre” being described as “debut play” situations. Sorry to be pedantic but Al Blyth has been an award winning playwright and screenwriter for 15 years.
I hate this trend of publicising writers who have been writing for donkey’s years as “new writers” or “debut writers” just because it’s their first major production.
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Post by showgirl on Feb 1, 2020 8:22:37 GMT
I understand your objection, samuelwhiskers, though you've supplied info useful for me as I'd never heard of this writer and thought the theatre was taking quite a chance in the circumstances described on the website, as above. |
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Post by samuelwhiskers on Feb 2, 2020 16:09:55 GMT
Sorry, I wasn't getting at you at all. Just a pet peeve how theatres say "debut play" when they mean "first major production." The theatre industry is obsessed with the idea of new 'raw' talent at the expense of allowing writers the essential time to develop their skills, and promoting the idea that highly experienced writers who have been writing for a decade or more are actually new writers just puts undue pressure on genuine new writers imo.
Clearly Blythe is a largely unknown writer, and is new in terms of being new to a mainstream theatre audience. So kudos to Hampstead for that. Will be interesting to see.
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Post by intoanewlife on Feb 2, 2020 17:30:32 GMT
I think this looks really interesting and there's some good deals about for it as well.
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Post by showgirl on Feb 2, 2020 19:10:21 GMT
I think this looks really interesting and there's some good deals about for it as well. Yes, I was tempted by the Time Out deal but it's only valid for this week, before matinees start, so I daren't risk it due to the running time. |
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Post by intoanewlife on Feb 2, 2020 19:29:09 GMT
I think this looks really interesting and there's some good deals about for it as well. Yes, I was tempted by the Time Out deal but it's only valid for this week, before matinees start, so I daren't risk it due to the running time. Actually it's gone from the 2 sites I saw it on last week...typical! |
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Post by showgirl on Feb 3, 2020 4:25:56 GMT
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Post by intoanewlife on Feb 3, 2020 11:21:21 GMT
I saw it on a 'special' site and everything was £15. Everything was £20 on From the Box Office as well, but they're gone now. |
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Post by chameleon on Feb 4, 2020 10:28:32 GMT
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Post by showgirl on Feb 7, 2020 17:49:26 GMT
Good reviews so far: several 4-star including those from the Guardian and The Stage.
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Post by Steve on Feb 12, 2020 18:02:01 GMT
Saw the matinée, and thought it was a topical, intriguing thriller, with a taut plot and well-acted involving characters. Some spoilers follow. . . This is like a very dark sequel to "Dear Evan Hansen," where Evan joins MI5 and gets god-like surveillance powers lol! Oliver Johnstone plays Evan Hansen (not his real MI5 codename, I wouldn't dare lol), and remains stubbornly empathetic, despite some pretty unethical (both authorised AND unauthorised) behaviour. Suffice to say, the plot is so delicious, that James Graham will be wishing he thought of this, instead of presenting similar ideas dryly and plotlessly in the Donmar's "Privacy" a few years back. I'll say no more. . . Apart from Johnstone, the cast is graced by an animated and amusing turn from Enyi Okoronkwo as Johnstone's partner-in-spycraft and yet another sensitive and scene-stealing turn from Rona Morison. Well worth it! 4 stars.  |
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Post by tmesis on Feb 16, 2020 0:14:38 GMT
I absolutely loved this. Tense, exciting, thought-provoking with top-notch performances and inventive, fluid direction. It really does deserve a WE transfer and would also make a terrific film.
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Post by showgirl on Feb 16, 2020 6:11:37 GMT
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Post by BurlyBeaR on Feb 16, 2020 9:28:18 GMT
Merged
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Post by dave72 on Feb 16, 2020 11:08:48 GMT
How about correcting the playwright's name (to Blyth)?
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Post by showgirl on Feb 16, 2020 11:25:53 GMT
How about correcting the playwright's name (to Blyth)? Yes, sorry, I hadn't even noticed my typo. |
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Post by BurlyBeaR on Feb 16, 2020 11:26:34 GMT
Done.
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Post by showgirl on Feb 16, 2020 12:19:35 GMT
Double thanks, BurlyBeaR, even more given that this is supposedly a day of rest. |
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Post by Dave B on Feb 25, 2020 12:49:21 GMT
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Post by intoanewlife on Feb 25, 2020 18:41:57 GMT
I knew I should've jumped on those £15 tickets  |
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Post by showgirl on Mar 8, 2020 6:37:33 GMT
Fantastic when I saw the final Saturday matinee yesterday, on which was originally the last day of the run, but which, due to demand, has now been extended to Friday 13 March. Whilst I realise it's a matter of taste, I'm mystified that this appears to be attracting little interest here and that the last post was 2 weeks ago. Anyway, it's one of the best things I've seen this year; I recommend it and will be looking out eagerly for the writer's next play.
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Post by tmesis on Mar 8, 2020 11:33:59 GMT
Fantastic when I saw the final Saturday matinee yesterday, on which was originally the last day of the run, but which, due to demand, has now been extended to Friday 13 March. Whilst I realise it's a matter of taste, I'm mystified that this appears to be attracting little interest here and that the last post was 2 weeks ago. Anyway, it's one of the best things I've seen this year; I recommend it and will be looking out eagerly for the writer's next play. Totally agree! |
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Post by perfectspy on Mar 14, 2020 21:14:42 GMT
I managed to go on Thursday matinee. Got an £18 seat in the Circle.
A good play as I’m into the Espionage genre. Deserves a West End transfer.
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