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Post by Deleted on Jan 12, 2022 16:10:02 GMT
I was there tonight and for a first preview thought - In terms of the acting and staging along with a really good set for a touring production, I thought it was pretty good. The problem with it as a piece of theatre, is that if you’ve already read the book/seen the film, there’s nothing really to add from a stage version. As elements of the plot were approaching, and the clues being uncovered, it was, ah yes, I remember this one. That said, it is a good story and having not seen the film or read the book in years I did enjoy it. Quite snappy at just 2 hrs 10 minutes (out by 21:45 following a slight delay at the start and speech from the director). I’ve not read the book nor seen the film yet, so this has made me interested in seeing it later in the year. Sounds like it could be a good show.
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Post by l0islane on Jan 12, 2022 17:36:16 GMT
I have to agree that the acting, staging and set were really impressive, but my goodness there was a lot of talking and exposition! It is basically the film on stage (I haven't read the book) so if you've seen the film you'll know every 'revelation' that is coming. I'm not sure if The Da Vinci Code was maybe of it's time but watching it now a lot of it seems rather silly (although yes, I know, elements of it are genuine, or allegedly genuine). It's very fast moving and you need to pay attention or you'll be lost - this is not a show to let your mind wander in! (My 78 year old mother was pretty confused by it!). It was enjoyable and you can see they've invested a lot of time and money in it, but I don't see it being a big hit.
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Post by gmoneyoutlaw on Jan 17, 2022 20:09:10 GMT
It's been a week now and wondering if it's worth a train ride to see this production. Has anyone else have an opinion after seeing the show this week?
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Post by Deleted on Jan 18, 2022 1:30:40 GMT
I have to agree that the acting, staging and set were really impressive, but my goodness there was a lot of talking and exposition! It is basically the film on stage (I haven't read the book) so if you've seen the film you'll know every 'revelation' that is coming. I'm not sure if The Da Vinci Code was maybe of it's time but watching it now a lot of it seems rather silly (although yes, I know, elements of it are genuine, or allegedly genuine). It's very fast moving and you need to pay attention or you'll be lost - this is not a show to let your mind wander in! (My 78 year old mother was pretty confused by it!). It was enjoyable and you can see they've invested a lot of time and money in it, but I don't see it being a big hit. The exposition works in the novel as it feels organic, but you also get more than two hours to live with it. I was hoping they’d find a way to achieve this on stage - it’s a shame they haven’t.
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Post by BurlyBeaR on Jan 27, 2022 15:39:41 GMT
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Post by BurlyBeaR on Feb 4, 2022 14:42:35 GMT
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Post by robertb213 on Feb 4, 2022 15:11:29 GMT
I'm reviewing it in Coventry in 3 weeks, hoping to read the book beforehand if I can squeeze it in. Always good to be 20 years behind the rest of the world 🤣
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Post by Jon on Feb 4, 2022 19:40:39 GMT
I'm impressed they've managed to make the play shorter than the film.
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Post by A.Ham on Feb 5, 2022 16:28:21 GMT
Can anyone help with a question re. casting for this please?
Is Nigel Harman appearing at all venues or just selected ones? Not that I’d allow his presence to sway me into booking of course, but this is coming to thr Mayflower in Southampton soon and although I’m sure he was originally featured in the advertising, his name isn’t mentioned anywhere in their brochure or website details for the show now. I assumed perhaps he’d pulled out of the whole tour but that doesn’t seem to be the case based on posts here. Thanks!
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Post by BurlyBeaR on Feb 5, 2022 16:54:53 GMT
Can anyone help with a question re. casting for this please? Is Nigel Harman appearing at all venues or just selected ones? Not that I’d allow his presence to sway me into booking of course, but this is coming to thr Mayflower in Southampton soon and although I’m sure he was originally featured in the advertising, his name isn’t mentioned anywhere in their brochure or website details for the show now. I assumed perhaps he’d pulled out of the whole tour but that doesn’t seem to be the case based on posts here. Thanks! No not all…. He’s not doing the Mayflower. I’m quite pleased he’s not doing Salford either because im not that keen. Depending on who the other actor turns out to be of course!
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Post by A.Ham on Feb 5, 2022 19:08:17 GMT
Thank you. Should’ve checked the show’s site shouldn’t I! Thanks for sharing the info.
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Post by robertb213 on Feb 25, 2022 10:24:25 GMT
I think I saw a different show to everyone else, I thought it was dreadful! Bad acting all around apart from Harman, the script barely scratches the surface of the novel, clues are deciphered within seconds, there's no sense of threat or urgency at any point, the ending is so rushed it feels like the actors themselves can't wait to finish....really not good I'm afraid.
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Post by marob on Feb 26, 2022 0:12:08 GMT
I saw it last week and can’t help agreeing with robertb213. I’m a bit more easily pleased, so I wouldn’t necessarily say dreadful, just very… meh. It rushes through the plot points at such speed that there’s no real threat or feeling to any of it. There’s the odd bit of humour thrown in, which I think is supposed to break the tension, but since there isn’t any tension they just feel out of place. I remember Nigel Harman being pretty wooden in Eastenders around the time I stopped watching it, so was quite pleasantly surprised by how likeable he was here. Pretty impressive set, especially for a touring production, just a shame that that’s the best thing about it. Glad I saw it, but I’m also glad I only paid a tenner.
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Post by BurlyBeaR on Feb 26, 2022 10:55:06 GMT
What’s the monk like?
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Post by marob on Feb 26, 2022 14:54:20 GMT
The Monk’s no longer albino, presumably to avoid any controversy over casting, but still indulges in a bit of ritualistic self-harm. Had several understudies on, the monk being one of them. The one in the publicity photos looks a bit more imposing than his understudy.
There’s one bit that in retrospect made me think of this… 😬
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Post by david on Mar 16, 2022 18:52:19 GMT
Just had an email from the Liverpool Playhouse saying that the producers have cancelled the 2nd half of the tour. Last dates are at the Lowry.
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Post by BurlyBeaR on Mar 16, 2022 20:47:02 GMT
😮
barely a seat sold at the Lowry either.
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Post by inthenose on Mar 16, 2022 21:11:28 GMT
Well it's come along 10 years too late. The moment has passed, Dan Brown mania is long dead. This would've been an absolute smash back in the day, nowadays it's just passé.
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Post by david on Mar 16, 2022 21:15:22 GMT
Copied from the email I received today -
Unfortunately, the producers of The Da Vinci Code have taken the difficult decision to cancel the second part of their tour. We don’t have much additional information but know that Covid-related cancellations have impacted the initial tour dates.
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Post by marob on Mar 16, 2022 21:23:47 GMT
Shame, but it was an abnormally long tour for a play, especially one that’s not much cop.
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Post by NorthernAlien on Mar 28, 2022 22:59:21 GMT
I've seen this tonight in Glasgow, on a Press Comp as I'm reviewing it for a publication. The programme has dates up to The Lowry, but nothing after. Even then, it's still showing as going to a heck of a lot of places.
I'm struggling to know how I'm going to review it. I haven't seen the film, or read the book, but I could follow the plot, which felt like The Crystal Maze meeting the Golden Age of Detective Fiction. I felt the whole thing was over-directed - it felt like they'd spent so long in rehearsals on all the movement and choreography, that they'd forgotten to do any work on their characters. And Nigel Harman's American accent was just abysmal. And trapped somewhere in the middle of the Atlantic, rather than *anywhere* actually recognisably 'US'.
There was nothing *wrong* with it - and certainly there were a few nice moments, but as others have said: 'meh'!
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Post by inthenose on Mar 29, 2022 8:11:19 GMT
If you have a strong editor you should be fine, your writing is decent enough. *Curious* about *that* choice though. Emphasis?
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Post by mkb on Mar 29, 2022 8:42:10 GMT
I see Nigel Harman is leaving after Newcastle on 16 April. That's a shame as he's been good when I've seen him on stage before.
If there are no further cancellations, I'm seeing this at the Birmingham Alex in June with Christopher Harper (Corrie's groomer Nathan) instead. The book was lowbrow nonsense but quite fun, and the film terrible, so I have set my expectations low. But, who knows, if not taken seriously, and it moves quickly, it might be pleasant enough.
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Post by NorthernAlien on Apr 1, 2022 12:56:19 GMT
If you have a strong editor you should be fine, your writing is decent enough. *Curious* about *that* choice though. Emphasis? Hi! Yes, I use *xxx* to add emphasis on here - I'm sure there's some way to either bold or italicise, but I haven't figured out what it is yet! Review went up the following morning - I firmly rammed myself onto a fence post and gave it three stars out of five, and said something nice about Danny John-Jules, who is the draw for this for our readers!
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Post by inthenose on Apr 1, 2022 16:20:39 GMT
I'd love to read it! I'm not sure if sharing links is allowed here, but if you could dm me I'd appreciate the read, if possible. Thanks!
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Post by inthenose on Apr 1, 2022 16:22:17 GMT
If you have a strong editor you should be fine, your writing is decent enough. *Curious* about *that* choice though. Emphasis? Hi I firmly rammed myself Hell of an opening line if you ever find yourself in the need of an online dating service!
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Post by BurlyBeaR on Apr 1, 2022 17:00:22 GMT
If you have a strong editor you should be fine, your writing is decent enough. *Curious* about *that* choice though. Emphasis? Hi! Yes, I use *xxx* to add emphasis on here - I'm sure there's some way to either bold or italicise, but I haven't figured out what it is yet! Review went up the following morning - I firmly rammed myself onto a fence post and gave it three stars out of five, and said something nice about Danny John-Jules, who is the draw for this for our readers! To get the full range of text formatting options you have to use the full “Reply” option instead of “Quick Reply” When you choose this you get a range of functions including formatting Hope that helps! Appreciate that you may not see the full reply option on the mobile interface but if you’re on mobile and want to use the desktop version instead, just scroll allthe way to the bottom and choose “Desktop”
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Post by NorthernAlien on Apr 2, 2022 12:45:33 GMT
Thanks BurlyBeaR
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Post by musicalcritical on Apr 26, 2022 2:40:22 GMT
Should I read the Angels and Demons book first to properly follow the story?
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Post by BurlyBeaR on Apr 26, 2022 7:35:53 GMT
Should I read the Angels and Demons book first to properly follow the story? No that’s a completely different and unrelated story.
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