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Post by BurlyBeaR on Apr 18, 2016 13:33:56 GMT
My apologies, I've merged the two threads about this play together without realising they were different productions. Bear with me while I see if I can get it undone. Lynettopheles will do it for you in exchange for your soul. Sadly, if I can't undo it in one fell swoop then neither can she! And she's away this week  If necessary I'll move the posts back one by one. Leave with me. |
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Post by londonmzfitz on Apr 19, 2016 8:24:43 GMT
Front and centre row last night and initial thoughts, "what the giddy f*ck" ...
At the end of the show I put my head in my hands and said "Good grief".
I staggered out wanting to go home and cuddle kittens.
More when I get my head around it.
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Post by n1david on Apr 19, 2016 9:20:05 GMT
Huge stage door scrum last night - crowd was so big that it was blocking St Martins Lane. I only saw it leaving Sunset Boulevard, but looks like it might be challenging to manage.
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Post by londonmzfitz on Apr 19, 2016 9:26:46 GMT
Whereas I somehow found myself leaving The Duke of Yorks by the stage door ... and headed over to the Coliseum to get my (Sunset Boulevard) programme signed by Michael Xavier (he left by a side door, I missed him, but I managed to get Glenn Close's autograph on my *first* programme).
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Post by Deleted on Apr 19, 2016 10:31:10 GMT
Front and centre row last night and initial thoughts, "what the giddy f*ck" ... At the end of the show I put my head in my hands and said "Good grief". I staggered out wanting to go home and cuddle kittens. More when I get my head around it. Please Is the view okay from front row stalls Not too restricted ? |
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Post by warmington on Apr 19, 2016 10:45:59 GMT
I enjoyed this more than I thought I would, but definitely felt emotionally drained by the end. Great performances. If I were to be critical about anything I thought it started quite slow, but I liked the new middle and the relevance to society today. Definitely an interesting night!
On a side note, someone mentioned that a warning should be posted about the content and I definitely agree. Like a few people I would imagine, I was asked by my 16 year old daughter to book this when she saw Kit Harington was in it. At the time of booking there was no mention of the explicit content and no mention of a suggested age limit. I remembered reading Dr Faustus at school so considered that it would be a little dark - oops! How wrong was I?? When we arrived an usher asked how old my daughter was and then told me about the show content, violence, full frontal nudity, sexual scenes and a stage suicide. He mentioned nothing about 'THE scene'. Considering we had travelled miles and my daughter is fairly broad minded I thought we should go ahead and watch. She handled it all well, but I am sure there will be others of her age and older that really wouldn't. Game of Thrones attracts young teenagers who will want to see Kit Harington, I therefore think that a much stronger warning of content should be posted, not just 'adult content' which is now on the booking screen, which seems fairly tame!
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Post by Deleted on Apr 19, 2016 10:54:03 GMT
a much stronger warning of content should be posted, not just 'adult content' which is now on the booking screen, which seems fairly tame! As a general rule, I like 'adult content' because it is simple, clear information and makes bookers responsible for asking specific questions if they have any. |
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Post by warmington on Apr 19, 2016 11:07:17 GMT
a much stronger warning of content should be posted, not just 'adult content' which is now on the booking screen, which seems fairly tame! As a general rule, I like 'adult content' because it is simple, clear information and makes bookers responsible for asking specific questions if they have any. Generally I agree, but sadly this wasn't on the booking screen when I initially booked, so I imagine there will be others who have no idea what they are in for. Adult content in other shows where I have questioned it, has been quite suitable for perhaps a 14 -16 year old. I personally think that if this were a film it would have an 18 certificate. |
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Post by n1david on Apr 19, 2016 11:10:16 GMT
Game of Thrones attracts young teenagers who will want to see Kit Harington, I therefore think that a much stronger warning of content should be posted, not just 'adult content' which is now on the booking screen, which seems fairly tame! I don't watch it but my husband does, and I understood that Game of Thrones doesn't exactly stint on graphic violence. Maybe it's the distancing element of the TV screen, but some of the scenes that have been described to me are scenes I wouldn't have wanted - or expected - to see as a young teenager. After all, the DVDs of the series are certificate 18. |
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Post by londonmzfitz on Apr 19, 2016 11:26:35 GMT
I believe there is much to commend in this production. Kit Harington and Jenna Russell are both terrific, their performances hold your attention. The supporting cast are compelling in their roles. That is some script to get your heads around! The set, the effects, really interesting. I found it dark and disturbing from the start. For this convent educated gal (we really did have a picture of the Pope in our living room and Mum really did have a crucifix on her dressing table), the nudity, the violence, the cast creeping around the stage, the graphic portrayal of various bodily functions, it’s extremely uncomfortable viewing. Member Cainc has excellent thoughts in the post of 16.04.16, so I’m not going to go further into the nitty gritty. I’d be concerned about young Kit Harington fangirls seeing this, it’s visually brutal stuff. As mentioned further up this thread, Kit Harington is onstage 10 minutes before the start. My post on 27 January of hoping for a dribble of Jon Snow’s DNA …. I am now hoping to win big on the lottery! Edit to add, it's taken me almost an hour to type the above up as my head is still processing last nights performance, so others have posted in between. {Spoiler - click to view}
Oh look, there's that nice young man who was in The Commitments. And there's his todger, right in front of me ... |
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Post by londonmzfitz on Apr 19, 2016 11:29:50 GMT
Front and centre row last night and initial thoughts, "what the giddy f*ck" ... At the end of the show I put my head in my hands and said "Good grief". I staggered out wanting to go home and cuddle kittens. More when I get my head around it. Please Is the view okay from front row stalls Not too restricted ? It's a tall stage, but I don't think you miss anything. There is a bit of action in the second half where the flies are raised and I could see a sofa at the back, but truthfully I don't think whatever that was about took anything from the, er - do I say story? |
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Post by Deleted on Apr 19, 2016 11:33:38 GMT
I enjoyed this more than I thought I would, but definitely felt emotionally drained by the end. Great performances. If I were to be critical about anything I thought it started quite slow, but I liked the new middle and the relevance to society today. Definitely an interesting night! On a side note, someone mentioned that a warning should be posted about the content and I definitely agree. Like a few people I would imagine, I was asked by my 16 year old daughter to book this when she saw Kit Harington was in it. At the time of booking there was no mention of the explicit content and no mention of a suggested age limit. I remembered reading Dr Faustus at school so considered that it would be a little dark - oops! How wrong was I?? When we arrived an usher asked how old my daughter was and then told me about the show content, violence, full frontal nudity, sexual scenes and a stage suicide. He mentioned nothing about 'THE scene'. Considering we had travelled miles and my daughter is fairly broad minded I thought we should go ahead and watch. She handled it all well, but I am sure there will be others of her age and older that really wouldn't. Game of Thrones attracts young teenagers who will want to see Kit Harington, I therefore think that a much stronger warning of content should be posted, not just 'adult content' which is now on the booking screen, which seems fairly tame! It does say "contains adult content" though doesn't it? That should tell you if something is suitable (or not) for a 16 year old really . . |
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Post by Deleted on Apr 19, 2016 12:25:31 GMT
If people are booking to see Kit Harington, they're almost certainly going to be Game Of Thrones fans (not denying the possibility of early adopter War Horse fans but it seems unlikely somehow), and considering some of the stuff that goes down in that, I find it hard to imagine there'll be anything in Doctor Faustus they won't be okay with. It's pretty balls-to-the-wall with nudity, sexual content, and shocking gratuitous violence.
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Post by cainc on Apr 19, 2016 12:35:15 GMT
But there was no warning of any kind for the majority of the booking period. Whilst obviously the piece will have evolved during rehearsals the fact that that the 'adult content' is not in the text, and is of such a sensitive nature, more should have been done to alert people at the booking stage. I still can't work out what I think of the final 10 minutes. Did others who have seen it feel it was necessary, and well handled? I's been on my mind a lot, and I did find it troubling. I really do understand the intentions behind it, and I think they probably achieved what they wanted, but... I just didn't like it. But, at the same time, I'm finding it hard working out if that is my problem or the production's. It might very well just be my personal taste. I'd be very interested to hear what other people thought of it. {Spoiler - click to view}
There is a very interesting parallel with the RSC production during the Helen scene. Both make valid comments about the abuse of sex, and (as both productions focus on the idea of being damned in a world which is far less centered around God) the way that that is seen as the ultimate crime. In both productions Faustus has been happy for men to die, yet it is this act, where his sexual urge overwhelms him that is his ultimate act of evil, and which precedes his damnation. The RSc act is far less literal or explicit, expressing this struggle through what is basically a piece of dance, yet adds another level of unease by making Helen unmistakably a child.
There is a very interesting parallel with the RSC production during the Helen scene. Both make valid comments about the abuse of sex, and (as both productions focus on the idea of being damned in a world which is far less centered around God) the way that that is seen as the ultimate crime. In both productions Faustus has been happy for men to die, yet it is this act, where his sexual urge overwhelms him that is his ultimate act of evil, and which precedes his damnation. The RSc act is far less literal or explicit, expressing this struggle through what is basically a piece of dance, yet adds another level of unease by making Helen unmistakably a child.
It is one of the few productions I've seen where I got the feeling they tried a little too hard. It's a production that is bursting at the seams with interesting ideas, but if they stripped it back a little bit I feel it would be a more effective, more concentrated piece of theatre. |
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Post by cainc on Apr 19, 2016 12:40:14 GMT
It's interesting, actually, the final scene, thinking about the amount of controversy caused in season five of Game of Thrones. It raises very similar questions. And I think you're right Baemax, anyone who's seen Game of thrones will have seen things that are that are just as bad. I think the context does change it, though. Seeing it played out by people sharing the same space as you makes it a far more upsetting and visceral experience. I think, however, that the majority of the audience won't have a problem with any of the content (though i'm sure a minority will)
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Post by Jasmine on Apr 19, 2016 14:29:26 GMT
I'm due to see this in a fortnight, but still haven't received my tickets. I know the confirmation email says that they may not be sent until 5 days before the performance, but I was wondering if others have had to wait this long?
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Post by Marwood on Apr 19, 2016 15:00:40 GMT
I ordered mine through ATG and received within a week.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 19, 2016 15:04:56 GMT
They could've got lost in the post, it happens. If you make sure you have your confirmation email or booking reference and turn up in a decently timely fashion on the day, they should be able to reprint them for you with no drama.
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Post by Jasmine on Apr 19, 2016 15:09:20 GMT
They could've got lost in the post, it happens. If you make sure you have your confirmation email or booking reference and turn up in a decently timely fashion on the day, they should be able to reprint them for you with no drama. Thanks.  |
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Post by Deleted on Apr 19, 2016 19:20:16 GMT
I have a bit of a distrust of atg and posting tickets. I've never had any tickets lost in the post from any theatre or agency ever. But last year tickets never showed up and atg said they'd been posted. And so far this year dreamgirls and funny girl tickets have yet to arrive.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 19, 2016 22:38:53 GMT
Huge stage door scrum last night - crowd was so big that it was blocking St Martins Lane. I only saw it leaving Sunset Boulevard, but looks like it might be challenging to manage. Stage door for this is ridiculous. I passed it on my way out of Sunset Boulevard and I would be very worried about someone suffering a serious injury. Those of us trying to get by had to walk in the road, there were cars parked at the side of the road and traffic trying to get through. Factor in a few baffled people randomly stopping to crane their necks to see what all the fuss is about, and it's an accident waiting to happen. So if you're leaving the Coliseum to walk back to Leicester Square, definitely stay on the ENO side of the road to be safe! |
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Post by londonmzfitz on Apr 20, 2016 8:48:44 GMT
Had a chat with a nice guy outside the Coliseum last Wednesday, said Kit Harington tried to sign but there was so much pushing and shoving he gave up.
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Post by warmington on Apr 20, 2016 10:55:47 GMT
Had a chat with a nice guy outside the Coliseum last Wednesday, said Kit Harington tried to sign but there was so much pushing and shoving he gave up. He came out for about 10 or so minutes on Saturday and did quite a bit of signing and selfie taking before going back in. My daughters were in the scrum and I agree I also think it was an accident waiting to happen. There was a lot of pushing and shoving with only a few barriers for protection and one security guy who kept shouting 'stop pushing' without much effect! |
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Post by Deleted on Apr 20, 2016 11:21:09 GMT
Had a chat with a nice guy outside the Coliseum last Wednesday, said Kit Harington tried to sign but there was so much pushing and shoving he gave up. He came out for about 10 or so minutes on Saturday and did quite a bit of signing and selfie taking before going back in. My daughters were in the scrum and I agree I also think it was an accident waiting to happen. There was a lot of pushing and shoving with only a few barriers for protection and one security guy who kept shouting 'stop pushing' without much effect! God People are so sad |
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Post by littlesally on Apr 21, 2016 10:58:09 GMT
Huge stage door scrum last night - crowd was so big that it was blocking St Martins Lane. I only saw it leaving Sunset Boulevard, but looks like it might be challenging to manage. Stage door for this is ridiculous. I passed it on my way out of Sunset Boulevard and I would be very worried about someone suffering a serious injury. Those of us trying to get by had to walk in the road, there were cars parked at the side of the road and traffic trying to get through. Factor in a few baffled people randomly stopping to crane their necks to see what all the fuss is about, and it's an accident waiting to happen. So if you're leaving the Coliseum to walk back to Leicester Square, definitely stay on the ENO side of the road to be safe! Good advice. Last night the crowd was heaving and chaotic. They have tried to help by parking a car to restrict the mob from all sides. |
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