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Post by Phantom of London on Sept 26, 2021 22:41:57 GMT
I posted in another thread the Olivier one that I fully expect Ben Daniels to get best leading actor and Liz Carr for best supporting to go on and win. However I saw the first performance on Thursday and I wasn’t completely blown away and seemed a bit off the mark, maybe once this tightens it will be better.
One gripe just before you go into the Olivier there is a notice on a stand to say the performance last 2hr 20 and there is a 25 minute interval, neither is true as the piece was just shy of 3hr.
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1,485 posts
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Post by mkb on Sept 26, 2021 23:23:01 GMT
One gripe just before you go into the Olivier there is a notice on a stand to say the performance last 2hr 20 and there is a 25 minute interval, neither is true as the piece was just shy of 3hr. Indeed. I had a moan about that amongst other things in the "Losing the NT habit" thread. |
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Post by vabbian on Sept 30, 2021 21:21:08 GMT
Incredible stuff. 5 stars.
And what a treat in comparison to the sh*te that has been on at NT as of late!
Go get a ticket!!!!
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1,260 posts
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Post by theatrelover123 on Sept 30, 2021 21:55:41 GMT
Saw this Monday night. So a relatively early preview. Felt fairly up to par at that stage. Great performances from 4 or 5 of the leads (eg Ben, Dino, Luke, Danny). Less confident performances from many others. Several shaky accents. Was on third row and weirdly even there it felt quite distant so I imagine way way further back would struggle to connect as much. Stronger second half than the first. Powerful story. Funny in places. Didn’t mind bare staging as scenes wouldn’t flow with lots of props and sets. Really not sure it was directed very well though. Felt quite clunky in places and the transitions were poorly done and the technique of announcing the locations and dates in a certain way just jarred too much for me. Emotional final quarter but never quite got to tears. I think it would be 7 out of 10 for me.
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Post by andrew on Oct 1, 2021 11:00:25 GMT
If I were to sit on the bench, which side would you recommend? Front, back, or sides?
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1,260 posts
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Post by theatrelover123 on Oct 1, 2021 11:05:45 GMT
If I were to sit on the bench, which side would you recommend? Front, back, or sides? Front |
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Post by jamb0r on Oct 1, 2021 12:16:11 GMT
Managed to get a bargain in the rush today - looked like it was 1 row of the stage seats which are usually £69 being offered for £10. Really looking forward to it!
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Post by juicy_but_terribly_drab on Oct 1, 2021 16:38:06 GMT
Is the Circle not on sale anymore because of some weird thing with the Friday Rush or am I missing something? When I checked earlier today there was plenty of availability but now there's no tickets available.
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382 posts
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Post by stevemar on Oct 1, 2021 16:57:51 GMT
Is the Circle not on sale anymore because of some weird thing with the Friday Rush or am I missing something? When I checked earlier today there was plenty of availability but now there's no tickets available. It looks like it is not selling that well, so they want to fill the stalls and on stage stalls first?. Lots of 4 star reviews, and the odd 5. So that may help. However, as noted elsewhere on the forum, it’s a hard sell to fill the Olivier with a serious play after the pandemic. Even harder with extra seats on the stage also. |
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Post by juicy_but_terribly_drab on Oct 1, 2021 17:03:57 GMT
Is the Circle not on sale anymore because of some weird thing with the Friday Rush or am I missing something? When I checked earlier today there was plenty of availability but now there's no tickets available. It looks like it is not selling that well, so they want to fill the stalls and on stage stalls first?. Lots of 4 star reviews, and the odd 5. So that may help. However, as noted elsewhere on the forum, it’s a hard sell to fill the Olivier with a serious play after the pandemic. Even harder with extra seats on the stage also. I did wonder about that. Frustrating if so because I can't spend more than the £20 tickets and can only go on the last 3 performances. Hopefully sales pick up and they open it back up if that's the case, otherwise I guess I can try for the rush tickets but I hate relying on something like that so last minute when I have so few options. |
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Post by david on Oct 2, 2021 21:21:24 GMT
Out of curiosity, has anyone who has originally booked a Circle seat been reseated in the stalls? I’m in London in 2 weeks to see this and was wondering whether to give the BO a call to get a transfer to the £20 stalls for the same price or wait to see if the BO make any seat changes? I’m going mid week and the Circle is now off sale as has been mentioned previously.
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Post by princeton on Oct 2, 2021 21:49:06 GMT
I did wonder about that. Frustrating if so because I can't spend more than the £20 tickets and can only go on the last 3 performances. Hopefully sales pick up and they open it back up if that's the case, otherwise I guess I can try for the rush tickets but I hate relying on something like that so last minute when I have so few options. There are £20 tickets available now in the stalls and onstage for all performances. |
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Post by juicy_but_terribly_drab on Oct 2, 2021 23:28:24 GMT
I did wonder about that. Frustrating if so because I can't spend more than the £20 tickets and can only go on the last 3 performances. Hopefully sales pick up and they open it back up if that's the case, otherwise I guess I can try for the rush tickets but I hate relying on something like that so last minute when I have so few options. There are £20 tickets available now in the stalls and onstage for all performances. Thanks for letting me know! I'm not the one booking so hopefully they're not snapped up too quick before my friend notices. |
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Post by Being Alive on Oct 2, 2021 23:49:03 GMT
Haven't been so moved at a piece of theatre for a while.
First time back in the Olivier for 20 months and lovely to be back.
Thought almost everyone in the cast was superb apart from Liz Carr, who I struggled with. Couldn't hear a lot of what she said (even though she definitely had a mic in act 1 at least) and found her...very underpowered.
Ben Daniels is sensational, and the 'I am a generation' speech left me dumbstruck. Basically anyone who had a speech in act 2 I thought was superb.
It's the first time in as long as I can remember when I could FEEL the silence - we were all so in these peoples lives that there was just...no sound.
5 stars from me - I couldn't see it again for a while but I hope lots of people go. About 2/3 full I'd say, and probably 1/2 of those wearing masks. I was pleased to see as many as that wearing them.
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Post by scarpia on Oct 3, 2021 18:35:37 GMT
Haven't been so moved at a piece of theatre for a while. First time back in the Olivier for 20 months and lovely to be back. Thought almost everyone in the cast was superb apart from Liz Carr, who I struggled with. Couldn't hear a lot of what she said (even though she definitely had a mic in act 1 at least) and found her...very underpowered. Ben Daniels is sensational, and the 'I am a generation' speech left me dumbstruck. Basically anyone who had a speech in act 2 I thought was superb. It's the first time in as long as I can remember when I could FEEL the silence - we were all so in these peoples lives that there was just...no sound. 5 stars from me - I couldn't see it again for a while but I hope lots of people go. About 2/3 full I'd say, and probably 1/2 of those wearing masks. I was pleased to see as many as that wearing them. It may be the demographic, but I get the sense that play audiences are being more considerate and respectful than musical ones. |
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Post by couldileaveyou on Oct 3, 2021 18:47:31 GMT
Haven't been so moved at a piece of theatre for a while. First time back in the Olivier for 20 months and lovely to be back. Thought almost everyone in the cast was superb apart from Liz Carr, who I struggled with. Couldn't hear a lot of what she said (even though she definitely had a mic in act 1 at least) and found her...very underpowered. Ben Daniels is sensational, and the 'I am a generation' speech left me dumbstruck. Basically anyone who had a speech in act 2 I thought was superb. It's the first time in as long as I can remember when I could FEEL the silence - we were all so in these peoples lives that there was just...no sound. 5 stars from me - I couldn't see it again for a while but I hope lots of people go. About 2/3 full I'd say, and probably 1/2 of those wearing masks. I was pleased to see as many as that wearing them. It may be the demographic, but I get the sense that play audiences are being more considerate and respectful than musical ones. Venues and demographic for sure. I saw almost no masks in the West End but the entire audience wearing one at the Young & Old Vic |
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Post by Jon on Oct 3, 2021 19:07:43 GMT
I do think The Normal Heart would have been better in the Lyttelton or the Dorfman, why they decided to put it in the Olivier is beyond me.
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2,389 posts
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Post by peggs on Oct 9, 2021 21:04:27 GMT
Chatty to the lady next to me before it started (oh I've missed that, a good theatre talk with fellow fanatics!) and she said she was a bit concerned it would make her cry and me knowing very little of it's contents naively asked oh is that likely. We were both in tears by the end and not the only ones. Relieved after poor masking on train that more people masked than not (hardly anyone masked at Old Vic the other week so had been expecting that) and response very positive. It had been a long time especially at the NT since something has moved me like that. Front row bench great seat, they're snug but perfect view. Universally strong cast and clear and hard hitting.
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3,321 posts
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Post by david on Oct 13, 2021 22:30:36 GMT
Well, it was great to be back at a fully opened NT tonight and to see it full of people making full use of its facilities and to be a thriving hub of activity. It really has made a difference to the area walking along the Southbank and seeing people milling around the site.
After a disappointing last visit to watch “Milkwood”, tonight’s viewing of “The Normal Heart” couldn’t of been any different. It’s a play that has been on my “ to watch” list for a while so I’m finally happy to be able to tick it off my list. I’m also glad I was able to move from the back rows of the Circle to the front row bench seating. A fantastic view for what was an exceptional piece of theatre. Director Dominic Cooke has assembled a wonderful cast for this production that had not only myself but a lot of the other patrons in fits of laughter but also in tears by the end of the play. For me, the only other recent play that has come close to that rollercoaster of emotion has been the other superb NT production of “Small Island”. When the cast left after final bows many of us just sat in our seats trying to process what we had watched as it such a powerful piece of writing, particularly Act 2.
An immediate standing ovation from myself and from the majority of tonight’s patrons. An easy 5⭐️ for me.
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Post by Dave B on Oct 21, 2021 21:09:14 GMT
On stage seats for this afternoon's matinee. Balcony almost empty, stalls maybe half full and onstage about two thirds full I reckon.
Thought it was excellent, really powerful and some stellar performances.
A really quiet walk out through the foyer, people seemed to be just still processing. I certainly was.
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Post by teamyali on Dec 26, 2021 12:43:53 GMT
Just so bummed that the NT couldn’t get the rights to NTLive/NT at Home the play because Ryan Murphy has the movie rights with HBO. Ugh! I wonder if the NT films all their shows for archival purposes, as not all of them will be available for cinemas or their video on demand. I am not sure if the rights will be different for NT Collection for schools. The Normal Heart is surely the play that would be a hit for international fans. I hope they have plans for an audiobook release, similar to the NT production of Angels in America.
In terms of the theatre awards this season, this is like the National’s main contender? This and The Ocean at the End of the Lane, with them getting nominated for WOS. The Oliviers would be interesting to look forward. The Normal Heart has been cited as one of the best plays of the year from some of the leading stage critics.
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Post by couldileaveyou on Dec 26, 2021 13:31:49 GMT
Just so bummed that the NT couldn’t get the rights to NTLive/NT at Home the play because Ryan Murphy has the movie rights with HBO. Ugh! I wonder if the NT films all their shows for archival purposes, as not all of them will be available for cinemas or their video on demand. I am not sure if the rights will be different for NT Collection for schools. The Normal Heart is surely the play that would be a hit for international fans. I hope they have plans for an audiobook release, similar to the NT production of Angels in America. In terms of the theatre awards this season, this is like the National’s main contender? This and The Ocean at the End of the Lane, with them getting nominated for WOS. The Oliviers would be interesting to look forward. The Normal Heart has been cited as one of the best plays of the year from some of the leading stage critics. The Normal Heart can be eligible for revival, acting, directing, set etc, but the play itself was already nominated for the Olivier Award in 1986. Similarly, The Ocean at the End of the Lane was nominated for several Oliviers last year, so no more awards for them |
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