|
Post by asps2017 on Jun 4, 2023 11:27:27 GMT
What a show. Saw this yesterday for the second time, but this time from the on-stage seats. For all I was invested last time, from the circle, nothing prepared me for how visceral and heartbreaking this would be. James Norton and Luke Thompson in particular were exceptional, but I also found Zublin Varla particularly moving. So powerful. Give them all the awards. I still can't work out... {Spoiler - click to view} where Jude goes when the box comes down - if he was up in it there was no hint in the lighting, no shadow etc. and also not visible either from the on stage seating or in the circle. Probably either in the box or trapdoor on the stage
|
|
|
Post by petrichor on Jun 4, 2023 12:34:21 GMT
What a show. Saw this yesterday for the second time, but this time from the on-stage seats. For all I was invested last time, from the circle, nothing prepared me for how visceral and heartbreaking this would be. James Norton and Luke Thompson in particular were exceptional, but I also found Zublin Varla particularly moving. So powerful. Give them all the awards. I still can't work out... {Spoiler - click to view} where Jude goes when the box comes down - if he was up in it there was no hint in the lighting, no shadow etc. and also not visible either from the on stage seating or in the circle. Probably either in the box or trapdoor on the stage Thanks. Definitely no trap door (front row on the stage gave away some little bits, but there definitely wasn't a trap door). All I can think is a small platform closest to the on-stage seating. Either way, very clever indeed!
|
|
|
Post by A.Ham on Jun 4, 2023 13:21:13 GMT
I assumed there must be some way he stayed within the cube itself, but agree it was very well done and can confirm even from the front row on stage nothing to suggest the ‘workings’ of the illusion was visible.
|
|
|
Post by solotheatregoer on Jun 4, 2023 13:53:00 GMT
I'm assuming there's some type of platform in the box where he stands. I was front row on stage and you could see some wires over the box which I thought was maybe attached to a harness? From what I remember, the box comes back down at the end of play and lifts again for James Norton to bow. So he must stay in there as opposed to there being a trap door.
|
|
|
Post by mattnyc on Jun 4, 2023 14:28:49 GMT
I didn’t sit onstage when i saw it but afterwards spoke to a man who did and asked him that question. He said even though it was dark he saw James being lifted all the way up. So they must connect him to wires at some point.
|
|
|
Post by ThereWillBeSun on Jun 4, 2023 16:18:41 GMT
What a show. Saw this yesterday for the second time, but this time from the on-stage seats. For all I was invested last time, from the circle, nothing prepared me for how visceral and heartbreaking this would be. James Norton and Luke Thompson in particular were exceptional, but I also found Zublin Varla particularly moving. So powerful. Give them all the awards. I still can't work out... {Spoiler - click to view} where Jude goes when the box comes down - if he was up in it there was no hint in the lighting, no shadow etc. and also not visible either from the on stage seating or in the circle. Same re the spoiler!!!! Very intrigued.
|
|
|
Post by tartantraveller on Jun 5, 2023 15:22:24 GMT
The 6th June performance of this has been cancelled ( with tickets offered at a 3 July performance at the Savoy instead). Not sure why. Oh no, I wonder if sickness has struck and brought down 2 folk who are covered by 1 understudy. It would only be cancelled in the event of not enough understudies to cover roles. They were doing so well too, haven't heard of any understudies going on so far
|
|
3,088 posts
|
Post by Rory on Jun 5, 2023 15:45:26 GMT
The 6th June performance of this has been cancelled ( with tickets offered at a 3 July performance at the Savoy instead). Not sure why. Oh no, I wonder if sickness has struck and brought down 2 folk who are covered by 1 understudy. It would only be cancelled in the event of not enough understudies to cover roles. They were doing so well too, haven't heard of any understudies going on so far As it was announced around 3 days ago it sounds unlikely to be illness.
|
|
104 posts
Member is Online
|
Post by clarefh on Jun 5, 2023 17:53:45 GMT
Yes it was announced over a week ago so don’t think it’s sickness.
|
|
134 posts
|
Post by Mr Crummles on Jun 8, 2023 10:23:12 GMT
This left me completely brokenhearted. It's been four days since I saw it and I'm still processing it. I feel as if under the effect of a heavy hangover, after an excess of… well… tears, and very sad emotions. Magnificent cast. Every single actor in it shines. James Norton, of course, bears the heaviest cross and shines the most. It’s amazing that a person who played so convincingly an intense, chilling, intimidating psychopath can also convey such a level of vulnerability. He managed to keep such sadness in his eyes during the whole play. His Jude seems forever stuck in his dismal childhood, unprotected, defenceless, with no feeling of self-worth, no feeling of one deserving love, always to be exploited by any vicious, deranged grown-up that might come his way. The play doesn’t spend much time helping us to conciliate this boy with the brilliant lawyer he becomes, but I’m watching Succession and can’t help feeling that there are some similarities between Jude and the rather ruthless Ken Roy, who seems to be a good person at heart, seriously damaged by an overwhelmingly brutal father that he tries to impress, please and emulate. If only I were brave enough, I’d love to see the play again.
|
|
3,088 posts
|
Post by Rory on Jun 8, 2023 18:02:59 GMT
This left me completely brokenhearted. It's been four days since I saw it and I'm still processing it. I feel as if under the effect of a heavy hangover, after an excess of… well… tears, and very sad emotions. Magnificent cast. Every single actor in it shines. James Norton, of course, bears the heaviest cross and shines the most. It’s amazing that a person who played so convincingly an intense, chilling, intimidating psychopath can also convey such a level of vulnerability. He managed to keep such sadness in his eyes during the whole play. His Jude seems forever stuck in his dismal childhood, unprotected, defenceless, with no feeling of self-worth, no feeling of one deserving love, always to be exploited by any vicious, deranged grown-up that might come his way. The play doesn’t spend much time helping us to conciliate this boy with the brilliant lawyer he becomes, but I’m watching Succession and can’t help feeling that there are some similarities between Jude and the rather ruthless Ken Roy, who seems to be a good person at heart, seriously damaged by an overwhelmingly brutal father that he tries to impress, please and emulate. If only I were brave enough, I’d love to see the play again. Thanks for this review. I saw the matinee today and this encapsulates very well how I felt leaving the theatre. I so wanted things to work out for these characters. The performances were superb and I'm in awe of James Norton for giving every fibre of himself to convey Jude's fragility and vulnerability. Like a broken bird who could never be fixed. I also thought Luke Thompson's portrayal of sheer love and helplessness in the face of a force he couldn't quite understand was wonderful. It was a gruelling watch but this cast is so supportive of each other. You can just see it at the curtain call. An unmissable and unforgettable experience.
|
|
|
Post by A.Ham on Jun 8, 2023 18:45:35 GMT
Thank you both. You’ve summed up exactly how I felt afterwards too. I’d also love to see it again, but feel it wouldn’t be the same given I’d go in knowing the story and the arc of Jude and Willem’s relationship. It really was an intense and unforgettable night at the theatre.
|
|
|
Post by sfsusan on Jun 8, 2023 19:00:34 GMT
I also saw it at the matinee today (thank goodness, because I'd hate to go home and try to go to sleep with all those emotions swirling around) and was equally impressed by the cast. I think the first act is a little unnecessarily long (and the interval unnecessarily short... several of us were in the queue for the ladies' when the first bell went*). Zubin Varla (who played Harold) had tears in his eyes at the curtain call after his final speech. One question: if the characters are all 30 when the play opens, and at the end it's mentioned that one of them is 53, {Spoiler - click to view} how long were Jude and Willem together? And how much time elapsed between Willem's death and Jude's? *The way they start on-stage action well before the lights go down thankfully extended the interval long enough to get everyone in their seats. But the reverse technique at the end of the first act felt very strange, as there's a massively dramatic event on-stage, then the house lights gradually come up as the actors continue their business silently. It felt wrong to jump up to start the interval when stuff was still happening on stage.
|
|
486 posts
|
Post by drmaplewood on Jun 9, 2023 11:05:17 GMT
|
|
|
Post by A.Ham on Jun 9, 2023 11:25:03 GMT
Tickets just released for the performances being filmed - 6th, 8th and 9th July at the Savoy.
Some great seats at much improved prices vs. standard performances, but there’s warnings about cameras and crew potentially making views restricted from some seats.
(Site states - Please note this performance is being filmed and there will be cameras on stage, including a cameraman on stage for short periods in select scenes. By attending you acknowledge that you may be filmed, and your image may be used in the film. Please check seats carefully for view restrictions due to camera equipment.)
|
|
869 posts
|
Post by karloscar on Jun 9, 2023 14:33:54 GMT
I'd hope they'd film it without the onstage audience as their responses could be quite distracting if you're not there in the theatre, and if they're filming it over several performances the changing faces might make for crap continuity unless they're kept invisible.
|
|
|
Post by A.Ham on Jun 9, 2023 15:06:15 GMT
I'd hope they'd film it without the onstage audience as their responses could be quite distracting if you're not there in the theatre, and if they're filming it over several performances the changing faces might make for crap continuity unless they're kept invisible. I'm guessing that space may well be needed for additional cameras/crew to use as well. And unless they change the lighting for the filmed performances, the people in those seats are certainly visible so I totally agree it could make for a distracting viewing experience.
|
|
6,342 posts
|
Post by Jon on Jun 9, 2023 16:19:35 GMT
The Savoy is a much bigger stage compared to Richmond and the Pinter so I imagine that it wouldn't be too hard to set up the cameras.
|
|
|
Post by jl16688 on Jun 10, 2023 20:07:32 GMT
A lot of cheap seats available still for the filmed performances - I'm wondering if anyone knows whether one can see anything on the £15/£25 seats on the Grand Circle? Never been to Savoy.
|
|
655 posts
|
Post by theatremiss on Jun 10, 2023 23:12:31 GMT
Gosh just had a 2 show day with this as the matinee, gosh what an emotionally brutal play this is. I was sat right behind the musicians so was rather close. How Norton manages that every night and especially twice in a day, I don’t know. I found the whole cast superb. It’s one I’d like to see again but I’m not emotionally up for it.
|
|
|
Post by ladidah on Jun 12, 2023 10:17:07 GMT
I haven't seen this - way too intense for me - but curious, would James receive help and support in this demanding role?
|
|
13 posts
|
Post by ockey01 on Jun 12, 2023 10:19:51 GMT
I bought a reduced ticket from a friend to catch this before it moves to The Savoy. I am sat in Stalls C19, 3 seats to the end of the row (left hand side), and I can see there is a countertop in the way on the left hand side of the stage. For anyone who has sat fairly close on this side, will it be much of a restriction?
|
|
748 posts
|
Post by rumbledoll on Jun 12, 2023 13:15:58 GMT
I bought a reduced ticket from a friend to catch this before it moves to The Savoy. I am sat in Stalls C19, 3 seats to the end of the row (left hand side), and I can see there is a countertop in the way on the left hand side of the stage. For anyone who has sat fairly close on this side, will it be much of a restriction? I sat in D17, was absolutely fine(it’s a bit more central but not to far). Enjoy!
|
|
132 posts
|
Post by dillan on Jun 13, 2023 15:13:18 GMT
There's some onstage seats available for the 3rd, 4th and 5th July if anyone wants to still get a cheap ticket for this!
|
|
77 posts
Member is Online
|
Post by irisjeregenboog on Jun 13, 2023 21:29:54 GMT
There's some onstage seats available for the 3rd, 4th and 5th July if anyone wants to still get a cheap ticket for this! Thanks! Grabbed myself a ticket! 😁
|
|
132 posts
|
Post by dillan on Jun 15, 2023 14:31:31 GMT
Every onstage seat released for 6th July too!
|
|
|
104 posts
Member is Online
|
Post by clarefh on Jun 21, 2023 15:48:15 GMT
There are quite a few onstage tickets for the final performance available if anyone is still looking.
|
|
|
Post by A.Ham on Jun 21, 2023 17:11:11 GMT
Looks like there’s quite a lot of on stage seats released for across the Savoy run.
And rather worryingly, there still seem to be an awful lot of seats available for the filmed performances…
|
|
523 posts
|
Post by vabbian on Jul 7, 2023 11:04:31 GMT
4 stars, seen at the Savoy yesterday, on stage seating.
Still processing it.
A magnificent feat by the cast.
I was expecting to cry, all the gays I know who've seen it have cried. I didn't. Although I had read the book before, perhaps that prepared me emotionally as I knew what to expect.
Immediate thoughts - I don't want to say "the book is better", but it just is. That does not detract from it being a superb play. It is hard to say you enjoyed it when the play covers such difficult subject matter!
|
|