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Post by Deleted on Jul 8, 2023 8:34:09 GMT
I would love to see it transfer, but I'm skeptical it could sustain more than a limited run in ticket sales. That means the odds of it doing well financially are pretty slim.
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Post by Being Alive on Jul 8, 2023 9:36:31 GMT
I can't see this doing an open ended run anywhere to be honest. 10 weeks on Broadway seems feasible though.
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Post by sfsusan on Jul 8, 2023 17:50:34 GMT
Not sure if James would transfer though, I don’t think he’s a huge name over there. The 'hot vicar of Grantchester' is definitely known by the Masterpiece Theater/BBC crowd in the US.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 8, 2023 21:29:15 GMT
The book has a huge following and it’s set in New York. Can’t see why a limited run wouldn’t sell out. Not sure if James would transfer though, I don’t think he’s a huge name over there. Many recent play transfers that received rave reviews in London, did not do the expected big box office in NYC. Angels in America and Death of a Salesman immediately come to mind.
I love the book and the play and have seen it both in Dutch and in English, but the Broadway audience for plays on Broadway is fickle, particularly right now. And big names no longer are locks to sell out shows. We just saw that with Oscar Isaac and Rachel Brosnahan and even Jessica Chastain.
I'm not saying it would not succeed if it transfer, but I don't think it is a given, particularly a sold-out run. That rarely happens with Broadway plays.
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Post by sweets7 on Jul 8, 2023 22:55:37 GMT
Just on way back from seeing it. Many people outside stage door but that is definitely not my thing.
I mean it definitely has a lot to say about an issue that plagues society and that certainly is the abuse and maltreatment of children. How this fails to equip them for adult life while filling with with self revulsion and how essentially their ability to receive love and trust is a leaky sieve. How certain people are because of this are more at risk of repeated abuse. The attachment issues. The basic begging for rejection. How pain becomes normalised and even desired. As someone who works with children who have suffered trauma. I did have tears at Harold's speech about how he has failed because his child couldn't love himself. What is a good childhood but one that equips you with the skills to bounce back in life.
And actually the comment about a lack of imagination will keep me thinking
We should all get behind Kate Middleton's campaign for children.
Anyway the play itself is incredibly cerebral and I don't know if it's fir everyone. However, everyone around me was rapt.
I was a bit apprehensive about the nudity but to be honest it barely registered with me beyond displaying either his degrading at the hands of abuse or issues with intimacy.
It was superbly acted by all of them. Particularly James Norton and Luke Thompson.
And I just thought it was one of the most challenging and brave things I have ever, or may ever, see on stage. I stood at the end. And I never stand at the end.
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Post by lonlad on Jul 8, 2023 23:29:01 GMT
Cerebral??? A LITTLE LIFE must be one of the least cerebral plays I have ever seen, unless you find torture porn a head trip.
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Post by sweets7 on Jul 9, 2023 0:11:39 GMT
Cerebral??? A LITTLE LIFE must be one of the least cerebral plays I have ever seen, unless you find torture porn a head trip. Perhaps the wrong word. Perhaps thought provoking would be better.
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Post by Rory on Jul 9, 2023 9:10:08 GMT
Interview with James Norton and Luke Thompson on Laura Kuennsberg's show this morning, towards the end.
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Post by schuttep on Jul 9, 2023 9:49:49 GMT
Saw the lovely, but short interview. James opened up about how he is dealing with the mental challenges of the show and the physical ones as he is diabetic.
And Luke's comment about what he will miss after the show closes gave me a lump in the throat: "..being on the stage with this guy every night..."
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Post by sweets7 on Jul 9, 2023 12:13:56 GMT
It was a lovely interview. And they really have settled into a lovely chemistry together. I saw another interview where James said that he was really nervous to meet Luke and just wanted Luke to like him. Which was sweet. They then spent a couple of hours just telling eachother everything.
Anyway Luke Thompson seems to be the type to develop chemistry with many people so James looked out. I've always slightly laughed at his chemistry with the actress who plays his sister Eloise in Bridgerton.
I'm sure actors bring something of themselves to every role and that has to be their essential nature.
Their characters on stage are very different and actually they seem like very different people too. Loved the comment about Bond and Luke saying you take Bond, it isn't my bag. I do hope theyvhave another opportunity to work together when really they must have developed an amazing amount t if trust and respect for this.
It really works on the stage where actually you just buy into their relationship without ever getting anything much about Willians inner thoughts.
However if I was James doctor I would have been nervous about this play but he is really showing to all out there that when properly managed and safe you shouldn't see your diabetes as life limiting. I believe his sister is a hospital doctor and that too is going to a career where hypos are a danger. Set up of pmY really wpuld have worked in his favour easy for him to walk over and pick up glucose etc from the kitchen or sink.
He is looking tired and I hope he gets a good holiday afterwards.
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Post by A.Ham on Jul 10, 2023 6:59:31 GMT
Yes agreed, a great interview and lovely to see them so relaxed together off stage. I would imagine it’d be incredibly hard to do the performance they do each night without having that friendship and respect for one another, but nice to see it in evidence.
It was great to hear James’ comment that this play is the work he’s proudest of across his career. He certainly should be!
And I think I caught him say at the end that he’s going on holiday once the Savoy run finishes, which yes, I’m sure is much needed.
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Post by iwanttix on Jul 10, 2023 13:13:24 GMT
I saw this a few times at the Pinter, but I was always on the stage. Yesterday was the first time I saw it from the front with a bargain £15 'restricted' ticket in row C. It was brilliant to be able to see it from a different angle and I saw things that your obviously miss sitting behind them. It really shook me how young and vulnerable James was able to make himself look when Jude was blowing out his birthday candles - something I'd not been able to notice before.
The chemistry between Luke and James is amazing, you get the impression that they get on really well in real life especially with that nice little interview yesterday. The whole cast are generous with their time and so friendly to meet at the stage door. This play, the cast, everyone behind the scenes... they're really special. I've got a few more booked but only one more in the stalls where I'm front row which will be interesting.
After seeing the play I went and read the book- I am not a fan of reading, in fact the last book I read was probably 6 or so years ago, but I powered through 'A Little Life' in 3 days!
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Post by solotheatregoer on Jul 10, 2023 13:26:15 GMT
I saw this a few times at the Pinter, but I was always on the stage. Yesterday was the first time I saw it from the front with a bargain £15 'restricted' ticket in row C. It was brilliant to be able to see it from a different angle and I saw things that your obviously miss sitting behind them. It really shook me how young and vulnerable James was able to make himself look when Jude was blowing out his birthday candles - something I'd not been able to notice before. The chemistry between Luke and James is amazing, you get the impression that they get on really well in real life especially with that nice little interview yesterday. The whole cast are generous with their time and so friendly to meet at the stage door. This play, the cast, everyone behind the scenes... they're really special. I've got a few more booked but only one more in the stalls where I'm front row which will be interesting. After seeing the play I went and read the book- I am not a fan of reading, in fact the last book I read was probably 6 or so years ago, but I powered through 'A Little Life' in 3 days! Super impressive. Took me 4 months to finish the book! Looking forward to seeing this for a third and final time next week from Row A in the stalls.
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Post by Jon on Jul 10, 2023 13:29:59 GMT
Yes agreed, a great interview and lovely to see them so relaxed together off stage. I would imagine it’d be incredibly hard to do the performance they do each night without having that friendship and respect for one another, but nice to see it in evidence. It was great to hear James’ comment that this play is the work he’s proudest of across his career. He certainly should be! And I think I caught him say at the end that he’s going on holiday once the Savoy run finishes, which yes, I’m sure is much needed. I'm surprised he didn't take a holiday between the two week break they had after the Pinter run.
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Post by sweets7 on Jul 10, 2023 13:43:59 GMT
Maybe it wasn't convenient. They may have had to run it on new place as well.
He may have taken a few days but I think he probably needs one a lot longer.
Interesting 6 degrees of separation. Luke Thompson worked with and went to RADA with Jessie Buckley who also then later worked with James Norton in War and Peace (and of course dated him).
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Post by iwanttix on Jul 10, 2023 13:45:59 GMT
Super impressive. Took me 4 months to finish the book! Looking forward to seeing this for a third and final time next week from Row A in the stalls. Yeah I'm not sure how I managed to get through it so fast, I think determination and a glass of gin. I cried far more at the book than the play (which I still cried at more than any other play I've seen). I think seeing the play first helped - being able to picture the characters I'd already seen. I have 4 more booked but 3 of those are stage seats. Its funny, I didn't have any real interest in seeing it when it was announced and it was only because a friend went and recommended it that I decided to give it a go... Will end up seeing it 8 times...
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Post by sweets7 on Jul 10, 2023 13:57:31 GMT
Some things just capture your imagination.
I wouldn't see it a second time. I couldn't see it knowing what was coming. I am however very glad I did see it.
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Post by A.Ham on Jul 10, 2023 15:21:40 GMT
Some things just capture your imagination. I wouldn't see it a second time. I couldn't see it knowing what was coming. I am however very glad I did see it. That was how I felt. I expect I’ll watch the filmed version at some point, but having gone in cold not knowing the details of the story, I’m not sure it would hit me in quite the same way if I saw it again knowing what happens next. And I was lucky enough to have a front row stage seat at the Pinter so also conscious watching from elsewhere in the auditorium (at a greater distance) might mean I’d ‘enjoy’ it less (not sure this is a play to be ‘enjoyed’ but you know what I mean!)
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Post by solotheatregoer on Jul 10, 2023 16:38:22 GMT
Some things just capture your imagination. I wouldn't see it a second time. I couldn't see it knowing what was coming. I am however very glad I did see it. That was how I felt. I expect I’ll watch the filmed version at some point, but having gone in cold not knowing the details of the story, I’m not sure it would hit me in quite the same way if I saw it again knowing what happens next. And I was lucky enough to have a front row stage seat at the Pinter so also conscious watching from elsewhere in the auditorium (at a greater distance) might mean I’d ‘enjoy’ it less (not sure this is a play to be ‘enjoyed’ but you know what I mean!) I know what you mean. Whilst the on-stage seating was a great experience, I would say I enjoyed it more from the stalls seats overall. I found I was too enthralled with the overall experience of walking backstage, being on stage so close to the actors, having all the audience being able to see you etc that it somehow distracted me a little from the play itself if that makes sense? From a traditional stalls seat I felt I was able to fully immerse myself in the experience without being so self-conscious of my surroundings (probably me being weird!). It's a strange one, it's a play with such heavy and disturbing themes but I will miss it when it closes. Glad I was able to sneak one final visit in at the Savoy.
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Post by iwanttix on Jul 10, 2023 16:57:07 GMT
It's funny, you'd think you'd see more close up sitting on the stage, but I saw far more odbte cutting scenes from the stalls. Of course close up on the stage you could see the massive pools of blood which I didn't see in the stalls. I guess there are plus points to both but I'm very glad I got the chance to try both options.
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Post by A.Ham on Jul 10, 2023 17:59:35 GMT
Really interesting to get different perspectives. I guess it’d be good to see it from the stalls or dress too, but know the material wouldn’t ‘get’ me in the same way a second time.
I’m working my way through the book at the moment which I’m enjoying, but understand the comments now that the play focuses primarily on the dark side(s) of Jude’s life, with very little of the light. The book has a much more even balance of light and shade in telling the stories of the four friends.
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Post by iwanttix on Jul 10, 2023 18:07:27 GMT
It was interesting to read the book after seeing the play to see what was missing and to get more background on each of the characters. Malcolm and JB in particular don't have a huge part to play but in the book you know a lot more about them.
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Post by distantcousin on Jul 13, 2023 10:13:46 GMT
WELL, what to say!
It really was an experience, managing to nab on stage seating. Fascinating for me as someone who does am dram and is interested in behind the scenes stuff. I went in quite blindly. I'm hard to shock but the parts that are the most visually confronting were hard to watch.
Completely agree it was too big of a book to make into a play, and we felt that there were a lot of gaps in the background and context of the characters.
I found the Dep Stage Manager just wandering on stage at the end of Act I to be "a choice" as the kids say now.
The acting style was very American at times. Even James played it very "big". I also fail to see why the story couldn't have been set in the UK instead. It would have lost nothing. And saved us some dicky US accents last night!
I was certainly in awe of James's performance and huge admiration for his fearlessness. The most "enjoyable" part of the evening was watching actors at the top of their games.
It made me angry and upset to think about the long history of child abuse within the religious world and how many lives it has ruined.
Interesting to note that at least two thirds of the audience were women.
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Post by iwanttix on Jul 13, 2023 12:25:43 GMT
I think generally women are more drawn to these types of books and plays. How many women love watching true crime stuff! I'm a sucker for hurt/comfort things so it doesn't surprise me that there are a lot more women than men who want to go and watch it.
It wasn't until reading the book after seeing the play that I realised how much was missing. JB's drug problem isn't very well addressed and the first time I saw it I thought he was a dramatic idiot who wanted attention, but reading the book you see how Jackson gets between him and his friends and there's a whole storyline there. That's not even mentioning that Malcolm and Harold are married in the book and Harold's wife especially features a fair amount and it gives Jude parents rather than a father.
The acting is absolutely incredible, James Norton being able to switch from child to adult in an instant is seriously impressive, I hope he gets nominated and wins anything he's eligible for. Elliot Cowan is also bloody brilliant, playing all the baddies but making it completely clear that they are all different characters.
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Post by Being Alive on Jul 13, 2023 12:30:16 GMT
I'm really interested in how the cinema releases of this goes actually.
It's pretty likely that more of the audience will end up having a visceral reaction to it than they're experiencing live actually, as so much more of the audience will be able to see it in close up, rather that the relatively small number of people in the Harold Pinter and the Savoy who are up close enough.
I do financially understand why they're doing it, but it's gonna be a really tricky one for venues to manage properly.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 13, 2023 13:00:40 GMT
The books feels a bit more quintessentially NYC which is perhaps why the play stayed located there.
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Post by iwanttix on Jul 13, 2023 14:45:41 GMT
I'm really interested in how the cinema releases of this goes actually. It's pretty likely that more of the audience will end up having a visceral reaction to it than they're experiencing live actually, as so much more of the audience will be able to see it in close up, rather that the relatively small number of people in the Harold Pinter and the Savoy who are up close enough. I do financially understand why they're doing it, but it's gonna be a really tricky one for venues to manage properly. It was interesting watching it being filmed and seeing the cameras on stage at certain points for close ups and dramatic shots. I want to see the cinema release purely to see how it's edited and what angles they use.
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Post by Rory on Jul 13, 2023 14:46:44 GMT
Were there any changes for the filmed version? I recall that in the NT Live of Frankenstein they did away with the nudity.
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