294 posts
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Post by dani on Oct 15, 2017 19:02:01 GMT
I'm going to see this in a few days and thought I would start a thread as there has been some fantastic word of mouth. It's a one-hour play by David Ireland. The Times review described it as absolutely hilarious.
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3,577 posts
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Post by showgirl on Oct 16, 2017 3:33:44 GMT
Was wondering about this and noticed that the Orange Tree in Richmond was pushing it (as a co-production? A stretch, surely, even in their new ultra-commercial, profile-raising incarnation?), but references to David Ireland's play Cypress Avenue seem incongruous in view of the differing genres.
I've seen several reviews but not all enthusiastic and the one-hour running time puts me off as it doesn't make great use of a precious theatre slot, whether matinee or evening, so I've yet to decide. For anyone not dithering, @theatremonkey has an offer on his site which expires soon.
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Post by lonlad on Oct 16, 2017 6:35:05 GMT
Why wouldn't CYPRESS AVENUE be referenced since it's by the same playwright, so comparisons between the two would be a no-brainer? That said, this one doesn't sound nearly as good as its (superb) predecessor.
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Post by showgirl on Oct 16, 2017 7:56:35 GMT
I just thought too much emphasis on Cypress Avenue might mislead, as though it had lots of humour, it turned gradually into the very black type; plus it had a larger cast and was more clearly a play, and at a theatre known for new writing and revivals of modern classics. The End Of Hope is at a venue which has much more varied programming, it is promoted as a comedy, much shorter and with only 2 actors. So to me it sounds sufficiently different for the distinction to be relevant. Obviously not saying a writer can't cover multiple formats or that either of the above work couldn't be good.
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Post by Deleted on Oct 16, 2017 8:28:58 GMT
It's Cyprus Avenue like the island, not Cypress like the tree. And I don't think it's unreasonable to mention Cyprus Avenue when talking about The End of Hope; the former went down pretty well, and David Ireland's sense of humour may not be for everyone but if you laughed at the funnier parts of Cyprus Avenue, you'll laugh at the funnier parts of this. Anyway, I enjoyed it, not as much as Cyprus Avenue but enough. Concerns about running time should be swept under the rug - a three hour bloater is not automatically a better play, and in the same way you don't necessarily notice the running time of a long play if it's really working for you, you don't really notice the running time of this, it doesn't feel unnecessarily brief or anything while you're watching it. But if you're really firm in your conviction that an hour just isn't enough for an evening out, then why not book Joseph Morpurgo: Hammerhead afterwards? It's had some extremely good word of mouth from Edinburgh and that way you get *two* shows into your evening!  |
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294 posts
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Post by dani on Oct 16, 2017 11:34:23 GMT
I've seen several reviews but not all enthusiastic All I've seen is 5* in Whatsonstage, and 4* in The Times, The Stage and Time Out. I am curious: what else has there been? |
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Post by showgirl on Oct 16, 2017 11:51:52 GMT
See British Theatre Guide, whose reviewer said 60 mins seemed long! But clearly in the minority so far.
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Post by Deleted on Oct 16, 2017 12:46:20 GMT
Was wondering about this and noticed that the Orange Tree in Richmond was pushing it (as a co-production? A stretch, surely, even in their new ultra-commercial, profile-raising incarnation?), This production originated at the Orange Tree Theatre last July as part of the Directors' Festival in collaboration with St Mary's University. |
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294 posts
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Post by dani on Oct 16, 2017 14:54:10 GMT
See British Theatre Guide, whose reviewer said 60 mins seemed long! But clearly in the minority so far. Thank you. I have to admit I'd never previously heard of British Theatre Guide. I see a review of Hair at the Vaults there which contains a reference to "a very cramped thrust setting", which sounds entirely against the spirit of that particular musical. |
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Post by showgirl on Oct 16, 2017 18:29:19 GMT
See British Theatre Guide, whose reviewer said 60 mins seemed long! But clearly in the minority so far. Thank you. I have to admit I'd never previously heard of British Theatre Guide. I see a review of Hair at the Vaults there which contains a reference to "a very cramped thrust setting", which sounds entirely against the spirit of that particular musical. Crumbs, I hope @ryan doesn't read this as he needs no encouragement! |
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3,577 posts
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Post by showgirl on Oct 16, 2017 18:35:14 GMT
It's Cyprus Avenue like the island, not Cypress like the tree. And I don't think it's unreasonable to mention Cyprus Avenue when talking about The End of Hope; the former went down pretty well, and David Ireland's sense of humour may not be for everyone but if you laughed at the funnier parts of Cyprus Avenue, you'll laugh at the funnier parts of this. Anyway, I enjoyed it, not as much as Cyprus Avenue but enough. Concerns about running time should be swept under the rug - a three hour bloater is not automatically a better play, and in the same way you don't necessarily notice the running time of a long play if it's really working for you, you don't really notice the running time of this, it doesn't feel unnecessarily brief or anything while you're watching it. But if you're really firm in your conviction that an hour just isn't enough for an evening out, then why not book Joseph Morpurgo: Hammerhead afterwards? It's had some extremely good word of mouth from Edinburgh and that way you get *two* shows into your evening! Apols for the incorrect name; I just copied what lonlad had written, without checking. And thank you for the suggestion of a double-bill, @baemax, but actually, I'm unlikely to want to see this. I take your point about length being no indication of quality or value and indeed, some people may welcome a shorter show. But when trying to decide which of several things to book and whichever you choose means sacrificing the chance of seeing the others, my instinct is to go for the most play-like production, ie somewhat longer and preferably with more than 2 in the cast. |
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