399 posts
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Post by maggiem on Jan 20, 2023 11:57:49 GMT
Thanks for this review Steve. I'm going to see it in Manchester, and I'm really looking forward to it now!
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4,564 posts
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Post by Mark on Jan 20, 2023 23:51:17 GMT
I REALLY enjoyed this!! It’s a great play, expertly performed. Definitely a play that makes you think - you kinda do just have to roll with it and not look too hard for metaphors as to what is happening. Very similar to constellations in form, but I enjoyed this a whole lot more.
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Post by alessia on Jan 24, 2023 10:12:16 GMT
No luck with rush first thing when it opened. However checked a few mins ago and it said available and I was able to get a front row seat. Theatremonkey lists these as in person dayseats but I’d guess they didn’t have a line at the box office, and so released them to todaytix. In case people are wondering where the rush tickets are, I have just managed to get one in stalls row F - the seat next to mine is on sale on ATG for £125 :-O unbelievable.
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376 posts
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Post by edi on Jan 24, 2023 20:49:20 GMT
I liked it but didn't love it. I suppose I found the relationship arch a little too familiar and some of the conflicts too stereotypical. But enjoyable anyway.
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Post by alessia on Jan 25, 2023 6:07:48 GMT
I thought this was lovely. Like others above already said, you do have to suspend your logical brain from asking questions and just follow but if you manage that, it is very good; I found the relationship relatable (the cheese grater part I completely got) and the two actors are incredibly sweet together. As for the seats, if like me you are short, there are quite a few scenes when they are sitting down, so unless you are in the front 2 rows, anybody sat in front will be in your sightline. I suppose that's always the case but I noticed it more as I don't usually go for the mid stalls seats / so called 'premium' ones- I certainly would not choose to at the Pinter (not that I could ever afford to sit there again anytime soon unless with another rush ticket lol)
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Post by mrbluesky on Jan 25, 2023 21:17:58 GMT
Absolutely loved this! Two brilliant actors who were able to convey so much through so few words! Will definitely be trying to get a return visit in!
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258 posts
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Post by jm25 on Jan 25, 2023 22:08:34 GMT
Pretty solid. Good performances from the two leads and the show wouldn’t work at all without them and their very believable relationship. The timeline jumping about took a bit of getting used to (hadn’t read much about the plot beforehand!) and the main concept of the play, whilst interesting, did start to wear a bit thin for me by the end. I enjoyed it for what it was but I don’t think I’d have wanted it to go on for any longer than it did!
I got Rush tickets in the stalls (not without some difficulty!) and it reminded me why I usually go for front row seats where I can. The rake in the Pinter is pretty poor so, as Alessia has said, be prepared to have lots of heads in your way! But would still rather have put up with that than paid the prices they’re charging 😂
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Post by matty on Jan 25, 2023 22:10:14 GMT
I really enjoyed this tonight. Took a while to get into it and once I had suspended belief and ignored some of the flaws with the story and the counting I thought it was a great 95 minutes.
Aiden Turner and Jenna Colman had excellent chemistry and delivered it all so well.
I was sat in the Royal Circle and it did remind me why I hate the Harold Pinter Theatre, straight-backed seats with ni legroom for tall people.
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Post by greenswan on Jan 26, 2023 7:39:24 GMT
Quite enjoyed it last night - 3.5 stars based on the acting. I don't find the suspension of disbelief the play asks for that outrageous, no more than any dystopian novel or film requires. Could perhaps be shortened a little, it takes a long time to reach the conclusion once the concept is played through.
Fair warning about B1 in the Dress Circle - there's a pillar intruding from the side, so if you're of moderate height it will be actively painful. View is great though. Managed to get a single rush ticket through TodayTix at 11.25, so perhaps they were shifting some individual leftover seats.
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Post by alessia on Jan 26, 2023 15:09:04 GMT
I got Rush tickets in the stalls (not without some difficulty!) and it reminded me why I usually go for front row seats where I can. The rake in the Pinter is pretty poor so, as Alessia has said, be prepared to have lots of heads in your way! But would still rather have put up with that than paid the prices they’re charging 😂 Hear hear. I would always sit front row if I could! I can't believe the mid stalls cost that much with the view being so mediocre
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1,265 posts
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Post by mkb on Jan 28, 2023 22:45:59 GMT
I cottoned on pretty quickly that the play's device was so full of logical holes, that it was necessary not to question it but to indulge this ultimate constraint on free speech, to see what the exploration revealed about the human condition. Unlike Nick Payne's very different Constellations, to which Five Lemons has been compared, the answer is not very much.
We are very much in emperor's-new-clothes territory, and I'm sure there will be much pseudo-intellectual discourse venerating the quality of the cloth.
The creatives involved have presumably recognised there is something awry, as the running time has been chopped to precisely 80 minutes. I was grateful it was not longer, but I did wonder what was in the excised 15 minutes.
Aidan Turner is the better and more believable of the two performers, but, from my front-row-stalls vantage point, I was not buying the chemistry between the two characters. I think this was down to direction. They barely ever touch. Maybe that was the point, but, if so, they not only inhabit an unrecognisable world, their behaviour, as a romantically-involved couple, is entirely unrelatable too.
Meanwhile, a giant, rear, curved wall of shelving units, stuffed with household paraphernalia and replete with flashing strip lighting, gives way in the final third to kitchen utensils et al suspended in the air. If there were an award for most pretentious set design, this would be a contender. Heaven knows what it was meant to signify.
Strictly for die-hard fans of the stars only.
Two stars.
One act: 19:48-21:08
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5,278 posts
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Post by mrbarnaby on Jan 29, 2023 22:57:55 GMT
I cottoned on pretty quickly that the play's device was so full of logical holes, that it was necessary not to question it but to indulge this ultimate constraint on free speech, to see what the exploration revealed about the human condition. Unlike Nick Payne's very different Constellations, to which Five Lemons has been compared, the answer is not very much. We are very much in emperor's-new-clothes territory, and I'm sure there will be much pseudo-intellectual discourse venerating the quality of the cloth. The creatives involved have presumably recognised there is something awry, as the running time has been chopped to precisely 80 minutes. I was grateful it was not longer, but I did wonder what was in the excised 15 minutes. Aidan Turner is the better and more believable of the two performers, but, from my front-row-stalls vantage point, I was not buying the chemistry between the two characters. I think this was down to direction. They barely ever touch. Maybe that was the point, but, if so, they not only inhabit an unrecognisable world, their behaviour, as a romantically-involved couple, is entirely unrelatable too. Meanwhile, a giant, rear, curved wall of shelving units, stuffed with household paraphernalia and replete with flashing strip lighting, gives way in the final third to kitchen utensils et al suspended in the air. If there were an award for most pretentious set design, this would be a contender. Heaven knows what it was meant to signify. Strictly for die-hard fans of the stars only. Two stars. One act: 19:48-21:08 I’m pretty sure the set is supposed to suggest, ya know- their lives. Crazy huh? I enjoyed it but only for the performances. It’s a very slight play- and one that doesn’t even fully explore its intriguing set up. Aiden turner is truly terrific though. Funny, adorable, hot. Jenna Coleman is very good too. I agree though that their lack of warmth with each other- tenderness etc is a real problem. It all feels like an exercise in Acting rather than being absorbing or moving.
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Post by alessia on Feb 1, 2023 13:53:51 GMT
I see that the press reviews are in and mostly 3 stars, which I think is fair
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Post by imstillhere on Feb 1, 2023 14:01:48 GMT
I caught this a few days ago. It's a strong play but an early play and I can't help but think this should have been revived by somewhere like the Donmar instead and not placed in the West End. It doesn't feel right being in a Harold Pinter and heightens the plays' flaws instead of its strengths. (It reminds me a lot of the Foxfinder West End situation)
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Post by thistimetomorrow on Feb 5, 2023 17:05:04 GMT
I quite enjoyed this. Thought Aidan and Jenna had great chemistry and the premise was interesting. I did get distracted during scenes thinking that surely that's over his word limit though.
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200 posts
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Post by l0islane on Feb 6, 2023 9:21:14 GMT
I quite enjoyed this. Thought Aidan and Jenna had great chemistry and the premise was interesting. I did get distracted during scenes thinking that surely that's over his word limit though. Oh me too! I also got distracted judging what they were using words for ("pass the salt"??! Surely you'd just point?! 😄). I also kept thinking they should try and learn sign language!
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Post by Deleted on Feb 7, 2023 9:29:03 GMT
"This is good, clean fun — neither terribly profound nor terribly clever, but entertaining nonetheless."
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1,177 posts
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Post by joem on Feb 17, 2023 1:04:06 GMT
Knew nothing about this beyond that it wasn't The Lemon Trilogy and was rather appalled at the prices - although not quite as appalled as with prices for The Unfriend - but having time for a matinee today forked out for some lesser stalls tickets. Spread the cost, or persuaded myself I was doing so, by going to the Vaults in the evening.
I really enjoyed this, suspended disbelief and bought into the unbelievable - but certainly metaphorically credible - premise. After all we have had basic human freedoms restricted in recent memory which would have been thought impossible a few years back, so this is just a little leap further. Whilst it is an examination of relationships, or a relationship, I find the question of what to do in the face of basic freedoms being curtailed - protest, find ways around or acquiesce??? - rather more interesting and relevant.
I think Jenna Coleman has a flair for comedy. Would love to see her explore/exploit this (the way we are being exploited by West End prices).
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170 posts
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Post by caa on Feb 22, 2023 8:18:19 GMT
I cottoned on pretty quickly that the play's device was so full of logical holes, that it was necessary not to question it but to indulge this ultimate constraint on free speech, to see what the exploration revealed about the human condition. Unlike Nick Payne's very different Constellations, to which Five Lemons has been compared, the answer is not very much. We are very much in emperor's-new-clothes territory, and I'm sure there will be much pseudo-intellectual discourse venerating the quality of the cloth. The creatives involved have presumably recognised there is something awry, as the running time has been chopped to precisely 80 minutes. I was grateful it was not longer, but I did wonder what was in the excised 15 minutes. Aidan Turner is the better and more believable of the two performers, but, from my front-row-stalls vantage point, I was not buying the chemistry between the two characters. I think this was down to direction. They barely ever touch. Maybe that was the point, but, if so, they not only inhabit an unrecognisable world, their behaviour, as a romantically-involved couple, is entirely unrelatable too. Meanwhile, a giant, rear, curved wall of shelving units, stuffed with household paraphernalia and replete with flashing strip lighting, gives way in the final third to kitchen utensils et al suspended in the air. If there were an award for most pretentious set design, this would be a contender. Heaven knows what it was meant to signify. Strictly for die-hard fans of the stars only. Two stars. One act: 19:48-21:08 I’m pretty sure the set is supposed to suggest, ya know- their lives. Crazy huh? I enjoyed it but only for the performances. It’s a very slight play- and one that doesn’t even fully explore its intriguing set up. Aiden turner is truly terrific though. Funny, adorable, hot. Jenna Coleman is very good too. I agree though that their lack of warmth with each other- tenderness etc is a real problem. It all feels like an exercise in Acting rather than being absorbing or moving. Agree with both comments I do think it feels exposed for what it is in the Harold Pinter, its not the worst play I have seen but it doesn't really go anywhere
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649 posts
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Post by theatremiss on Feb 26, 2023 1:20:44 GMT
Well that’s 1hr 25 mins of my life I’ll never get back. How to make a 1 act play go on for an eternity. I get the blah, blah, blah limiting word usage but I found it all so tedious. Tbf neither actor put in a bad performance, but I really didn’t care for either of their characters. The thing that kept me the most occupied was listening to 4 drunk women further down my row commenting on Aiden Turner, they were of a certain age and despite their ovaries having packed up decades ago, I think they were trying to jumpstart them by drooling over Turner. Plus the fact they were quaffing wine by the bottle full and being very noisy and giggling over doing so. I physically couldn’t reach them otherwise I would have given them a poke, but about 10-15 mins from the end some bloke sat behind told them to be quiet (only an hour late) which made them giggle before going quiet for the last part. Oh what a joy this evening was.
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Post by alessia on Feb 26, 2023 11:24:42 GMT
The thing that kept me the most occupied was listening to 4 drunk women further down my row commenting on Aiden Turner, they were of a certain age and despite their ovaries having packed up decades ago, I think they were trying to jumpstart them by drooling over Turner. Plus the fact they were quaffing wine by the bottle full and being very noisy and giggling over doing so. I physically couldn’t reach them otherwise I would have given them a poke, but about 10-15 mins from the end some bloke sat behind told them to be quiet (only an hour late) which made them giggle before going quiet for the last part. Oh what a joy this evening was. What has the women's age got to do with their bad behaviour? It might be news to you (and to many people who share such ageist views of older women) but women over 50 are still allowed to fancy people and to have a life. 'packed up ovaries'? Jesus.
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649 posts
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Post by theatremiss on Feb 26, 2023 20:22:33 GMT
The thing that kept me the most occupied was listening to 4 drunk women further down my row commenting on Aiden Turner, they were of a certain age and despite their ovaries having packed up decades ago, I think they were trying to jumpstart them by drooling over Turner. Plus the fact they were quaffing wine by the bottle full and being very noisy and giggling over doing so. I physically couldn’t reach them otherwise I would have given them a poke, but about 10-15 mins from the end some bloke sat behind told them to be quiet (only an hour late) which made them giggle before going quiet for the last part. Oh what a joy this evening was. What has the women's age got to do with their bad behaviour? It might be news to you (and to many people who share such ageist views of older women) but women over 50 are still allowed to fancy people and to have a life. 'packed up ovaries'? Jesus. It has everything to do with it as they should know better and know how to behave. I am over 50 but I don’t make lewd comments and grunts everytime someone I may think is attractive come towards the side of the stage I am sat near. If they want to act like a 14 year old hormonal teenager then perhaps this sort of theatre isn’t for them.
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1,265 posts
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Post by mkb on Feb 27, 2023 1:01:58 GMT
For what it's worth, the "packed up ovaries" line made me laugh out loud. As a fully paid-up homosexual, I don't profess to have any clue about the effects hormones have on a woman's behaviour, but I took the line as merely a humourous way of saying the women in question were old enough to know better.
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Post by sukhavati on Feb 27, 2023 6:30:23 GMT
Entire audiences should know better, but don't, so there you have it. I would love to see this for Turner alone. Saw him in Lieutenant of Inishmore at the Noel Coward and he's very charismatic, and obviously had stage experience under his belt prior to Poldark. However I can't abide Jenna Coleman's forced banter on my screens, and there's no way I'd pay to see her live. Maybe with an understudy in her place...
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Post by alessia on Feb 27, 2023 6:31:15 GMT
I find it depressing but unsurprising that such derogatory language directed at older women (I am NOT justifying the behaviour, I want to clarify- they would have annoyed the hell out of me too) has no equivalent for men. And the fact that it's dropped casually into a review and by another woman, is even more depressing. At least it was funny for someone, I suppose mocking women is very popular these days. Apologies for derailing the thread.
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Post by theatremiss on Feb 27, 2023 22:47:58 GMT
For what it's worth, the "packed up ovaries" line made me laugh out loud. As a fully paid-up homosexual, I don't profess to have any clue about the effects hormones have on a woman's behaviour, but I took the line as merely a humourous way of saying the women in question were old enough to know better. Spot on. Had they been old codgers lusting after Coleman I may have made some comment about how they were trying to resurrect dead wood :-)
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Post by sfsusan on Mar 3, 2023 23:53:05 GMT
I did get distracted during scenes thinking that surely that's over his word limit though. So did I! While I had some quibbles about the concept (who was enforcing the limit and how? Why wouldn't you just point to printed words in a book?), I found the play engaging and thought-provoking. It did help me orient once I realized the time jumping was being signaled by the stage lighting --- cool white for post-ban and warm tones for pre-ban. I have to say, the audience tonight was really attentive... there was no rustling, no conversations, just absolute silence during the performance. (Well, 'absolute' except for the occasional sound of a glass or bottle being set down or knocked over.) And 'absolute' except for toward the end when a big secret is revealed when there was a massive gasp from the audience that was quickly followed by quiet nervous laughter. Overall, I enjoyed this much more than expected based on comments and reviews.
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Post by stevejohnson678 on Mar 14, 2023 17:37:12 GMT
The Opera House Manchester can get the 'house full' signs out. The week in Manchester has sold out.
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Post by BurlyBeaR on Mar 15, 2023 6:07:59 GMT
Do we know if they put the rear stalls and upper circle on sale?
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Post by adamkinsey on Mar 15, 2023 12:10:12 GMT
I read the play a couple of years ago looking for a good two-hander and thought it was poor. We used to call a car that kept breaking down a lemon so perhaps the title is apposite. How anyone compares this with Constellations I have no idea; aside from it also being a two-hander, one is a superb piece of work and the other, well, isn't. I gather there has been some re-writing which made me wonder if I should go and see it - but then they announced the casting and I saw the ticket prices. The latter are ridiculous but sadly this is because the producers know that there will be a signifcant number of women who will go and see Turner in anything and have no idea whether the play, or his performance, really is any good but praise it regardless. For what it's worth, I think both he and Jenna are decent actors but not sufficient to make me cough up that price for this play.
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