404 posts
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Post by dlevi on Jan 29, 2024 9:40:48 GMT
I actually don't understand the venom toward these plays and this production. Yes the ticket prices are outrageous but sadly that's what a free market economy is all about. As for the production, this isn't a cheap as cheese Bill Kenwright (RIP) touring revival - it's a lush starry revival of a good (not great) play that hasn't aged as well in terms of sexual politics. So what? This production honors the tradition of a "boulevard" comedy by faultlessly re-creating the experience of what was once a staple of the West End and Broadway. Would anyone actually want to see a Jamie Lloyd de-construction of a Neil Simon play ? I don't think so. This show is the equivalent of a Fortnum and Mason gift basket. Beautifully presented and full of delights that you didn't know you missed. The two stars are funny and endearing and the production as a whole is never less than glittering and it captures the sexual politics of a moment in time (not that long ago) - when women had certain roles in life which were expected of them. 5 stars from me.
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Post by parsley1 on Jan 29, 2024 13:32:02 GMT
“Starry” is relative
Is she Beyoncé is she Madonna
I think it’s well known outside of Carrie Bradshaw
SJP is not revered for her acting skills It would be preferable to have a “star” in a play which is a less lazy option and showcases their skills and stretches their repertoire Or even a non star in a good play To appear on stage once in a blue moon and to do it in this play Is unforgivable really She would have been better off doing “an evening with SJP” at the Barbican
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Post by alicechallice on Jan 29, 2024 14:40:06 GMT
“Starry” is relative Is she Beyoncé is she Madonna I think it’s well known outside of Carrie Bradshaw SJP is not revered for her acting skills It would be preferable to have a “star” in a play which is a less lazy option and showcases their skills and stretches their repertoire Or even a non star in a good play To appear on stage once in a blue moon and to do it in this play Is unforgivable really She would have been better off doing “an evening with SJP” at the Barbican I think for a lot of us, we would rather see an actress ACTING than a pop star having a mediocre crack at it. I know it's come up a lot before but I don't think some people appreciate how iconic Carrie Bradshaw in SATC was for a lot of people (women and gays mainly, I grant you) and why she has a such a loyal following. The fact that SJP herself doesn't seem too far removed from the character, particularly in terms of fashion & lifestyle, is what has kept the glamour going to a degree. And no, she's not revered in the same way as a Meryl Streep or Katherine Hepburn but she has been a working actress for nearly 50 years, so I don't think she's got anything to be ashamed of.
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Post by sph on Jan 29, 2024 15:06:47 GMT
You see, I think she is actually a good actress with great star power. I mean she has been a prolific actress since she was a child. This show is certainly selling on both the names of her and her husband. She's not an incapable pop star or reality star, she really is an actress. They both have played several iconic roles in their careers.
As for choosing Plaza Suite as a vehicle? Ok, so maybe it was one of those fondly remembered plays which doesn't quite live up to the memory, but I TOTALLY see why they would want to do it. A classic old-school Broadway comedy perfectly written as an almost-two-hander that would suit a husband and wife team? Seems an obvious choice to me! What else would you put them both in?
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1,173 posts
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Post by theatrefan62 on Jan 29, 2024 15:07:23 GMT
“Starry” is relative Is she Beyoncé is she Madonna I think it’s well known outside of Carrie Bradshaw SJP is not revered for her acting skills It would be preferable to have a “star” in a play which is a less lazy option and showcases their skills and stretches their repertoire Or even a non star in a good play To appear on stage once in a blue moon and to do it in this play Is unforgivable really She would have been better off doing “an evening with SJP” at the Barbican I think for a lot of us, we would rather see an actress ACTING than a pop star having a mediocre crack at it. I know it's come up a lot before but I don't think some people appreciate how iconic Carrie Bradshaw in SATC was for a lot of people (women and gays mainly, I grant you) and why she has a such a loyal following. The fact that SJP herself doesn't seem too far removed from the character, particularly in terms of fashion & lifestyle, is what has kept the glamour going to a degree. And no, she's not revered in the same way as a Meryl Streep or Katherine Hepburn but she has been a working actress for nearly 50 years, so I don't think she's got anything to be ashamed of. Yeah I still can't believe how many people still don't get how big SJP and Sex and the City are for a whole generation (or more). She may not be a great dramatic actress, but she is good at comedy. As has been seen in SATC and her movie career. Hocus Pocus is iconic for many, the Family Stone is also a cult festive favourite. She's also respected on broadway where again this show didn't get great reviews, but she did
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Post by normasturban on Jan 29, 2024 15:16:12 GMT
Agree with the above. SJP has been working consistently in the business since she was a child. Long before her SaTC days. She may not be regarded as an acting heavyweight like Streep but she’s a wonderful actress with real power.
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7,579 posts
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Post by alece10 on Jan 29, 2024 17:15:21 GMT
I'm probably in the minority but I consider Matthew Broderick the bigger star of the two. Mainly because I have never seen Sex In The City and don't think I've ever seen her in anything. So I booked mainly because of him and not her.
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Post by parsley1 on Jan 29, 2024 17:33:27 GMT
“Starry” is relative Is she Beyoncé is she Madonna I think it’s well known outside of Carrie Bradshaw SJP is not revered for her acting skills It would be preferable to have a “star” in a play which is a less lazy option and showcases their skills and stretches their repertoire Or even a non star in a good play To appear on stage once in a blue moon and to do it in this play Is unforgivable really She would have been better off doing “an evening with SJP” at the Barbican I think for a lot of us, we would rather see an actress ACTING than a pop star having a mediocre crack at it. I know it's come up a lot before but I don't think some people appreciate how iconic Carrie Bradshaw in SATC was for a lot of people (women and gays mainly, I grant you) and why she has a such a loyal following. The fact that SJP herself doesn't seem too far removed from the character, particularly in terms of fashion & lifestyle, is what has kept the glamour going to a degree. And no, she's not revered in the same way as a Meryl Streep or Katherine Hepburn but she has been a working actress for nearly 50 years, so I don't think she's got anything to be ashamed of. I think the boundaries are blurred Plenty of singers and pop stars have proven themselves excellent actors I don’t see why people are obsessed with boxing people as some are multitalented Beyoncé managed a golden globe nomination Mary J Blige an Oscar nomination I guarantee you SJP won’t ever get an Oscar nod for anything and her list of film acting credits is embarrassing
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Post by sph on Jan 29, 2024 19:05:44 GMT
I mean, you're entitled to your opinion and everything, but I do think you're being a little harsh.
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Post by parsley1 on Jan 29, 2024 19:20:39 GMT
I mean, you're entitled to your opinion and everything, but I do think you're being a little harsh. I think if you are going to charge £300 for something You need to be open to critique I would be interested to see who going to the show earns that in 2 hours Easy to grab money No reason why we can’t ask for some standards to go with this People laugh at paying hundreds for a pop concert Plaza suite is less well written and acted than an episode of Keeping Up Appearances Just because someone we are familiar with and have benign feeling towards is in it Doesn’t detract from the fact it isn’t very good
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Post by sph on Jan 29, 2024 19:56:24 GMT
Oh yeah sure, critiquing and discussing the play is what we're on this board for. I meant more your disdain for Parker as an actress and her career overall.
Anyway - how did it do in New York? Were reviews good over there?
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Post by parsley1 on Jan 29, 2024 20:06:48 GMT
Oh yeah sure, critiquing and discussing the play is what we're on this board for. I meant more your disdain for Parker as an actress and her career overall. Anyway - how did it do in New York? Were reviews good over there? I love her and loved SATC In that setting with others around her and a wardrobe of lovely clothing she was great A career defining role for sure The shame is her is career is defined only by that character and role And outside of this she isn’t a particularly great actress And doesn’t make good choices in terms of films to appear in
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Post by parsley1 on Jan 29, 2024 20:08:17 GMT
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Post by parsley1 on Jan 29, 2024 20:13:05 GMT
‘Instead, it feels like community theater for rich people, amateurish despite the deluxe sets and costumes (by John Lee Beatty and Jane Greenwood, respectively’ ‘Not that it matters to a general audience, desperate for even a pale ghost of levity after four years of Trump, two-plus years of pandemic, and a land war in Europe. They’ve paid money already convinced that Broderick is brilliant and has amazing romantic and comic chemistry with Parker. If those two sat there in pajamas and told knock-knock jokes for two hours, people would be rolling in the aisles’ ‘Matthew Broderick and Sarah Jessica Parker star in a Neil Simon comedy that no longer feels very funny.’ ‘Review: A luxe ‘Plaza Suite’ misses the laughs’ ‘There are stretches when Plaza Suite drags just enough to allow time for drifting minds to wonder what a worthier project could do for these ever-likable stars’ ‘Alas, the stars’ efforts, while certainly appealing, don’t make the material any less obsolete, a throwback to the bougie boulevard comedies that were once a Broadway staple. The observations on marriage and relationships occasionally generate a chuckle, but more often seem stale and the sexual politics retrograde, something that John Benjamin Hickey’s serviceable direction can’t disguise’ A selection of comments in quotes
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5,323 posts
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Post by mrbarnaby on Jan 29, 2024 20:27:50 GMT
“Starry” is relative Is she Beyoncé is she Madonna I think it’s well known outside of Carrie Bradshaw SJP is not revered for her acting skills It would be preferable to have a “star” in a play which is a less lazy option and showcases their skills and stretches their repertoire Or even a non star in a good play To appear on stage once in a blue moon and to do it in this play Is unforgivable really She would have been better off doing “an evening with SJP” at the Barbican Sorry but she is a star. And a talented actress who is hugely loved.
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Post by justfran on Jan 29, 2024 20:40:11 GMT
Starry is relative and personally I would rather pay money to see SJP and Matthew Broderick in a West End play than see Beyonce in concert (overrated in my opinion!). Oscars are not a great yardstick for measuring the best actors anyway (especially these days when it’s all about the campaign). They have both had long, successful careers since being young and are most associated with an iconic character (Carrie Bradshaw and Ferris Bueller) - most actors would wish for that!
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3,830 posts
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Post by anthony40 on Jan 29, 2024 21:46:04 GMT
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Post by callum on Jan 30, 2024 23:22:19 GMT
No question she is a star - this role (or rather these roles) fits her like a glove in the same way Hello Dolly fits Carol Channing or Bette Midler. The audience lap it up.
You wouldn’t have seen Carol giving us her Mary Tyrone or her Gertrude and nor would she have done!
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4,529 posts
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Post by Being Alive on Feb 1, 2024 10:22:18 GMT
Oh I thought most of the reviews were so wrong on this.
Yes it's dated, but it's still sharp and witty. Neil Simon was an acquired taste 50 years ago and that's no different here.
SJP had a lot to prove for me and I thought she more than held her own. Engaging and endearing, she really holds her own in that first scene and then is a great member of the double act in Act 2 and 3. Broderick is admittedly less successful in Scene 1, but Scenes 2 and particularly 3 comes into his own.
I can understand this is a 3 if you're in a bad mood and want to make a point about the fact that the piece is dated, but this was a 4 star for me - the 2 star reviews are absolute nonsense.
Give me this over some of the long running nonsense clogging up the West End any day of the week.
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Post by mrbarnaby on Feb 2, 2024 20:21:38 GMT
Oh I thought most of the reviews were so wrong on this. Yes it's dated, but it's still sharp and witty. Neil Simon was an acquired taste 50 years ago and that's no different here. SJP had a lot to prove for me and I thought she more than held her own. Engaging and endearing, she really holds her own in that first scene and then is a great member of the double act in Act 2 and 3. Broderick is admittedly less successful in Scene 1, but Scenes 2 and particularly 3 comes into his own. I can understand this is a 3 if you're in a bad mood and want to make a point about the fact that the piece is dated, but this was a 4 star for me - the 2 star reviews are absolute nonsense. Give me this over some of the long running nonsense clogging up the West End any day of the week. [br Sharp and witty? Were you at the right theatre?
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4,529 posts
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Post by Being Alive on Feb 2, 2024 20:37:32 GMT
What can I say - I liked it!
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Post by Jon on Feb 2, 2024 23:52:47 GMT
Saw this tonight and while it's not groundbreaking or a state of the nation play, it was an enjoyable night out.
Act 1 is the weakest and least funny but SJP and Matthew Broderick do well with what is a sombre look on a long marriage. Acts 2 and 3 are a lot funnier, SJP does well being two very different characters although she having a lot more fun in Act 3, likewise with Matthew Broderick, Act 3 is where things are ramped up in terms of humour.
Packed audience, I wouldn't be surprised if this makes a profit by the time it closes.
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5,323 posts
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Post by mrbarnaby on Feb 3, 2024 8:37:23 GMT
Saw this tonight and while it's not groundbreaking or a state of the nation play, it was an enjoyable night out. Act 1 is the weakest and least funny but SJP and Matthew Broderick do well with what is a sombre look on a long marriage. Acts 2 and 3 are a lot funnier, SJP does well being two very different characters although she having a lot more fun in Act 3, likewise with Matthew Broderick, Act 3 is where things are ramped up in terms of humour. Packed audience, I wouldn't be surprised if this makes a profit by the time it closes. It’s in profit already.
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Post by sph on Feb 3, 2024 11:06:48 GMT
Oh it's a guaranteed money-maker is it not? Sell-out run pretty much and high ticket prices. Easily going to turn a profit!
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5,323 posts
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Post by mrbarnaby on Feb 3, 2024 15:01:21 GMT
It’s literally made its money back already. THey have millions in the bank.
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4,977 posts
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Post by TallPaul on Feb 3, 2024 15:09:47 GMT
That's showbusiness!
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Post by BurlyBeaR on Feb 4, 2024 12:35:38 GMT
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6,382 posts
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Post by Jon on Feb 4, 2024 17:47:27 GMT
SJP is such a transport nerd and I love it.
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Post by marob on Feb 4, 2024 18:17:33 GMT
Love it, especially “Goodge? What the hell is that?”
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Post by marob on Feb 4, 2024 18:17:46 GMT
Love it, especially “Goodge? What the hell is that?”
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