Xanderl
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Not always very high value in terms of ticket yield or donations
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Post by Xanderl on Apr 4, 2019 8:33:30 GMT
Not sure if the National are doing late releases of these but the "flip-down" seats at the ends of rows in the pit are on sale for both of Saturday's performances for £18.
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Post by zahidf on Apr 4, 2019 9:02:46 GMT
Not sure if the National are doing late releases of these but the "flip-down" seats at the ends of rows in the pit are on sale for both of Saturday's performances for £18. Thanks, got one for the matinee ( for £15!)
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Post by missthelma on Apr 6, 2019 19:13:53 GMT
So I caught this today and I have to say I was mightily impressed with some aspects whilst thinking that other parts could be tweaked a little. Superbly written and performed as mentioned by most of the previous people in this thread and I can only echo this. The writing in particular is a dream and quite sublime in what it does, I have yet to read my programme but will be fascinated to see what the author drew from. I was reminded a little of Sweat in that the dialogue felt so real and true, it felt drawn from life. Some of the detailling was exquisite from the nauseating 'inspirational' poster on the back wall to the fire extinguisher and information by the kitchen, all whilst pretending this was a 'home'. Bravo to set designer or author whoever came up with this. I am not sure how much of what I write to put under a 'spoiler' tag so just be warned if you haven't seen this yet I may mention things you don't want to know. As somebody who worked with sexual offenders for 15 years I can state that Norris totally nailed the personality types, behaviours and attitudes. I have been in a room or a cell with almost exact replicas of the four men presented in the play. Whether intentional or not he also presented a good range of offenders across the spectrum of denial of their behaviour. He only missed off the fully repentant which may be due to it being dramatically uninteresting or because sadly it is quite rare and denial is a more pronounced trait. The character of the victim seems to have been where people felt the play lacked in this thread, I think possibly too much was given to this character and he was presenting the whole range of behaviours that victims can exhibit, whereas the perpetrators were spread across four people. Again I have seen what was presented in real life victims, who often have so many conflicting feelings
{Spoiler - click to view}
The scene with Fred & Andy in the second act where Fred is using the music from the past to control Andy's thoughts and feelings, utter brilliance Certainly in the UK you are not able to access details of where an offender lives so blatantly so the confrontation between them would probably be managed better and with a Victim Liasion Officer, Probation Officer or restorative justice worker present. I also don't think we have the style of 'group homes' over here which seem common in the States for this and other purposes; we do have hostels/approved premises here but somebody couldn't just rock up like the victim did here. I also thought the world weary probation officer and the entitled milennial friend were very well sketched out by the author.
{Spoiler - click to view}
In the UK, the friend wouldn't be yelling about 'safe space' but would be talking about 'infringing human rights' The one thing I didn't think worked was the wife character of Andy, her role either needed to be bumped up considerably or excised, am not sure she brought anything to the play at all. Nothing against the actress, I just don't think she had enough to work with.
{Spoiler - click to view}
And that DAWG! It was quite a hip almost Young Vic type audience, lots of young men with trousers too short for them (poor lambs must be short of cash to have to wear hand me downs) and young ladies with hair in all shades of the speculum (thank you Ms Wood). I did think that some of the laughter, despite it being a very funny play in parts, was inappropriate though. Difficult to know if that was due to discomfort from those laughing. Last spoiler, hopefully I've done this right!
{Spoiler - click to view}
Some people have mentioned that the men who'd offended were presented as not too creepy or words to that effect. I guess having worked with people like this I may be better able to seperate the person from the acts and to see them as people and also predators. But all four of those men were highly dangerous and would be classed as 'high risk'. You have a befuddled old man using his age and affability to continue to deny his acts [Fred), another who still characterises his abuse after 20 + years as a 'relationship' (Dee), another contacting his familial victim covertly (Felix) and the classic minimiser who blames the victim and also thinks he is somehow 'not as bad' as he rest (Gio). I'd be seriously concerned about anybody I was working with presenting with behaviours quite so blatant!!
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Xanderl
Member
Not always very high value in terms of ticket yield or donations
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Post by Xanderl on Apr 7, 2019 8:01:19 GMT
Thanks missthelma, very interesting insight Not sure if "enjoyed" is the right word but I'm glad I saw this. I found the second half a bit of a slog as it went on for another 10 minutes after what I assumed was the ending. £15 or £18 fold-down seats were perfectly comfy and a great bargain! Also (unusually for the National these days) the set is well designed and open at the sides so I think the side seats would give a good view for this one. I saw Norris's "The Qualms" in New York a few years ago which was excellent, surprised that's not made it over here.
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Post by Mark on Apr 7, 2019 9:05:35 GMT
Also (unusually for the National these days) the set is well designed and open at the sides so I think the side seats would give a good view for this one. Glad to here this, I've got Row L seats for Friday.
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Post by youngoffender on Apr 7, 2019 16:25:50 GMT
Having seen yesterday's matinee, this tops Sweat for best of the year so far, and in fact I cannot remember when a play last had me this riveted - a brilliant script, faultlessly acted. As with Clybourne Park, it never feels as though Norris is tackling an explosive topic for the sake of sensation or mischief-making: what makes it so challenging is his determination to fully realise each character, our sympathies shifting with every nuance. With the fourth wall removed, as the excellent set literally does for the offenders' house, we are forced to confront their humanity in a way that those blasting shells through their window don't have to. It's all the more uncomfortable when the visiting 'survivor' (as Dee would scare-quote it) is not a noble cipher, his regurgitation of therapy-speak irritating us even while we're left in no doubt that his memories are accurate. His showdown with Fred in the second act, while Dee tries to undermine him, is one of the finest dramatic scenes I have ever seen.
Are there flaws? Well, it seems to take the characters the whole second act to work out what most of the audience already has, if only for the big spoiler of a trigger warning at the theatre entrance. And it does not quite know how to end. But for dialogue this rich, and performances so perfectly pitched, Downstate is absolutely essential. Kudos to Rufus for bringing us this (no relation, I assume).
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Post by TallPaul on Apr 8, 2019 12:21:10 GMT
I haven't seen the play, and I think this is it's first airing, but there is a programme on BBC4 at 10pm tonight that may put some flesh on the bone.
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Post by zahidf on Apr 10, 2019 9:04:15 GMT
For anybody wanting to watch this, TodayTix are doing £25 tickets for for the 4th-9th April. Looks like this offer is extended to the rest of the run
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Post by couldileaveyou on Apr 11, 2019 18:23:25 GMT
I saw the matinee today and I can't really add anything to what mallardo , Steve and missthelma said: it's a beautifully written, acted and directed play, upsetting and thrilling at the same time. It might not be perfect, but it's one of the best new pieces of writing I've seen in a long while. And as always foxa is right, reviews here are more understanding and nuanced than the ones you read in the press. {Spoiler - click to view} That german shepherd with the boots? a very good boy.
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Post by Mark on Apr 12, 2019 21:39:43 GMT
So I’m going to agree with pretty much everything my fellow posters have written here. Such an exceptional piece of writing.
Cecilia Noble I thought was wonderful, as were all the actors. I’ll agree with the similarities made to Sweat. These all felt like real people having real conversations.
This should definitely be remembered come awards season for Best Play, and some of the performances.
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Post by Rory on Apr 12, 2019 22:31:29 GMT
I don't think it will but I'd love this to transfer into Trafalgar Studios 1.
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Post by Jon on Apr 12, 2019 23:03:28 GMT
I don't think it will but I'd love this to transfer into Trafalgar Studios 1. I think it'd struggle in the West End just because of the nature of the play.
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Post by Rory on Apr 12, 2019 23:14:19 GMT
I don't think it will but I'd love this to transfer into Trafalgar Studios 1. I think it'd struggle in the West End just because of the nature of the play. I think I agree with you.
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Post by Baemax on Apr 13, 2019 6:31:10 GMT
It's even struggling a wee bit in the Dorfman, I've been offered freebies or discounts more than once.
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Post by Latecomer on Apr 14, 2019 14:05:38 GMT
This was splendid. One of those theatre experiences where the acting is so good and the play so absorbing that you sort of emerge blinking into the night trying to adjust to “real life” afterwards, as it has transported you to somewhere else completely for the duration. Lovely also to hear young people next to me discussing the issues next to me in such a passionate reasonable way...sometimes the youngsters give me such hope for the future! Front row seats are a bargain....great legroom, low stage and stage well organised so you can see everything. I liked the ending.
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Post by andrew on Apr 16, 2019 21:47:17 GMT
Thank god I'm not the first person to say note this, but just so we're all on the same page {Spoiler - click to view} Was that a GERMAN SHEPHERD IN LITTLE DOGGY BOOTS?!!?!?! 5 star play anyway, even without the above.
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Post by londonpostie on Apr 18, 2019 20:30:39 GMT
Far, far too much to say about this wonderful piece of work but thought I’d share two thoughts that may not be common
While so much is ambiguous, I couldn’t quite put aside the feeling the woman PO intentionally facilitated the suicide.
Perhaps more controversially, I also couldn’t put aside the idea the liberal-victim had a plan, which was to extract a signed confession from wheelchair guy for an additional offence (that he may or may not have committed). That, of course, would have him put back in prison. Towards the end we were introduced to liberal-victims deviousness (circumcised or not?) and I thought to some extent that was our flag. He really wanted that signature.
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Post by Stephen on Apr 18, 2019 21:44:43 GMT
Thought this was excellent. I wasn't surprised having read much praise for the play here and elsewhere but was shocked by the content.
A stellar cast which I found completely believable.
I was slightly distracted by Andy (Tim Hopper) as I knew I'd seen him before but couldn't place him. Turns out he played Zach's dad in School of Rock.
N26 in the Dorfman circle provides an adequate if restricted view at times. I couldn't help but feel if the sofa had been slightly further over then most of my row wouldn't have missed anything.
Mathew Warchus, James Graham and Adam James in attendance tonight.
My first visit to the Dorfman was a successful one!
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Post by johng on Apr 19, 2019 13:02:45 GMT
I'm choosing a ticket for this for the matinee on April 27 and would be grateful for some advice.
My options are Pit H13, K10, L33, M31 or Circle N43.
I would normally go for H13 as the closest to the stage but as I'm only 5'7" I was slightly concerned by a note on the monkey's site
that the rake is very shallow.
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Post by londonpostie on Apr 19, 2019 13:29:37 GMT
I'm not going to help you much by saying the walk back and forth from A to the rear felt like a shallow-ish but almost normal rake to me, however, much of this play takes place with the actors sitting down.
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Post by Mark on Apr 19, 2019 13:41:44 GMT
H13/K10 will be fine I think. I was L13 mind and it was perfect for this show.
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Post by foxa on Apr 20, 2019 16:07:11 GMT
We were in L1 and 2 in the Pit, so far side and they were excellent.
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Post by NeilVHughes on Apr 20, 2019 16:24:36 GMT
Powerful and brave production to stage. one to digest.
I now have the embarrassment of asking theatremonkey whether he goes to the Theatre often, a very pleasant gentleman to sit next to and look forward to the Theatre Gods aligning the planets/our schedules again at some time and his choice of front stalls centre confirms he knows how to select a good seat
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Post by Snciole on Apr 20, 2019 18:29:16 GMT
I was at the matinee too. I was in M3, which I would recommend. I really enjoyed. K Todd Freeman is a stunning find and it was very thought provoking.
My friend had not liked it because of the portrayal of Andy but I don't think it was an unfair portrayal. If he did have an ulterior motive then who could blame him. The abuse sounds horrific but it was also apparent that without Fred's abuse he would have a from childhood.
Could someone give Cecila Noble her own cop show?
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Post by londonpostie on Apr 20, 2019 19:39:20 GMT
I'm very keen to go back and look at this again so I may try for a day ticket on Wednesday.
There is a very sophisticated architecture shaping these relationships. To touch the surface, I want to look again at how Andy informs Dee, and vice versa. Bruce Norris is ridiculously inspiring.
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Post by Rory on Apr 20, 2019 20:08:31 GMT
I won't get to see this, which will be a major source of regret because it sounds as excellent as I thought it would be.
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Post by orchidman on Apr 25, 2019 23:39:43 GMT
Wasn't rushing out to see a play on this topic but glad I heeded the advice on this thread, a five star play.
Agree that The Nether was a much more imaginative approach, still can't complain when you see a genuinely well-made play about a difficult issue.
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Post by sf on Apr 26, 2019 18:31:51 GMT
Saw it Wednesday afternoon. Outstanding performances - I mean really outstanding - and it's unusual to see a production where there's a mix of British and American actors in the cast and you can't see the join at all.
It's a powerful, thought-provoking play, but the way Norris pushes buttons, particularly in terms of the reliability of a victim's memory of his abuse, is a little too obvious and perhaps a little too cynical.
I can't say it was the most fun afternoon I've ever spent in a theatre - it makes Sweat look like a Feydeau farce - but I'm very glad I saw it.
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Post by londonpostie on Apr 26, 2019 20:26:50 GMT
Curious, what sort of crowd did you get in there on a Wednesday afternoon? Surely not the home counties WI?
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Post by nash16 on Apr 26, 2019 23:18:53 GMT
Curious, what sort of crowd did you get in there on a Wednesday afternoon? Surely not the home counties WI? Yes, not with this play... Lots of actors usually at final midweek matinees for shows.
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