1,192 posts
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Post by theatrelover123 on Apr 28, 2018 21:32:23 GMT
Anybody know if the stage is high with this show? Or what the seats very close to the stage on the sides would be like with this set?
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1,848 posts
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Post by NeilVHughes on Apr 28, 2018 21:34:31 GMT
Simply outstanding. Laughed till I cried. Drama. Emotional. Crowd on their feet. A great ensemble piece. This deserves awards. As you say simply outstanding.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 28, 2018 21:35:35 GMT
Don’t come dressed
Like Krusty the clown
😂😂😂😂
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1,192 posts
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Post by theatrelover123 on Apr 28, 2018 21:40:25 GMT
Don’t come dressed Like Krusty the clown 😂😂😂😂 Hopefully that’s not a joke from the show that you have ruined for everybody ;(
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1,064 posts
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Post by bellboard27 on Apr 28, 2018 21:57:48 GMT
Anybody know if the stage is high with this show? Or what the seats very close to the stage on the sides would be like with this set? The stage is quite high, but it’s front edge is at quite an angle to the seating. So for row A low numbers the stage is some distance away and seeing is no problem. For high numbers row A, the stage is closer, so might result in looking up (but maybe it’s OK). Also the stage design includes a bit of ceiling and I wondered if those in the upper most seats closest to the stage (on left side facing the stage only) would see everything. Obviously hard to tell from the stalls, but possibly worth thinking about.
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1,227 posts
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Post by Steve on Apr 28, 2018 22:24:24 GMT
I can never quite tell if it means a show is SO GOOD that EVEN PARSLEY likes it, or if he's more of a default position negative Quentin Letts type figure whose praise means you should probably worry. Ah well, I'm seeing it for myself in a few weeks, I'll work it out then. Parsley is no Quentin Letts. He just has unduly high standards, whether it be for high production values, exceptional writing or a demand for originality. I completely agree with him about this show, which I saw tonight. A transfer is a must, as this is poignant and funny in equal measure. While the acting is exemplary across the board, Cecilia Noble gives an all time great comic performance as Aunt Maggie. I do not believe anyone on earth could play that role better and she MUST win awards, if there's any justice in the world. I'll dispense with my usual spoilers, until after the run is over, and just encourage everyone to see it if they can, and not read the reviews, as the characters and plot take turns that are worth experiencing unspoiled. I laughed and I cried, and I intend to go again. 5 stars.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 28, 2018 22:52:27 GMT
I can never quite tell if it means a show is SO GOOD that EVEN PARSLEY likes it, or if he's more of a default position negative Quentin Letts type figure whose praise means you should probably worry. Ah well, I'm seeing it for myself in a few weeks, I'll work it out then. Parsley is no Quentin Letts. He just has unduly high standards, whether it be for high production values, exceptional writing or a demand for originality. I completely agree with him about this show, which I saw tonight. A transfer is a must, as this is poignant and funny in equal measure. While the acting is exemplary across the board, Cecilia Noble gives an all time great comic performance as Aunt Maggie. I do not believe anyone on earth could play that role better and she MUST win awards, if there's any justice in the world. I'll dispense with my usual spoilers, until after the run is over, and just encourage everyone to see it if they can, and not read the reviews, as the characters and plot take turns that are worth experiencing unspoiled. I laughed and I cried, and I intend to go again. 5 stars. Hope you are well 🤗
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994 posts
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Post by nash16 on Apr 29, 2018 18:49:33 GMT
Saw this on Friday night.
Whilst we enjoyed it a lot (especially, back from her Amen Corner, to the NT where she belongs, the great Cecilia Noble), we found it hard to go along with the 5* raves on here and talks of a transfer.
It is great to see a Jamaican family and the story of what the Nine Nights are on a stage, and their culture and family ties, rather than their "race being at the heart of said story.
The themes are wonderfully universal: death, love, family, pregnancy, betrayal.
The issues we had were that the script, whilst allowing actresses such as Noble and the rather brilliant Franc Ashman (her detailed work is fantastic to watch) to fly throughout, kept hitting "Eastenders" land a few too many times. Maybe the brilliantly vocal reactions of the audience added to this feeling, when a bombshell was dropped or a revelation announced. The playing of it by some of the others added to this.
But when it soars it really soars. Noble really can't be beaten for her larger than life put downs and exclamations. The dancing, when it happens, is a thing of joy. And
The ending seemed a bit out of the blue, but the audience totally went with it, moving from initial laughter to silent rapture.
We still feel they need to bed in a bit with lines and rhythms, but a definite 4 stars.
It's not life changing or the best play of the year. It's too soapy for that. But it is a great watch and you learn as well get moved.
And for a first play, Natasha Gordon has created something warm, and also at times thrilling.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 29, 2018 19:32:38 GMT
Saw this on Friday night. Whilst we enjoyed it a lot (especially, back from her Amen Corner, to the NT where she belongs, the great Cecilia Noble), we found it hard to go along with the 5* raves on here and talks of a transfer. It is great to see a Jamaican family and the story of what the Nine Nights are on a stage, and their culture and family ties, rather than their "race being at the heart of said story. The themes are wonderfully universal: death, love, family, pregnancy, betrayal. The issues we had were that the script, whilst allowing actresses such as Noble and the rather brilliant Franc Ashman (her detailed work is fantastic to watch) to fly throughout, kept hitting "Eastenders" land a few too many times. Maybe the brilliantly vocal reactions of the audience added to this feeling, when a bombshell was dropped or a revelation announced. The playing of it by some of the others added to this. But when it soars it really soars. Noble really can't be beaten for her larger than life put downs and exclamations. The dancing, when it happens, is a thing of joy. And The ending seemed a bit out of the blue, but the audience totally went with it, moving from initial laughter to silent rapture. We still feel they need to bed in a bit with lines and rhythms, but a definite 4 stars. It's not life changing or the best play of the year. It's too soapy for that. But it is a great watch and you learn as well get moved. And for a first play, Natasha Gordon has created something warm, and also at times thrilling. I am glad you enjoyed I don’t think something being “soapy” Is a reason to deduct stars or think anything less of a piece I found this believable And I can relate to the people in it Unlike for example The Ferryman Where I think the whole family of 20 have one brain cell between them all The dialogue in Nine Night Is very realistic for the group of people portrayed I think its amazing the playwright did what was right and true rather than what she thought a white middle class audience at the NT would want This was evident as some of the regular audience members didn’t get all the in jokes I also don’t think it was any more “soapy” than Consent or the sh*t Norris directed in the Dorfman It’s a superior piece of writing Most people’s lives are very “soapy” and that’s what I loved about this play It’s so so authentic Having much knowledge of the Nine Night customs And having seen real life events like those depicted in the play I was so impressed how they nailed it Perhaps the playwright might right in verse next time That’s so much more natural to real life 😂😂😂
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Post by Deleted on Apr 29, 2018 19:42:21 GMT
I'm sure some snobs will disagree but I happen to think that the soap writers in this country (can't vouch for others) are some of the most talented writers we have- they churn out volumes of complex, often very moving and funny work in equal measure weekly. And as Parsley says above, most people's lives are closer to the soaps, which are far more 'authentic' than much of the work on our stages.
I'm not getting a chance to see this, but 'soapy' would likely send me towards it not turn me off.
Anyway nice to hear of something both mixing it up at the NT and being good!
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Post by Deleted on Apr 29, 2018 20:27:57 GMT
I'm sure some snobs will disagree but I happen to think that the soap writers in this country (can't vouch for others) are some of the most talented writers we have- they churn out volumes of complex, often very moving and funny work in equal measure weekly. And as Parsley says above, most people's lives are closer to the soaps, which are far more 'authentic' than much of the work on our stages. I'm not getting a chance to see this, but 'soapy' would likely send me towards it not turn me off. Anyway nice to hear of something both mixing it up at the NT and being good! 100% agree with you!!!
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994 posts
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Post by nash16 on Apr 30, 2018 22:56:13 GMT
I'm sure some snobs will disagree but I happen to think that the soap writers in this country (can't vouch for others) are some of the most talented writers we have- they churn out volumes of complex, often very moving and funny work in equal measure weekly. And as Parsley says above, most people's lives are closer to the soaps, which are far more 'authentic' than much of the work on our stages. I'm not getting a chance to see this, but 'soapy' would likely send me towards it not turn me off. Anyway nice to hear of something both mixing it up at the NT and being good! A shame you won't get to see as you'd love the "soapy" moments. Proper audience gasp out loud. I think my falling down on the soap description is because Natasha Gordon almost seems to be trying to fit too much drama and too many plot lines in too short a space of time. An episode feel, at times. But the Christmas special. The performances really are Grade A though and a lot of her dialogue, especially for Aunt Maggie, is brilliantly constructed.
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294 posts
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Post by dani on May 1, 2018 9:21:01 GMT
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Post by Deleted on May 1, 2018 10:04:52 GMT
4 stars Broadway World 4 stars Time Out 5 stars The Stage 3 stars WOS Wonderful reviews And I don’t think anyone Takes any notice Of Matt Trueman Who said the following: “We critics are still a homogeneous bunch: no longer dead, white males perhaps, but still all middle-class and university-educated, still all white” I think it’s amazing so many critics have this hang up. If you see most of them at the theatre. It’s almost arrogance. They are nothing to shout home about. Visually physically aesthetically or conversationally.
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Post by Deleted on May 1, 2018 10:06:52 GMT
4 stars from The Upcoming
4 stars from The Reviews Hub
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Post by Deleted on May 1, 2018 10:57:37 GMT
4 stars independent 4 stars the Stage
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Post by Deleted on May 1, 2018 11:54:19 GMT
Four stars from The Times
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294 posts
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Post by dani on May 1, 2018 12:06:47 GMT
It seems to be 5* from The Stage.
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360 posts
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Post by lichtie on May 1, 2018 13:43:35 GMT
4* from MB in the Grauniad
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Post by Deleted on May 1, 2018 18:08:35 GMT
I heard Quentin Letts was in attendance, any word on his opinion?
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1,064 posts
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Post by bellboard27 on May 1, 2018 20:10:53 GMT
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8 posts
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Post by shabbytigs on May 4, 2018 8:10:44 GMT
I saw it last night and it was my first time in the Dorfman, sitting right at the back in the Pit as it was one of the last tickets available. I loved it, one of the best nights I've spent in the theatre. The play was a thing of joy. I laughed, I cried and recognised a lot of the situations. Not going to repeat much of what was said here, but agree all the performances were first class. The rest of the audience was also in good voice with their reactions, particularly the people I was sitting near! At first I did have trouble hearing, but my hearing is not that great at the moment. Also I did wonder how it would play out without the interval, but my fears were unfounded. Afterwards I wandered to the bookshop and after thinking about it, I bought a copy of the text. When I'm passing by the National next time, I'll remember to have a look at the photographic exhibition on African Caribbean funerals which I didn't have time to. , hope it does come back as did The Barbershop Chronicles, which I missed out on both times! I would definitely see it again and hopefully encourage others. I agree that an NT Live would be great, especially to encourage those who don't attend the theatre. Doesn't the National and many other theatres record performances for posterity? If not screened live on the night it could be done as one of those "recorded live"?
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4,596 posts
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Post by Mark on May 4, 2018 14:43:47 GMT
Missed out on Friday rush, completely forgot and then 300+ in queue and the notice it had sold out.
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8 posts
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Post by shabbytigs on May 4, 2018 19:52:16 GMT
I really hope that this will come back in some form later on as I know plenty of people would be interested. I don't care about a West End run. if it came back at the National, I would encourage many of my friends and peers to attend as possible. Why I didn't on this occasion was because it was pretty much sold out and just managed to get a ticket for myself.
Also as particularly as 2018 is an important year for many occasions,
100 years since women got the vote 70th year since the Windrush docked at Tilbury docks 60th year since the Notting Hill riots and the murder of Kelso Cochrane which has never been solved
50th year since Martin Luther King's assassination in April 1968 50th year since Enoch Powell's Rivers of Blood speech 25th years since the murder of Stephen Lawrence
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4,631 posts
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Post by Phantom of London on May 8, 2018 21:08:08 GMT
Fasten your seatbelts sisters, as Cecilia Noble gives an Olivier Award worthy performance, who delivered a subtle but enchanting piece of theatre.
I missed several of the cultural reference, but the audience around me didn’t who were delirious from belly laughs, the one I didn’t miss were hilarious. The National Theatre has found out now why a diverse audience attended, now it has to find out how they came, how did the National speak and communicate to a BAM audience? Because when people are enjoying themselves the odds are they came back, so if this play is a gateway for people to sample another theatre experience it can only be a force for good.
I found this play to be both enjoyable and intelligent but the set design was frustrating as the if you are sitting in the Circle stage right, the stage is angled away from you. Cannot see this being nominated for a best play at the Oliviers, as I would be tempted to enter this for best entertainment/comedy where this will surely smash it.
Will this transfer, well it’s sold out!! I expect this to tour as well, it is ripe production wise to tour and will equally do well.
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3,481 posts
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Post by showgirl on May 10, 2018 4:30:49 GMT
I'm going to need a virtual flak jacket but I really didn't like this last night; I was very disappointed, given the comments here and reviews, and had there been an interval or even a respectable opportunity to leave discreetly without one, I'd have done so - and my seat did have a small gap next to it and there was a staircase just behind so I was sorely tempted...
I found it slow, soapy and at times uncomfortably as though we were laughing at (and being set up to do so) the family rather than with them. I did also find the lack of interval difficult as those seats are SO uncomfortable though as above, had there been an interval, I'd have used it to leave rather than to give my back a break. It wasn't the length per se as earlier I had sat through part 2 of The Inheritance with no difficulty - and that really is long and slow but appropriately so - followed by a film. This was meant to end my day on a high and failed but still, as the song almost says, two out of three isn't bad!
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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 May 10, 2018 17:37:56 GMT
A few tickets for Friday evening and Saturday matinee have just popped up on the National website
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1,316 posts
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Post by tmesis on May 12, 2018 20:58:20 GMT
I enjoyed this very much but I thought the melodramatic last ten minutes spoilt it a bit. Really up 'til then it hadn't put a foot wrong.
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4,596 posts
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Post by Mark on May 12, 2018 21:59:34 GMT
Really enjoyed this! Laugh out loud funny, great dialogue and engaging characters. I’ll agree with the post above that the last 10 minutes let it down slightly.
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Post by Boob on May 16, 2018 21:29:05 GMT
My review would go So far as to say The biggest landmark in black theatre For a decade Since Elminas kitchen Oooh, I was going to book until you mentioned Elmina's Kitchen. Thought this was much better than Elmina's Kitchen. Soapy, but enjoyable with some terrific performances.
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