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Post by david on May 10, 2023 23:57:03 GMT
Due to the cancellation of “Once On This Island” at the OAT this morning, a quick diversion this dinner time on my way to the Almeida theatre to the @sohoplace box office allowed me to pick up the last ticket and day seat for the first preview tonight. I got stalls C47 for £25. With a run time of around 90 minutes straight through tonight I enjoyed it but didn’t come away loving it. The set consists of a platform which houses a kitchen set at one end and a double bed at the other. Both these rise and fall from the stage when required. The campsite set is set on the same side as I was sat on. The stage platform is also used during the campsite scenes. I’d say the set is functional rather than anything breathtaking. Walking into the auditorium you do find one cast member already present on stage. For the first preview, it ran really smoothly with no stoppages or visible issues with sets or mics. As the story is very much a memory recall one, we see an older version of Ennis in the background for much of the play looking on as events play out and taking centre stage when required. For the roles of Jack and a younger Ennis, Faist and Hedges even in this first preview have got a nice on stage chemistry making their characters relationship an engaging one as the story plays out. Even though you know how it ends, it is still heart breaking to see it unfold in front of you. The intimate scenes such as their first encounter at Brokeback Mountain are tastefully done on stage in subdued lighting or hinted at later in in bedroom scenes. There really isn’t anything explicit on stage. You do get one gunshot on stage. The use of music within the play is an interesting addition. Performed by a 4 piece band situated by the side of the stage (if you are sat near Stalls A40 I think you will be near them) consisting of keys, pedal steel guitar, harmonica and bass, the songs written by Dan Gillespie Sells songs which have a definite country vibe to them. They are sung by Eddi Reader who doubles up as Jack’s mum. The songs are fine in themselves and nice to listen to and add an emotional layer to proceedings.
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Post by mattnyc on May 11, 2023 0:58:11 GMT
I wanted to like this tonight. I wanted to LOVE this. I really really did. But my reaction to it what's on the stage is..."Why?" Why does this need to exist? It's a condensed version of the story, clocking in at a nice 90 minutes which ended up being more than fine with me. When there's a film that's as well known with performances so ingrained in people's minds, there's got to be a reason to do a play like this and I guess I just couldn't come up with what that reason was here. Maybe if it were a true musical then that question would be answered, but as is, it's just a reason for very good actors to give pretty good performances that make you remember why Heath Ledger and Jake Gyllenhaal were so iconic.
Plus add to that things that I know they wanted to set this show apart from the film, like starting with the older Ennis lurking onstage the entire time "narrating" (or remembering?), it was distracting and weird and absolutely unnecessary to the story being told and I actually feel that way for the songs, too. To me, they were kind of pointless. Yes they added to the mood of the scene but it was nothing an instrumental score couldn't accomplish and I think probably do better.
All that said - I didn't hate it. I just wish it was "more". Case in point, I'm not asking for an explicit sex scene but when Jack and Ennis do have sex for the first time it's in a tent where we can't see anything except the tent move around. And that moment is such an important part of this story that to not even show the start of it seemed wrong to me.
I'll sleep on it and think some more about it, for sure. If I could give it 2 1/2 stars out of 5, I would.
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Post by theatrelover123 on May 11, 2023 7:03:38 GMT
I wanted to like this tonight. I wanted to LOVE this. I really really did. But my reaction to it what's on the stage is..."Why?" Why does this need to exist? It's a condensed version of the story, clocking in at a nice 90 minutes which ended up being more than fine with me. When there's a film that's as well known with performances so ingrained in people's minds, there's got to be a reason to do a play like this and I guess I just couldn't come up with what that reason was here. Maybe if it were a true musical then that question would be answered, but as is, it's just a reason for very good actors to give pretty good performances that make you remember why Heath Ledger and Jake Gyllenhaal were so iconic. Plus add to that things that I know they wanted to set this show apart from the film, like starting with the older Ennis lurking onstage the entire time "narrating" (or remembering?), it was distracting and weird and absolutely unnecessary to the story being told and I actually feel that way for the songs, too. To me, they were kind of pointless. Yes they added to the mood of the scene but it was nothing an instrumental score couldn't accomplish and I think probably do better. All that said - I didn't hate it. I just wish it was "more". Case in point, I'm not asking for an explicit sex scene but when Jack and Ennis do have sex for the first time it's in a tent where we can't see anything except the tent move around. And that moment is such an important part of this story that to not even show the start of it seemed wrong to me. I'll sleep on it and think some more about it, for sure. If I could give it 2 1/2 stars out of 5, I would. You could just give it 5 out of 10
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Post by fiyerorocher on May 11, 2023 9:05:37 GMT
Does anyone know the logic of why they make you check bags into the cloakroom? It just seems like a recipe for a nightmare of a queue at the end of the performance every night. Unless they're hoping that, since it's a short show and the bar's open afterwards, you'll see the queue and decide to buy a drink while you wait for it to go down?
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Post by mattnyc on May 11, 2023 9:45:06 GMT
“You could just give it 5 out of 10 ” I was going by the five star ratings set up in the board here.
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Post by bwayboy22 on May 12, 2023 10:40:09 GMT
Saw it last night. It was well acted. They had the actor playing older Ennis on stage the whole time even though he had very few lines. Would have preferred him off stage except at the beginning and end. Sometimes he actually blocked the view of the other actors. The band and singer sounded nice but the music was very forgettable and I think it would have worked as well to just have background instrumentals playing instead of a band. Although without the music, it probably would have only been 45 minutes long. I also thought the first time they had sex wasn't setup or executed well. If you didn't know it was going to happen, you wouldn't have realized it did until after when they talked about it. I give it 3 out of 5 stars.
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Post by Deleted on May 12, 2023 11:03:22 GMT
Stating the obvious, a work of art exists because someone had a need or desire to create it.
Whether or not their efforts find an audience is another story.
I appreciate artists who keep taking swings at creating. They may not always hit home runs, but their efforts may reveal something that resonates with some and/or inspires others' creations.
I look forward to seeing this production in a few weeks.
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Post by cavocado on May 12, 2023 11:39:10 GMT
Does anyone know the logic of why they make you check bags into the cloakroom? It just seems like a recipe for a nightmare of a queue at the end of the performance every night. Unless they're hoping that, since it's a short show and the bar's open afterwards, you'll see the queue and decide to buy a drink while you wait for it to go down? I've been to the last 3 shows and not been asked to check in my bag, nor seen anyone else asked to. The seating isn't hugely spacious, but it's fine for a normal sized bag under the seat. Good to know there's a cloakroom if needed, but I don't think it's enforced.
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Post by mattnyc on May 12, 2023 11:55:11 GMT
As I was walking up the stairs, a staff member ran up to me and told me I needed to come back down and check my backpack. There was plenty of room for me to put it under my seat so that was just annoying.
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Post by fiyerorocher on May 12, 2023 12:53:38 GMT
Does anyone know the logic of why they make you check bags into the cloakroom? It just seems like a recipe for a nightmare of a queue at the end of the performance every night. Unless they're hoping that, since it's a short show and the bar's open afterwards, you'll see the queue and decide to buy a drink while you wait for it to go down? I've been to the last 3 shows and not been asked to check in my bag, nor seen anyone else asked to. The seating isn't hugely spacious, but it's fine for a normal sized bag under the seat. Good to know there's a cloakroom if needed, but I don't think it's enforced. It's definitely being enforced. I watched lots of people being made to go back down the stairs and check bags. Smaller ones people seemed to be allowed to keep but a lot of people were being made to check items.
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Post by anthony40 on May 12, 2023 14:50:00 GMT
Ever slightly off topic, however keeping with the theme of Brokeback Mountain- the movie, some time back Jake Gylenhall was promoting his new film and being interviewed at the BFI where, invariably Brokeback Mountain came up.
The two things I distinctly remember him say was the following:
Heath Ledger- so much braver as an actor than he, or that he will ever be. In terms of the roles he chose, his acting method, he's delivery, is on screen presence.
The affair- it doesn't matter what your opinion on the matter is, this was a love story. It just happened to be about two men who were cowboys. These men were in love and nothing could stop that.
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Post by cavocado on May 12, 2023 15:49:55 GMT
I've been to the last 3 shows and not been asked to check in my bag, nor seen anyone else asked to. The seating isn't hugely spacious, but it's fine for a normal sized bag under the seat. Good to know there's a cloakroom if needed, but I don't think it's enforced. It's definitely being enforced. I watched lots of people being made to go back down the stairs and check bags. Smaller ones people seemed to be allowed to keep but a lot of people were being made to check items. Ah, maybe it's a new thing, or my backpack is small enough to pass their rules. That's very annoying if it means more queuing at the end - already a slow theatre to exit.
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Post by jaggy on May 12, 2023 19:49:10 GMT
When I saw As You Like It there they made me put my backpack in the cloakroom. When I saw Medea they allowed me to take it into the auditorium. No idea why they can’t decide whether this is a rule or not.
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Post by digne on May 12, 2023 20:58:22 GMT
I saw it tonight and no one said anything about my bag - I couldn't see anyone getting singled out for bags/backpacks in the queue but maybe everyone in front of me only had small bags?
I didn't have a problem exiting either, but I sat in the stalls near the door which I'm sure helped.
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sky
Auditioning
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Post by sky on May 15, 2023 13:45:58 GMT
Just received an email for my upcoming show, seems like the bag policy is "smaller than A4"
"Cloakroom and bag policy: with exceptional acoustics, you too are part of the performance. We have a large cloakroom that can be used by all patrons free of charge. To respect performers and fellow patrons, we request that bags bigger than an A4 piece of paper (21cm x 30cm) are checked into the cloakroom."
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Post by lightinthedarkness on May 15, 2023 14:26:55 GMT
Just wondering if anyone has sat in the seats the website says are partial restricted view because of the band? Stalls D 1-5 for example.
Looked on seatplan but nonthing from this show yet by the look of it! Just wondering how bad it is as an obstruction.
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Post by theoracle on May 15, 2023 20:40:40 GMT
Also B16 & B17 in the stalls are marked restricted, does anyone know why as the seats next to them are top price!
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Post by A.Ham on May 16, 2023 18:36:09 GMT
With this being in the round, I’d be grateful for any advice on which side / end to sit or avoid. Thanks in advance!
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Post by david on May 16, 2023 19:33:24 GMT
With this being in the round, I’d be grateful for any advice on which side / end to sit or avoid. Thanks in advance! A.Ham - I sat in stalls C47 and got a great view, so I'd say anything on that side would be a safe bet.
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Post by ilovewemusicals on May 18, 2023 21:38:49 GMT
Does Mike Faist meet fans at stage door?
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Post by mattnyc on May 18, 2023 22:00:01 GMT
Does Mike Faist meet fans at stage door? He did when i went.
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Post by lonlad on May 18, 2023 23:28:34 GMT
Mike Faist is by some measure the best thing about the production which otherwise is a non-starter. Early reviews range from 2 stars (Independent), to 3 (Telegraph), to 4 (Theatre Weekly), to 5 (incomprehensible gush from Broadwayworld.com)
I have a funny feeling it will be a tough sell.
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Post by teamyali on May 19, 2023 0:53:44 GMT
The Daily Mail did not like the play, calling it a snooze fest: www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-12101103/amp/Steamy-cowboy-encounter-mountaintop-yawnfest-LUKE-JONES-reviews-Brokeback-Mountain.htmlI don’t know if it’s a website error or a deliberate decision but no star rating given. Either zero stars or just simply a site error. I’m waiting for Arifa and Nick’s reviews to balance it out. American film stars seem to be struggling gaining acclaim in the West End - Amy Adams recently in The Glass Menagerie. Helen Hunt did fine last time at the Old Vic but I didn’t see so much discussion here of Eureka Day in the forum. Although British stars do better on Broadway these days. Perhaps it’s just a British thing or a West End thing, or pure coincidence.
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Post by showgirl on May 19, 2023 3:32:09 GMT
I didn't see the film, in which I had zero interest, so wasn't planning to see this, either. However, having heard a preview on Radio 4's Front Row, I really loved the music and learning that the performance was only 90 mins long was encouraging. However, the ticket prices are way too high and the bag policy sounds discouraging (if you're out for the day, you're likely to have a bag larger than their auditorium size limit), so I'll wait to see if there are any offers.
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Post by teamyali on May 19, 2023 9:27:04 GMT
Review round up so far:
5 STARS ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ BroadwayWorld UK All That Dazzles London Theatre
4 STARS ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Evening Standard Theatre Weekly The i The Guardian
3 STARS ⭐️⭐️⭐️ The Times The Telegraph The Stage WhatsOnStage City AM Time Out
2 STARS & below ⭐️⭐️ The Daily Mail The Independent
So far, it’s going fine. Reviews commend Mike Faist more as well as Emily Fairn who plays Ennis’ wife Alma. Lucas Hedges is also good. (Him looking like a discount Prince Harry meets Ed Sheeran is just so funny to look at lol) No one thinks this is going to top off the iconic movie. Coincidentally, the short film Strange Way of Life, directed by Pedro Almodóvar starring Ethan Hawke and Pedro Pascal, was reviewed by critics at Cannes. The Brokeback companion, they say.
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Post by lonlad on May 19, 2023 12:37:42 GMT
>> So far, it’s going fine. Not at all: with the exception of the Standard, all the heavy hitters are 3 or 2 stars. These reviews collectively are well below what all involved were hoping for and don't exactly cry out for the Broadway transfer that clearly is the expectation. Be interesting to see what the US trade papers say, if they review it.
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Post by mrnutz on May 19, 2023 12:48:41 GMT
"Cloakroom and bag policy: with exceptional acoustics, you too are part of the performance." I don't get this. If they have exceptional acoustics, why does it matter if you have a bag or not?
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Post by teamyali on May 19, 2023 13:23:22 GMT
>> So far, it’s going fine. Not at all: with the exception of the Standard, all the heavy hitters are 3 or 2 stars. These reviews collectively are well below what all involved were hoping for and don't exactly cry out for the Broadway transfer that clearly is the expectation. Be interesting to see what the US trade papers say, if they review it. I was thinking that either Brokeback or Medea or both @sohoplace productions will eventually find home on Broadway within next year…well, I’m leaning towards Medea going to Circle in the Square. (Director Dominic Cooke posted on Instagram that he visited New York last month for meetings…) At least Mike Faist is releasing a new movie this year, Challengers, directed by Luca Guadagnino, which is expected to be an awards contender and a box office hit (also starring Zendaya and Josh O’Connor), and could have its world premiere at Venice, weeks after the Brokeback run ends.
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Post by lonlad on May 19, 2023 13:53:20 GMT
More reviews in:
Guardian **** Time Out *** The Arts Desk **
Talk about a spread !
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Post by Someone in a tree on May 19, 2023 14:13:10 GMT
Manspreading
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