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Post by rumbledoll on Nov 5, 2016 18:35:34 GMT
Anyone knows - are those days seats are easy to get or you have to Q from very early in the morning?
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1,858 posts
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Post by Marwood on Nov 6, 2016 13:47:50 GMT
Had originally booked to see this last month but had to cancel at the last minute due to a bereavement in my family (and after seeing the last 10 minutes of this, I am glad I didn't go then, I would have been devastated), but picked up a £18 stalls ticket for yesterday through Today Tix (was sat in middle of row Q, was a bit worried seeing £1 binoculars for hire on the back of the seat in front of me when I sat down but the view was fine).
I agree that not a lot happens in act 1, but I was extremely impressed with act 2 - while Ken Stott gave a fine performance, this is really Reece Shearsmiths show. I've seen him in a couple of plays previously and thought he was good, but I thought his performance in this was outstanding, one of the best I've seen this year. Hopefully he'll get more serious roles in the theatre and on TV/film soon.
Highly recommended, there are some extremely funny moments (saw enough of King Lear in this to make me think I did the right thing getting rid of my Glenda ticket) but a word of warning, not one to go and see if you want an 'uplifting' ending and to come out of the theatre laughing and smiling.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 6, 2016 14:03:02 GMT
I rang ATG to ask about this as my computer is now not registering the offer online at all, on any price range.
They confirmed that the offer is only for the top price seats (which you can still get for £39). I declined as I've seen those seats £7 cheaper elsewhere anyway! But I guess if you are interested...ring them and ask them to apply it over the phone, as I can't get it to show the price reduction on my Mac at all!
Good to know Row Q is a decent view, Marwood (as I was aiming for Row R with the reduction). The way I'm feeling at the moment, perhaps I should wait a bit before seeing it anyway if it's so downbeat. And I am very sorry to hear about your family bereavement.
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Post by Marwood on Nov 6, 2016 18:07:39 GMT
I recommend seating it Jean - it's not so downbeat that you will want to go home and sit in a darkened room after seeing it, it does offer some sort of hope and hint of reconciliation at the end. I think my recent circumstances didn't help (there was a man sat behind me blubbing like a baby) but I'm glad I saw it. I now want to go back and watch the Finney/Courtenay film again, I haven't seen it in ages.
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Post by vdcni on Nov 7, 2016 14:05:58 GMT
I thought this was ok nothing more. Wasn't keen on the first act at all - particularly when it was just the main two but the supporting cast particularly Harriet Thorpe perked things up. It gets a lot better after the interval but never really hits the heights for me. By the end I didn't feel anything for Norman, I was just tired of listening to him ranting on. I'm not sure if that was just the character of Shearsmith's performance which did nothing for me.
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Post by rumbledoll on Nov 8, 2016 9:32:04 GMT
Got BB Stalls for just £18 via TodayTix! Looking forward to it Thanks for the tip!
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Post by Marwood on Nov 8, 2016 9:47:48 GMT
Hope you enjoy it Rumbledoll, i was thinking of going for the BB stalls for myself tonight but wanted to go and see it on Saturday so made do with row Q. Well worth the money IMO.
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Post by johnv47 on Nov 8, 2016 15:26:13 GMT
I thought this was ok nothing more. Wasn't keen on the first act at all - particularly when it was just the main two but the supporting cast particularly Harriet Thorpe perked things up. It gets a lot better after the interval but never really hits the heights for me. By the end I didn't feel anything for Norman, I was just tired of listening to him ranting on. I'm not sure if that was just the character of Shearsmith's performance which did nothing for me.
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Post by johnv47 on Nov 8, 2016 15:30:11 GMT
I thought this was ok nothing more. Wasn't keen on the first act at all - particularly when it was just the main two but the supporting cast particularly Harriet Thorpe perked things up. It gets a lot better after the interval but never really hits the heights for me. By the end I didn't feel anything for Norman, I was just tired of listening to him ranting on. I'm not sure if that was just the character of Shearsmith's performance which did nothing for me. I thought he was fantastic. Deft, cruel, funny, nasty and pathetic. So detailed. The play is called "The Dresser" so perhaps his ranting on was because he had a lot of lines. A very moving play I thought. If by its very period nature, a bit old fashioned.
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Post by johnv47 on Nov 9, 2016 15:45:38 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Nov 13, 2016 14:13:49 GMT
Rumbledoll, have you seen this yet from row BB, stalls? Wondering what the view is like. TodayTix seem to have availability scattered here and there but wondering if I'd miss a lot, being so close...
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Post by Marwood on Nov 13, 2016 16:51:22 GMT
The stage was fairly low, so wouldn't have thought you'd miss anything, and while there was fair amount of the revolve in use, wouldn't have thought you'd miss out on anything if you were sat at the end of the row.
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Post by rumbledoll on Nov 15, 2016 1:02:02 GMT
Rumbledoll, have you seen this yet from row BB, stalls? Wondering what the view is like. TodayTix seem to have availability scattered here and there but wondering if I'd miss a lot, being so close... Yep, that's right - BB is a front row, high numbers (or center obv where I was, could not complain about theview at all) are preferable. I personally LOVED the show. Two leading performances are nothing short of phenomenal - hilarious, devastating and frightfully believable which I always rate first. I was a total wreck at the end of it... the only dissapointing thing is that the production of such quality and power is undersold..
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Post by Marwood on Nov 15, 2016 21:28:18 GMT
Glad you enjoyed it Rumbledoll, I'm hoping to go again closer to the end of it's run and sit a bit closer to the the front if I can get a decently priced ticket.
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Post by rumbledoll on Nov 18, 2016 12:08:30 GMT
Reece Shearsmth's performance still haunts me big time. Do you think it is rather a leading or a supporting category (for the award season 'cause a lack of nomination for this would be a crime against theatre)? It certainly was a former for me.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 18, 2016 12:16:08 GMT
Norman is definitely the lead role. Tom Courtenay was nominated for the Olivier and Tony as Lead Actor as Norman back in the mists of time.
And I agree, Reece Shearsmith deserves a nomination at the very least.
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Post by lou105 on Nov 27, 2016 20:24:32 GMT
The BBC version, with Ian McKellen and Anthony Hopkins, is repeated next Saturday, BBC2 at 10.30 pm.
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Post by rumbledoll on Nov 27, 2016 20:36:33 GMT
Is it just me or McKellen is a bit old to play Norman? I recall at some point he says smth about being with Sir for the past 16 years and it sounds as if this job has been a major part of his life, like he's given his prime years to Sir. Sounds a bit weird when you are 75 and look it. Though McKellen naturally is a brilliant actor.
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Post by Marwood on Nov 27, 2016 20:52:05 GMT
I tried watching the McKellen/Hopkins version when it was last on and thought it was dull and gave up half way through - now have the Finney/Courtenay version on DVD and will be watching it at some point over the Christmas holidays (probably haven't seen it for about 20 years or so)
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Post by loureviews on Nov 27, 2016 21:37:52 GMT
Is it just me or McKellen is a bit old to play Norman? I recall at some point he says smth about being with Sir for the past 16 years and it sounds as if this job has been a major part of his life, like he's given his prime years to Sir. Sounds a bit weird when you are 75 and look it. Though McKellen naturally is a brilliant actor. I'm inclined to agree. It was good to see him work with Hopkins but they were both too old for this play.
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Post by rumbledoll on Nov 28, 2016 8:47:21 GMT
I also found Hopkin's performance too low-key in tone for such a part. I loved how Ken Stott made it such a powerhouse with outbursts of grumpiness and frightfully intimidating presence at times.
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Post by lonlad on Dec 7, 2016 13:10:37 GMT
Bring back Paul Rogers and Freddie Jones - the original Sirs in New York (Rogers) and London (Jones) - neither has ever been surpassed, certainly not by Stott - a great actor in entirely the wrong part for him.
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Post by ctas on Dec 15, 2016 22:47:50 GMT
Saw this tonight, used the todaytix £15 offer for this week they ran a couple of days ago and got a pair of row D just off-centre stalls. Lovely seats, love that theatre and how roomy it is! Enjoyed the play a lot too so might have to seek out the film/tv versions now.
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Post by Mark on Dec 21, 2016 23:11:38 GMT
Got a really cheap (£10) ticket for the matinee today - really excellent! And a total bargain at £10
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Post by loureviews on Dec 23, 2016 23:18:24 GMT
Just back from this. Really liked it although I wasn't sure about Stott to start with. Shearsmith was excellent and a nice little bit from Simon Rouse (from The Bill many years ago) as Thornton.
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Post by Marwood on Jan 7, 2017 23:21:05 GMT
Saw this again today, I wanted to see it again before it closed, and it just re-iterated what a fine production this is - yes this is really Reece Shearsmith's show, but sitting in the second row this time, I was really impressed by Ken Stott's performance this time, I really thought he was superb, and hopefully it won't be too long before we see either of them on the West End stage again.
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Post by Honoured Guest on Jan 8, 2017 9:24:30 GMT
Saw this again today, I wanted to see it again before it closed, I should like to see it after it closed.
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Post by rumbledoll on Jan 8, 2017 11:14:52 GMT
Saw this again today, I wanted to see it again before it closed, and it just re-iterated what a fine production this is - yes this is really Reece Shearsmith's show, but sitting in the second row this time, I was really impressed by Ken Stott's performance this time, I really thought he was superb, and hopefully it won't be too long before we see either of them on the West End stage again. Do you happen to know if they still have offers for front stalls somewhere? I only see Row E-back at TodayTix.
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Post by Marwood on Jan 8, 2017 12:35:57 GMT
Saw this again today, I wanted to see it again before it closed, and it just re-iterated what a fine production this is - yes this is really Reece Shearsmith's show, but sitting in the second row this time, I was really impressed by Ken Stott's performance this time, I really thought he was superb, and hopefully it won't be too long before we see either of them on the West End stage again. Do you happen to know if they still have offers for front stalls somewhere? I only see Row E-back at TodayTix. Today Tix has row A (where I was sat yesterday) for Friday night for £32.50 (I had a £10 credit which I used yesterday)
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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 Jan 8, 2017 12:47:25 GMT
I saw it yesterday too, really enjoyed it. Have managed never to see the play or either film version so was surprised to realise it wasn't a two hander with a single set! Booked through todaytix - they had rear stalls for £18 including booking fee, so £8 with the £10 credit I used (feel free to use SEZCE, £10 credit fans! ). I was in row Q, view from there was great. Amused by the mobile phone warning beforehand which involved one of the ushers wandering around waving a sign around with very small writing on it, at the far end of the auditorium from me. As someone near me said "I think it's an eye test".
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