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Post by Someone in a tree on May 25, 2018 8:22:29 GMT
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Post by n1david on May 25, 2018 10:24:24 GMT
Might be interesting, but I predict that at least two of the cast members will appear in their underwear for an extended scene.
They announced this as the first show in their new venue, but they've now slotted in another revival of Beautiful Thing as the launch production for their new theatre.
Bit concerned how they will manage to wring 2h35m out of this.
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Post by alece10 on May 25, 2018 10:49:07 GMT
Considering the length of most Grindr encounters I'm expecting the running time to be about 20 mins!!!!
Not that I'm speaking from experience.
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Post by Dr Tom on May 26, 2018 19:53:29 GMT
Considering the length of most Grindr encounters I'm expecting the running time to be about 20 mins!!!! Not that I'm speaking from experience. That would probably be the media view for the young, attractive and uninhibited living in a busy city.
An alternative take would look at scam profiles requesting money, endless chats never leading to anything more, blocks, 10(+) year old photographs, drug peddlers and bizarre unrepeatable requests. And even a few musical theatre stars who like to log in during their downtime.
But all things considered, there could be a very serious show here if that was the intention.
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Post by n1david on Aug 8, 2018 9:19:09 GMT
Well, it isn't a very serious show, but it's not at all bad. Definitely trying to be "operatic" rather than "musical", so of the music was quite clever, notably the Mozartian number "Fellatio". Grindr itself is portrayed as a figure from the netherworld, manipulating men and their relationships to create chaos in his goal to promote sexual interaction. Ultimately the plot is too absurd to be believable, but maybe that's the point. A diversion. Oh, and it's down to about 1h45 including an interval.
(Cast in underwear count: all of them)
My first show at the new Above the Stag, a much better performance space than the previous location, well raked with good sightlines. Allocated seating but allocated when you pick up your tickets, so get there early and get the seats you want then nip next door to the Portuguese restaurant for a quick bite. Those seats are pretty narrow though, they'll be in trouble if they ever put on a show targeted at bears... (speaking as one who is fairly broad in the beam himself)
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Post by n1david on Aug 8, 2018 14:36:37 GMT
Just as a additional note, I just booked for 'Maurice' and invited to select my seats at the time of booking, so I assume the arrangements for Grindr were transitional as they were selling tickets before moving into the new building. The Studio Theatre has unreserved seating.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 9, 2018 22:36:35 GMT
If I booked for this would I be the only woman in the audience? Really like the sound of it.
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Post by n1david on Aug 9, 2018 22:45:57 GMT
If I booked for this would I be the only woman in the audience? Really like the sound of it. Impossible to tell for any particular performance but there are normally a few women in the audience at Above The Stag, and Maurice (as a classic story) may well get a more mixed audience than, say, Grindr The Opera. The new venue is in a much better location - the last one was really in the depths of Vauxhall backstreets and I sometimes felt uncomfortable leaving the theatre at night - but not where it is now. The new bar/foyer is also very open and doesn't feel like a private club or seedy environment. I don't think anyone in the audience would think you out of place at the performance, but you would almost certainly be in a minority. |
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Post by jamb0r on Aug 10, 2018 14:30:24 GMT
Those seats are pretty narrow though, they'll be in trouble if they ever put on a show targeted at bears... When I saw Beautiful Thing I was in a group of 7 bears, and we probably average 17 stone each. We had to come to an agreement where we alternately sat either leaning forward or back as we could not fit in those seats if we tried to sit shoulder to shoulder! |
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Post by Someone in a tree on Aug 18, 2018 6:44:42 GMT
Great new venue. So much better than the previous. Nice bar that I would happily visit just for drinks.
I also really enjoyed the show the concept of making and breaking couples is clever. the plot is operatic in style - has Rossini come back from the grave? I would happily listen to a recording of this.
Good sets and great lighting.
The piece is written for 5 voices and 3 - 5 musicans. Here we had 3 musicans and a cast of 7. I wish it was a band of 5 and 5 voices as the go-go boys didn’t add anything apart from pert buttocks to look at! I also thought the Grindr character could be stronger - Imagine someone like Madonna playing that role? But that aside I really enjoyed it and totally recommend it.
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Post by theatreian on Aug 18, 2018 14:58:46 GMT
(Cast in underwear count: all of them) Quite disgraceful use of the male body as an object of gratification. Now where do you get the tickets from? How long is it on for and are the cast hot? |
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Post by cherokee on Aug 19, 2018 12:56:57 GMT
I thought this was well performed and nicely produced. And great that Above the Stag are now giving their cast microphones, which always scuppered their musicals at the old venue.
My only reservations are about the piece. It seems weirdly conservative and slightly reactionary:
Not all LGBT men are looking to settle down in a conventionally romantic 'happy ending' and I found it a little judgmental regarding anyone who didn't. Plus making the token older guy the villain with the sexual kinks... I'd hope they'd be promoting a healthier, more inclusive attitude towards LGBT men's sexuality.
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Post by n1david on Aug 19, 2018 14:57:47 GMT
Yes, I shared your concern about the older character being portrayed as the creepy one - could have been more progressive in that respect.
I think the other issue that you raised has to do with the writer's attitude to Grindr (the character and hence the app) - Grindr the character had to break up happy monogamous relationships in order to keep itself 'alive' - as soon as he/it was portrayed as an evil tempter then the opposite "good" had to be long-term monogamy. Arguably the writer has issues with Grindr itself in portraying him/it as evil whereas others believe it has been - or can be - a good thing in itself. The constraints of the simplistic good/evil metaphor in the show has no place for (e.g.) a couple who regularly use Grindr to meet others for shared sexual experiences.
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Post by n1david on Aug 27, 2018 16:26:08 GMT
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Post by n1david on Nov 1, 2018 13:04:14 GMT
Returning for a second run Above the Stag from 17 January.
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Post by Someone in a tree on Jan 21, 2019 8:24:38 GMT
I went back again last night and really loved it. The production is the same as before,well I didn't notice any changes. Im totes recommending.
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