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Post by edi on Mar 5, 2022 14:32:55 GMT
I've been to three different shows recently at the NT, and, at every one, my "restricted view" seat was unrestricted. Unfortunately, it's become a case of boy crying wolf. On the occasion a seat really does have a partially blocked view, no-one will know in advance. Thank you. This is my first time back to the original Olivier configuration and I wasn't sure whether things changed. Also some productions have raised stage but so far my NT front row experience is good
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Post by matty on Mar 5, 2022 17:46:38 GMT
I missed this the first time round, but saw it last night and loved it. One of the best productions I've seen at the NT recently.
What was quite distracting though was that someone had brought their baby along with them and throughout most of the second act said baby could be heard until the person left the auditorium near the end. (They were sat in the stalls, while I was up near the back of the circle). Like seriously?!
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Post by cavocado on Mar 5, 2022 19:00:08 GMT
I missed this the first time round, but saw it last night and loved it. One of the best productions I've seen at the NT recently. What was quite distracting though was that someone had brought their baby along with them and throughout most of the second act said baby could be heard until the person left the auditorium near the end. (They were sat in the stalls, while I was up near the back of the circle). Like seriously?! The NT terms and conditions say no children under 4, so I think it's reasonable to complain about this www.nationaltheatre.org.uk/your-visit/policies/terms-and-conditions (it's clause 18.7)
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652 posts
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Post by theatremiss on Mar 5, 2022 19:35:09 GMT
I missed this the first time round, but saw it last night and loved it. One of the best productions I've seen at the NT recently. What was quite distracting though was that someone had brought their baby along with them and throughout most of the second act said baby could be heard until the person left the auditorium near the end. (They were sat in the stalls, while I was up near the back of the circle). Like seriously?! Oh I think the NT allows this unfortunately or they turn a bling eye. I had the misfortune a few years ago seeing Cate Blanchett in When we Have Sufficiently Tortured Each Other at the Dorfman. I was in the foyer and I saw a woman with her partner with a very small baby. I thought at first perhaps she’d come along to have a cuppa and her partner was seeing the show. Nope, in she schlepped to the front of Stalls where she got her baps out and started breastfeeding. Lots of murmurings and mumblings from the baby but in the whole didn’t make a huge noise, just distracting one’s. But on the whole thinking about how someone would believe it acceptable to bring a breastfeeding child into a theatre was more engaging than the play.
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486 posts
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Post by wiggymess on Mar 6, 2022 10:01:32 GMT
I missed this the first time round, but saw it last night and loved it. One of the best productions I've seen at the NT recently. What was quite distracting though was that someone had brought their baby along with them and throughout most of the second act said baby could be heard until the person left the auditorium near the end. (They were sat in the stalls, while I was up near the back of the circle). Like seriously?! Oh I think the NT allows this unfortunately or they turn a bling eye. I had the misfortune a few years ago seeing Cate Blanchett in When we Have Sufficiently Tortured Each Other at the Dorfman. I was in the foyer and I saw a woman with her partner with a very small baby. I thought at first perhaps she’d come along to have a cuppa and her partner was seeing the show. Nope, in she schlepped to the front of Stalls where she got her baps out and started breastfeeding. Lots of murmurings and mumblings from the baby but in the whole didn’t make a huge noise, just distracting one’s. But on the whole thinking about how someone would believe it acceptable to bring a breastfeeding child into a theatre was more engaging than the play. You are David Brent and I claim my five pounds.
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279 posts
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Post by fossil on Mar 6, 2022 18:48:13 GMT
If the baby had filled its nappy there would not have been just visual and audible distractions to deal with for this in the vicinity!
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Post by imstillhere on Mar 8, 2022 1:17:51 GMT
This is a stunning show. I would say it's Norris' highlight of so far of his time at NT.
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507 posts
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Post by jampot on Mar 8, 2022 2:03:37 GMT
This is a stunning show. I would say it's Norris' highlight of so far of his time at NT. Saw it on Sat .. Absolutely superb..
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Post by jojo on Mar 8, 2022 19:08:36 GMT
I've been to three different shows recently at the NT, and, at every one, my "restricted view" seat was unrestricted. Unfortunately, it's become a case of boy crying wolf. On the occasion a seat really does have a partially blocked view, no-one will know in advance. Might it depend how tall you are in some cases? I'm so pleased this is back, and I hope to see this in April. The book has been on my 'want to read' shelf on Goodreads for a while, but I'm not sure if I should read it before seeing the play.
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1,267 posts
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Post by mkb on Mar 9, 2022 7:06:23 GMT
I've been to three different shows recently at the NT, and, at every one, my "restricted view" seat was unrestricted. Unfortunately, it's become a case of boy crying wolf. On the occasion a seat really does have a partially blocked view, no-one will know in advance. Might it depend how tall you are in some cases? I can't see how. I am 5'8 and my seats were all in the front three rows. Were I shorter, the only difference would be that a taller person in front could block my view, but this is true of nearly every seat bar the front row, and the further back you are, the greater the area of the stage that the taller person in front will obscure.
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Post by edi on Mar 11, 2022 11:27:33 GMT
Might it depend how tall you are in some cases? I'm so pleased this is back, and I hope to see this in April. The book has been on my 'want to read' shelf on Goodreads for a while, but I'm not sure if I should read it before seeing the play. Small Island is one of my all time favourite books and although the NT adaption is superb it it a bit "edited highlights" especially in one of the book's lead characters so I would wait and read it after seeing the play for added depth. I actually read the book after seeing the play and I didn't like thd book, specifically the long story of the edited character. I thought the NT did a good job with the editing
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1,357 posts
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Post by Dave B on Mar 17, 2022 21:14:11 GMT
Cancelled this evening just after 8pm. House didn't open until about 19.35 - no announcement to give reasoning and FOH said they didn't know why or when it would open.
Rufas Norris came out about 19.50 to say there was a technical problem, one of the big mechanical doors was stuck closed and they had been working on it for hours. Said they were going to have a last attempt, if they could get it to open then they could do about 95% of the show as meant to be but if not, it would not be safe as it was related to the revolving floor.
Shortly after 8 - nope, had to cancel. He came back out with all the cast, all fully ready to go and apologised and said BO would be in touch tomorrow. Most took it well and warm applause for (and returned by the cast) and as they all started to walk off, someone started to sing and there was then about a minutes singing before we all headed home quite early. We had front row 'restricted seats' and were even sitting separately as they were the best seats we could find so hopefully BO will sort us out tomorrow, it does run for another while...
So yeah, these things happen but I can't help but feel the NT stretched it out for bar takings. Not opening the house, not indicating there was any kind of issue, I can only assume they wanted to get some cash in.
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Post by gillian on Mar 25, 2022 23:52:23 GMT
Very enjoyable evening that whizzed by. I really enjoyed the supporting cast and ensemble. It was great to be back in the building. I appreciated the space and ease getting drinks, toilets etc. I'd forgotten what a great building it is. Being in the Olivier made me miss Hadestown.
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1,357 posts
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Post by Dave B on Mar 31, 2022 11:06:36 GMT
After that false start earlier in the month, we saw this on Tuesday. I enjoyed it, my partner loved it. Only one thing I'd add to the comments above.
Mirren Mack was off, so Queenie was played by Rebecca Lee. Looking at the cast sheet, it looks like Rebecca Lee normally plays Franny who is Queenie's friend in the volunteers/organisers, she has about one line. She was great as Queenie so really impressive to see someone move from just one line to one of the leading roles.
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Post by thistimetomorrow on Apr 23, 2022 0:19:24 GMT
Leemore Marrett Jr is absolutely fantastic as Gilbert. Very impressed by him. Mirren Mack was off, so Queenie was played by Rebecca Lee btw, do the national usually have a sheet up if there's an u/s on?
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1,357 posts
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Post by Dave B on Apr 23, 2022 8:30:26 GMT
Leemore Marrett Jr is absolutely fantastic as Gilbert. Very impressed by him. Mirren Mack was off, so Queenie was played by Rebecca Lee btw, do the national usually have a sheet up if there's an u/s on? Yes, at least they do by the stalls. It's normally on a stand by the entrance doors, before they open up and then once they open it usually moves to the side of the doors.
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