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Post by fossil on Jul 16, 2021 13:23:59 GMT
Let me know if they reply you and also the email address you sent it to. There are many! I had the same problem, back of stage, great view but zero understanding of the dialoge. I sent my complaint to feedback@nationaltheatre.org.uk. I have had an auto-acknowledgement but no actual reply yet.
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Post by fossil on Jul 15, 2021 19:24:33 GMT
I did wonder if being closer to the stage or staged in a more intimate auditorium I would have been more engaged as a result? I was in row F of the stalls in front the the stage on Tuesday (having been lucky enough to pick up a £36 return that morning) and suspect david is correct about this production needing you to be close to the action as from my vantage point closer to the stage I thought this was a very good production. This was the second time I had seen this production. I went to the matinee last Saturday and was seated in the second row of the stalls seats at the back of the stage. This was sold as a "restricted view" ticket. The only good thing about the seat was actually the excellent unrestricted view. Unfortunately for too much of the time this was an excellent view of the actors backs. The production was very much directed for the benefit of the audience to the front of the stage with only the occasional nugget directed to us poor folks at the back. Ok I thought, at least I can enjoy Dylan Thomas's dialogue. Not so. Although I could hear the actors, much of the dialogue was rendered unintelligible by the acoustics of the theatre at the back of the stage. My suspicion is that sound came back from the sound reinforcement speakers in the auditorium with a slight delay by the time it reached us, which had a muffling effect on the actors speech. I am only guessing - I am no sound engineer! On my second visit, sitting to the front of the stage, I could hear every word so it was definitely a problem with the theatre acoustics. It was a captioned performance so I had a go at following the words. Unfortunately the caption screen was positioned at too obtuse an angle to allow me to read it properly! I left the theatre feeling I had simultaneously attended and missed a really good production. I was so annoyed that, for the first time in 50 years of going to the National Theatre, I emailed a complaint to the National Theatre. I am so glad I was subsequently able to see (and hear) this production a few days later. I have been to a number of productions over the years where a director has not been sensitive to where all members of the audience were sitting, but last Saturday at the National was one of the worst examples I have encountered.
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Post by fossil on Jul 13, 2021 13:14:04 GMT
When I saw it at the cinema there was no behind the scenes, it went straight into the show. The behind the scenes interviews were included at the end of the "Great Performances" TV screening of the show on PBS in the USA.
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Post by fossil on Jun 23, 2021 16:27:17 GMT
Cambridge Arts Theatre have just added several extra performances. These are all matinees. Good news for me as previously only evening performances were available which I was reluctant to book.
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Post by fossil on Jun 19, 2021 15:29:46 GMT
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Post by fossil on May 21, 2021 16:09:33 GMT
Priority booking registration is open: kitkat.clubLast time I saw Cabaret was in 2014 with Alan Cumming at Studio 54 on Broadway and it's going to be very hard to beat that! Try the Donmar 1993 Sam Mendes production... also with Alan Cumming. The full show can currently be viewed on YouTube.
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Post by fossil on Apr 21, 2021 8:56:20 GMT
Just received my replacement tickets. My three tickets were moved from centre row F to row J which is the front row of the left of centre rear block. A little disappointing but could have been worse. The seats show as a block of two on the plan but I guess that this was sensible allocation as the third seat is by an aisle so we will still be socially distanced and it means they can sell an extra ticket.
I note that our £25 over 60s tickets are priced at £35 this year.
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Post by fossil on Apr 18, 2021 16:52:17 GMT
Tickets for a limited number of dates are showing as for sale on the Open Air Theatre web site now. You can see from that what the seat groupings will be.
I was booked for Carousel last year. The last email I received was in May last year saying "You do not need to do anything. We have already transferred your original booking to the corresponding performance in 2021". My original three seats (F25,26,27) show on the new seating plan as in a group of four so I have to just hope we are reallocated to reasonable seats.
My sister had a booking for R&J seats F23-26 and has just had an email and been reallocated to C5-8.
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Post by fossil on Apr 13, 2021 8:41:40 GMT
The National Theatre will open in June. No details as to COVID precautions were listed. As part of remodelling the Olivier theatre as an in-the-round performance space, the front rows of the Stalls have been built as socially distanced bench seating. While these seats do not have arm rests, they have allocated seats, back-rests and are cushioned. The socially distanced capacity of the Olivier Theatre is just under 584 seats, consisting of socially-distanced seating for group sizes of 1-4 people. The socially distanced capacity of the Dorfman Theatre is 129 seats, consisting of socially-distanced seating for group sizes of 1-4 people. More information here: www.nationaltheatre.org.uk/help-centre/your-visit
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Post by fossil on Feb 24, 2021 10:32:12 GMT
Philip is just incredible - the best. He's also a lovely and genuine man. Forgive me for being nostalgic, but I do miss the 'glory days' - Quast, McCarthy, Corry, Janssens... even the likes of Secomb and Carpenter (both incredible, but a bit more recent). I have nothing against these talented youngsters coming in, but they're all so... young! I rarely go to see a show for its cast, but I can't remember the last time I was completely blown away or moved by a performer playing Javert. I feel they're always so shouty and angry - and young! Don't get me started on Michael Ball. I love him, but what on earth was that?! Do you think we'll ever see an 'older' performer take on the role again in the future? Even one of the aforementioned performers -- now wouldn't that be something special. Who is YOUR ultimate Javert? Looking forward to your replies. Hope everyone is well. WM76 Hi WM76 In case you missed it. I pasted a link to a really interesting long interview with PQ in the Performers thread.
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Post by fossil on Feb 23, 2021 17:56:35 GMT
A recent Opera Australia interview. "In this interview with our Artistic Director, Lyndon Terracini, Philip talks about juggling Les Misérables, Play School and home renovations, and why a team of actors and creative talents are more like an NRL team than you might imagine. He recalls some pivotal performances and explains why a “warm down” might be even more important for a singer than a “warm up”. " tv.opera.org.au/programs/in-conversation-with-philip-quast
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Post by fossil on Feb 23, 2021 17:48:40 GMT
Philip Quast - Stars. Definitely has still got it. (I did not know how to paste a link directly to the video).
https://www.reddit.com/r/musicals/comments/lc17n4/does_he_still_got_it_philip_quast_singing_stars/
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Post by fossil on Feb 18, 2021 16:48:31 GMT
I watched this last night and enjoyed it immensely. Excellently written and performed (and sung!) and really drew you into the developing relationship between the two characters.
The streaming quality was very good. Just a slight hitch at the beginning where Danny Sapani's microphone was not faded up. The only slight irritation was the overuse of side view camera angles. I like to sit in the good central seats, not the cheaper side seats!
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Post by fossil on Dec 1, 2020 19:24:52 GMT
Mosquitoes, brilliant! I thought it said could be viewed through TV via Roku this morning but I have yet to discover how, or found any mention of it further into the site. It is mentioned in the faqs section. www.nationaltheatre.org.uk/ntathome-faqs
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Post by fossil on Nov 21, 2020 15:07:56 GMT
I was not really interested in seeing this as I find monologues can be a bit tedious, but as my wife wanted to, we watched this on-line last night. I was very pleasantly surprised. This is sustained by a really impressive performance from Joseph Potter playing the troubled artist and those around him. I would recommend catching tonights performance if you can.
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Post by fossil on Nov 5, 2020 18:05:38 GMT
Dates announced: 3rd to 5th December. Booking opens Monday for on-line and in-theatre tickets for all four performances.
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Post by fossil on Oct 27, 2020 18:22:43 GMT
I hope it is ok to post this but I will understand if the moderators have to remove it for copyright reasons! For those who, like me, loved the production, a little treat I found on Vimeo. Wise children have posted videos of various trailers and snippets vimeo.com/wisechildrenThey have also posted a longer rehearsal video
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Post by fossil on Oct 27, 2020 16:55:38 GMT
Excellent news from Wise Children:
This message comes with a loud whoop of gratitude for all of you who tuned in to our live broadcasts of Romantics Anonymous last month! When we first cooked up the idea, we genuinely had no idea whether we could actually achieve what we set out to do. We knew it would be risky, we knew it would be trailblazing - but we didn’t know how much fun it would be, or what a success!............Ever impatient for the next adventure, we feel there is no time to waste and we are excited to announce that we are planning a second broadcast. This time, we’ll be teaming up with our beloved friends at Kneehigh to broadcast The Flying Lovers of Vitebsk live from Bristol Old Vic.
No dates yet.
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Post by fossil on Sept 26, 2020 16:30:16 GMT
I watched this last night (Friday) and it was the perfect light hearted antidote to these gloomy times. Thoroughly enjoyable from beginning to end. Having seen the Old Vic's effort at streaming with a very jerky picture, by contrast the picture quality for this was very good. The sound was also clear and well balanced. The camera work was just right to show the performances with no unnecessary close-ups or busy cutting from camera to camera like you get sometimes get with live performances.
There is a fifteen minute interval.
Almost tempted to grab one of the few tickets left to see this live in the theatre on Sunday, but I suppose I had better not risk it having endured so many months of shielding. As if to run salt into the wounds my calendar reminder app has just popped up to tell me that I should be off to the Bridge Theatre to see the now postponed Book of Dust for which I did have tickets!
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Post by fossil on Aug 26, 2020 13:09:08 GMT
Good and bad news from TodayTix for those wanting a cheap ticket. Pairs of tickets only.....
"Unlock £15 mobile Rush tix now for Beat The Devil The Bridge Theatre reopens its doors to audiences with their new repertoire of one-person plays. Kicking off with their first production Beat the Devil, this new play by David Hare stars award-winning actor Ralph Fiennes (Harry Potter, Antony & Cleopatra), with performances beginning on 27 August.
Unlock mobile Rush tix for £15 each* for Beat the Devil, available to purchase from 10am on each performance date. Only on TodayTix.
*To allow for all seats to be used while maintaining social distancing, tickets must be purchased in pairs. "
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Post by fossil on Jul 31, 2020 11:04:41 GMT
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Post by fossil on Jul 27, 2020 16:05:35 GMT
Chichester Festival Theatre will present a day of outdoor performances on Monday 31 August. Join us for an evening concert where Omid Djalili will introduce songs from the musicals with West End stars Gina Beck, Gabrielle Brooks, Rob Houchen, Julian Ovenden and Giles Terera, joined by CFT Artistic Director Daniel Evans. Songs will include a medley from South Pacific alongside hits from West Side Story, Wicked, The Sound of Music and My Fair Lady.
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Post by fossil on Jul 26, 2020 19:02:28 GMT
I posted this in the "Performers" section but I will flag it up here as well (if you are like me and don't always look there).
There is an excellent musicals sequence in "Bryn Terfel at 50". If you have a Sky box, this RAH concert is currently available on Sky Arts via their catch up service.
SONDHEIM The Last Midnight, from Into the Woods Hannah Waddingham
SCHÖNBERG The Confrontation, from Les Miserables Bryn Tefel & John Owen Jones
SCHÖNBERG Bring Him Home, from Les Miserables John Owen Jones
FLAHERTY Wheels of a Dream, from Ragtime Bryn Terfel & Rebecca Evans
SONDHEIM I remember, from Evening Primrose Bryn Terfel & Daniel Evans
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Post by fossil on Jul 26, 2020 18:50:59 GMT
I have just discovered, thoroughly enjoyed, and would recommend "Bryn Terfel at 50" on Sky Arts. Michael Sheen introduces a whole host of excellent performers at this Albert Hall concert. If you have a Sky box this is currently available on their "catch up" service.
To me only one performer seemed poor but that was only because he seemed out of place amongst the others who could actually sing properly and not swallow the end of each line. If you watch this I would be interested if you can guess who I mean and if you agree or not. The programme was:
TCHAIKOVSKY. Polonaise, from Eugene Onegin Sinfonia Cymru
GOUNOD Le veau d’or from Faust Bryn Terfel
KEEN arr. WILBERG Homeward Bound Bryn Terfel, Alison Balsom & Only Men Aloud
MOZART Queen of the Night aria, from The Magic Flute Alison Balsom
PUCCINI Nessun Dorma, from Turandot Aleksandr Antonenko
SIMON & GARFUNKEL Bridge over Troubled Water Only Men Aloud
Donizetti Quanto Amore, from L’Ellisir d’Amore Bryn Terfel & Danielle De Niese
TRAD *Shanandoah Bryn Terfel
WILLIAMS Little Welsh Home Bryn Terfel
BIZET Au fond du temple saint, from Les Pecheurs de Perles Bryn Terfel
TRAD Folksong Medley Calan
TRAD Basque Folksong Bryn Terfel & Calan
Tango Solo Ksenija Siderova
SONDHEIM The Last Midnight, from Into the Woods Hannah Waddingham
SCHÖNBERG The Confrontation, from Les Miserables Bryn Tefel & John Owen Jones
SCHÖNBERG Bring Him Home, from Les Miserables John Owen Jones
FLAHERTY Wheels of a Dream, from Ragtime Bryn Terfel & Rebecca Evans
JENKINS Over the Stone, COncerto for 2 Harps & Orchestra, Mvt 6 Hannah Stone & Catrin Finch
SCHUBERT Litanei Bryn Terfel & Malcolm Martineau
SONDHEIM I remember, from Evening Primrose Bryn Terfel & Daniel Evans
STING When we dance Sting
STING Roxanne Bryn Terfel, Sting & Ksenija Siderova
WAGNER Abendlich strahlt der Sonne Auge, from Das Rhiengold Bryn Terfel
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Post by fossil on Jul 19, 2020 10:37:30 GMT
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Post by fossil on Jul 14, 2020 19:23:25 GMT
I have started watching the BBC's Shakespeare and Hathaway which is set in Stratford-Upon-Avon. They keep having scenes filmed outside the RST and for a couple of episodes both outside and inside The Other Place. It is most upsetting. I had not realised how much I was missing my trips to Stratford! Even the scene filmed at the Station...…. I even miss the mad scramble for good tickets:
Priority Exchange for Winter 2021 - The Wars of the Roses and The Magician’s Elephant * Major Donors, Production Circle, Artists Circle and Gold Patrons - from Tuesday 14 July * Silver Patrons - from Wednesday 15 July * Bronze Patrons - from Tuesday 21 July * Members - from Tuesday 28 July * Subscribers - from Wednesday 29 July
Priority Booking for Winter 2021 - The Wars of the Roses and The Magician’s Elephant * Major Donors, Production Circle, Artists Circle and Gold, Silver and Bronze Patrons - from Monday 10 August * Members and Subscribers - from Tuesday 11 August * Public Booking opens on Wednesday 12 August
Note that Members and Subscribers booking is the same day.
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Post by fossil on Jul 4, 2020 16:44:30 GMT
I am reminded of the production of Songs For A New World I saw in about the year 2001 at the late lamented Bridewell Theatre in London which had an excellent cast of Golda Rosheuvel, Craig Purnell, Sarah Redmond and Nigel Richards. The cast were very professional and gave it their all despite the fact that there could not have been more than about 10 of us in the audience. Why is the Bridewell Theatre in London late and lamented? I was going to say, because I remember it closed in about 2004 or 5. You caused me to do a bit of googling and although it did announce its closure at that time, I had not realised that this was the Bridewell Theatre Company closing and that the building itself has remained open as a functioning theatre. So my lamentations must be restricted to that theatre company who I remember putting on some good productions. I am glad to learn the building is still in use as a theatre - or at least it was until this wretched pestilence arrived.
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Post by fossil on Jul 4, 2020 13:44:41 GMT
I am reminded of the production of Songs For A New World I saw in about the year 2001 at the late lamented Bridewell Theatre in London which had an excellent cast of Golda Rosheuvel, Craig Purnell, Sarah Redmond and Nigel Richards. The cast were very professional and gave it their all despite the fact that there could not have been more than about 10 of us in the audience.
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Post by fossil on Jul 2, 2020 16:22:33 GMT
Just bought a £20 ticket for the Saturday matinee. I was surprised to find tickets at all prices still available.
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Post by fossil on Jun 11, 2020 15:18:20 GMT
A nice little at home concert from Bryn Terfel & Hannah Stone. I only came across this through a review in the Telegraph and it proved an unexpected treat. I especially liked Bryn's rendition of "Stars".
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