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Post by samuelwhiskers on Jun 10, 2017 12:21:37 GMT
Presumably it's a company that transforms leaks into convenient tanks of water to keep recalcitrant men in?
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Post by samuelwhiskers on Jun 8, 2017 22:03:35 GMT
Realistically if there's a play he desperately wanted to do he could probably find a production company to do it for commercial West End (the way he initiated Much Ado), if it wasn't for the RSC or National or somewhere.
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Post by samuelwhiskers on Jun 7, 2017 14:19:58 GMT
Fwiw the NT are planning to introduce a programme from 2018 to stage more co-productions with the intention to tour more shows nationally.
I went to Harrow (state comprehensive), if anyone at the NT wants to give me a gig.
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Post by samuelwhiskers on Jun 7, 2017 13:36:13 GMT
There's a co-production Chekhov in the works performed by a deaf and disabled cast. And more co-productions with regional theatres.
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Post by samuelwhiskers on Jun 7, 2017 9:57:48 GMT
I saw this on Monday night too. It was the second ever performance and when Katie Mitchell stood up to announce it was very technical and we may have to stop - like Ryan (possibly) I thought it may have been like the Chelsea version of Dave Clarks Time with floating heads and goddesses/priests moving in and out on platforms and holograms. From what I could see the technicality was in timing the actors and props. None of the characters irritated me but I felt (and remember this is a preview) they just weren't up to speed with the crossover and speaking together. Yes there were laugh out loud moments from all three characters and it was surprisingly funny to me. Personally Carol's experience made me laugh most ( I am of a certain age before mobiles and the internet and when all you had to say was 'that's very Margot and Gerry' to get a laugh. ) but Anna resonated with me most as (being a healthcare professional) that was the time of my entry into the profession. Bonnie's story became so relevant right towards the end that I found the denouement (hope that's spelled correctly as I've had some Sauv Blanc) incredibly touching (in fact I was reminded of Clybourne Park and thought this was a far more touching ending ). I think it's slightly preaching to the converted but would encourage anyone who cares about equality and treating mental health on a par with physical health to see. I think seeing this up to speed would be amazing. You have to wait for Katie Mitchell's adaptation of Zardoz for that.
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Post by samuelwhiskers on Jun 7, 2017 9:55:37 GMT
There were a few relatively brief moments of "bonkers but interesting" interspersed with vast chunks of tedium.
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Post by samuelwhiskers on Jun 7, 2017 9:52:06 GMT
I like Lear but it also falls into the "I've seen it 500 times, I never need to see it again" category.
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Post by samuelwhiskers on Jun 7, 2017 9:51:23 GMT
Booing at the curtain call of Common last night. Shocking.
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Post by samuelwhiskers on Jun 6, 2017 21:43:00 GMT
Those of you who left at the interval missed out on the wonders of the {Spoiler - click to view} talking animatronic crow. I didn't dislike this but I didn't have the slightest clue what was going on as I kept zoning out. Blagged some free wine in the interval which made things much more enjoyable. Party of drunk older women sitting next to me who kept up a running commentary i.e. "her shoe's fallen off." Normally I'd have bludgeoned them and stuffed their bodies under the seats obv but was so drunk and play so dull it actually improved things. Except until they loudly booed at the curtain call. I really liked the set. The play is a weird mishmash of styles and tones. For example I enjoyed the scene where the two women talk {Spoiler - click to view} and Mary reveals she is pregnant and has slept with a number of men and Laura confronts her about cheating on her
but it felt like it had been copy pasted from an entirely different play altogether, a gritty contemporary relationship drama. Loved the wicker man bits.
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Post by samuelwhiskers on Jun 6, 2017 21:41:18 GMT
Not all of Shakespeare but I never need to see another production of Twelfth Night, Julius Caesar, Anthony and Cleopatra, or Henry V.
I can never see too many Seagulls.
Precious few plays need to be 3+ hours long. (Unless Mischief Theatre feel up for a challenge in which case I'll happily sit there all day.)
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Post by samuelwhiskers on Jun 6, 2017 21:37:13 GMT
I honestly thought this was one of the most emotionally affecting plays I've seen in a very long time, but I predict it will be a bit of a marmite one.
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Post by samuelwhiskers on Jun 6, 2017 16:09:28 GMT
There's a Firefox addon 'Update Scanner' that gives you a popup whenever a website is updated, I always use it when I'm tracking theatre sites for returns.
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Jun 6, 2017 16:08:14 GMT
Post by samuelwhiskers on Jun 6, 2017 16:08:14 GMT
I've been debating booking for this. Sounds interesting but the Barbican is a hassle for me to get to (and not my favourite venue).
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Post by samuelwhiskers on Jun 5, 2017 9:52:10 GMT
I wish I could have seen AiA in an intimate space!
I think there is no dearth of talented new playwrights, but an unwillingness to take risks on new talent. And a lack of opportunities for new writers to get experience writing for larger theatres. There's so much pressure on new playwrights to write 2-3 person studio plays, but unless you hit it big with those plays little chance for advancement. Be bold, theatres!
The Olivier is fiendish to write for though.
I promise I will write something actually about Common after Tuesday! Presumably people do have something to say about the play.
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Post by samuelwhiskers on Jun 4, 2017 22:02:35 GMT
Astounding. Visceral. Requires a lot of attention. Some of it is confusing since there's so much going on simultaneously but it's honestly one of the most powerful things I've seen in years.
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Post by samuelwhiskers on Jun 4, 2017 21:57:19 GMT
Ah thank you very much! I knew the board would know.
Absolutely makes sense, though I can't help but wonder what kind of impact AiA would have in a more thrust-y theatre (no innuendo intended). I always find the Lyttleton creates a bit of a barrier which can be useful in some plays but not in others.
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Post by samuelwhiskers on Jun 4, 2017 13:31:36 GMT
I don't understand at all (and this not-understanding feels shared by many, inc some people at the National) why they programmed this in the Olivier and Angels in the Lyttleton.
I am perversely looking forward to it.
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Post by samuelwhiskers on Jun 4, 2017 9:20:56 GMT
Every director and playwright in London at Anatomy of a Suicide.
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Post by samuelwhiskers on Jun 2, 2017 23:27:21 GMT
I thought it a weak script.
Pleasing an audience largely comprised of ardent fans is never going to be a challenge, though even on his fansites posters have been criticising certain elements of the script.
I worked with Tennant briefly some time ago and he's notorious for accepting jobs for and with mates, even in tiny obscure things (sometimes sans agent knowledge). Generous, lovely guy.
The one time I met Barrowman we had a serious conversation about supporting homeless gay youth, no jokes or innuendos in sight. A bit disappointed now!
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Post by samuelwhiskers on May 22, 2017 21:26:16 GMT
I thought the blurb sounded dull but booked for Duff; having read a more informative description in the Telegraph is much more compelling!
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Post by samuelwhiskers on May 16, 2017 8:19:21 GMT
If they're huge they may be able to negotiate extra perks in their contract, but generally they make their own arrangements. So if they wanted to go out they'd call the car service to pick them up from the bar/restaurant. In the event of a strike the onus would be on them to keep an eye on it and make alternative arrangements.
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Post by samuelwhiskers on May 15, 2017 11:33:30 GMT
I was in the cinema over the weekend and when a trailer for this came on half the row behind me started loudly slagging it off. Quite funny.
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Post by samuelwhiskers on May 14, 2017 15:02:16 GMT
I adore my friends but their idea of theatre etiquette is, charitably, not always entirely up to my admittedly rather exacting standards.
I am also at the exact level of career success/blagging ability to be able to wangle most press night comps but not important enough to be allowed to bring a plus one. And a certain level of cheapness, to be frank.
Which is to say: friends are essential but some pleasures are best sampled alone. Or in the spontaneous joy of a shared experience with strangers.
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Post by samuelwhiskers on May 14, 2017 12:13:54 GMT
I don't know about West End musicals but it's not unheard of in smaller shows to inform casts last minute. I know actors who were told "show is closed as of today, go home." West End contracts would break clauses, etc of course. I know this thread's not about fringe but an awful lot of fringe shows don't use contracts at all, so the actors have no protection.
I don't know if being freelance makes any difference to employment law or if it's just that the entertainment industry often plays so fast and loose with the law due to the knowledge (belief?) actors wouldn't sue for fear of being blacklisted.
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Post by samuelwhiskers on May 10, 2017 11:16:38 GMT
Time Out's review is a masterclass in shade.
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Post by samuelwhiskers on May 10, 2017 9:31:16 GMT
Lyric Shopping and F***ing had a lovely piece of audience interaction where they very gently invite a member of the audience to sit on the stage and read the last speech in the play. But there is no pressure to say yes and the cast guide the person so sweetly. And one bit at the start that audience members have to actively volunteer for.
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Post by samuelwhiskers on May 5, 2017 13:24:53 GMT
To be fair she didn't react to Louis and Prior, only to the the bit at the end with Roy Cohn. So it might have been a reaction to the character or possibly the age difference. But evidently pretty keen on Tovey!
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Post by samuelwhiskers on May 5, 2017 0:33:27 GMT
Hi lady who kept talking through Angels in America: please don't groan and tut when Russell Tovey covers his naked backside, and again at the sight of two men kissing.
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Post by samuelwhiskers on May 5, 2017 0:25:43 GMT
Surely Scrooge will be played by a female actor... They did an all-female Christmas Carol at one of their pop-up fringe festivals a few years ago, weirdly.
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Post by samuelwhiskers on May 5, 2017 0:24:31 GMT
Saw this last night, and found it spectacular.
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