tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22178929695395642162024-03-13T02:36:09.539+00:00Notes from the Earlham Street GutterWeezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17508573692659511169noreply@blogger.comBlogger178125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2217892969539564216.post-17450614776911725822019-07-15T15:16:00.002+01:002019-07-15T15:16:30.576+01:00Last 10 things seen at the theatre: #140<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">29th June to 13th July.</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<a name='more'></a><div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<b>List the last 10 things you saw at the theatre in order:</b></div>
<div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">1. </span><i style="font-family: inherit;">A Midsummer Night's Dream</i><span style="font-family: inherit;"> (Open Air Theatre)</span></div>
<div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">2. <i>Aesop's Fables</i> (Unicorn Theatre)</span></div>
<div>
<div>
</div>
</div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">3. <i>Orpheus Descending</i> (Menier Chocolate Factory)</span></div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
</div>
</div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">4. <i>Wife</i> (Kiln)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">5. <i>Peter Gynt</i> (National; Olivier)</span></div>
</div>
<div>
</div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">6. <i>Henry V, or Harry England</i> (Shakespeare's Globe)</span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div>
<div>
<div>
</div>
</div>
<div>
<div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
</div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">7. <i>Henry IV Part 2, or Falstaff</i> (Shakespeare's Globe)</span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div>
<div>
<div>
</div>
</div>
<div>
<div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
</div>
</div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">8. <i>Henry IV Part 1, or Hotspur</i> (Shakespeare's Globe)</span></div>
</div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">9. <i>the end of history... </i>(Royal Court Downstairs)</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">10. <i>Present Laughter</i> (Old Vic)</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
</div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Who was the best performer in number one (</b><b><i>A Midsummer Night's Dream</i></b><b>)?</b></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Future Dame Susan Wokoma, obvs.</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Why did you go to see number two (</b><b><i>Aesop's Fables</i></b><b>)?</b></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">I was tempted anyway because I love the Unicorn, but I finally got around to booking once I heard that Rosie Wyatt was in it.</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Can you remember a line/lyric from number three (</b><b><i>Orpheus Descending</i></b><b>) that you liked?</b></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">I'm afraid not.</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>What would you give number four (</b><b><i>Wife</i></b><b>) out of ten?</b></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">8, I think. Somehow the individual scenes all ran for far longer than they really needed to, but the play as a whole was a treasure.</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Was there someone hot in number five (</b><b><i>Peter Gynt</i></b><b>)?</b></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>Peter Gynt</i>? At the National Theatre? Starring James McArdle, that <i>Peter Gynt</i>? Nah, I can't think of anyone.</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>What was number six (<i>Henry V, or Harry England</i></b><b>) about?</b></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Gross nationalism and smashing the French. It's also about how beautiful the magic of theatre can be when done well, and maybe a whole strand about demonstrating character growth, but I think there's a reason why most theatres seem to have been avoiding it since the Brexit vote, when I last saw it.</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Who was your favourite actor in number seven (</b><b><i>Henry IV Part 2, or Falstaff</i></b><b>)?</b></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Oh I thought Nina Bowers was great! Shout-out to Sophie Russell too.</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>What was your favourite bit in number eight (<i>Henry IV Part 1, or Hotspur</i></b><b>)?</b></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">I can't recall a single stand-out bit, I'm afraid. It was a very long day.</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Would you see number nine (</b><b><i>the end of history...</i></b><b>) again?</b></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Putting aside very strong feelings that I had already seen that exact play numerous times in that very theatre, no, I can't say I'd be in a hurry to sit through it again.</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>What was the worst thing about number ten (<i>Present Laughter</i></b><b>)?</b></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">I only booked one performance, and there were no reasonably priced seats left that I'd be willing to sit in for any potential return visit. (But they will be screening it through NT Live, and I may even be free that day for ONCE, so it's not the end of the world.)</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<b>Which was best?</b></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>Present Laughter</i>, easily. The production was a little uneven, but Andrew Scott is so good that he still elevated the whole thing to an easy five stars.</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<b><strike><span style="font-family: inherit;">Which was worst?</span></strike></b></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<b>Did any make you cry?</b></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>Wife</i>. <i>Henry V</i>. I think.</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<b>Did any make you laugh?</b></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Probably the entire <i>Henry</i> trilogy, definitely <i>Present Laughter</i>.</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<b>Which roles would you like to play in any of them?</b></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">I am going through a summer of seeing a LOT of <i>A Midsummer Night's Dream</i>. Do I have to restate my thoughts for every single production? I may have an opportunity to be involved in <i>Henry IV Part 2</i> next year (yep, on its own, bit risky) but I don't really fancy any of the female characters and don't think the director is as open to casting women as men as I would like.</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<b>Which one did you have best seats for?</b></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>Peter Gynt</i>, I think. It wasn't even as uncomfortable as I feared it was going to be, which is often the best you can hope for from a theatre seat.</span></div>
Weezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17508573692659511169noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2217892969539564216.post-34231638750795832872019-07-15T14:58:00.002+01:002019-07-15T14:58:30.253+01:00Last 10 things seen at the theatre: #139<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">25th May to 24th June.</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<a name='more'></a><div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<b>List the last 10 things you saw at the theatre in order:</b></div>
<div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">1. </span><i style="font-family: inherit;">The Damned</i><span style="font-family: inherit;"> (Barbican)</span></div>
<div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">2. <i>King Hedley II</i> (Theatre Royal Stratford East)</span></div>
<div>
<div>
</div>
</div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">3. <i>Rutherford And Son</i> (National; Lyttelton)</span></div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
</div>
</div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">4. <i>A Midsummer Night's Dream</i> (Hall Barn)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">5. <i>Amélie</i> (Wycombe Swan)</span></div>
</div>
<div>
</div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">6. <i>The Knight Of The Burning Pestle</i> (Barbican)</span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div>
<div>
<div>
</div>
</div>
<div>
<div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
</div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">7. <i>ANNA</i> (National; Dorfman)</span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div>
<div>
<div>
</div>
</div>
<div>
<div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
</div>
</div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">8. <i>Dead Dog In A Suitcase (And Other Love Songs)</i> (Lyric Hammersmith)</span></div>
</div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">9. <i>The Starry Messenger </i>(Wyndham's)</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">10. <i>Three Sisters</i> (Almeida)</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
</div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Who was the best performer in number one (</b><b><i>The Damned</i></b><b>)?</b></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Oh I just did not enjoy this production enough to be bothered casting my mind back for a stand-out performer. If you're that interested, go find one of the positive reviews and see what you can glean from that.</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Why did you go to see number two (</b><b><i>King Hedley II</i></b><b>)?</b></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">I'd like to see if I can collect the entire August Wilson oeuvre. I don't mean to cast aspersions, but it looks like it's going to be much harder than collecting all the Shakespeare plays, so I'm not going to miss an opportunity.</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Can you remember a line/lyric from number three (</b><b><i>Rutherford And Son</i></b><b>) that you liked?</b></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">I just took a lot of offence at the idea of Janet Rutherford being pitied for being 36 and still unmarried. And here was me thinking I could stop taking theatre so personally once I passed 35 and <i>Company</i> closed...</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>What would you give number four (</b><b><i>A Midsummer Night's Dream</i></b><b>) out of ten?</b></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Local production, actual friends, don't want to start beef.</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Was there someone hot in number five (</b><b><i>Amélie</i></b><b>)?</b></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">I was a little sad at how underused Chris Jared was considering how I enjoy watching him, though I suppose watching Danny Mac was reasonable compensation.</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>What was number six (<i>The Knight Of The Burning Pestle</i></b><b>) about?</b></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Francis Beaumont showing off just how outrageously ahead of his time he was. With a sneaky contemporary European twist. Performed in Russian. I need to stop going to the Barbican, it's far too easy to view these productions as being entirely normal things to see.</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Who was your favourite actor in number seven (</b><b><i>ANNA</i></b><b>)?</b></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">I would very much like to see Georgia Landers in more plays please.</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>What was your favourite bit in number eight (<i>Dead Dog In A Suitcase (And Other Love Songs)</i></b><b>)?</b></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">I always like it when a show decides to go out with a big overwhelming bang. If you're not spat out of the theatre into the night, still reeling, then was it even worth going at all?</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Would you see number nine (</b><b><i>The Starry Messenger</i></b><b>) again?</b></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">NOPE. I can't even recall why I decided to see it just the once, though it is always nice to reconnect with friends.</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>What was the worst thing about number ten (<i>Three Sisters</i></b><b>)?</b></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">I don't have a worst thing, I enjoyed this production very much.</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<b>Which was best?</b></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">I don't know if <i>Rutherford And Son</i> was actually good or if the cast were just superb. I did love <i>Three Sisters</i> much more uncomplicatedly though.</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<b><span style="font-family: inherit;">Which was worst?</span></b></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">I did not get on with <i>The Damned</i>. I will punch Ivo van Hove in the nose one day.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<b>Did any make you cry?</b></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">I don't think any of them did. <i>Three Sisters</i> was the one that came closest though.</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<b>Did any make you laugh?</b></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>The Knight Of The Burning Pestle</i> works in any language, it turns out.</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<b>Which roles would you like to play in any of them?</b></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">I already played Helena so I guess maybe I'd like to have a bash at Titania or Peter Quince (or even Bottom) next. Also I think it's clear that if I were one of Chekhov's <i>Three Sisters</i> then I would obviously be Olga.</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<b>Which one did you have best seats for?</b></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>Rutherford And Son</i>, I think. Even with the weird overhang and the unnecessary stool. I had front row centre for a number of these shows, but this one gets the points for randomly sitting me next to a friend I wasn't expecting to see, and leaving empty seats on either side of us so we were able to move along a little at the interval and minimise the effects of the unnecessary stool.</span></div>
Weezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17508573692659511169noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2217892969539564216.post-25938649086815964012019-06-02T21:56:00.003+01:002019-06-02T21:56:45.738+01:00Last 10 things seen at the theatre: #138<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">20th April to 25th May.</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<a name='more'></a><div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<b>List the last 10 things you saw at the theatre in order:</b></div>
<div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">1. </span><i style="font-family: inherit;">Fiddler On The Roof</i><span style="font-family: inherit;"> (Playhouse)</span></div>
<div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">2. <i>Hamilton</i> (Victoria Palace)</span></div>
<div>
<div>
</div>
</div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">3. <i>White Pearl</i> (Royal Court Downstairs)</span></div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
</div>
</div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">4. <i>Death Of A Salesman</i> (Young Vic)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">5. <i>Equus</i> (Yvonne Arnaud)</span></div>
</div>
<div>
</div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">6. <i>The Half God Of Rainfall</i> (Kiln)</span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div>
<div>
<div>
</div>
</div>
<div>
<div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
</div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">7. <i>Rosmersholm</i> (Duke of York's)</span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div>
<div>
<div>
</div>
</div>
<div>
<div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
</div>
</div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">8. <i>Sweet Charity</i> (Donmar Warehouse)</span></div>
</div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">9. <i>All My Sons </i>(Old Vic)</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">10. <i>A German Life</i> (Bridge Theatre)</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
</div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Who was the best performer in number one (</b><b><i>Fiddler On The Roof</i></b><b>)?</b></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Oh this is going to sound very very weird but whoever the musical director was. I've been in <i>Fiddler</i> twice and I've seen it several times more, but I've never encountered a production that made such careful use of dynamics in the singing before, it made an incredible difference to the way some of the songs come across.</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Why did you go to see number two (</b><b><i>Hamilton</i></b><b>)?</b></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">I wanted to see Karl Queensborough in the title role. He was great.</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Can you remember a line/lyric from number three (</b><b><i>White Pearl</i></b><b>) that you liked?</b></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Nope. Really enjoyed it but didn't pick up a playtext and have no memory for dialogue unless I'm going out of my way to memorise it</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">.</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>What would you give number four (</b><b><i>Death Of A Salesman</i></b><b>) out of ten?</b></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">A solid 9, it was just a little too long to get the full 10 but there was SO much to love about it.</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Was there someone hot in number five (</b><b><i>Equus</i></b><b>)?</b></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Do you really think I'd've booked the day off work and driven down to Guildford if they'd cast anyone other than Ira Mandela Siobhan as the horse?</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>What was number six (<i>The Half God Of Rainfall</i></b><b>) about?</b></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Smashing the patriarchy, one mythical avatar of toxic masculinity at a time.</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Who was your favourite actor in number seven (</b><b><i>Rosmersholm</i></b><b>)?</b></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">No prizes for guessing Hayley Atwell.</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>What was your favourite bit in number eight (<i>Sweet Charity</i></b><b>)?</b></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">I don't think I had a favourite bit, but I did think it was a great production and Anne-Marie Duff did really well.</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Would you see number nine (</b><b><i>All My Sons</i></b><b>) again?</b></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">I scarcely wanted to see it this time. Nothing against the production or the performers, all of which were top-notch, but I'm not exactly over-invested in MillerFest '19.</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>What was the worst thing about number ten (<i>A German Life</i></b><b>)?</b></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">I liked what they did with the set, but honestly, that's a lot of seats they chose not to sell in the name of a single effect that most of the audience wouldn't even have noticed.</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<b>Which was best?</b></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">I liked <i>Equus</i> most, I think, though <i>The Half God Of Rainfall</i> came at exactly the right time for me.</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<b><strike><span style="font-family: inherit;">Which was worst?</span></strike></b></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<b>Did any make you cry?</b></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>Fiddler On The Roof</i>, <i>Hamilton</i>, and <i>The Half God Of Rainfall</i>.</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<b>Did any make you laugh?</b></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Um, this wasn't exactly a lightweight bunch.....</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<b>Which roles would you like to play in any of them?</b></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">I have played Tzeitel in <i>Fiddler On The Roof</i>, and it was nice, but I am READY to play Fruma Sarah.</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<b>Which one did you have best seats for?</b></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>Equus</i>. I got a lot of decent bargains, but very much of the "I only paid a small sum, I was lucky my view was as good as it was" variety, rather than the "HOW is this seat ONLY this much money?!" sort. Whereas for <i>Equus</i> I paid full whack for a regional midweek matinee and got front row centre.</span></div>
Weezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17508573692659511169noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2217892969539564216.post-68537853613487232792019-05-03T22:00:00.000+01:002019-05-03T22:00:03.205+01:00Last 10 things seen at the theatre: #137<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">23rd March to 20th April.</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<a name='more'></a><div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<b>List the last 10 things you saw at the theatre in order:</b></div>
<div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">1. </span><i style="font-family: inherit;">Downstate</i><span style="font-family: inherit;"> (National; Dorfman)</span></div>
<div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">2. <i>Grief is the Thing with Feathers</i> (Barbican)</span></div>
<div>
<div>
</div>
</div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">3. <i>Little Miss Sunshine</i> (Arcola)</span></div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
</div>
</div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">4. <i>Ghost Stories</i> (Lyric Hammersmith)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">5. <i>Top Girls</i> (National; Lyttelton)</span></div>
</div>
<div>
</div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">6. <i>Alys Always</i> (Bridge Theatre)</span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div>
<div>
<div>
</div>
</div>
<div>
<div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
</div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">7. <i>Wolfie</i> (Theatre503)</span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div>
<div>
<div>
</div>
</div>
<div>
<div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
</div>
</div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">8. <i>Kiss Me Kate</i> (Curzon Centre)</span></div>
</div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">9. <i>Wilderness </i>(Hampstead Downstairs)</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">10. <i>Romeo and Juliet</i> (Shakespeare's Globe)</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
</div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Who was the best performer in number one (</b><b><i>Downstate</i></b><b>)?</b></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Oh no oh no they were all really good. Um... K Todd Freeman, probably.</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Why did you go to see number two (</b><b><i>Grief is the Thing with Feathers</i></b><b>)?</b></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">I sort of lost patience with Enda Walsh all together after <i>Lazarus</i>, but apparently his previous collaborations with Cillian Murphy carried over just enough goodwill for me to give this one a go. I also really love crows.</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Can you remember a line/lyric from number three (</b><b><i>Little Miss Sunshine</i></b><b>) that you liked?</b></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">I can unfortunately only really remember one lyric, and I wouldn't say I liked it so much as it was just a REALLY catchy song quite near the end of the show, so of course it lingered on. I'm thinking about seeing this again when it goes on tour though, so maybe something I like will actually stick if I do</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">.</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>What would you give number four (</b><b><i>Ghost Stories</i></b><b>) out of ten?</b></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Ahhh, I'm not comfortable doing this. I've been a proponent of the play since its first outing and I still love it, but the older I get, the harder I find it to ignore its flaws. Also I bought the playtext which has finally been published, and certain assertions made in the introduction really rubbed me the wrong way.</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Was there someone hot in number five (</b><b><i>Top Girls</i></b><b>)?</b></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Katherine Kingsley is generally the hottest person in any show she's in tbh.</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>What was number six (<i>Alys Always</i></b><b>) about?</b></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">It's been a few weeks since I've seen it and I think it says a lot about the play that although I was engaged while I was watching it, I could no longer tell you what it was about.</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Who was your favourite actor in number seven (</b><b><i>Wolfie</i></b><b>)?</b></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Erin Doherty. And Sophie Melville.</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>What was your favourite bit in number eight (<i>Kiss Me Kate</i></b><b>)?</b></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">I hated how much I loved the gangster double-act with the catchiest song in the whole damn show.</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Would you see number nine (</b><b><i>Wilderness</i></b><b>) again?</b></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Nooo. It was interesting but there was a little too much that didn't really work for me.</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>What was the worst thing about number ten (<i>Romeo and Juliet</i></b><b>)?</b></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">I don't think there was anything really. Not that I remember.</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<b>Which was best?</b></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">I'm so annoyed that it was easily <i>Downstate</i>.</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<b><strike><span style="font-family: inherit;">Which was worst?</span></strike></b></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<b>Did any make you cry?</b></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">I think <i>Little Miss Sunshine</i> did a bit.</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<b>Did any make you laugh?</b></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Again, <i>Little Miss Sunshine</i>. I did laugh during <i>Ghost Stories</i>, but it's easy to laugh when you know what's about to happen and the people sat near you are jumping out of their skin, and it's not quite the same thing as laughing at the show.</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<b>Which roles would you like to play in any of them?</b></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">I don't know if I'm super up for any of them. Except I would absolutely make an awesome Romeo.</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<b>Which one did you have best seats for?</b></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Oh gosh, I had front row centre for six of them and that was great for them all. Couldn't possibly single one out.</span></div>
Weezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17508573692659511169noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2217892969539564216.post-22740551686003618622019-04-07T13:42:00.000+01:002019-04-08T09:52:57.159+01:00Olivier Awards 2019 - entirely self-indulgent blog-post<span style="font-family: inherit;">IT'S THAT TIME AGAIN, the time for me to get salty with my opinions on the nonsense that the Society of London Theatre want to feed us in the name of awarding theatre. And yeah, there'll be SALT.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">EDIT: I prepared this blogpost on the day the nominations came out with the intention of filling it in on the day of the awards (today), and I haven't looked at it since then, so I'm really curious to get in there and find out just what I was so angry about back on nominations day...</span><br />
<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><u>Best actor in a supporting role in a musical</u></b></span><br />
<span style="color: red; font-family: inherit;"><b>Jonathan Bailey for <i>Company</i> at Gielgud Theatre</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Clive Carter for <i>Come From Away</i> at Phoenix Theatre</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Richard Fleeshman for <i>Company</i> at Gielgud Theatre</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Robert Hands for <i>Come From Away</i> at Phoenix Theatre</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Can I just say how utterly delighted I am that Richard Fleeshman is recognised in this category, I know everyone thinks Jonathan Bailey is going to walk it and I guess I'm not mad about that (unless I was mad about it a month ago?), but Fleeshman was doing great work too and it's nice that he stood out for it. I think it's bold but weird to try recognising individuals for <i>Come From Away</i> because it's such a true ensemble piece and not a single cast member was letting the side down, so it's going to be a <i>Company</i> victory (for Bailey, let's face it).</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><u>Best actress in a supporting role in a musical</u></b></span><br />
<span style="color: red; font-family: inherit;"><b>Patti LuPone for <i>Company</i> at Gielgud Theatre</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Ruthie Ann Miles for <i>The King and I</i> at the London Palladium</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>“The Queens” – Aimie Atkinson, Alexia McIntosh, Millie O’Connell, Natalie Paris, Maiya Quansah-Breed and Jarneia Richard-Noel - for <i>Six</i> at Arts Theatre</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Rachel Tucker for <i>Come From Away</i> at Phoenix Theatre</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">BRING BACK THE <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Laurence_Olivier_Award_for_Best_Company_Performance">BEST COMPANY PERFORMANCE</a> AWARD, STOP DEVALUING INDIVIDUAL CATEGORIES WITH THIS NONSENSE. WE CAN ALL TELL THAT YOU'VE ONLY NOMINATED THE WHOLE CAST AS A CONSOLATION PRIZE BECAUSE YOU DON'T CONSIDER ANY OF THEM TO BE SERIOUS CONTENDERS FOR THIS CATEGORY. I know we all like to think that the British theatre awards are going to want to award British performers, but you know as well as I do that when multiple performers are nominated under one umbrella for the same award, they only win if they're all playing the same role (like Matilda or Billy Elliot), so all things considered it seems really REALLY likely that Patti LuPone is going to win here.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><u>Outstanding achievement in music</u></b></span><br />
<span style="color: red; font-family: inherit;"><b><i>Come From Away</i> – Book, Music and Lyrics: David Hein and Irene Sankoff; Music Supervisor, Arrangements: Ian Eisendrath; Orchestrations: August Eriksmoen; Musical Director/UK Music Supervisor: Alan Berry; and the band of <i>Come From Away</i> at Phoenix Theatre</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><i>Fun Home</i> – Composer: Jeanine Tesori; Lyricist/Bookwriter: Lisa Kron at Young Vic</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><i>The Inheritance</i> – Composer: Paul Englishby at Young Vic and Noël Coward Theatre</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><i>A Monster Calls</i> – Original music composed by Benji Bower and performed live by Benji with Will Bower (The Bower Brothers) at the Old Vic</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><i>Six</i> – Original score, orchestrations and vocal arrangements: Toby Marlow, Lucy Moss, Tom Curran and Joe Beighton at Arts Theatre</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">I am super fond of <i>Six</i> though. I think it might be a bit too much "the little show" and not quite enough "that could" to take any of the big awards, but I do hope it quietly sweeps up the less headline categories like this one. <i>Come From Away</i> is obviously tremendous, <i>Fun Home</i> is a wonder but sort of quietly closed the book on itself after the Young Vic run, <i>The Inheritance</i> looks really weird listed here with these others, and although I enjoy the work of the Bower Brothers, <i>A Monster Calls</i> was frankly no <i>Jane Eyre</i>. It'll be <i>Come From Away</i> if they're feeling sentimental, or <i>Six</i> if they're feeling a little bolder.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><u><strike>Best new dance production</strike></u></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><u><strike><i>16 + A Room/Solo Echo/Bill</i> by Ballet British Columbia at Sadler’s Wells</strike></u></b></span><br />
<span style="color: red; font-family: inherit;"><b><u><strike><i>Blkdog</i> by Botis Seva at Sadler’s Wells</strike></u></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><u><strike><i>Playlist (Track 1, 2)</i> by William Forsythe for English National Ballet at Sadler’s Wells</strike></u></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><u><strike><i>The Unknown Soldier</i> by Alastair Marriott for The Royal Ballet at Royal Opera House</strike></u></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><u><strike>Outstanding achievement in dance</strike></u></b></span><br />
<span style="color: red; font-family: inherit;"><b><u><strike>Akram Khan for his performance in <i>Xenos</i> at Sadler’s Wells</strike></u></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><u><strike>John Macfarlane for his design of <i>Swan Lake</i> at Royal Opera House</strike></u></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><u><strike>Dimitris Papaioannou for his choreography of <i>The Great Tamer</i> at Sadler’s Wells</strike></u></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b style="font-family: inherit;"><u><br /></u></b></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b style="font-family: inherit;"><u>Best entertainment and family</u></b></span><br />
<span style="color: red; font-family: inherit;"><b><i>A Monster Calls</i> at the Old Vic</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><i>Snow White</i> at the London Palladium</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><i>Songs for Nobodies</i> at Ambassadors Theatre</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><i>The Wider Earth</i> at Jerwood Gallery, Natural History Museum</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">I only saw <i>A Monster Calls</i>. It was sort of... standard Sally Cookson fare, which is obviously a good thing for I love Sally Cookson, but lacked any sort of moments or aspects that would elevate it from "great" to "LITERAL MAGIC". (Guys I don't even know what <i>Songs for Nobodies</i> IS...?)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><u>Best theatre choreographer</u></b></span><br />
<span style="color: red; font-family: inherit;"><b>Kelly Devine for <i>Come From Away</i> at Phoenix Theatre</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Christopher Gattelli based on original choreography by Jerome Robbins for <i>The King And I</i> at the London Palladium</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Carrie-Anne Ingrouille for <i>Six</i> at Arts Theatre</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Liam Steel for <i>Company</i> at Gielgud Theatre</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: inherit;">I'm honestly surprised that <i>The King And I</i> is only based on the original choreography, I'd've put money on it being literally exactly the same. It's not exactly a dance-heavy category this year, is it? But then the Oliviers have never really shown themselves in thrall to the idea of dance in musical theatre, so I shouldn't be so surprised. I don't know where this one is likely to go, and I won't embarrass myself by trying to guess.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><u>Magic radio best musical revival</u></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><i>Caroline, or Change</i> at Playhouse Theatre</b></span><br />
<span style="color: red; font-family: inherit;"><b><i>Company</i> at Gielgud Theatre</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><i>The King And I</i> at the London Palladium</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: inherit;">Feels like a foregone conclusion, doesn't it? It'll be the biggest upset of the night if <i>Company</i> doesn't win.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><u>Best actor in a musical</u></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Marc Antolin for <i>Little Shop of Horrors</i> at Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre</b></span><br />
<span style="color: red; font-family: inherit;"><b>Kobna Holdbrook-Smith for <i>Tina - The Tina Turner Musical</i> at Aldwych Theatre</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Zubin Varla for <i>Fun Home</i> at Young Vic</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Ken Watanabe for <i>The King And I</i> at the London Palladium</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Of the two I saw, Zubin Varla's performance was far superior. But I hope Kobna Holdbrook-Smith gives him a serious run for his money.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><u>Best actress in a musical</u></b></span><br />
<span style="color: red; font-family: inherit;"><b>Sharon D Clarke for <i>Caroline, Or Change</i> at Playhouse Theatre</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Rosalie Craig for <i>Company</i> at Gielgud Theatre</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Kelli O’Hara for <i>The King And I</i> at the London Palladium</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Adrienne Warren for <i>Tina - The Tina Turner Musical</i> at Aldwych Theatre</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">CONTROVERSIAL OPINION I don't think Rosalie Craig herself did anything uniquely outstanding here, and any musical theatre leading lady with a great set of pipes could have done just as great a job. It seems likely that she'll win though, next natural step on the road to a Broadway transfer. I thought Kelli O'Hara was nothing short of miraculous, and although people thought Sharon D Clarke was just doing what she always does, what Sharon D Clarke does is something that works really well for this role and is always worth paying money to see. So it's a shame that neither of them are serious forerunners in this category. Still, although I've not seen Adrienne Warren, I've heard enough about her performance to remain hopeful on her behalf.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><u>Cunard best revival</u></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><i>King Lear</i> at Duke of York’s Theatre</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><i>The Lieutenant of Inishmore</i> at Noël Coward Theatre</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><i>The Price</i> at Wyndham’s Theatre</b></span><br />
<span style="color: red; font-family: inherit;"><b><i>Summer And Smoke</i> at Almeida Theatre and Duke of York’s Theatre</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: inherit;">I didn't think <i>The Lieutenant of Inishmore</i> was that great but here it is. Anyway, I think we all know which production I'm rooting for here (<i>Summer And Smoke</i>, newcomers), though I can see them being super boring and giving it to <i>King Lear</i> because it's <i>King Lear</i> and it's Sir Ian McKellen playing King Lear and yawn yawn bore bore bore.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><u>Best new comedy</u></b></span><br />
<span style="color: red; font-family: inherit;"><b><i>Home, I’m Darling</i> at National Theatre - Dorfman and Duke of York’s Theatre</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><i>Nine Night</i> at National Theatre - Dorfman and Trafalgar Studios 1</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><i>Quiz</i> at Noël Coward Theatre</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Why is <i>Quiz</i> nominated? The best thing about <i>Quiz</i> was winning a free ice cream because I'm slightly better than two strangers at guessing how much a vacuum cleaner might have cost 30 years ago or whatever. Whatever, there's no way it'll beat the other two. I slightly prefer <i>Nine Night</i> but I won't kick up a stink if <i>Home, I'm Darling</i> takes it.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><u>Outstanding achievement in affiliate theatre</u></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Moe Bar-El for his performance in <i>Every Day I Make Greatness Happen</i> at Hampstead Theatre Downstairs</b></span><br />
<span style="color: red; font-family: inherit;"><b><i>Flesh and Bone</i> at Soho Theatre</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Jonathan Hyde for his performance in <i>Gently Down the Stream</i> at Park Theatre</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><i>The Phlebotomist</i> at Hampstead Theatre Downstairs</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Athena Stevens for <i>Schism</i> at Park Theatre</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">One day I'll see more than one nominee in this category. I wonder if <i>The Phlebotomist</i>'s current Upstairs run will have an effect on its chances here? It doesn't sound like it's filling the space very well, but if it is just the Downstairs run they're judging it on, it could stand a chance here. Maybe I should go to the Park Theatre more...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><u>White Light award for best lighting design</u></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Neil Austin for <i>Company</i> at Gielgud Theatre</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Howell Binkley for <i>Come From Away</i> at Phoenix Theatre</b></span><br />
<span style="color: red; font-family: inherit;"><b>Jon Clark for <i>The Inheritance</i> at Young Vic and Noël Coward Theatre</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Lee Curran for <i>Summer And Smoke</i> at Almeida Theatre and Duke of York’s Theatre</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">I don't know if the lighting is what really stood out for <i>Come From Away</i> or <i>The Inheritance</i>. It certainly stood out for both <i>Company</i> and <i>Summer And Smoke</i>. I favoured the latter. I bet SOLT favour the former.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><u>Royal Albert Hall award for best sound design</u></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Paul Arditti and Christopher Reid for <i>The Inheritance</i> at Young Vic and Noël Coward Theatre</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Mike Beer for <i>A Monster Calls</i> at the Old Vic</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Carolyn Downing for <i>Summer and Smoke</i> at Almeida Theatre and Duke of York’s Theatre</b></span><br />
<span style="color: red; font-family: inherit;"><b>Gareth Owen for <i>Come From Away</i> at Phoenix Theatre</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Nick Powell for <i>The Lehman Trilogy</i> at National Theatre - Lyttelton</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: inherit;">Look, I don't know what to tell you, <i>Summer And Smoke</i> was one of the absolute greatest pieces of art of 2018, alongside <i>Spider-Man: Into The Spider-Verse</i>, and James Acaster's recreation of <i>Grand Theft Auto</i>. Every award for which it is nominated is an award which it deserves to win, and every award for which it is nominated that it does not win is a knife in my very soul. I can't even pretend to look at this objectively, though my heart will tell you that it doesn't matter, for objectively it is the greatest piece of theatre this country has seen for YEARS.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><u>Best costume design</u></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Fly Davis for <i>Caroline, or Change</i> at Playhouse Theatre</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Anna Fleischle for <i>Home, I’m Darling</i> at National Theatre - Dorfman and Duke of York’s theatre</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Gabriella Slade for <i>Six</i> at Arts Theatre</b></span><br />
<span style="color: red; font-family: inherit;"><b>Catherine Zuber for <i>The King and I</i> at the London Palladium</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">If we're giving the award based on which costumes I would most like to have for my own, then there can be no other winner but <i>Home, I'm Darling</i> (actually I guess there's a few good ones in <i>Caroline, or Change</i> too, if that's my rubric). (I'm generally working on the assumption that <i>The King And I</i> has been nominated to recognise that it was a very good production but on the understanding that nominations are about as far as SOLT is willing to go for it. I don't expect it to win anything, and I will be VERY thrown if it does start winning stuff.)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><u>Blue-I Theatre Technology award for best set design</u></b></span><br />
<span style="color: red; font-family: inherit;"><b>Bunny Christie for <i>Company</i> at Gielgud Theatre</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Bob Crowley for <i>The Inheritance</i> at Young Vic and Noël Coward Theatre</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Es Devlin for <i>The Lehman Trilogy</i> at National Theatre - Lyttelton</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Anna Fleischle for <i>Home, I’m Darling</i> at National Theatre - Dorfman and Duke of York’s Theatre</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">The more I am reminded that <i>The Lehman Trilogy</i> exists, the more annoyed I am by it. This is probably the one category I could stand to see it win though. <i>The Inheritance</i> was beautiful but maybe its simplicity will be its downfall. <i>Home, I'm Darling</i> was a rather more literal set than I usually like in theatre (also I was in the front row so couldn't even begin to tell you what was going on upstairs). <i>Company</i> could take this. I'd be okay with that too.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><u>Best actor in a supporting role</u></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Keir Charles for <i>Quiz</i> at Noël Coward Theatre</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Adam Gillen for <i>Killer Joe</i> at Trafalgar Studios 1</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Adrian Lukis for <i>The Price</i> at Wyndham’s Theatre</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Malcolm Sinclair for <i>Pressure</i> at Ambassadors Theatre</b></span><br />
<span style="color: red; font-family: inherit;"><b>Chris Walley for <i>The Lieutenant of Inishmore</i> at Noël Coward Theatre</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">I hated <i>Killer Joe</i>, but I am willing to concede that the production looked and sounded amazing, and also that most of the cast did a fantastic job with the material. Adam Gillen, however, is the reason for me saying "most of the cast" rather than "all of the cast". How absurd that he receive the only acting nomination. I really hope this goes to one of the actors I didn't see, because I just don't see how it could rightly go to any of the actors I did see.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><u>Best actress in a supporting role</u></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Susan Brown for <i>Home, I’m Darling</i> at National theatre - Dorfman and Duke of York’s theatre</b></span><br />
<span style="color: red; font-family: inherit;"><b>Monica Dolan for <i>All About Eve</i> at Noël Coward theatre</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Cecilia Noble for <i>Nine Night</i> at National theatre - Dorfman and Trafalgar Studios 1</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Vanessa Redgrave for <i>The Inheritance</i> at Young Vic and Noël Coward theatre</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: inherit;">YOU DON'T HAVE TO NOMINATE HER JUST BECAUSE SHE'S VANESSA REDGRAVE. Any of the other three could take it and I'd be happy.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><u><strike>Best new opera production</strike></u></b></span><br />
<span style="color: red; font-family: inherit;"><b><u><strike><i>Katya Kabanova</i> at Royal Opera House</strike></u></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><u><strike><i>Lessons in Love and Violence</i> at Royal Opera House</strike></u></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><u><strike><i>The Turn of the Screw</i> at Regent’s Park Open Air theatre</strike></u></b></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><u><strike>Outstanding achievement in opera</strike></u></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><u><strike>David Butt Philip and Roderick Williams for their performances in <i>War Requiem</i> at London Coliseum</strike></u></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><u><strike>The English National Opera chorus for <i>Paul Bunyan</i> at Wilton’s Music Hall</strike></u></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><u><strike>Andris Nelsons for his conducting of <i>Lohengrin</i> at Royal Opera House</strike></u></b></span><br />
<span style="color: red; font-family: inherit;"><b><u><strike>The ensemble of <i>Porgy and Bess</i> at London Coliseum</strike></u></b></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><u>Best actor</u></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Adam Godley, Ben Miles and Simon Russell Beale for <i>The Lehman Trilogy</i> at National Theatre - Lyttelton</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Arinzé Kene for <i>Misty</i> at Trafalgar Studios 1</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Ian McKellen for <i>King Lear</i> at Duke of York’s Theatre</b></span><br />
<span style="color: red; font-family: inherit;"><b>Kyle Soller for <i>The Inheritance</i> at Young Vic and Noël Coward Theatre</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>David Suchet for <i>The Price</i> at Wyndham’s Theatre</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">SAY IT WITH ME - BEST COMPANY PERFORMANCE AWARD. Honestly I don't think anyone deserves to win this award as much as Kyle Soller deserves to win this award, but considering that Sir Ian McKellen playing King Lear in <i>King Lear</i> was beaten to the award by Chiwetel Ejiofor last time around, I can see me getting very upset by this category on the night.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><u>Best actress</u></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Gillian Anderson for <i>All About Eve</i> at Noël Coward Theatre</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Eileen Atkins for <i>The Height of the Storm</i> at Wyndham’s Theatre</b></span><br />
<span style="color: red; font-family: inherit;"><b>Patsy Ferran for <i>Summer And Smoke</i> at Almeida Theatre and Duke of York’s Theatre</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Sophie Okonedo for <i>Antony and Cleopatra</i> at National Theatre - Olivier</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Katherine Parkinson for <i>Home, I’m Darling</i> at National Theatre - Dorfman and Duke of York’s Theatre</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">This is it. This is my one category. The only category that truly matters to me. And if they pull an Evening Standard Awards and give it to Sophie Fucking Okonedo then I will not be held accountable for my actions. These women all gave great performances (all of which I saw!), but only one was doing truly once-in-a-lifetime heart-achingly unforgettable career-best (so far) work. Do the right thing - give it to future dame Patsy Ferran.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><u>Sir Peter Hall award for best director</u></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Christopher Ashley for <i>Come From Away</i> at Phoenix Theatre</b></span><br />
<span style="color: red; font-family: inherit;"><b>Stephen Daldry for <i>The Inheritance</i> at Young Vic and Noël Coward Theatre</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Marianne Elliott for <i>Company</i> at Gielgud Theatre</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Rebecca Frecknall for <i>Summer And Smoke</i> at Almeida Theatre and Duke of York’s Theatre</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Sam Mendes for <i>The Lehman Trilogy</i> at National theatre - Lyttelton</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">If y'all give this award to a man then you're damn dirty cowards and don't deserve to be the official arbiters of what makes London theatre great.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><u>American Airlines best new play</u></b></span><br />
<span style="color: red; font-family: inherit;"><b><i>The Inheritance</i> at Young Vic and Noël Coward Theatre</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><i>The Lehman Trilogy</i> at National Theatre - Lyttelton</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><i>Misty</i> at Trafalgar Studios 1</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><i>Sweat</i> at Donmar Warehouse</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">BEHOLD - THE ONLY CATEGORY IN WHICH <i>SWEAT</i> IS NOMINATED. Just... just please don't give it to <i>The Lehman Trilogy</i>. The others were flawed, or maybe had their greatness overstated, but any of them would be worthy winners as long as you don't give it to <i>The Lehman Trilogy</i>.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><u>Mastercard best new musical</u></b></span><br />
<span style="color: red; font-family: inherit;"><b><i>Come From Away</i> at Phoenix Theatre</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><i>Fun Home</i> at Young Vic</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><i>Six</i> at Arts Theatre</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><i>Tina – The Tina Turner Musical</i> at Aldwych Theatre</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Oh I take it back, <i>Six</i> <b>could</b> take home the headline award now that it's not directly up against <i>Company</i>. I think it's rather more likely to go to <i>Come From Away</i> though.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">And that's it! I assume I was angry about the continued casual disregard of the historical Best Company Performance award when there's nothing stopping them resurrecting it at any point that made me so furious, though I admit there's a little normal anger about the presence of <i>The Lehman Trilogy</i> and a little pre-emptive anger about the possibility of <i>Summer And Smoke</i> maybe not winning every award it's nominated for. Check back after the ceremony to see me turn the winners red and maybe offer further commentary depending on what and/or how I'm feeling!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">EDIT: I didn't realise just how much I was holding my breath for <i>Summer And Smoke</i>, but Best Revival and Best Actress will do! Delighted also for Kyle Soller and Sharon D Clarke, but stand by my assertion that SOLT are dirty dirty cowards for giving Best Director to a man (something which the man who received the award apparently agrees with).</span>Weezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17508573692659511169noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2217892969539564216.post-29125476018705531842019-03-24T21:29:00.000+00:002019-04-01T10:33:44.526+01:00Last 10 things seen at the theatre: #136<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">3rd to 21st March.</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<a name='more'></a><div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<b>List the last 10 things you saw at the theatre in order:</b></div>
<div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">1. </span><i style="font-family: inherit;">A Midsummer Night's Dream</i><span style="font-family: inherit;"> (Tobacco Factory)</span></div>
<div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">2. <i>Anna X</i> (Vault Festival)</span></div>
<div>
<div>
</div>
</div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">3. <i>The Church of the Sturdy Virgin</i> (Vault Festival)</span></div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
</div>
</div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">4. <i>Eden</i> (Hampstead Downstairs)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">5. <i>Shipwreck</i> (Almeida)</span></div>
</div>
<div>
</div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">6. <i>Medea</i> (Barbican)</span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div>
<div>
<div>
</div>
</div>
<div>
<div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
</div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">7. <i>Berberian Sound Studio</i> (Donmar Warehouse)</span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div>
<div>
<div>
</div>
</div>
<div>
<div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
</div>
</div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">8. <i>Company</i> (Gielgud)</span></div>
</div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">9. <i>Ian McKellen on Stage </i>(Lyric Hammersmith)</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">10. <i>The Son</i> (Kiln Theatre)</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
</div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Who was the best performer in number one (</b><b><i>A Midsummer Night's Dream</i></b><b>)?</b></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">You know when you're not sure if you want to see a particular production but then they cast someone in it you really like but then when you get there they're not even on? It's hard not to take it personally, but Euan Shanahan was a truly worthy replacement and paired beautifully with Joseph Tweedale.</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Why did you go to see number two (</b><b><i>Anna X</i></b><b>)?</b></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">I, like most people, am absolutely fascinated by the Anna Delvey case, but let's be real, I booked this because Joshua James was in it.</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Can you remember a line/lyric from number three (</b><b><i>The Church of the Sturdy Virgin</i></b><b>) that you liked?</b></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">It wasn't really script-based, as it was an immersive piece that was very very shaped by the audience interactions, so no. But I did enjoy realising that I respond to pretend funerals the exact way I respond to real funerals - immediately grab the hymn sheet to see what I'm dealing with, realise I already know all the music, chuck in a few harmonies, and although I don't necessarily <b>want</b> to do a reading I will if everyone else needs me to</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">. Also I think all immersive theatre should involve an opportunity for the audience to give a eulogy, I'm definitely better at it now than I was first time it cropped up.</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>What would you give number four (</b><b><i>Eden</i></b><b>) out of ten?</b></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">I already had a 6 here from a previous answer and I don't have the energy to change it, which should tell you all you need to know about this play.</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Was there someone hot in number five (</b><b><i>Shipwreck</i></b><b>)?</b></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Elliot Cowan is a hot man who was in <i>Shipwreck</i>, but also I don't want to think about his attractiveness levels in the context of <i>Shipwreck</i>?</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>What was number six (<i>Medea</i></b><b>) about?</b></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">It wasn't <b>quite</b> about Medea but it was pretty great.</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Who was your favourite actor in number seven (</b><b><i>Berberian Sound Studio</i></b><b>)?</b></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Well obviously Tom Brooke, he is a treasure.</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>What was your favourite bit in number eight (<i>Company</i></b><b>)?</b></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">I liked the bit immediately before 'Barcelona' where Andy hopped out of bed and at least 60% of the audience audibly drew breath. (I assume the other 40% simply passed out in their seats.)</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Would you see number nine (</b><b><i>Ian McKellen on Stage</i></b><b>) again?</b></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">It was a joy and a privilege to see it just the once.</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>What was the worst thing about number ten (<i>The Son</i></b><b>)?</b></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Either the weirdly stilted dialogue, or the fact that the entire play wasn't just John Light dad-dancing to 'Happy'.</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<b>Which was best?</b></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>Company</i>.</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<b><strike><span style="font-family: inherit;">Which was worst?</span></strike></b></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<b>Did any make you cry?</b></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Nope, not this time.</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<b>Did any make you laugh?</b></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">I laughed a lot at <i>A Midsummer Night's Dream</i> and <i>The Church of the Sturdy Virgin</i>.</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<b>Which roles would you like to play in any of them?</b></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Big news for any weirdos who read my blog without actually following my Twitter account - I've finally tricked a local amdram director into letting me play Helena, and I'm excited as hell but also terrified because I've wanted to do so for years, so that's a thing that's happening right now.</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<b>Which one did you have best seats for?</b></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">I bought a box for <i>Company</i> and it was a proper bargain and had LOADS of space for me to scatter my belongings around. A++, would sit again.</span></div>
Weezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17508573692659511169noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2217892969539564216.post-15625175932135813092019-03-05T17:25:00.002+00:002019-04-01T10:59:22.444+01:00Last 10 things seen at the theatre: #135<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">9th February to 2nd March.</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<a name='more'></a><div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<b><span style="font-family: inherit;">List the last 10 things you saw at the theatre in order:</span></b></div>
<div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">1. <i>The American Clock</i> (Old Vic)</span></div>
<div>
<div>
</div>
</div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">2. <i>Richard II</i> (Sam Wanamaker Playhouse)</span></div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
<div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">3. <i>Tartuffe</i> (National; Lyttelton)</span></div>
</div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">4. <i>Blood Brothers</i> (Wycombe Swan)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">5. <i>Jesus Hopped the A Train</i> (Young Vic)</span></div>
</div>
<div>
</div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">6. <i>Séance</i> (Vault Festival)</span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div>
<div>
<div>
</div>
</div>
<div>
<div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
</div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">7. <i>Come from Away</i> (Phœnix)</span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div>
<div>
<div>
</div>
</div>
<div>
<div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
</div>
</div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">8. <i>All About Eve</i> (Noël Coward)</span></div>
</div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">9. <i>Leave to Remain </i>(Lyric Hammersmith)</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">10. <i>Waitress</i> (Adelphi)</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
</div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Who was the best performer in number one (</b><b><i>The American Clock</i></b><b>)?</b></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">I personally enjoyed this play, even though the word of mouth was significantly more mixed, but I do honestly wonder how much I would have enjoyed it if Fred Haig hadn't been in it.</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Why did you go to see number two (</b><b><i>Richard II</i></b><b>)?</b></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">I don't think I need a reason to go to see <i>Richard II</i>, though it definitely helped that it was an entirely female cast with not a white face among 'em.</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Can you remember a line/lyric from number three (</b><b><i>Tartuffe</i></b><b>) that you liked?</b></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">"It's vulgar to count, and you know what? In the end, I just thought, why not? How come it's the men get to be all conflicted and confused, what about my fears, my insecurities, where's my mid-life crisis, when do I get to be the arsehole? When are my needs met?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"> Don't worry, everyone had a nice time and no animals were harmed."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">I don't know how I felt about the play as a whole, but good heavens I LOVED Elmire.</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>What would you give number four (</b><b><i>Blood Brothers</i></b><b>) out of ten?</b></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">6? I don't know how many times I've seen it (more than <i>The Woman in Black</i>, less than <i>The Drowned Man</i>?) but I think we've got to the point where it could really do with a whole shake-up rather than just gradually altering tiny things.</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Was there someone hot in number five (</b><b><i>Jesus Hopped the A Train</i></b><b>)?</b></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Not for me.</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>What was number six (<i>Séance</i></b><b>) about?</b></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">A really rude man, actually, who - if he truly were in a role where he would likely come into contact with bereaved and grieving people every day - should really reconsider his options. Also I got possessed by a small child because some idiot men refused to follow the ONE (1) instruction we were given, so.</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Who was your favourite actor in number seven (</b><b><i>Come from Away</i></b><b>)?</b></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">I loved it but it was a true ensemble piece. I know that there's less critical thinking that has to go into picking a favourite over picking a best, but I truly can't pick one.</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>What was your favourite bit in number eight (<i>All About Eve</i></b><b>)?</b></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">I didn't like the production nearly half as much as I liked my cameo appearance in <a href="https://www.londontheatremarathon.com/blog/2019/2/14/the-worse-theatre-companion-in-london">this blog</a> afterwards, for I am a narcissist and enjoy nothing half so much as spotting myself in other people's blogposts. (And for the record, the title of the post is not referring to me.)</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Would you see number nine (</b><b><i>Leave to Remain</i></b><b>) again?</b></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">If they bring it back or revive it, I'll strongly consider it. I loved it a great deal, but don't exactly have time to get there again by the end of the run.</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>What was the worst thing about number ten (<i>Waitress</i></b><b>)?</b></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">In the nicest possible way, I very much hope that the production lasts at least one cast change, as there are roles that I think could benefit from being played by more skilled musical theatre performers (although as one of them has been grossly written and has the worst song in the show, maybe I shouldn't hold my breath).</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<b><span style="font-family: inherit;">Which was best?</span></b></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>Come from Away</i>, I think. It's important to remember that there are forces for good out there. I loved <i>Leave to Remain</i> too.</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<b><strike><span style="font-family: inherit;">Which was worst?</span></strike></b></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<b><span style="font-family: inherit;">Did any make you cry?</span></b></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>Come from Away</i> was a snifflefest from start to finish. I feel like I must have got at least a little bit emosh at <i>Leave to Remain</i> and <i>Waitress</i> too.</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<b><span style="font-family: inherit;">Did any make you laugh?</span></b></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>Tartuffe</i> and <i>Come from Away</i>.</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<b><span style="font-family: inherit;">Which roles would you like to play in any of them?</span></b></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">None are really standing out at the moment to be honest.</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<b><span style="font-family: inherit;">Which one did you have best seats for?</span></b></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">I had ye olde favourite, front row centre, for <i>Tartuffe</i>, <i>Leave to Remain</i>, and <i>Waitress</i>. I cannot recommend front row centre for <i>Waitress</i> though, it's a very higher stage (high even than the stage for <i>Tartuffe</i>, which had to be elevated so we could get that Taylor-Swift-dissing-Kanye-West moment at the end).</span></div>
Weezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17508573692659511169noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2217892969539564216.post-35223146472791463252019-02-08T17:09:00.000+00:002019-02-18T11:46:57.834+00:00Last 10 things seen at the theatre: #134<div style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">12th January to 2nd February.</span></div>
<div style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<a name='more'></a><div style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<b><span style="font-family: inherit;">List the last 10 things you saw at the theatre in order:</span></b></div>
<div style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">1. <i>Original Death Rabbit</i> (Jermyn Street Theatre)</span></div>
<div style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<div>
</div>
</div>
<div style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">2. <i>Cost of Living</i> (Hampstead Upstairs)</span></div>
<div style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<div>
</div>
</div>
<div style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">3. <i>Hadestown</i> (National; Olivier)</span></div>
<div style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<div>
<div>
</div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">4. <i>Don Quixote</i> (Garrick)</span></div>
<div>
<div>
</div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">5. <i>The Wedding</i> (Barbican)</span></div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
<div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">6. <i>When We Have Sufficiently Tortured Each Other</i> (National; Dorfman)</span></div>
</div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">7. <i>Violet</i> (Charing Cross Theatre)</span></div>
</div>
<div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">8. <i>The Tragedy of King Richard the Second</i> (Almeida)</span></div>
</div>
</div>
<div style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<div>
<div>
<div>
</div>
</div>
<div>
<div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">9. <i>Romeo and Juliet </i>(Barbican)</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">10. <i>The Woman in Black</i> (Fortune)</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
</div>
<div style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Who was the best performer in number one (</b><b><i>Original Death Rabbit</i></b><b>)?</b></span></div>
<div style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">I'm willing to commit to Kimberley Nixon here. And not just because it was a one-woman show either.</span></div>
<div style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Why did you go to see number two (</b><b><i>Cost of Living</i></b><b>)?</b></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="background-color: transparent; clear: both; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Ordinarily I'd use this space to have a pop at the idea that it's haaaaard to find plays by female playwrights, but I don't really have the energy today. Basically I booked it because it's by a female playwright.</span></div>
<div style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Can you remember a line/lyric from number three (</b><b><i>Hadestown</i></b><b>) that you liked?</b></span></div>
<div style="background-color: transparent; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px;">
<div style="color: black; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">When I already know a show quite well before I go to see it, I try to drive out my preconceptions of the lines or the lyrics and see what hits me particularly on the night. In this case, I'm going with:</span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">"Suddenly, when he saw her there</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Persephone in her mother’s garden</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Sun on her shoulders, wind in her hair"</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">They just struck me as really simple but incredibly evocative, so here they are.</span></div>
<div style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>What would you give number four (</b><b><i>Don Quixote</i></b><b>) out of ten?</b></span></div>
<div style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">8, actually. I was a bit wary going in of how much "fun" I'd heard it was, and I did find myself very much not in the mood for audience participation so having to do the exact opposite of everything I do when I go to immersive theatre to make sure I wasn't picked on but also not to make it look too much like I was trying not to be picked on, but actually it was a lot of fun, I only got hit by a flying bread roll once, and - slightly worryingly - it's probably the best RSC production I've seen in a while.</span></div>
<div style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Was there someone hot in number five (</b><b><i>The Wedding</i></b><b>)?</b></span></div>
<div style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">I was in the cheap seats without my opera glasses, I'm afraid I couldn't tell you.</span></div>
<div style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>What was number six (<i>When We Have Sufficiently Tortured Each Other</i></b><b>) about?</b></span></div>
<div style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">An elaborate piece of months-long performance art covering all the ways that theatre tortures audiences, from choice of creatives, to selection of theatre, to once more resurrecting the endless debates about the fairness of balloting (which REALLY brings out the unpleasant elitist in some people, it turns out), and all topped off with a play! A play which, all things considered, turned out - in a complete anticlimax - to be basically fine?</span></div>
<div style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Who was your favourite actor in number seven (</b><b><i>Violet</i></b><b>)?</b></span></div>
<div style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">I didn't really have a favourite, sorry! The cast were pretty evenly divided into "did a great job" and "didn't have enough to do to stand out as doing a great job".</span></div>
<div style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>What was your favourite bit in number eight (</b><b><i>The Tragedy of King Richard the Second</i></b><b>)?</b></span></div>
<div style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Is it unimaginative as hell to say act 4 scene 1? Probably. But was it exquisitely performed and worth the trip almost on its own? Hell yes.</span></div>
<div style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Would you see number nine (</b><b><i>Romeo and Juliet</i></b><b>) again?</b></span></div>
<div style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Nah. Though at least it was SO much better than <i>Merry Wives</i>.</span></div>
<div style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>What was the worst thing about number ten (<i>The Woman in Black</i></b><b>)?</b></span></div>
<div style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">I stan reasonably hard for this play, but even so isn't it time the casting was mixed up a little bit? Even if you simply must keep Arthur Kipps as an older white man, is there any reason why The Actor couldn't be played by literally anybody other than a younger white man?</span></div>
<div style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<b><span style="font-family: inherit;">Which was best?</span></b></div>
<div style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Although I'd hate to have gone in without any foreknowledge of the play, I did love <i>The Tragedy of King Richard the Second</i> an awful lot. I also stan hard for <i>Hadestown</i>, even with the suboptimal casting situation.</span></div>
<div style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<b><strike><span style="font-family: inherit;">Which was worst?</span></strike></b></div>
<div style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<b><span style="font-family: inherit;">Did any make you cry?</span></b></div>
<div style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>Hadestown</i> is an absolute weeper. Patrick Page and Amber Gray are AMAZING.</span></div>
<div style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<b><span style="font-family: inherit;">Did any make you laugh?</span></b></div>
<div style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>Original Death Rabbit</i> and <i>Don Quixote</i>, I think.</span></div>
<div style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<b><span style="font-family: inherit;">Which roles would you like to play in any of them?</span></b></div>
<div style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">I still wouldn't mind having a crack at Eurydice, as long as the rest of the cast suits my needs. And I wouldn't mind being in a <i>Richard II</i>, though quite possibly not this one?</span></div>
<div style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<b><span style="font-family: inherit;">Which one did you have best seats for?</span></b></div>
<div style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>Don Quixote</i> and <i>Romeo and Juliet</i>. I enjoy the RSC's policy of front row tickets for £10, even though I don't think I'm the kind of audience member they intended them for. I also LOVED my little side-on front row seat for <i>The Woman in Black</i>, I loved having a ton of space to dump my stuff in, a railing to prop my feet up on, and no neighbours on either side of me. I would ABSOLUTELY sit there again.</span></div>
Weezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17508573692659511169noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2217892969539564216.post-34454966159706338912019-01-13T23:41:00.000+00:002019-01-13T23:41:25.514+00:00Last 10 things seen at the theatre: #13319th December to 11th January.<br />
<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<b>List the last 10 things you saw at the theatre in order:</b><br />
1. <i>Keep</i> (Battersea Arts Centre)<br />
<div>
<div>
</div>
</div>
2. <i>Hole</i> (Royal Court Upstairs)<br />
<div>
<div>
</div>
</div>
3. <i>Sweat</i> (Donmar Warehouse)<br />
<div>
<div>
<div>
</div>
</div>
4. <i>Macbeth</i> (Barbican)<br />
<div>
<div>
</div>
</div>
5. <i>The Cane</i> (Royal Court Downstairs)<br />
<div>
</div>
<div>
<div>
6. <i>Company</i> (Gielgud)</div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
7. <i>The Merry Wives of Windsor</i> (Barbican)</div>
<div>
</div>
8. <i>Hadestown</i> (National; Olivier)</div>
</div>
<div>
<div>
<div>
<div>
</div>
</div>
<div>
<div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
9. <i>The Tell-Tale Heart </i>(National; Dorfman)<br />
10. <i>Drip</i> (Bush Theatre)<br />
<div style="font-family: "times new roman"; margin: 0px;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<b>Who was the best performer in number one (</b><b><i>Keep</i></b><b>)?</b><br />
Probably Daniel Kitson, I guess.<br />
<br />
<b>Why did you go to see number two (</b><b><i>Hole</i></b><b>)?</b><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
I got an email offer for reduced price tickets. So even though I am unfond of the venue and actively wary of the directors, it turns out cheap tickets is way stronger a selling point for me.</div>
<br />
<b>Can you remember a line/lyric from number three (</b><b><i>Sweat</i></b><b>) that you liked?</b><br />
Nope. Great play, but I don't remember any of the details.<br />
<br />
<b>What would you give number four (</b><b><i>Macbeth</i></b><b>) out of ten?</b><br />
8, because you know what, I didn't hate it. And when you consider how I feel about <i>Macbeth</i> generally, Polly Findlay half the time, and the RSC more and more these days, that's a damn impressive achievement.<br />
<br />
<b>Was there someone hot in number five (</b><b><i>The Cane</i></b><b>)?</b><br />
Not really.<br />
<br />
<b>What was number six (<i>Company</i></b><b>) about?</b><br />
A commitmentphobic 35 year old single woman with no real personality who won't let having red hair stand in the way of her wearing a red dress. Which reminds me, I still haven't had my royalties from Marianne Elliott...<br />
<br />
<b>Who was your favourite actor in number seven (</b><b><i>The Merry Wives of Windsor</i></b><b>)?</b><br />
I was thinking about leaving at the interval, but there hadn't been enough Karen Fishwick for my liking so I decided to stick it out until the end.<br />
<br />
<b>What was your favourite bit in number eight (</b><b><i>Hadestown</i></b><b>)?</b><br />
I thought 'Wait For Me' was beautifully staged, so much so that I almost didn't mind the casting of Orpheus. Almost.<br />
<br />
<b>Would you see number nine (</b><b><i>The Tell-Tale Heart</i></b><b>) again?</b><br />
I was giving it some serious consideration but I think I'll probably be alright if I don't.<br />
<br />
<b>What was the worst thing about number ten (<i>Drip</i></b><b>)?</b><br />
I love <i>Drip</i>, it was one of my top 15 of 2017 and I will not hear a word against it. I guess maybe there's always opportunity for growth, but you'd have to be a serious puppy-kicker to couch any ideas you might have as "the worst thing about this show".<br />
<br />
<b>Which was best?</b><br />
Although I'm not in the "WELL IT'S ONLY JANUARY AND I'VE JUST SEEN THE BEST SHOW OF 2019" camp when it comes to <i>Sweat</i>, I did think it was very good. Also <i>Company</i> and <i>Hadestown</i>, which you may have been able to guess from my top 15 of 2018.<br />
<br />
<b>Which was worst?</b><br />
<i>The Merry Wives of Windsor</i> was pretty painful to watch. I also don't think <i>Hole</i> had a general point besides "HEY, look, FEMALE RAGE" which, y'know, I see every time I look in a mirror, I need a li'l more out of a piece of theatre than this rough draft.<br />
<br />
<b>Did any make you cry?</b><br />
<i>Hadestown</i> made me quite emosh. Anyone who thinks "Orpheus and Eurydice are really underwritten" has grossly misunderstood which the characters the love story at the heart of the piece is about.<br />
<br />
<b>Did any make you laugh?</b><br />
<i>Company</i> and <i>Drip</i> did. <i>The Merry Wives of Windsor</i> DID NOT.<br />
<br />
<b>Which roles would you like to play in any of them?</b><br />
Although I don't really have the physique to be convincing when it comes to her one defining character trait, I would still love to have a crack at Eurydice (although obviously I have strong opinions about who should be my Orpheus and it ain't the current cast). I would honestly play any character in <i>Company</i> even though Amy is my classic favourite and Bobbie is my current favourite. I'm pretty flexible on Shakespeare as I do belong to two Shakespeare-centric amdram groups, but I just really don't fancy either of these two.<br />
<br />
<b>Which one did you have best seats for?</b><br />
I somehow got away with paying £15 for <i>The Tell-Tale Heart</i> although the seat in question is now £34, which I guess explains why I could actually see what was going on. Front-row centre was had for <i>Hole</i>, <i>Macbeth</i>, <i>The Merry Wives of Windsor</i>, and <i>Drip</i>. I also had a really great cheap seat for <i>Company</i>.Weezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17508573692659511169noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2217892969539564216.post-55382275279706825872018-12-31T20:12:00.000+00:002019-01-11T10:57:51.257+00:002018 round-up<div style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">It's that time again! For the fourth year running, I have yet to develop any real critical faculties, but I just about have the energy to dress up in ridiculous costumes, so here comes my top 15 for the year 2018! I've managed a total of 156 theatre trips this year, across three countries, in cities as diverse as London, New York, Amsterdam, Bristol, Liverpool, Manchester, Oxford, and erm... Newbury, so I think I'm doing okay. I'll probably cut back on the overseas trips a little in 2019 though.</span></div>
<div style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<a name='more'></a><div style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-q7vJ5Z9cscU/XCpiHBaGOoI/AAAAAAAACys/uYL-_JhpOI4O06hzsRf6wLEuMaC9fmyoQCLcBGAs/s1600/15-13.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="312" data-original-width="750" height="166" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-q7vJ5Z9cscU/XCpiHBaGOoI/AAAAAAAACys/uYL-_JhpOI4O06hzsRf6wLEuMaC9fmyoQCLcBGAs/s400/15-13.png" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-aJi-bCtqrUw/Wka_t9jC5zI/AAAAAAAAAVI/MNVAQQYh384zfB9RPHxfzdtqiMAusW4XgCLcBGAs/s1600/15-12.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: 16px; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; margin: 0px;">
<b>15. <i>Sylvia</i> (Old Vic)</b></div>
<div style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">I was very fortunate to go to a reasonably late performance of this one so actually got to see the entire show and I really LOVED what I saw. Don't let anyone tell you it's some kind of British sub-<i>Hamilton</i> affair, it's just about the most London thing I've ever seen in my life and I look forward to its return.</span></div>
<div style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; margin: 0px;">
<b>14. <i>Beginners</i> (Unicorn Theatre)</b></div>
<div style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Just a really beautiful thing. Just a really really beautiful thing.</span></div>
<div style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; margin: 0px;">
<b>13. <i>The Inheritance</i> (Young Vic)</b></div>
<div style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Okay, it had its flaws, which prevented it from getting much higher in my list, but it was still a great day out; funny, moving, with an devastatingly beautiful finale to Part 1 and an incredible performance from Kyle Soller.</span></div>
<div style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sm-pqfaSjdM/XCpi32gpoRI/AAAAAAAACy0/SS6ZYAE7MmY_Eq_xdsc8MHq3bRGjySXmACLcBGAs/s1600/12-10.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="312" data-original-width="750" height="166" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sm-pqfaSjdM/XCpi32gpoRI/AAAAAAAACy0/SS6ZYAE7MmY_Eq_xdsc8MHq3bRGjySXmACLcBGAs/s400/12-10.png" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Q1IOUUSMpa8/WkbACght5OI/AAAAAAAAAVQ/1Fj6vV8IUOs_sTrKhW2Pg7DHUpQ_KNE0gCLcBGAs/s1600/12-10.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></a></div>
<div style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; margin: 0px;">
<b>12. <i>Emilia</i> (Shakespeare's Globe)</b></div>
<div style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">When a play leaves you wanting to burn the world to the ground so you can be a part of growing it anew and getting it right this time, then the playwright has probably done something right. </span></div>
<div style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; margin: 0px;">
<b>11. <i>Twelfth Night</i> (Young Vic)</b></div>
<div style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">I don't think it's great for Shakespeare that the best Shakespearean productions this year have been hacked down to half the usual length and stuffed with songs, but it's great for audiences. What a great production for Kwame Kwei-Armah (who got me an extra point at the National Theatre Christmas quiz!) to kick off his reign with.</span></div>
<div style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; margin: 0px;">
<b>10. <i>The York Realist</i> (Donmar Warehouse)</b></div>
<div style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Look, I like weird stuff, but I also like really quietly beautiful plays. You don't need flash when you've got such perfect emotional truth.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; margin: 0px;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PC6mb28JDKI/XCpjPiOEcMI/AAAAAAAACzI/0Q3ZgaulG2QPeeMakdabm4z3MpGN2CImACLcBGAs/s1600/9-7.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="312" data-original-width="750" height="166" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PC6mb28JDKI/XCpjPiOEcMI/AAAAAAAACzI/0Q3ZgaulG2QPeeMakdabm4z3MpGN2CImACLcBGAs/s400/9-7.png" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CEuV__AywhY/WkbAx0PgM-I/AAAAAAAAAVk/WSE7wVsRwJcT1MJ9SxVOcK6s34SJbd1owCLcBGAs/s1600/9-7.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></a></div>
<div style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; margin: 0px;">
<b>9. <i>Six</i> (Rose Theatre Kingston)</b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: 16px; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">What an unexpected joy this was! Catchy as hell and incredibly witty, I can strongly recommend you pencil this one in for your 2019 if you haven't seen it already.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: 16px; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;">
<b>8. <i>Hadestown</i> (National Theatre)</b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: 16px; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">I suspected I might enjoy it<span style="font-style: normal;">. I was right. Love me a good folk tale, love me some catchy jams, love me some Amber Gray, love me this damn show.</span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: 16px; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;">
<b>7. <i>Company</i> (Gielgud)</b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: 16px; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">I don't think there's anything I can say that hasn't already been said better by cleverer people. Believe the hype. Even if it does occasionally feel like a personal attack.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: 16px; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br style="margin: 0px;" /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: 16px; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nv8pBosMv7I/XCpjKidbHpI/AAAAAAAACzU/c-lHV_COj-MvFi93TzCjglWKbvzoojUdACEwYBhgL/s1600/6-4.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="312" data-original-width="750" height="166" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nv8pBosMv7I/XCpjKidbHpI/AAAAAAAACzU/c-lHV_COj-MvFi93TzCjglWKbvzoojUdACEwYBhgL/s400/6-4.png" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-myozVwqQigg/WkbBFaogFJI/AAAAAAAAAVo/toZVoCP0lDUN3WbPzKgns8wx5kPtFAAJgCLcBGAs/s1600/6-4.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></a></div>
<div style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; margin: 0px;">
<b>6. <i>Fun Home</i> (Young Vic)</b></div>
<div style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">It's funny, I enjoyed it on Broadway, but it didn't really get to me until I saw it at the Young Vic. I don't know what the difference was, but it really blew me away this year, so on the list it goes!</span></div>
<div style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; margin: 0px;">
<b>5. <i>SpongeBob SquarePants the Broadway Musical</i> (Palace Theater)</b></div>
<div style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">The world needs more pure and good shows like <i>SpongeBob SquarePants</i>. Don't be put off by the fact it's SpongeBob, this show was as wonderful a piece of theatre as anything else I've seen this year and totally justified my repeated transatlantic journeys.</span></div>
<div style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; margin: 0px;">
<b>4. <i>The Jungle</i> (Young Vic)</b></div>
<div style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">It takes a lot to get me out of my seat at the curtain call, but this production managed it. Even though I was basically sitting on the floor. Yeah, it all sounded a bit worthy and preachy and slum tourismy, but it was also a genuinely good piece of theatre, an important watch for that reason as much as - if not more so - for any of the others.</span></div>
<div style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rxqTfWCnx88/XCpjMyUkFmI/AAAAAAAACzM/9KEpdJsOqmEe_6hmjG-Ou2CR3udwJCX2QCEwYBhgL/s1600/3-2.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="468" data-original-width="750" height="248" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rxqTfWCnx88/XCpjMyUkFmI/AAAAAAAACzM/9KEpdJsOqmEe_6hmjG-Ou2CR3udwJCX2QCEwYBhgL/s400/3-2.png" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-F47CWVLVGeI/WkbBXTwq_kI/AAAAAAAAAVw/RCwYzSMaHHMrm8M5On608iYYWeD-j-aCgCLcBGAs/s1600/3-2.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></a></div>
<div style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; margin: 0px;">
<b>3. <i>Oklahoma!</i> (St Ann's Warehouse)</b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: 16px; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">I was grossly mis-sold how sexy this production was. It was EXTREMELY sexy and also felt in many ways absolutely tailor-made for me. I'm extremely glad I saw it twice, I'm extremely glad it's going to Broadway, and if we can get a cast recording out of the deal, then I'll never want for theatre content ever again. If I had to find <b>something</b> wrong with it, I'd say that the chilli needed some cumin. That's it, that's all I've got.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: 16px; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;">
<b>2. <i>Pericles</i> (National Theatre)</b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: 16px; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-style: normal;">I STILL DON'T KNOW WHY I BOOKED THIS but it turned out to be the best spontaneous booking decision all year, up there with all-time greats <i>Flare Path</i> and <i>The Kitchen Sink</i></span>. Finally the National Theatre felt like it actually belonged to the nation and it is frankly criminal that this warm, inclusive, beautiful production only ran for three performances.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: 16px; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br style="margin: 0px;" /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: 16px; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hpauvSrm6Og/XCpjOb5VZPI/AAAAAAAACzQ/NldHbXtlpSsOjEzx480J0kah60Rt7y_5wCEwYBhgL/s1600/1.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="968" data-original-width="775" height="400" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hpauvSrm6Og/XCpjOb5VZPI/AAAAAAAACzQ/NldHbXtlpSsOjEzx480J0kah60Rt7y_5wCEwYBhgL/s400/1.png" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nKBF2EN0xqo/WkbBlJOSivI/AAAAAAAAAV0/0Gw6N1nMk5k1LrhfrJA2inuFb3u8iYIWgCLcBGAs/s1600/1.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></a></div>
<div style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; margin: 0px;">
<b>1. <i>Summer and Smoke</i> (Almeida)</b></div>
<div style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">I mean, I'd love to say something about how much this incredible production has meant to me this year, but honestly I just start crying even thinking about it. You have until 19th January to not miss out forever.</span></div>
<div style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; margin: 0px;">
<b><u><span style="font-family: inherit;">Hero of the year</span></u></b></div>
<div style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">I don't have one single hero this year, so I'd like to declare that my hero of 2018 theatre is "women". Whether being quietly motivational as hell like Tamara Harvey's #workingmum tweets, or enabling my multiple New York trips while working her ass off as critic and editor like Nicole Serratore, or proving that the Olivier is a perfectly workable space when given to the right director like Emily Lim and Rachel Chavkin, or kicking ass all over the West End like Rebecca Frecknall, Patsy Ferran, Marianne Elliott, Rosalie Craig, the cast and band members of <i>Six</i>, </span>or owning Broadway like Tina Landau, <span style="font-family: inherit;">and all the other brilliant creatives working on our stages</span> <span style="font-family: inherit;">this year, women are just generally brilliant and we are truly blessed by them all.</span></div>
<div style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; margin: 0px;">
<b><u><span style="font-family: inherit;">Stinker of the year</span></u></b></div>
<div style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; margin: 0px;">
<b><i>A Very Very Very Dark Matter</i> (Bridge Theatre)</b></div>
<div style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">It would be great if established playwrights could be held to the same standards as emerging playwrights and be sent away with a red pen when they turn in a play that isn't really up to snuff. No emerging playwright would have got away with such a lazy, incoherent, pointlessly offensive work as this, and it's to the shame of everyone involved that it got as far as being put in front of an audience.</span></div>
<div style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">I have mostly self-enabled this year, but I can definitely recommend you make friends with someone who can provide you with an Elizabethan ruff at a moment's notice and without asking any awkward questions. If you want to see any of the pictures better, they have all been heavily filtered courtesy of <a href="https://www.instagram.com/fuunsaiki/">my Instagram</a>, and I shall see you again next year!</span></div>
Weezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17508573692659511169noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2217892969539564216.post-63330837408610548742018-12-16T13:23:00.000+00:002018-12-17T11:25:17.542+00:00Last 10 things seen at the theatre: #13226th November to 15th December.<br />
<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<b>List the last 10 things you saw at the theatre in order:</b><br />
1. <i>The Convert</i> (Young Vic)<br />
<div>
<div>
<div>
</div>
</div>
2. <i>Paradise</i> (Hampstead Downstairs)<br />
<div>
<div>
</div>
</div>
3. <i>Orpheus</i> (Battersea Arts Centre)<br />
<div>
<div>
</div>
</div>
4. <i>Macbeth</i> (Sam Wanamaker Playhouse)<br />
<div>
<div>
</div>
</div>
<div>
5. <i>Snowflake</i> (Arts at the Old Fire Station, Oxford)</div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
<div>
6. <i>Aladdin</i> (Prince Edward)</div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
7. <i>Summer and Smoke</i> (Duke of York's)</div>
<div>
</div>
8. <i>Dick Whittington</i> (Lyric Hammersmith)</div>
</div>
<div>
<div>
<div>
<div>
</div>
</div>
<div>
<div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
9. <i>The Hoes </i>(Hampstead Downstairs)<br />
10. <i>Barefoot in the Park</i> (Drake Hall)<br />
<div style="font-family: "times new roman"; margin: 0px;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<b>Who was the best performer in number one (</b><b><i>The Convert</i></b><b>)?</b><br />
I had an enormous soft spot for Luyanda Unati Lewis-Nyawo, but it wouldn't be fair to pass by without mentioning Letitia Wright.<br />
<br />
<b>Why did you go to see number two (</b><b><i>Paradise</i></b><b>)?</b><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
I have absolutely no idea. It doesn't fit any of my usual criteria for booking, I was already wondering why I'd booked before the cast announcement came, and I've never really heard of the playwright, so it's an absolute 100% mystery.</div>
<br />
<b>Can you remember a line/lyric from number three (</b><b><i>Orpheus</i></b><b>) that you liked?</b><br />
It was way too based in music to be have memorable lines or even lyrics.<br />
<br />
<b>What would you give number four (</b><b><i>Macbeth</i></b><b>) out of ten?</b><br />
8. Nice and spooky and some great line readings, but still <i>Macbeth</i>.<br />
<br />
<b>Was there someone hot in number five (</b><b><i>Snowflake</i></b><b>)?</b><br />
Though I appreciate it's not exactly up to me, I am nonetheless giving serious consideration towards marrying Racheal Ofori.<br />
<br />
<b>What was number six (<i>Aladdin</i></b><b>) about?</b><br />
It was about how it's okay to found a relationship on a bed of lies as long as the person who is being lied to is too smart to believe the lies. And friendship and magic and stuff.<br />
<br />
<b>Who was your favourite actor in number seven (</b><b><i>Summer and Smoke</i></b><b>)?</b><br />
FUTURE. DAME. PATSY. FERRAN. WHOSE PERFORMANCE WILL LIVE FOREVER IN MY SHATTERED MIND AND BROKEN HEART AND ONCE-DAMAGED-BUT-ONCE-MORE-HEALED SOUL.<br />
<br />
<b>What was your favourite bit in number eight (</b><b><i>Dick Whittington</i></b><b>)?</b><br />
There was one scene that involved Margaret Cabourn-Smith, dressed as a pigeon, singing a song while surrounded by a chorus of ensemble members, dressed as dogs. To paraphrase Alan Bennett, “the best moments in theatre are when you come across something – a thought, a feeling, a way of looking at things – which you had thought special and particular to you. Now here it is, set down by someone else, a person you have never met, someone even who is long dead. And it is as if a hand has come out and taken yours.”<br />
<br />
<b>Would you see number nine (</b><b><i>The Hoes</i></b><b>) again?</b><br />
Nah. I enjoyed the performances and the characters but it didn't really cohere as a play enough for a return visit.<br />
<br />
<b>What was the worst thing about number ten (<i>Barefoot in the Park</i></b><b>)?</b><br />
Local performance, actual friends, not willing to start beef. Actually, the worst thing about it is that the group couldn't get the rights to <i>The Odd Couple (Female Version)</i>, I could've actually been in that, but there's only one young(ish) female character in <i>Barefoot</i> and it's a huge role so I just didn't have the time to even consider auditioning for it.<br />
<br />
<b>Which was best?</b><br />
While <i>Summer and Smoke</i> is obviously the best production of a play I've seen in a long time, I must also give credit to <i>Snowflake</i> for being the best Mike Bartlett play since at least <i>King Charles III</i> (I didn't really dig <i>Albion </i>(this is an awful lot of Almeida productions being referenced in what is basically a single sentence)). <i>The Convert</i> was great too.<br />
<br />
<b><strike>Which was worst?</strike></b><br />
<br />
<b>Did any make you cry?</b><br />
<i>Summer and Smoke</i> does me a damage every time I see it.<br />
<br />
<b>Did any make you laugh?</b><br />
Although this <i>Dick Whittington</i> didn't make me laugh as much as the last <i>Dick Whittington</i>, it was nonetheless extremely funny and I hooted along merrily (with the added bonus that I didn't lose a great chunk of plot because of laughing so hard I feared I was going to be sick in my lap).<br />
<br />
<b>Which roles would you like to play in any of them?</b><br />
I'm between amdrams at the moment and it's lovely to have a little rest. Ask me again when I'm less tired.<br />
<br />
<b>Which one did you have best seats for?</b><br />
I had really great seats for almost all of these, but I will give the overall award to <i>Snowflake</i> because the venue has dinky little sawn-off chairs for the front row and I love the "adult visiting her old primary school" feeling of dinky little sawn-off chairs.Weezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17508573692659511169noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2217892969539564216.post-40576659282912574812018-11-30T17:19:00.004+00:002019-03-25T12:49:40.562+00:00Last 10 things seen at the theatre: #1313rd to 24th November.<br />
<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<b>List the last 10 things you saw at the theatre in order:</b><br />
1. <i>I And You</i> (Hampstead Upstairs)<br />
<div>
<div>
<div>
</div>
</div>
2. <i>The Wild Duck</i> (Almeida)<br />
<div>
<div>
</div>
</div>
3. <i>ear for eye</i> (Royal Court Downstairs)<br />
<div>
<div>
</div>
</div>
4. <i>Wise Children</i> (Oxford Playhouse)<br />
<div>
<div>
</div>
</div>
<div>
5. <i>Stories</i> (National; Dorfman)</div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
<div>
6. <i>The Wolves</i> (Theatre Royal Stratford East)</div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
7. <i>Stepping Out</i> (Beacon Centre)</div>
<div>
</div>
8. <i>SIX</i> (Rose Theatre Kingston)</div>
</div>
<div>
<div>
<div>
<div>
</div>
</div>
<div>
<div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
9. <i>Chekhov's First Play </i>(Battersea Arts Centre)<br />
10. <i>othellomacbeth</i> (Lyric Hammersmith)<br />
<div style="font-family: "times new roman"; margin: 0px;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<b>Who was the best performer in number one (</b><b><i>I And You</i></b><b>)?</b><br />
I know there's a popular idea that the actor who went to drama school was better than the one who didn't, and I don't know if the popular idea is based in snobbery or if the performances just changed shape significantly by the end of the run, but I thought Maisie Williams was great.<br />
<br />
<b>Why did you go to see number two (</b><b><i>The Wild Duck</i></b><b>)?</b><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
Apparently I'm more keen on ducks than I ever really realised. Also I guess I like the director's work...</div>
<br />
<b>Can you remember a line/lyric from number three (</b><b><i>ear for eye</i></b><b>) that you liked?</b><br />
I wish I could, I thought it was a great play with a helluva lot to be listened to and to think about.<br />
<br />
<b>What would you give number four (</b><b><i>Wise Children</i></b><b>) out of ten?</b><br />
8. Yeah, I agree with a review I read that found the whimsy jarred rather with the actual plot, but I do love the patented Emma Rice whimsy goddamnit.<br />
<br />
<b>Was there someone hot in number five (</b><b><i>Stories</i></b><b>)?</b><br />
If you like Sam Troughton, then there's a FINE assortment of him for you to choose between!<br />
<br />
<b>What was number six (<i>The Wolves</i></b><b>) about?</b><br />
I'm sorry to break it to you, but it was about a girls indoor soccer team. It was pretty great though, even without any large canines roaming around the stage.<br />
<br />
<b>Who was your favourite actor in number seven (</b><b><i>Stepping Out</i></b><b>)?</b><br />
Local production, actual friends, not willing to start beef by singling anyone out.<br />
<br />
<b>What was your favourite bit in number eight (</b><b><i>SIX</i></b><b>)?</b><br />
Is it wrong to say "the entire show"? I'm glad I made the painful trek out to Kingston for this one, it was smart and witty and the songs were catchy AF.<br />
<br />
<b>Would you see number nine (</b><b><i>Chekhov's First Play</i></b><b>) again?</b><br />
Definitely, I love feeling like my brain has been physically bruised by a Dead Centre production.<br />
<br />
<b>What was the worst thing about number ten (<i>othellomacbeth</i></b><b>)?</b><br />
I didn't really click with the <i>Othello</i> half, which is weird when you consider how much I usually prefer it to <i>Macbeth</i>.<br />
<br />
<b>Which was best?</b><br />
Ooh, some very good ones in this batch! I think I might go with <i>SIX</i>?<br />
<br />
<b><strike>Which was worst?</strike></b><br />
<br />
<b>Did any make you cry?</b><br />
<i>The Wild Duck</i> is reaching <i>The Cherry Orchard</i> levels of "I just don't want to see this play anymore because it has never not been a painful experience".<br />
<br />
<b>Did any make you laugh?</b><br />
<i>Wise Children</i>, <i>Stepping Out</i>, <i>SIX</i>, and <i>Chekhov's First Play</i> all did.<br />
<br />
<b>Which roles would you like to play in any of them?</b><br />
I could've been Platonov. I COULD have been Platonov, ANY of us could have been Platonov. I think I just want to be in an Emma Rice production without any real need to play a particular role in a particular play (as long as I get to do the US run as well, for reasons *ahem*). I would quite like to play Anne Boleyn too, but only in <i>SIX</i>, never in anything else.<br />
<br />
<b>Which one did you have best seats for?</b><br />
I had delightful seats for many of the above, including my cheap seat of choice for <i>The Wild Duck</i> (not just "this will do for the price", but "how in hell are they charging such a small amount for such a great seat"), but I think... <i>Chekhov's First Play</i>, probably.Weezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17508573692659511169noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2217892969539564216.post-64480019462274207112018-11-23T16:12:00.001+00:002018-11-23T16:12:08.077+00:00Last 10 things seen at the theatre: #1305th October to 2nd November.<br />
<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<b>List the last 10 things you saw at the theatre in order:</b><br />
1. <i>The Thing on the Doorstep: Asenath's Tale</i> (Old Red Lion Theatre)<br />
<div>
<div>
<div>
</div>
</div>
2. <i>It's True, It's True, It's True</i> (New Diorama)<br />
<div>
<div>
</div>
</div>
3. <i>A Very Very Very Dark Matter</i> (Bridge Theatre)<br />
<div>
<div>
</div>
</div>
4. <i>The Height of the Storm</i> (Wyndham's)<br />
<div>
<div>
</div>
</div>
<div>
5. <i>Antony and Cleopatra</i> (National; Olivier)</div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
<div>
6. <i>Measure for Measure</i> (Donmar Warehouse)</div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
7. <i>Misty</i> (Trafalgar Studio 1)</div>
<div>
</div>
8. <i>Twelfth Night</i> (Young Vic)</div>
</div>
<div>
<div>
<div>
<div>
</div>
</div>
<div>
<div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
9. <i>Company </i>(Gielgud)<br />
10. <i>Queen Margaret</i> (Royal Exchange)<br />
<div style="font-family: "times new roman"; margin: 0px;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<b>Who was the best performer in number one (</b><b><i>The Thing on the Doorstep: Asenath's Tale</i></b><b>)?</b><br />
Erin Wilson had more to do but Cathy Conneff was great too so because this is my half-assed blog, I'm going to list them both and no one can stop me!<br />
<br />
<b>Why did you go to see number two (</b><b><i>It's True, It's True, It's True</i></b><b>)?</b><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
Good word of mouth from Edinburgh combined with a casual interest in the general bad-assery of Artemisia Gentileschi.</div>
<br />
<b>Can you remember a line/lyric from number three (</b><b><i>A Very Very Very Dark Matter</i></b><b>) that you liked?</b><br />
Look, if McDonagh's not going to put any effort into writing decent dialogue for a paying audience, then I'm sure as hell not going to put any effort into remembering any of the dialogue for a free blog.<br />
<br />
<b>What would you give number four (</b><b><i>The Height of the Storm</i></b><b>) out of ten?</b><br />
Oof..... it was very well-performed and way better than some of the other Zeller plays I've seen but I just... wasn't very interested in it. 6.5?<br />
<br />
<b>Was there someone hot in number five (</b><b><i>Antony and Cleopatra</i></b><b>)?</b><br />
Katy Stephens was in it, so ABSOLUTELY. I'm sure other cast members have their fans, but she's my number one.<br />
<br />
<b>What was number six (<i>Measure for Measure</i></b><b>) about?</b><br />
Rape culture and toxic masculinity. Yeah, sure, <i>Measure for Measure</i> is always about rape culture and toxic masculinity, but this production was about rape culture and toxic masculinity TWICE.<br />
<br />
<b>Who was your favourite actor in number seven (</b><b><i>Misty</i></b><b>)?</b><br />
I can't even begin to tell you just how much I enjoyed Shiloh Coke's contributions to the proceedings.<br />
<br />
<b>What was your favourite bit in number eight (</b><b><i>Twelfth Night</i></b><b>)?</b><br />
It turns out one of my favourite theatrical tropes is when the most uptight character gets a song with a full company tap routine. Every musical should have one of these. I wouldn't say no to every play having one of these either.<br />
<br />
<b>Would you see number nine (</b><b><i>Company</i></b><b>) again?</b><br />
I've already booked one return trip and I'll be very surprised if I stop there.<br />
<br />
<b>What was the worst thing about number ten (<i>Queen Margaret</i></b><b>)?</b><br />
The concept was so strong that it was a little disappointing when the play itself didn't really live up to that. Maybe the dialogue was a little too prosaic? Maybe there wasn't enough Margaret? It was fine, but damnit, I wanted it to be so much more.<br />
<br />
<b>Which was best?</b><br />
Either <i>Company</i> or <i>Twelfth Night</i>.<br />
<br />
<b>Which was worst?</b><br />
I did not like one single thing about <i>A Very Very Very Dark Matter</i>. Even the plentiful leg-room and the pleasingly brisk running time didn't make up for how thoroughly lazy and unenjoyable it was.<br />
<br />
<b>Did any make you cry?</b><br />
<i>It's True, It's True, It's True</i>.<br />
<br />
<b>Did any make you laugh?</b><br />
<i>Twelfth Night</i> and <i>Company</i>!<br />
<br />
<b>Which roles would you like to play in any of them?</b><br />
Well I've always wanted to play Amy in <i>Company</i>, but now that she's become Jamie, I guess I'll just have to play Bobbie instead. I'm not sure how I'll dig down inside myself to find a commitmentphobic 35 year old single woman with no real personality who won't let having red hair stand in the way of her wearing a red dress, but I'm willing to give it a shot. I've still never played Olivia but I'm leaning rather significantly over towards Feste and Orsino these days.<br />
<br />
<b>Which one did you have best seats for?</b><br />
Technically I had a great seat for <i>A Very Very Very Dark Matter</i> but alas, being able to see the play perfectly with zero obstruction while also being in a spot where it would have been impossible to inconspicuously sneak out early was NOT a bonus for this one. So <i>Twelfth Night</i>, where my £10 got me right next to the stage, which I thought they'd stopped doing at the Young Vic so it was a lovely surprise.Weezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17508573692659511169noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2217892969539564216.post-4773930118081845712018-10-09T16:31:00.000+01:002019-01-11T12:16:12.514+00:00Last 10 things seen at the theatre: #12928th September to 3rd October (NEW YORK SPECIAL THE SECOND).<br />
<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<b>List the last 10 things you saw at the theatre in order:</b><br />
1. <i>Oklahoma!</i> (St Ann's Warehouse)<br />
<div>
<div>
<div>
</div>
</div>
2. <i>Anastasia</i> (Broadhurst Theatre)<br />
<div>
<div>
</div>
</div>
3. <i>Head Over Heels</i> (Hudson Theatre)<br />
<div>
<div>
</div>
</div>
4. <i>Puffs</i> (New World Stages)<br />
<div>
<div>
</div>
</div>
<div>
5. <i>Sleep No More</i> (McKittrick Hotel)</div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
<div>
6. <i>Oklahoma!</i> (St Ann's Warehouse)</div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
7. <i>Sleep No More</i> (McKittrick Hotel)</div>
<div>
</div>
8. <i>Sleep No More</i> (McKittrick Hotel)</div>
</div>
<div>
<div>
<div>
<div>
</div>
</div>
<div>
<div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
9. <i>Once on This Island </i>(Circle in the Square)<br />
10. <i>Bernhardt/Hamlet</i> (American Airlines Theatre)<br />
<div style="font-family: "times new roman"; margin: 0px;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<b>Who was the best performer in number one (</b><b><i>Oklahoma!</i></b><b>)?</b><br />
There's a sizeable part of me that wishes I'd never seen <i>The Tin Drum</i>, because I just don't know how I'm supposed to exist in the same world at the same time as Damon Daunno while maintaining any sense of mental or emotional stability. Also Gabrielle Hamilton was absolutely amazing, I never want to see a traditional dream ballet ever again.<br />
<br />
<b>Why did you go to see number two (</b><b><i>Anastasia</i></b><b>)?</b><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
It was available at the TKTS booth and I don't think it's a strong contender for a West End transfer any time soon.</div>
<br />
<b>Can you remember a line/lyric from number three (</b><b><i>Head Over Heels</i></b><b>) that you liked?</b><br />
Look, I enjoyed it enormously, but I'm deeply unfamiliar with the work of The Go-Go's [sic], and the dialogue was pretty awful.<br />
<br />
<b>What would you give number four (</b><b><i>Puffs</i></b><b>) out of ten?</b><br />
7.<br />
<br />
<b>Was there someone hot in number five (</b><b><i>Sleep No More</i></b><b>)?</b><br />
You know what, I'm in a really great place right now where I don't know the names of any of the cast members. I love that I can go, that I can throw myself into it, that I can have a really intense evening, and then just leave it all behind me when I exit the building.<br />
<br />
<b>What was number six (<i>Oklahoma!</i></b><b>) about?</b><br />
A bunch of idiot children who probably shouldn't ever breed but all too clearly cannot wait to start the process with each other. (I say that with love, honest.)<br />
<br />
<b>Who was your favourite actor in number seven (</b><b><i>Sleep No More</i></b><b>)?</b><br />
See earlier answer. From this performance, it might have been whoever was playing Hecate. She clearly wasn't expecting to see me sitting quietly in the empty bar but deposited a lipstick kiss on my mask anyway, which was an incredibly eerie and dreamlike experience at the time.<br />
<br />
<b>What was your favourite bit in number eight (</b><b><i>Sleep No More</i></b><b>)?</b><br />
In this particular performance, I enjoyed spending quiet time up on the fifth floor, and being taken into the hut in the forest for some tea.<br />
<br />
<b>Would you see number nine (</b><b><i>Once on This Island</i></b><b>) again?</b><br />
I probably would, I thought it was a really incredible production (of a show that mostly charmed but also enraged me beyond measure).<br />
<br />
<b>What was the worst thing about number ten (<i>Bernhardt/Hamlet</i></b><b>)?</b><br />
Not enough Bernhardt.<br />
<br />
<b>Which was best?</b><br />
<i>Oklahoma!</i> or, as it is more accurately sometimes called, <i>Sexy Oklahoma!</i>.<br />
<br />
<b><strike>Which was worst?</strike></b><br />
<br />
<b>Did any make you cry?</b><br />
<i>Once on This Island</i> was a problem.<br />
<br />
<b>Did any make you laugh?</b><br />
<i>Head Over Heels</i> was very amusing, and <i>Sleep No More</i> had more than a few moments.<br />
<br />
<b>Which roles would you like to play in any of them?</b><br />
Generally speaking I would like to play Ado Annie. In this specific production I would LOP OFF A LIMB to play Laurey. And I wouldn't mind having a go at Aunt Eller in the future.<br />
<br />
<b>Which one did you have best seats for?</b><br />
I had a (slightly too) terrific seat for one visit to <i>Oklahoma!</i>, the TKTS booth paid off nicely for <i>Anastasia</i> and <i>Head Over Heels</i>, and I honestly can't complain about my <i>Once on This Island</i> or <i>Puffs</i> seats either.Weezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17508573692659511169noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2217892969539564216.post-17282525605036206682018-10-09T16:07:00.001+01:002018-10-09T16:07:11.826+01:00Last 10 things seen at the theatre: #1281st to 27th September.<br />
<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<b>List the last 10 things you saw at the theatre in order:</b><br />
1. <i>Then She Fell</i> (Kingsland Ward)<br />
<div>
<div>
<div>
</div>
</div>
2. <i>The Band's Visit</i> (Ethel Barrymore)<br />
<div>
<div>
</div>
</div>
3. <i>Sylvia</i> (Old Vic)<br />
<div>
<div>
</div>
</div>
4. <i>42nd Street</i> (Theatre Royal Drury Lane)<br />
<div>
<div>
</div>
</div>
<div>
5. <i>The Lehman Trilogy</i> (National; Lyttelton)</div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
<div>
6. <i>Aristocrats</i> (Donmar)</div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
7. <i>Dust</i> (Trafalgar Studio 2)</div>
<div>
</div>
8. <i>Dance Nation</i> (Almeida)</div>
</div>
<div>
<div>
<div>
<div>
</div>
</div>
<div>
<div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
9. <i>Fun Home </i>(Young Vic)<br />
10. <i>Othello</i> (Shakespeare's Globe)<br />
<div style="font-family: "times new roman"; margin: 0px;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<b>Who was the best performer in number one (</b><b><i>Then She Fell</i></b><b>)?</b><br />
I was very taken with Julie Seal's performance as the White Queen.<br />
<br />
<b>Why did you go to see number two (</b><b><i>The Band's Visit</i></b><b>)?</b><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
Honestly? So I have a leg to stand on next time the <i>Band's Visit</i> vs <i>SpongeBob SquarePants</i> debate rears its head.</div>
<br />
<b>Can you remember a line/lyric from number three (</b><b><i>Sylvia</i></b><b>) that you liked?</b><br />
Sorry, no. But it's technically a work in progress, so probably for the best that I don't fall in love with any of the minutiae until it's locked down.<br />
<br />
<b>What would you give number four (</b><b><i>42nd Street</i></b><b>) out of ten?</b><br />
10 for the dancing, 6 for the book.<br />
<br />
<b>Was there someone hot in number five (</b><b><i>The Lehman Trilogy</i></b><b>)?</b><br />
Oh honestly, who am I to try denying Ben Miles's ongoing sex appeal?<br />
<br />
<b>What was number six (<i>Aristocrats</i></b><b>) about?</b><br />
I tell you what it was <b>not</b> about, it was <b>not</b> about a posh cat and her three kittens trying to find their way home to Paris with the help of some less posh cats.<br />
<br />
<b>Who was your favourite actor in number seven (</b><b><i>Dust</i></b><b>)?</b><br />
Probably Milly Thomas, I guess, out of the cast of thousands.<br />
<br />
<b>What was your favourite bit in number eight (</b><b><i>Dance Nation</i></b><b>)?</b><br />
Definitely Maeve's bit about flying.<br />
<br />
<b>Would you see number nine (</b><b><i>Fun Home</i></b><b>) again?</b><br />
Hell yes, bring me a West End transfer (please)!<br />
<br />
<b>What was the worst thing about number ten (<i>Othello</i></b><b>)?</b><br />
It was alright. But I've seen some <b>really</b> good <i>Othello</i>s, so if a production is only "alright" then that probably counts as enough of a worst thing in itself.<br />
<br />
<b>Which was best?</b><br />
<i>Sylvia</i>. Even though it's technically a work in progress.<br />
<br />
<b><strike>Which was worst?</strike></b><br />
<br />
<b>Did any make you cry?</b><br />
<i>Fun Home</i> was a weeper, but none of the others. Which is weird, because <i>Othello</i> does usually set me off.<br />
<br />
<b>Did any make you laugh?</b><br />
I think <i>Sylvia</i> did, but none of them were strictly a laugh riot.<br />
<br />
<b>Which roles would you like to play in any of them?</b><br />
I have no particular role preference but wouldn't mind being involved in <i>Sylvia</i>. Or <i>Dance Nation</i> or <i>Othello</i>, for that matter.<br />
<br />
<b>Which one did you have best seats for?</b><br />
Definitely <i>The Lehman Trilogy</i>, even though they did their level best to reduce the quality of the seat by raising the stage. I also loved my literally back row seat for <i>The Band's Visit</i>, I had SO much space around me!Weezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17508573692659511169noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2217892969539564216.post-88306187602918807452018-08-31T23:29:00.002+01:002018-08-31T23:29:25.819+01:00Last 10 things seen at the theatre: #1274th to 31st August.<br />
<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<b>List the last 10 things you saw at the theatre in order:</b><br />
1. <i>The Humans</i> (Hampstead Upstairs)<br />
<div>
<div>
<div>
</div>
</div>
2. <i>Pericles</i> (National; Olivier)<br />
<div>
<div>
</div>
</div>
3. <i>The One</i> (Soho Theatre)<br />
<div>
<div>
</div>
</div>
4. <i>Emilia</i> (Shakespeare's Globe)<br />
<div>
<div>
</div>
</div>
<div>
5. <i>Things of Dry Hours</i> (Young Vic)</div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
<div>
6. <i>The Winter's Tale</i> (Shakespeare's Globe)</div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
7. <i>Home, I'm Darling</i> (National; Dorfman)</div>
<div>
</div>
8. <i>Translations</i> (National; Olivier)</div>
</div>
<div>
<div>
<div>
<div>
</div>
</div>
<div>
<div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
9. <i>Dreamgirls </i>(Savoy)<br />
10. <i>Allelujah!</i> (Bridge Theatre)<br />
<div style="font-family: "times new roman"; margin: 0px;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<b>Who was the best performer in number one (</b><b><i>The Humans</i></b><b>)?</b><br />
I thought they were all very good, not worth stressing about trying to single out one of the six.<br />
<br />
<b>Why did you go to see number two (</b><b><i>Pericles</i></b><b>)?</b><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
I'm not entirely sure, though I am grateful for my decision. I can only assume I saw that all the tickets were £15 and thought I might as well, especially as I only had one <i>Pericles</i> before this one.</div>
<br />
<b>Can you remember a line/lyric from number three (</b><b><i>The One</i></b><b>) that you liked?</b><br />
Nah, I didn't really think the script was anything to write home about.<br />
<br />
<b>What would you give number four (</b><b><i>Emilia</i></b><b>) out of ten?</b><br />
8.5? I came out absolutely wanting to burn everything to the ground (in a positive way) but at the same time it could have stood to lose an easy 20-30 minutes from the first half.<br />
<br />
<b>Was there someone hot in number five (</b><b><i>Things of Dry Hours</i></b><b>)?</b><br />
Nah. I mean, maybe, for other people, but not for me.<br />
<br />
<b>What was number six (<i>The Winter's Tale</i></b><b>) about?</b><br />
Oh, you know, the usual. Family trauma, betrayal, redemption, and bears. Well, this one was a bit less bear-y than usual.....<br />
<br />
<b>Who was your favourite actor in number seven (</b><b><i>Home, I'm Darling</i></b><b>)?</b><br />
Future Dame Katherine Parkinson obviously.<br />
<br />
<b>What was your favourite bit in number eight (</b><b><i>Translations</i></b><b>)?</b><br />
Oh come on, if you know the play, you KNOW which scene is my favourite.<br />
<br />
<b>Would you see number nine (</b><b><i>Dreamgirls</i></b><b>) again?</b><br />
Hypothetically yes, but realistically nah. It was great, especially Asmeret Ghebremichael, but I don't really have a bunch of spare time between now and January.<br />
<br />
<b>What was the worst thing about number ten (<i>Allelujah!</i></b><b>)?</b><br />
Oh, it was just a bit... aimless? Entertaining enough and clearly has a long amdram life ahead of it but ultimately came across more as polemic than play.<br />
<br />
<b>Which was best?</b><br />
Oh, <i>Pericles</i>, 100%!<br />
<br />
<b><strike>Which was worst?</strike></b><br />
<br />
<b>Did any make you cry?</b><br />
Lots of joyful sobbing in <i>Pericles</i>, the useful amount of woeful weeping in <i>The Winter's Tale</i>.<br />
<br />
<b>Did any make you laugh?</b><br />
<i>Pericles</i> did, I'm not sure about the others. Clearly not that memorably if they did!<br />
<br />
<b>Which roles would you like to play in any of them?</b><br />
Always always always Paulina. I don't want to play Judy in <i>Home, I'm Darling</i> so much as I just want her frocks.<br />
<br />
<b>Which one did you have best seats for?</b><br />
<i>Dreamgirls</i>, probably. It was possible to be too close for <i>Pericles</i>, and my closeness came at the cost of visibility for <i>Home, I'm Darling</i> and <i>Allelujah!</i>.Weezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17508573692659511169noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2217892969539564216.post-20095890069297822422018-08-14T16:23:00.000+01:002018-08-14T16:23:06.121+01:00Last 10 things seen at the theatre: #12621st July to 4th August.<br />
<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<b>List the last 10 things you saw at the theatre in order:</b><br />
1. <i>Killer Joe</i> (Trafalgar Studio 1)<br />
<div>
<div>
<div>
</div>
</div>
2. <i>Miss Littlewood</i> (Swan Theatre)<br />
<div>
<div>
</div>
</div>
3. <i>Heathers The Musical</i> (The Other Palace)<br />
<div>
<div>
</div>
</div>
4. <i>The Prime Of Miss Jean Brodie</i> (Donmar)<br />
<div>
<div>
</div>
</div>
<div>
5. <i>Genesis Inc</i> (Hampstead Upstairs)</div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
<div>
6. <i>Lords And Ladies</i> (Davenies)</div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
7. <i>The Merchant of Venice</i> (Bodleian Library)</div>
<div>
</div>
8. <i>Hamlet</i> (Shakespeare's Globe)</div>
</div>
<div>
<div>
<div>
<div>
</div>
</div>
<div>
<div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
9. <i>As You Like It </i>(Shakespeare's Globe)<br />
10. <i>Pity</i> (Royal Court Downstairs)<br />
<div style="font-family: "times new roman"; margin: 0px;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<b>Who was the best performer in number one (</b><b><i>Killer Joe</i></b><b>)?</b><br />
Sophie Cookson.<br />
<br />
<b>Why did you go to see number two (</b><b><i>Miss Littlewood</i></b><b>)?</b><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
Aside from it sounding interesting - come on, a musical about an influential woman from British theatrical history? What's not to love? - I had a £5 credit voucher from the RSC (and I have NO idea why) so I thought it would be jolly to trade it in for a standing space for this.</div>
<br />
<b>Can you remember a line/lyric from number three (</b><b><i>Heathers The Musical</i></b><b>) that you liked?</b><br />
Although I did come out humming several of the numbers and took an uncomfortably long time to shake them from my mind, I don't think I have anything left in my brain that really fits the bill for this question.<br />
<br />
<b>What would you give number four (</b><b><i>The Prime Of Miss Jean Brodie</i></b><b>) out of ten?</b><br />
8 I think. Though 10 if we were judging it just by costumes.<br />
<br />
<b>Was there someone hot in number five (</b><b><i>Genesis Inc</i></b><b>)?</b><br />
If we're being honest, I've had a soft spot for Arthur Darvill ever since he was going by the name Tom and announcing that <i>Cardcaptors</i> would be on after the ad break.<br />
<br />
<b>What was number six (<i>Lords And Ladies</i></b><b>) about?</b><br />
Witches and elves and wizards and an orang-utan. Among other things.<br />
<br />
<b>Who was your favourite actor in number seven (</b><b><i>The Merchant of Venice</i></b><b>)?</b><br />
It was a proper ensemble cast, I don't see how I'm meant to single one out when they were all so great.<br />
<br />
<b>What was your favourite bit in number eight (</b><b><i>Hamlet</i></b><b>)?</b><br />
You've not really <i>Hamlet</i>ed until Hamlet herself sits down on the edge of the stage next to you and holds your hand while she "to be or not to be"s.<br />
<br />
<b>Would you see number nine (</b><b><i>As You Like It</i></b><b>) again?</b><br />
If I had the time, I'd certainly consider it.<br />
<br />
<b>What was the worst thing about number ten (<i>Pity</i></b><b>)?</b><br />
I was just very bored. I can cope with being a little bit bored, but being very bored is a terrible thing in a theatre.<br />
<br />
<b>Which was best?</b><br />
Maybe <i>The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie</i>?<br />
<br />
<b>Which was worst?</b><br />
It was largely well acted and genuinely beautifully designed, so maybe it wasn't the worst production, but <i>Killer Joe</i> was absolutely 100% an unenjoyable experience. It's bad enough that Tracy Letts saw his way clear to writing it in the first place, but how anyone can pick up this play and decide that it needs to be produced in this the year of our lord 2018, so absolutely wilfully flying in the face of international conversation, is completely beyond me and genuinely unconscionable.<br />
<br />
<b>Did any make you cry?</b><br />
<i>Hamlet</i> was a bit of a weeper.<br />
<br />
<b>Did any make you laugh?</b><br />
<i>Miss Littlewood</i>, and all the Shakespeares.<br />
<br />
<b>Which roles would you like to play in any of them?</b><br />
I reckon I could do a GREAT job as one of the Joans in <i>Miss Littlewood</i>, and I'm always open for an interesting role in Shakespeare (GIVE ME CELIA OR GIVE ME DEATH).<br />
<br />
<b>Which one did you have best seats for?</b><br />
I can't deny the quality of my cheap seat for <i>Killer Joe</i>, and we grabbed a couple of awesome standing spaces for <i>As You Like It</i> and <i>Hamlet</i>.Weezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17508573692659511169noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2217892969539564216.post-69639735129221518482018-07-30T23:12:00.000+01:002019-01-11T12:15:43.945+00:00Last 10 things seen at the theatre: #12530th June to 21st July.<br />
<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<b>List the last 10 things you saw at the theatre in order:</b><br />
1. <i>Red</i> (Wyndham's)<br />
<div>
<div>
<div>
</div>
</div>
2. <i>Jerusalem</i> (Watermill)<br />
<div>
<div>
</div>
</div>
3. <i>A Monster Calls</i> (Old Vic)<br />
<div>
<div>
</div>
</div>
4. <i>Brief Encounter</i> (Empire Cinema Haymarket)<br />
<div>
<div>
</div>
</div>
5. <i>SpongeBob SquarePants</i> (Palace Theater)<br />
<div>
<div>
</div>
</div>
<div>
6. <i>Straight White Men</i> (Hayes Theater)</div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
7. <i>SpongeBob SquarePants</i> (Palace Theater)</div>
<div>
</div>
8. <i>Machinal</i> (Almeida)</div>
<div>
<div>
<div>
<div>
</div>
</div>
<div>
<div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
9. <i>The Lieutenant of Inishmore </i>(Noël Coward)<br />
10. <i>Fun Home</i> (Young Vic)<br />
<div style="font-family: "times new roman"; margin: 0px;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<b>Who was the best performer in number one (</b><b><i>Red</i></b><b>)?</b><br />
A two-man play, both of whom were excellent, requires a two-man answer - Alfred Enoch and Alfred Molina were both the best performers.<br />
<br />
<b>Why did you go to see number two (</b><b><i>Jerusalem</i></b><b>)?</b><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
I never thought I stanned that hard for <i>Jerusalem</i>, but apparently I was intrigued to see it for a sixth time with my third/fourth different cast, so I booked it.</div>
<br />
<b>Can you remember a line/lyric from number three (</b><b><i>A Monster Calls</i></b><b>) that you liked?</b><br />
I do wish I could have remembered any of the lines, but every time someone referred to our teenage protagonist by his full name, Conor O'Malley, which was every single time the titular monster spoke to him, my brain started singing "HE'S CONOR O'MALLEY, O'MALLEY THE ALLEY CAT". So that was awkward.<br />
<br />
<b>What would you give number four (</b><b><i>Brief Encounter</i></b><b>) out of ten?</b><br />
7? I didn't see it last time round, but I've seen a bunch of other Kneehigh shows in the meantime, so while I can see how this would have been fresh and beautiful and innovative ten years ago, I've seen better since. Also for all the overall charm of the piece, I just found the central couple really unengaging and unlikeable, which I assume is Noël Coward's fault as much as anyone's.<br />
<br />
<b>Was there someone hot in number five (</b><b><i>SpongeBob SquarePants</i></b><b>)?</b><br />
I love each and every cast member passionately and dearly, but not like that.<br />
<br />
<b>What was number six (<i>Straight White Men</i></b><b>) about?</b><br />
It's one of those Ronseal plays - does exactly what it says on the tin.<br />
<br />
<b>Who was your favourite actor in number seven (</b><b><i>SpongeBob SquarePants</i></b><b>)?</b><br />
Again, I love each and every cast member passionately and dearly, but I very much got the feeling here that maybe Gavin Lee was actually born with four legs and has been using a glamour spell for the last forty-odd years to pretend he's bipedal and finally he's found the one role for which his natural form is perfectly suited and he's cast off the enchantment so at last he can share with the world his tremendous gift of four-legged tap dancing.<br />
<br />
<b>What was your favourite bit in number eight (</b><b><i>Machinal</i></b><b>)?</b><br />
I did like <i>Machinal</i> but I did not like one bit more than the rest of it.<br />
<br />
<b>Would you see number nine (</b><b><i>The Lieutenant of Inishmore</i></b><b>) again?</b><br />
Not this production, no.<br />
<br />
<b>What was the worst thing about number ten (<i>Fun Home</i></b><b>)?</b><br />
I should have taken tissues.<br />
<br />
<b>Which was best?</b><br />
<i>SpongeBob SquarePants</i> and <i>Fun Home</i>. Apparently I enjoy a contemporary American musical, whether it be big or small.<br />
<br />
<b><strike>Which was worst?</strike></b><br />
<br />
<b>Did any make you cry?</b><br />
<i>SpongeBob SquarePants</i> and <i>Fun Home</i> did, weirdly <i>A Monster Calls</i> did not.<br />
<br />
<b>Did any make you laugh?</b><br />
<i>Jerusalem</i>, <i>Brief Encounter</i>, <i>SpongeBob SquarePants</i>, and <i>Fun Home</i>.<br />
<br />
<b>Which roles would you like to play in any of them?</b><br />
I JUST WANT TO BE IN <i>SPONGEBOB SQUAREPANTS</i>, THEN EVERY DAY WOULD BE THE BEST DAY EVER. If it came down to specific roles (or specific costumes I wanted to wear) then it would probably have to be either Karen or a sardine. (OR BOTH, I believe "both" is possible.)<br />
<br />
<b>Which one did you have best seats for?</b><br />
Definitely <i>Brief Encounter</i>, though I was also very amused by my peanut gallery seat for <i>Red</i>.Weezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17508573692659511169noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2217892969539564216.post-58304151135827733262018-07-08T16:02:00.000+01:002018-07-08T16:03:21.099+01:00Last 10 things seen at the theatre: #12425th May to 30th June.<br />
<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<b>List the last 10 things you saw at the theatre in order:</b><br />
1. <i>The King and I</i> (Palladium)<br />
<div>
<div>
<div>
</div>
</div>
2. <i>A 24 Decade History of Popular Music: 1776 - 1806</i> (Barbican)<br />
<div>
<div>
</div>
</div>
3. <i>Sea Wall</i> (Old Vic)<br />
<div>
<div>
</div>
</div>
4. <i>My Name is Lucy Barton</i> (Bridge Theatre)<br />
<div>
<div>
</div>
</div>
5. <i>The Strange Death of John Doe</i> (Hampstead Downstairs)<br />
<div>
<div>
</div>
</div>
<div>
6. <i>Julie</i> (National; Lyttelton)</div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
7. <i>Two Noble Kinsmen</i> (Shakespeare's Globe)</div>
<div>
</div>
8. <i>Fatherland</i> (Lyric Hammersmith)</div>
<div>
<div>
<div>
<div>
</div>
</div>
<div>
<div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
9. <i>The Writer </i>(Almeida)<br />
10. <i>Translations</i> (National; Olivier)<br />
<div style="font-family: "times new roman"; margin: 0px;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<b>Who was the best performer in number one (</b><b><i>The King and I</i></b><b>)?</b><br />
See, we don't *do* entrance applause in the UK, we're just waaay too cool for that. What we do instead, apparently, is burst into tears when Future Honorary Dame Kelli O'Hara first appears. Worth the goddamned WAIT though.<br />
<br />
<b>Why did you go to see number two (</b><b><i>A 24 Decade History of Popular Music: 1776 - 1806</i></b><b>)?</b><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
I was intrigued. I'd heard conflicting word of mouth from the US so I thought I'd like to find out for myself.</div>
<br />
<b>Can you remember a line/lyric from number three (</b><b><i>Sea Wall</i></b><b>) that you liked?</b><br />
Not in any detail. There was one about cardigans that was particularly sweet. But I think everyone who's seen <i>Sea Wall</i> can agree that the most memorable bit was when there weren't any lines.<br />
<br />
<b>What would you give number four (</b><b><i>My Name is Lucy Barton</i></b><b>) out of ten?</b><br />
Hmmm. 7? Obviously Laura Linney was great, I'm just not sure that the book was crying out to be a play.<br />
<br />
<b>Was there someone hot in number five (</b><b><i>The Strange Death of John Doe</i></b><b>)?</b><br />
Not for me, thanks.<br />
<br />
<b>What was number six (<i>Julie</i></b><b>) about?</b><br />
A broken woman who should be getting proper mental health care rather than everyone enabling her poor life choices because of the shallowness of being rich. Or something.<br />
<br />
<b>Who was your favourite actor in number seven (</b><b><i>Two Noble Kinsmen</i></b><b>)?</b><br />
I've somehow never encountered Jos Vantyler before, but he was a delightful scene-stealer so I would certainly go at least a little out of my way to encounter him again.<br />
<br />
<b>What was your favourite bit in number eight (</b><b><i>Fatherland</i></b><b>)?</b><br />
Look, I really enjoyed <i>Fatherland</i> and came out feeling incredibly sentimental, but I've been struggling with this question for well over a week now so I'm just going to have to say I didn't have one and move on.<br />
<br />
<b>Would you see number nine (</b><b><i>The Writer</i></b><b>) again?</b><br />
Nooo. Once was fine.<br />
<br />
<b>What was the worst thing about number ten (<i>Translations</i></b><b>)?</b><br />
I don't know that all of the actors were on the same level, so although the writing was as glorious as ever, some bits fell a little flatter than others. If you've got Aoife Duffin in the cast, particularly if she's in a supporting role, then that's really your baseline and the entire cast needs to be at least as good as she is, and that's a pretty tall ask, 'cos she's GREAT.<br />
<br />
<b>Which was best?</b><br />
I don't mean to be tedious or harp on about the past, but <i>Sea Wall</i> really is a beautiful piece and I'm so sad that New York won't be able to see it with Andrew Scott.<br />
<br />
<b><strike>Which was worst?</strike></b><br />
<br />
<b>Did any make you cry?</b><br />
<i>The King and I</i>, because I'm SUPER cool, <i>Sea Wall</i>, and <i>Translations</i>.<br />
<br />
<b>Did any make you laugh?</b><br />
<i>A 24 Decade History of Popular Music: 1776 - 1806</i> was often hilarious, as was <i>Two Noble Kinsmen</i>.<br />
<br />
<b>Which roles would you like to play in any of them?</b><br />
ANNA LEONOWENS though I appreciate <i>The King and I</i> is utterly problematic and almost certainly should be widely avoided by our local amdram groups.<br />
<br />
<b>Which one did you have best seats for?</b><br />
<i>Sea Wall</i> and <i>The Writer</i> were both technically restricted view but in practice absolutely fine, and our standing spot for <i>Two Noble Kinsmen</i> was terrific.Weezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17508573692659511169noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2217892969539564216.post-232970034931098692018-05-24T22:42:00.001+01:002018-05-24T22:42:57.465+01:00Last 10 things seen at the theatre: #12328th April to 18th May.<br />
<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<b>List the last 10 things you saw at the theatre in order:</b><br />
1. <i>John Finnemore's Flying Visit</i> (Wycombe Swan)<br />
<div>
<div>
<div>
</div>
</div>
2. <i>The Memory of Water</i> (Drake Hall)<br />
<div>
<div>
</div>
</div>
3. <i>Nightfall</i> (Bridge Theatre)<br />
<div>
<div>
</div>
</div>
4. <i>Macbeth</i> (National; Olivier)<br />
<div>
<div>
</div>
</div>
5. <i>An Officer and a Gentleman</i> (Wycombe Swan)<br />
<div>
<div>
</div>
</div>
<div>
6. <i>Othello</i> (Liverpool Everyman)</div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
7. <i>The Prudes</i> (Royal Court Upstairs)</div>
<div>
</div>
8. <i>Much Ado About Nothing</i> (Rose Theatre Kingston)</div>
<div>
<div>
<div>
<div>
</div>
</div>
<div>
<div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
9. <i>The Phlebotomist </i>(Hampstead Downstairs)<br />
10. <i>The Way of the World</i> (Donmar)<br />
<div style="font-family: "times new roman"; margin: 0px;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<b>Who was the best performer in number one (</b><b><i>John Finnemore's Flying Visit</i></b><b>)?</b><br />
I've done a quick poll of the family and the most votes were received by Simon Kane and Carrie Quinlan. I do also want to give a serious shout-out to Margaret Cabourn-Smith, and at this point we might as well give a shout-out to John Finnemore and Lawry Lewin too because frankly this is one of the under-ratedly great comedy troupes of our time.<br />
<br />
<b>Why did you go to see number two (<i>The Memory of Water</i></b><b>)?</b><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
Local production, actual friends. Also it's always nice to see plays by women, whether pro or am.</div>
<br />
<b>Can you remember a line/lyric from number three (</b><b><i>Nightfall</i></b><b>) that you liked?</b><br />
Not a one, I'm afraid.<br />
<br />
<b>What would you give number four (</b><b><i>Macbeth</i></b><b>) out of ten?</b><br />
6, actually. I know it's not gone down well on a wider scale, but I enjoyed it more than I've enjoyed other <i>Macbeth</i>s (possibly it helped that we had an understudy situation and I got to see Nicholas Karimi in the title role).<br />
<br />
<b>Was there someone hot in number five (</b><b><i>An Officer and a Gentleman</i></b><b>)?</b><br />
There were biceps and abs all over that stage.<br />
<br />
<b>What was number six (<i>Othello</i></b><b>) about?</b><br />
This time? It was about LESBIANS. Along with all the usual nonsense.<br />
<br />
<b>Who was your favourite actor in number seven (</b><b><i>The Prudes</i></b><b>)?</b><br />
I don't generally like to pick a favourite when a cast is so small, but I will when one of them is Sophie Russell.<br />
<br />
<b>What was your favourite bit in number eight (</b><b><i>Much Ado About Nothing</i></b><b>)?</b><br />
I quite liked Benedick confronting Claudio, you could really see the conflict in Benedick's every movement.<br />
<br />
<b>Would you see number nine (</b><b><i>The Phlebotomist</i></b><b>) again?</b><br />
Hmmm... tricky. It was very good, and it's always great to see Future Dame Jade Anouka at work, but it wasn't exactly an easy watch? I'd definitely recommend it to others, but I maybe wouldn't rush for a return trip.<br />
<br />
<b>What was the worst thing about number ten (<i>The Way of the World</i></b><b>)?</b><br />
Well obviously the very worst thing was not being able to see the original cast of this production. Alex Beckett is a sad sad loss for the theatre world and my thoughts are with his family and loved ones.<br />
<br />
<b>Which was best?</b><br />
Is it sad for theatre if I go for the sketch comedy based on a radio show? Because <i>John Finnemore's Flying Visit</i>, no matter how sad for theatre that choice may be.<br />
<br />
<b><strike>Which was worst?</strike></b><br />
<br />
<b>Did any make you cry?</b><br />
I don't think any of them did.<br />
<br />
<b>Did any make you laugh?</b><br />
DEFINITELY <i>John Finnemore's Flying Visit</i>!<br />
<br />
<b>Which roles would you like to play in any of them?</b><br />
I need to play Beatrice, I'd be an amazing Benedick, and I think that's it.<br />
<br />
<b>Which one did you have best seats for?</b><br />
<i>John Finnemore's Flying Visit</i>! Front row centre is always a treat, even if you end up being picked on for some minor audience interaction and have to make happy dog noises in front of an audience of 868.Weezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17508573692659511169noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2217892969539564216.post-66391107880468311132018-04-29T15:32:00.000+01:002018-04-29T15:33:11.748+01:00Last 10 things seen at the theatre: #1224th to 27th April.<br />
<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<b>List the last 10 things you saw at the theatre in order:</b><br />
1. <i>Instructions for Correct Assembly</i> (Royal Court)<br />
<div>
</div>
2. <i>Absolute Hell </i>(National; Lyttelton)<br />
<div>
<div>
<div>
</div>
</div>
3. <i>Quiz</i> (Noël Coward)<br />
4. <i>The Flying Lovers of Vitebsk</i> (Oxford Playhouse)<br />
<div>
<div>
</div>
</div>
5. <i>Moonfleece</i> (Pleasance)<br />
<div>
<div>
</div>
</div>
6. <i>Beginners</i> (Unicorn Theatre)<br />
<div>
<div>
</div>
</div>
7. <i>Oedipus</i> (Stadsschouwburg Amsterdam)</div>
<div>
8. <i>Coraline</i> (Barbican)<br />
<div>
<div>
<div>
</div>
</div>
<div>
<div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
9. <i>Vincent River </i>(Park Theatre)<br />
10. <i>Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde</i> (Wycombe Swan)<br />
<div style="font-family: "times new roman"; margin: 0px;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<b>Who was the best performer in number one (</b><b><i>Instructions for Correct Assembly</i></b><b>)?</b><br />
Brian Vernel. Very good projection, and has clearly figured out how a human being can teleport.<br />
<br />
<b>Why did you go to see number two (</b><b><i>Absolute Hell</i></b><b>)?</b><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
I heard an early casting rumour that sold me on it. Unfortunately the rumour didn't pan out, but it's hard to be disappointed when Charles Edwards is what ultimately happened.</div>
<br />
<b>Can you remember a line/lyric from number three (</b><b><i>Quiz</i></b><b>) that you liked?</b><br />
The most memorable thing about <i>Quiz</i> was how my simple three-letter name got expanded out first to six letters, then to seven, then was condensed back down to four by the various members of the stage crew. Followed by my winning a free ice cream for getting nearest to the actual price of the vacuum cleaner. None of the dialogue holds a candle to the joy of free ice cream, I'm afraid.<br />
<br />
<b>What would you give number four (</b><b><i>The Flying Lovers of Vitebsk</i></b><b>) out of ten?</b><br />
8.5 I think. I haven't fallen in love for a really long time, but this was how I imagine falling in love must feel like. Indeed, if falling in love in no way resembles a Kneehigh production, then I will happily maintain my single theatre-goer status until and unless I meet someone who does make me feel like a Kneehigh production.<br />
<br />
<b>Was there someone hot in number five (</b><b><i>Moonfleece</i></b><b>)?</b><br />
I went to the Lidless Theatre website to double-check everyone's headshots and bios to see if I was willing to award this to anyone or if they were all just too young for me to be comfortable with it, and it turns out the director is at least five times as beautiful as any of the cast, if not all the cast put together, and I entirely don't care how old he may or may not be. I hope whichever photographer took his headshot got a serious performance-based bonus for their work.<br />
<br />
<b>What was number six (<i>Beginners</i></b><b>) about?</b><br />
That beautiful place where you're young enough to think you know everything performed by actors who are old enough to realise they know nothing. Sort of.<br />
<br />
<b>Who was your favourite actor in number seven (</b><b><i>Oedipus</i></b><b>)?</b><br />
Come for the Hans Kesting, stay for the... well, Hans Kesting. And Marieke Heebink. When doing a tragedy, it's important that the audience cares about the people involved, and I'd like to meet the emotionless monolith who could watch this production without feeling completely invested in and heartbroken by their relationship.<br />
<br />
<b>What was your favourite bit in number eight (</b><b><i>Coraline</i></b><b>)?</b><br />
I wouldn't say I had a favourite bit. The disembodied hand was delightfully well done, I guess.<br />
<br />
<b>Would you see number nine (</b><b><i>Vincent River</i></b><b>) again?</b><br />
A Philip Ridley play? A repeat visit? No, that doesn't sound like me at all.<br />
<br />
<b>What was the worst thing about number ten (<i>Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde</i></b><b>)?</b><br />
It wasn't that great in toto, but if you want just one thing, I'll pin it down to the decision to have the Jekyll family speak in Scottish accents. This was a perfectly fine and excellent decision, until it resulted in Mr Hyde having the most unintelligible Glaswegian accent I've ever heard. I'm only relieved that the fates conspired to see me at a captioned performance.<br />
<br />
<b>Which was best?</b><br />
<i>The Flying Lovers of Vitebsk</i> and <i>Oedipus</i>. I would probably splash out for a good ticket for a return trip should <i>Oedipus</i> make its way to the Barbican (or wherever).<br />
<br />
<b>Which was worst?</b><br />
Wow, no, <i>Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde</i> was just terrible.<br />
<br />
<b>Did any make you cry?</b><br />
Um, <i>The Flying Lovers of Vitebsk</i> and <i>Oedipus</i>.<br />
<br />
<b>Did any make you laugh?</b><br />
Maybe just <i>Instructions for Correct Assembly</i>?<br />
<br />
<b>Which roles would you like to play in any of them?</b><br />
I don't want to play any of the roles in any of these plays so much as I want to be in a play where I have a child counterpart who wears the same costume as I do but in miniature. Possibly I need to go the Unicorn a little less...<br />
<br />
<b>Which one did you have best seats for?</b><br />
Probably <i>Absolute Hell</i>, I reckon.Weezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17508573692659511169noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2217892969539564216.post-53460426648398553712018-04-09T13:33:00.002+01:002018-04-09T16:09:34.491+01:00Last 10 things seen at the theatre: #12110th to 31st March.<br />
<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<b>List the last 10 things you saw at the theatre in order:</b><br />
1. <i>The Inheritance Part 2</i> (Young Vic)<br />
<div>
</div>
2. <i>The Inheritance Part 1 </i>(Young Vic)<br />
<div>
<div>
<div>
</div>
</div>
3. <i>Caroline, or Change</i> (Hampstead)<br />
4. <i>Acceptance</i> (Hampstead)<br />
<div>
<div>
</div>
</div>
5. <i>Black Men Walking</i> (Royal Court Upstairs)<br />
<div>
<div>
</div>
</div>
6. <i>My Mother Said I Never Should</i> (Hughenden Village Hall)<br />
<div>
<div>
</div>
</div>
7. <i>The Great Wave</i> (Royal Court)</div>
<div>
8. <i>Summer and Smoke</i> (Almeida)<br />
<div>
<div>
<div>
</div>
</div>
<div>
<div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
9. <i>Broken Glass </i>(Watford Palace)<br />
10. <i>The York Realist</i> (Donmar)<br />
<div style="font-family: "times new roman"; margin: 0px;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<b>Who was the best performer in number one (</b><b><i>The Inheritance Part 2</i></b><b>)?</b><br />
Both Andrew Burnap and Paul Hilton turned in superb performances, but the winner for me - especially as I feel less able to pinpoint his best acting to the first of the two parts - is Kyle Soller, hands down.<br />
<br />
<b>Why did you go to see number two (</b><b><i>The Inheritance Part 1</i></b><b>)?</b><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
I'd offer to give a prize to whoever can correctly guess how much I paid for my ticket to <i>The Inheritance Part 1</i>, but as you and I both know it was £10, I'm not going to bother. I'll keep going to the Young Vic as long as they keep letting me through the doors for a tenner.</div>
<br />
<b>Can you remember a line/lyric from number three (</b><b><i>Caroline, or Change</i></b><b>) that you liked?</b><br />
I first saw this show in 2006. As was my wont in those days, upon seeing it and liking it, I bought the original Broadway cast recording and, as I am who I am, I proceeded to listen to it over and over and over again, almost certainly to the point of madness. So yes, I can absolutely 100% remember every single lyric I liked in this show, but I cannot possibly give an answer to this question, as it is basically THE ENTIRE LIBRETTO. It's a really good show, lads.<br />
<br />
<b>What would you give number four (</b><b><i>Acceptance</i></b><b>) out of ten?</b><br />
7? It was absolutely fine but didn't do anything new, and it would be nice if a) plays didn't feel the need to stick in a surprise twist ending, and/or b) surprise twist endings actually came as a surprise for once.<br />
<br />
<b>Was there someone hot in number five (</b><b><i>Black Men Walking</i></b><b>)?</b><br />
Not for me.<br />
<br />
<b>What was number six (<i>My Mother Said I Never Should</i></b><b>) about?</b><br />
Four generations of women in a single family. Lots of mummy issues. "Mummy issues" feels weird to type, probably because THE PATRIARCHY means we're SO much more likely to talk about daddy issues.<br />
<br />
<b>Who was your favourite actor in number seven (</b><b><i>The Great Wave</i></b><b>)?</b><br />
Kirsty Rider, for sure.<br />
<br />
<b>What was your favourite bit in number eight (</b><b><i>Summer and Smoke</i></b><b>)?</b><br />
Aside from, like, the entire play, I particularly loved the final scene. I don't know that Tennessee Williams intended it to be upbeat, but the palpable sense of freedom that Alma has finally - albeit painfully - won just really... just really hit me.<br />
<br />
<b>Would you see number nine (</b><b><i>Broken Glass</i></b><b>) again?</b><br />
I don't know that I'd be in a hurry to.<br />
<br />
<b>What was the worst thing about number ten (<i>The York Realist</i></b><b>)?</b><br />
I've been trying to come up with an answer for this, but honestly I've been sitting on this blog entry for over a week now, so I just don't think it's going to happen. Sorry. Sometimes the play that this question applies to ends up being a reasonably flawless play.<br />
<br />
<b>Which was best?</b><br />
Well thank god <i>Summer and Smoke</i> was among this batch, otherwise I'd be VERY hard-pressed to choose between at least four of these.<br />
<br />
<b><strike>Which was worst?</strike></b><br />
<br />
<b>Did any make you cry?</b><br />
<i>The Inheritance Part 1</i>, <i>The Great Wave</i>, and <i>Summer and Smoke</i>.<br />
<br />
<b>Did any make you laugh?</b><br />
Both parts of <i>The Inheritance</i> were wickedly funny in places, but it's not an overtly comedic batch.<br />
<br />
<b>Which roles would you like to play in any of them?</b><br />
I've long enjoyed <i>My Mother Said I Never Should</i> and could happily play Rosie or Jackie. I like the idea of playing Alma in <i>Summer and Smoke</i> but I fear it would hurt.<br />
<br />
<b>Which one did you have best seats for?</b><br />
<i>Caroline, or Change</i>.Weezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17508573692659511169noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2217892969539564216.post-48671472875067159302018-04-08T11:07:00.000+01:002018-04-08T22:01:06.595+01:00Olivier Awards 2018 - entirely self-indulgent blog-postI've got a BUSY DAY of cinema-going ahead of me (<i>Pacific Rim Uprising</i>, <i>Love Simon</i>, and an as-yet-undecided horror movie (<strike>fingers crossed my sister chooses <i>Ghost Stories</i>!</strike> good news we're seeing <i>Ghost Stories</i>!), so aiming for a super-quick run-down of Olivier opinions.<br />
<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<b><u>Best Actor in a Supporting Role in a Musical</u></b><br />
<b><span style="color: red;">Michael Jibson for <i>Hamilton</i> at Victoria Palace Theatre</span></b><br />
<b>Ross Noble for <i>Young Frankenstein</i> at Garrick Theatre</b><br />
<b>Jason Pennycooke for <i>Hamilton</i> at Victoria Palace Theatre</b><br />
<b>Cleve September for <i>Hamilton</i> at Victoria Palace Theatre</b><br />
<br />
Look, I don't set out to be That Asshole, but certain members of the <i>Hamilton</i> West End cast just weren't on a par with the original Broadway cast, and if that's my burden to bear and the majority of people seeing it in the West End never saw the original Broadway cast and think I'm just That Asshole, then so be it. I didn't see <i>Young Frankenstein</i> so I can't comment on Ross Noble, but of the ones I did see, I'm STRONGLY in favour of Cleve September.<br />
<br />
<b><u>Best Actress in a Supporting Role in a Musical</u></b><br />
<b><span style="color: red;">Sheila Atim for <i>Girl From The North Country</i> at The Old Vic</span></b><br />
<b>Tracie Bennett for <i>Follies</i> at National Theatre – Olivier</b><br />
<b>Rachel John for <i>Hamilton</i> at Victoria Palace Theatre</b><br />
<b>Lesley Joseph for <i>Young Frankenstein</i> at Garrick Theatre</b><br />
<br />
Ah, a much better category already. I'm Team <i>Girl From The North Country</i> Is A Play With Songs, but I'm also Team Sheila Atim Just Generally so I'd most love her to win this one, but I can't imagine being cross about any of these women winning.<br />
<br />
<b><u>Outstanding Achievement in Music</u></b><br />
<b><i>Everybody's Talking About Jamie</i> - Music and Orchestrations by Dan Gillespie Sells, his debut as a musical theatre composer and orchestrator at Apollo Theatre</b><br />
<b><i>Follies</i> - The Orchestra, under the Music Supervision of Nicholas Skilbeck and Music Director Nigel Lilley at National Theatre – Olivier</b><br />
<b><i>Girl From The North Country</i> - Music & Lyrics by Bob Dylan, Original Orchestrations & Arrangements by Simon Hale at The Old Vic</b><br />
<b><span style="color: red;"><i>Hamilton</i> - Composer-lyricist Lin-Manuel Miranda at Victoria Palace Theatre</span></b><br />
<br />
Just what is this category all about anyway? Is it a sneaky way to honour the best score but with a loophole so that you can give it to a revival if you'd rather? I can't quite decide if there's going to be a <i>Hamilton</i> juggernaut or not. The fact it's open and can sell tickets for quite a long way into the future is something that could work in its favour, but it is an almost wholesale American import, so things could tip the other way. I don't think I'd mind any of these winning though.<br />
<br />
<b><u>Best New Dance Production</u></b><br />
<b><span style="color: red;"><i>Flight Pattern</i> by Crystal Pite at Royal Opera House</span></b><br />
<b><i>Goat</i> by Ben Duke for Rambert Dance Company at Sadler’s Wells</b><br />
<b><i>Grand Finale</i> by Hofesh Shechter at Sadler’s Wells</b><br />
<b><i>Tree Of Codes</i> by Wayne McGregor and The Paris Opera Ballet at Sadler’s Wells</b><br />
<br />
Oh, my sister saw one of these, how funny, but I saw none, so MOVING ON<br />
<br />
<b><u><strike>Outstanding Achievement in Dance</strike></u></b><br />
<b><strike>Rocío Molina for pushing the boundary of flamenco in <i>Fallen From Heaven (Caída Del Cielo)</i> at Barbican Theatre</strike></b><br />
<b><strike><span style="color: red;">Francesca Velicu for her performance in English National Ballet’s production of Pina Bausch’s <i>Le Sacre Du Printemps</i> at Sadler’s Wells</span></strike></b><br />
<b><strike>Zenaida Yanowsky for her performance in Liam Scarlett’s <i>Symphonic Dances</i> at</strike></b><br />
<b><strike>Royal Opera House</strike></b><br />
<br />
<b><u>Best Entertainment and Family</u></b><br />
<b>David Walliams' <i>Gangsta Granny</i> at Garrick Theatre</b><br />
<b><i>Derren Brown: Underground</i> at Playhouse Theatre</b><br />
<b><span style="color: red;"><i>Dick Whittington</i> at London Palladium</span></b><br />
<b><i>Five Guys Named Moe</i> at Marble Arch Theatre</b><br />
<br />
Oh how the worm has turned, I've seen none of these, and this is usually my best category. (My nephew rejected a trip to <i>Gangsta Granny</i>, I believe because he knew his mother my sister would cry, and he's not yet sophisticated enough to realise that sometimes that's what we WANT.)<br />
<br />
<b><u>Best Theatre Choreographer</u></b><br />
<b><span style="color: red;">Andy Blankenbuehler for <i>Hamilton</i> at Victoria Palace Theatre</span></b><br />
<b>Bill Deamer for <i>Follies</i> at National Theatre – Olivier</b><br />
<b>Kate Prince for <i>Everybody's Talking About Jamie</i> at Apollo Theatre</b><br />
<b>Randy Skinner for <i>42nd Street</i> at Theatre Royal Drury Lane</b><br />
<b>Christopher Wheeldon for <i>An American In Paris</i> at Dominion Theatre</b><br />
<br />
I'm on a deadline, so let's not pretend I know anything about dance, even in the context of musical theatre, especially where I've only seen three of the nominees. Based on what I have seen, I almost hope the award goes to one of the ones I've not seen, not out of spite towards the ones I have seen, but because I'm aware the two I haven't seen are much more dance-based so it would seem reasonable.<br />
<br />
<b><u>Magic Radio Best Musical Revival</u></b><br />
<b><i>42nd Street</i> at Theatre Royal Drury Lane</b><br />
<b><span style="color: red;"><i>Follies</i> at National Theatre – Olivier</span></b><br />
<b><i>On The Town</i> at Regent's Park Open Air Theatre</b><br />
<br />
Okay, fine, I'll commit to something and hang my hat out for Team <i>Follies</i>, and not just because it's the only one I saw. I'm sure the other two were fine, but <i>Follies</i> was reasonably breathtaking in its entirety.<br />
<br />
<b><u>Best Actor in a Musical</u></b><br />
<b>Ciarán Hinds for <i>Girl From The North Country</i> at The Old Vic</b><br />
<b>John McCrea for <i>Everybody's Talking About Jamie</i> at Apollo Theatre</b><br />
<b><span style="color: red;">Giles Terera for <i>Hamilton</i> at Victoria Palace Theatre</span></b><br />
<b>Jamael Westman for <i>Hamilton</i> at Victoria Palace Theatre</b><br />
<br />
LOOK, it's not that I didn't enjoy <i>Hamilton</i> in the West End, I promise I did, but having already seen the original Broadway cast does seem to have poisoned my views somewhat, and there are very few instances of the West End cast member being better than (or even equal to) the corresponding Broadway cast member, also have you SEEN <i>Everybody's Talking About Jamie</i>? John McCrea all the way please.<br />
<br />
<b><u>Best Actress in a Musical</u></b><br />
<b>Janie Dee for <i>Follies</i> at National Theatre – Olivier</b><br />
<b><span style="color: red;">Shirley Henderson for <i>Girl From The North Country</i> at The Old Vic</span></b><br />
<b>Imelda Staunton for <i>Follies</i> at National Theatre – Olivier</b><br />
<b>Josie Walker for <i>Everybody's Talking About Jamie</i> at Apollo Theatre</b><br />
<br />
JANIE DEE JANIE DEE JANIE DEE JANIE DEE but also hey I guess they were all super good at what they did but I don't know that Imelda was better than the other three?<br />
<br />
<b><u>Best Revival</u></b><br />
<b><span style="color: red;"><i>Angels In America</i> at National Theatre – Lyttelton</span></b><br />
<b><i>Hamlet</i> at Almeida Theatre</b><br />
<b><i>Who's Afraid Of Virginia Woolf?</i> at Harold Pinter Theatre</b><br />
<b><i>Witness For The Prosecution</i> at London County Hall</b><br />
<br />
I would laugh quite a lot if <i>Witness for the Prosecution</i> won. I don't think <i>Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?</i> deserves it over <i>Angels</i>, and *whispers* I don't know if <i>Angels</i> deserves it over <i>Hamlet</i> *normal volume* although tbh <i>Angels</i> or <i>Hamlet</i> would be a successful day for me.<br />
<br />
<b><u>Best New Comedy</u></b><br />
<b><i>Dry Powder</i> at Hampstead Theatre</b><br />
<b><span style="color: red;"><i>Labour Of Love</i> at Noël Coward Theatre</span></b><br />
<b><i>Mischief Movie Night</i> at Arts Theatre</b><br />
<b><i>The Miser</i> at Garrick Theatre</b><br />
<br />
I don't know which is the bigger surprise here, that the 17th century play <i>The Miser</i> counts as a new comedy, or that <i>Dry Powder</i> counts as a comedy. I understand and respect that not everyone thinks James Graham is the best thing since sliced bread, but I did think <i>Labour of Love</i> was one of his triumphs. Though I don't have anything against <i>Mischief Movie Night</i>.<br />
<br />
<b><u>Outstanding Achievement in Affiliate Theatre</u></b><br />
<b><i>The B*easts</i> at Bush Theatre</b><br />
<b><span style="color: red;"><i>Killology</i> at Jerwood Theatre Upstairs at the Royal Court Theatre</span></b><br />
<b><i>The Red Lion</i> at Trafalgar Studios 2</b><br />
<b><i>The Revlon Girl</i> at Park Theatre</b><br />
<br />
I didn't see <i>The Revlon Girl</i> but I understand it was terribly well-received. Same with <i>The B*easts</i>, I believe. I did think <i>Killology</i> was good but it didn't blow my mind like it apparently did for other people, nor did I rate it as highly as Gary Owen's last traumatic Upstairs At The Royal Court play. I can't believe it's not too soon for a revival of <i>The Red Lion</i>.<br />
<br />
<b><u>White Light Award for Best Lighting Design</u></b><br />
<b><span style="color: red;">Howell Binkley for <i>Hamilton</i> at Victoria Palace Theatre</span></b><br />
<b>Paule Constable for <i>Angels In America</i> at National Theatre – Lyttelton</b><br />
<b>Paule Constable for <i>Follies</i> at National Theatre – Olivier</b><br />
<b>Jan Versweyveld for <i>Network</i> at National Theatre - Lyttelton</b><br />
<br />
Ah, a category where I do uncomplicatedly favour <i>Hamilton</i>, if only because when I saw the original Broadway cast I was in the stalls and I actually saw the impressive lighting work on the stage floor for the West End production. Nothing against the others though, just a casual chuckle for the classic Versweyveld design.<br />
<br />
<b><u>Best Sound Design</u></b><br />
<b>Tom Gibbons for <i>Hamlet</i> at Almeida Theatre</b><br />
<b>Gareth Owen for <i>Bat Out Of Hell The Musical</i> at London Coliseum</b><br />
<b>Eric Sleichim for <i>Network</i> at National Theatre – Lyttelton</b><br />
<b><span style="color: red;">Nevin Steinberg for <i>Hamilton</i> at Victoria Palace Theatre</span></b><br />
<br />
I just don't have strong opinions on sound design beyond "hey isn't it great that we're still awarding it even though it's like the most invisible job ever because most people will only even notice it if you do a terrible job".<br />
<br />
<b><u>Best Costume Design</u></b><br />
<b>Hugh Durrant for <i>Dick Whittington</i> at London Palladium</b><br />
<b>Roger Kirk for <i>42nd Street</i> at Theatre Royal Drury Lane</b><br />
<b><span style="color: red;">Vicki Mortimer for <i>Follies</i> at National Theatre – Olivier</span></b><br />
<b>Paul Tazewell for <i>Hamilton</i> at Victoria Palace Theatre</b><br />
<br />
<i>Follies</i> pls.<br />
<br />
<b><u>Blue-I Theatre Technology Award for Best Set Design</u></b><br />
<b>Bunny Christie for <i>Ink</i> at Almeida Theatre and Duke of York's Theatre</b><br />
<b><span style="color: red;">Bob Crowley and 59 Productions for <i>An American In Paris</i> at Dominion Theatre</span></b><br />
<b>Rob Howell for <i>The Ferryman</i> at Gielgud Theatre and Jerwood Theatre Downstairs at the Royal Court Theatre</b><br />
<b>Vicki Mortimer for <i>Follies</i> at National Theatre – Olivier</b><br />
<br />
I don't particularly like a naturalistic set in the theatre, it feels cheating somehow. I did uncomplicatedly love <i>Ink</i>, which is sort of weird when you consider what it's about, and obviously I love <i>Follies</i> and didn't see <i>An American in Paris</i> sooo... <i>Ink</i> or <i>Follies</i> for me please.<br />
<br />
<b><u>Best Actor in a Supporting Role</u></b><br />
<b><span style="color: red;">Bertie Carvel for <i>Ink</i> at Almeida Theatre and Duke of York's Theatre</span></b><br />
<b>John Hodgkinson for <i>The Ferryman</i> at Gielgud Theatre and Jerwood Theatre Downstairs at the Royal Court Theatre</b><br />
<b>James McArdle for <i>Angels In America</i> at National Theatre – Lyttelton</b><br />
<b>Peter Polycarpou for <i>Oslo</i> at Harold Pinter Theatre</b><br />
<br />
I did not like <i>Oslo</i> but I did like Peter Polycarpou. I am obviously going to be cheering for Theatre Twitter's Boyfriend James McArdle but Bertie Carvel and John Hodgkinson were very good too.<br />
<br />
<b><u>Best Actress in a Supporting Role</u></b><br />
<b>Bríd Brennan for <i>The Ferryman</i> at Gielgud Theatre and Jerwood Theatre Downstairs at the Royal Court Theatre</b><br />
<b><span style="color: red;">Denise Gough for <i>Angels In America</i> at National Theatre – Lyttelton</span></b><br />
<b>Dearbhla Molloy for <i>The Ferryman</i> at Gielgud Theatre and Jerwood Theatre Downstairs at the Royal Court Theatre</b><br />
<b>Imogen Poots for <i>Who's Afraid Of Virginia Woolf?</i> at Harold Pinter Theatre</b><br />
<br />
Honestly? Imogen Poots. That was one helluva cast she was up against and such an almost-nothing character she was playing, she did a FULLY TREMENDOUS job.<br />
<br />
<b><u><strike>Best New Opera Production</strike></u></b><br />
<b><strike><i>La Bohème</i> at Trafalgar Studios 2</strike></b><br />
<b><strike><i>The Exterminating Angel</i> at Royal Opera House</strike></b><br />
<b><strike><span style="color: red;"><i>Semiramide</i> at Royal Opera House</span></strike></b><br />
<u><strike><br /></strike></u>
<b><u><strike>Outstanding Achievement in Opera</strike></u></b><br />
<b><strike>Paul Brown for his set and costume designs for <i>Iolanthe</i> at London Coliseum</strike></b><br />
<b><strike><span style="color: red;">Joyce DiDonato and Daniela Barcellona for their performances in <i>Semiramide</i> at Royal Opera House</span></strike></b><br />
<b><strike>Roderick Williams for his performance in The Royal Opera’s <i>The Return Of Ulysses</i> at the Roundhouse</strike></b><br />
<br />
<b><u>Best Actor</u></b><br />
<b>Paddy Considine for <i>The Ferryman</i> at Gielgud Theatre and Jerwood Theatre Downstairs at the Royal Court Theatre</b><br />
<b><span style="color: red;">Bryan Cranston for <i>Network</i> at National Theatre – Lyttelton</span></b><br />
<b>Andrew Garfield for <i>Angels In America</i> at National Theatre – Lyttelton</b><br />
<b>Andrew Scott for <i>Hamlet</i> at Almeida Theatre</b><br />
<br />
This is a 75% extremely solid category. I'm glad I'm not on the panel because I wouldn't want to have to choose between Cranston, Garfield, and Scott. Though that said, Scott. It's not often that I will favour a Hamlet, so let's ROLL with it. (Though obviously if Conleth Hill were taking his RIGHTFUL PLACE AS A NOMINEE FOR BEST ACTOR FOR <i>WHO'S AFRAID OF VIRGINIA WOOLF?</i> THEN I WOULD BE SUPPORTING HIM.)<br />
<br />
<b><u>Best Actress</u></b><br />
<b><span style="color: red;">Laura Donnelly for <i>The Ferryman</i> at Gielgud Theatre and Jerwood Theatre Downstairs at the Royal Court Theatre</span></b><br />
<b>Lesley Manville for <i>Long Day's Journey Into Night</i> at Wyndham’s Theatre</b><br />
<b>Audra McDonald for <i>Lady Day At Emerson's Bar & Grill</i> at Wyndham's Theatre</b><br />
<b>Imelda Staunton for <i>Who's Afraid Of Virginia Woolf?</i> at Harold Pinter Theatre</b><br />
<br />
OH MY GOD HOW IS ONE MEANT TO CHOOSE well in fairness I've not seen <i>Long Day's Journey into Night</i> because I like to choose who not to support just as much as I like to choose who to support and Mary Tyrone isn't *that* great a part if we're being truthful, and this is another category where Imelda was obviously fine but just doesn't deserve to beat the others, so it's possibly only a choice between Laura Donnelly and Audra McDonald for me, to which I say OH MY GOD HOW IS ONE MEANT TO CHOOSE<br />
<br />
<b><u>Best Director</u></b><br />
<b>Dominic Cooke for <i>Follies</i> at National Theatre – Olivier</b><br />
<b>Marianne Elliott for <i>Angels In America</i> at National Theatre – Lyttelton</b><br />
<b>Rupert Goold for <i>Ink</i> at Almeida Theatre and Duke of York's Theatre</b><br />
<b>Thomas Kail for <i>Hamilton</i> at Victoria Palace Theatre</b><br />
<b><span style="color: red;">Sam Mendes for <i>The Ferryman</i> at Gielgud Theatre and Jerwood Theatre Downstairs at the Royal Court Theatre</span></b><br />
<br />
Oh good, we don't run the risk of Accidentally Encouraging Robert Icke this year, that's a relief. I am very pro-Marianne Elliott as a general rule, but I did just really really love <i>Ink</i> an almost surprising amount, and I am still Team <i>Follies</i>, so... well, there's a reasonable chance I'll be fine whoever wins, let's be honest.<br />
<br />
<b><u>American Airlines Best New Play</u></b><br />
<b><span style="color: red;"><i>The Ferryman</i> at Gielgud Theatre and Jerwood Theatre Downstairs at the Royal Court Theatre</span></b><br />
<b><i>Ink</i> at Almeida Theatre and Duke of York's Theatre</b><br />
<b><i>Network</i> at National Theatre – Lyttelton</b><br />
<b><i>Oslo</i> at Harold Pinter Theatre</b><br />
<br />
I just didn't think <i>Oslo</i> was that good. The state of Broadway, I can see how it went down well in New York, but London theatre basically shits out works of genius in rooms above pubs on a weekly basis so it really doesn't deserve to be here, I don't think. (Which I appreciate is possibly erasure of the New York equivalent of works of genius in rooms above pubs but they don't seem to win Tony awards and get West End transfers...) I loved <i>Ink</i>, I enjoyed <i>The Ferryman</i> but wasn't in love with it, <i>Network</i> was delightful but also it's erm... well, I don't know that I'd nominate it for Best New Play. It's moot, <i>The Ferryman</i>'ll take it, though I'm still firmly crossing my fingers for <i>Ink</i>.<br />
<br />
<b><u>Mastercard Best New Musical</u></b><br />
<b><i>An American In Paris</i> at Dominion Theatre</b><br />
<b><i>Everybody's Talking About Jamie</i> at Apollo Theatre</b><br />
<b><i>Girl From The North Country</i> at The Old Vic</b><br />
<b><span style="color: red;"><i>Hamilton</i> at Victoria Palace Theatre</span></b><br />
<b><i>Young Frankenstein</i> at Garrick Theatre</b><br />
<br />
EVERYBODY'S TALKING 'BOUT JAMIE<br />
EVERYBODY'S TALKING 'BOUT J-J-JAMIE<br />
EVERYBODY'S TALKING 'BOUT THE BOY IN THE DRESS WHO WAS BORN TO IMPRESS<br />
<br />
EVERYBODY'S TALKING 'BOUT THE THINGS THAT HE WORE<br />
EVERYBODY'S LISTENING 'CAUSE WE NEED TO KNOW MORE<br />
EVERYBODY'S TALKING 'BOUT THE BOY IN THE WIG 'CAUSE HE'S GONNA BE BIG<br />
<br />
EVERYBODY'S TALKING 'BOUT JAY-AY-AY-AMIE<br />
<br />
I'll be back later to mark the winners and possibly provide feedback depending on how angry and/or delighted (but face it, angry's most likely) I am.<br />
<br />
UPDATE I am delighted for Sheila Atim, Bertie Carvel, Laura Donnelly, and Nevin Steinberg. Especially Nevin Steinberg, they took the Sound Design Tony away so he couldn't win it before now, and based on an in-depth article I once read, he absolutely deserves it. But, as with <i>Pacific Rim Uprising</i>, although I can appreciate these awards for what they are, there is no power on earth that can stop me mourning what they are not. Still, at least the Olivier awards never killed anyone. Even if I'm currently most bitter about who was erased before they even got going. (In the case of both the Olivier awards and <i>Pacific Rim Uprising</i>.)Weezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17508573692659511169noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2217892969539564216.post-22218265062725913222018-03-12T15:07:00.001+00:002018-04-09T13:32:28.276+01:00Last 10 things seen at the theatre: #12024th February to 10th March.<br />
<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<b>List the last 10 things you saw at the theatre in order:</b><br />
1. <i>Network</i> (National; Lyttelton)<br />
<div>
</div>
2. <i>Angry</i> (Southwark Playhouse)<br />
<div>
</div>
3. <i>Macbeth </i>(Tobacco Factory)<br />
<div>
<div>
<div>
</div>
</div>
4. <i>Dry Powder</i> (Hampstead)<br />
5. <i>Summer and Smoke</i> (Almeida)<br />
<div>
<div>
</div>
</div>
6. <i>SOMNAI</i> (dotdotdot)<br />
<div>
<div>
</div>
</div>
7. <i>Girls and Boys</i> (Royal Court)</div>
<div>
8. <i>Barnum</i> (Menier Chocolate Factory)<br />
<div>
<div>
<div>
</div>
</div>
<div>
<div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
9. <i>Othello </i>(Unicorn)<br />
10. <i>Picnic at Hanging Rock</i> (Barbican)<br />
<div style="font-family: "times new roman"; margin: 0px;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<b>Who was the best performer in number one (<i>Network</i></b><b>)?</b><br />
Well of course it was Bryan Cranston, how could it not be? Shout out to the woman next to me who clearly wanted to give a standing ovation but equally clearly didn't want to stand if she was going to be the only one. Happy to be of assistance. ;)<br />
<br />
<b>Why did you go to see number two (</b><b><i>Angry</i></b><b>)?</b><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
I am a sucker for a Philip Ridley play. I am a sucker for ALL Philip Ridley plays.</div>
<br />
<b>Can you remember a line/lyric from number three (</b><b><i>Macbeth</i></b><b>) that you liked?</b><br />
No, but only because some of the best bits were the witches delivering half of their lines in Gaelic, a language with which I am hilariously unfamiliar.<br />
<br />
<b>What would you give number four (</b><b><i>Dry Powder</i></b><b>) out of ten?</b><br />
A reasonably apathetic 6. It was more enjoyable than other sharp-suits talking-money plays I've seen but it still came as a genuine shock when it was nominated for the Best New Comedy Olivier award.<br />
<br />
<b>Was there someone hot in number five (</b><b><i>Summer and Smoke</i></b><b>)?</b><br />
There almost certainly was, but I honestly only had eyes for Future Dame Patsy Ferran.<br />
<br />
<b>What was number six (</b><b><i>SOMNAI</i></b><b>) about?</b><br />
Flying with geese and wearing socks. I REALLY liked the socks.<br />
<br />
<b>Who was your favourite actor in number seven (</b><b><i>Girls and Boys</i></b><b>)?</b><br />
............... Carey Mulligan.<br />
<br />
<b>What was your favourite bit in number eight (</b><b><i>Barnum</i></b><b>)?</b><br />
I liked the bit where I was given a mint humbug to eat. The ensemble were also unbelievably talented, every last one of them.<br />
<br />
<b>Would you see number nine (</b><b><i>Othello</i></b><b>) again?</b><br />
No thank you. I mean, I'll see other <i>Othello</i>s, but this one was not an essential contribution to the oeuvre.<br />
<br />
<b>What was the worst thing about number ten (<i>Picnic at Hanging Rock</i></b><b>)?</b><br />
I would have liked to have been sitting nearer the front, but it was an all-female cast, it was eerie AF, and it was even shorter than the promised 85 minute running time. What's not to love?<br />
<br />
<b>Which was best?</b><br />
Oh, <i>Summer and Smoke</i>, hands down. There are some damn good productions on this list but only one true winner.<br />
<br />
<b>Which was worst?</b><br />
Toss up between <i>Dry Powder</i> and <i>Othello</i>; neither was bad, per se, but they were notably not quite as good as the other eight.<br />
<br />
<b>Did any make you cry?</b><br />
<i>Summer and Smoke</i> hurt me a lot. <i>Angry</i> had its moments too.<br />
<br />
<b>Did any make you laugh?</b><br />
<i>Summer and Smoke</i>, <i>Girls and Boys</i>, and <i>Barnum</i>.<br />
<br />
<b>Which roles would you like to play in any of them?</b><br />
It's show week, I currently can't imagine wanting to set foot on a stage in any show that's not the one I've been rehearsing three nights a week for the last few months.<br />
<br />
<b>Which one did you have best seats for?</b><br />
<i>Network</i>, <i>Angry</i>, and <i>Dry Powder</i>.Weezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17508573692659511169noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2217892969539564216.post-12311235454455271462018-02-25T22:59:00.002+00:002018-02-25T22:59:55.164+00:00Last 10 things seen at the theatre: #11927th January to 20th February.<br />
<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<b>List the last 10 things you saw at the theatre in order:</b><br />
1. <i>The Jungle Book</i> (Wycombe Swan)<br />
<div>
<div>
<div>
</div>
</div>
2. <i>VOID</i> (The Vaults)<br />
3. <i>Pinocchio</i> (National; Lyttelton)<br />
<div>
<div>
</div>
</div>
4. <i>Frozen</i> (Theatre Royal Haymarket)<br />
5. <i>Yous Two</i> (Hampstead)<br />
<div>
<div>
</div>
</div>
6. <i>The Divide</i> (Old Vic)<br />
<div>
<div>
</div>
</div>
7. <i>Crazy For You</i> (Wycombe Swan)<br />
8. <i>Gundog</i> (Royal Court)</div>
<div>
9. <i>The Brothers Size</i> (Young Vic)<br />
<div>
<div>
<div>
</div>
</div>
<div>
<div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
10. <i>Julius Caesar </i>(Bridge Theatre)<br />
<div style="font-family: "times new roman"; margin: 0px;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<b>Who was the best performer in number one (</b><b><i>The Jungle Book</i></b><b>)?</b><br />
I was a big fan of Dyfrig Morris's "bear daddy" Baloo.<br />
<br />
<b>Why did you go to see number two (<i>VOID</i></b><b>)?</b><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
RIFT sent me an email and it sounded interesting so as I realised I could fit it in after <i>Pinocchio</i>, I figured it would be worth a go.</div>
<br />
<b>Can you remember a line/lyric from number three (</b><b><i>Pinocchio</i></b><b>) that you liked?</b><br />
Nope, sorry. I did like it, but the dialogue/lyrics have got away from me.<br />
<br />
<b>What would you give number four (</b><b><i>Frozen</i></b><b>) out of ten?</b><br />
7? Nothing wrong with it but I don't think it's going to stick in the brain.<br />
<br />
<b>Was there someone hot in number five (</b><b><i>Yous Two</i></b><b>)?</b><br />
According to the dialogue, Ali Barouti.<br />
<br />
<b>What was number six (</b><b><i>The Divide</i></b><b>) about?</b><br />
One old man's attempt to write a good ol' YA dystopian narrative and, although a noble effort, unfortunately failing at maybe two really key points.<br />
<br />
<b>Who was your favourite actor in number seven (</b><b><i>Crazy for You</i></b><b>)?</b><br />
Seren Sandham-Davies, easily. I love a good supporting performer who takes their teeny role and makes it shine.<br />
<br />
<b>What was your favourite bit in number eight (<i>Gundog</i></b><b>)?</b><br />
I didn't really have a favourite bit, per se, but boy, Alec Secareanu can REALLY wear a jumper.<br />
<br />
<b>Would you see number nine (</b><b><i>The Brothers Size</i></b><b>) again?</b><br />
Sure.<br />
<br />
<b>What was the worst thing about number ten (</b><b><i>Julius Caesar</i></b><b>)?</b><br />
Before booking tickets in the Pit, I really should have considered how much I actively dislike being physically pushed around and manhandled by actors (I'm pretty sure Zachary Hart owes me a drink after one particularly intense staging change), but I figured out how best to ride the changes in the end. Otherwise I will brook very few criticisms of this production, for my dad was absolutely blown away, and honestly that was the most important thing for me.<br />
<br />
<b>Which was best?</b><br />
Maybe not the most mind-blowing batch, but probably <i>The Brothers Size</i>. And in fairness, I really did enjoy <i>The Divide</i> apart from the aforementioned points of failure. (Want some advice on how to properly fix it, Alan? <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_gxg5HWTIAY">Mel Brooks has got you covered</a>...)<br />
<br />
<b><strike>Which was worst?</strike></b><br />
<br />
<b>Did any make you cry?</b><br />
I confess to getting a bit weepy at <i>Pinocchio</i>. The puppets were a helluva commitment for a comparatively small pay-off, but I was thoroughly moved by it.<br />
<br />
<b>Did any make you laugh?</b><br />
I had to laugh at <i>The Jungle Book</i>, there was a monkey sitting on my lap and I always feel it's my responsibility as audience member to make sure the actors don't feel like douches when I'm picked on for a bit of audience participation. There were also many funny lines though.<br />
<br />
<b>Which roles would you like to play in any of them?</b><br />
Right now I am so tired from constant rehearsals that I cannot currently conceive of wanting to play any role in any show for the foreseeable future.<br />
<br />
<b>Which one did you have best seats for?</b><br />
<i>The Jungle Book</i>, even with aforementioned monkey.Weezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17508573692659511169noreply@blogger.com0