Last 10 things seen at the theatre: #016

3rd to 17th March.


List the last 10 things you saw at the theatre in order:
1. The Recruiting Officer (Donmar Warehouse)
2. She Stoops to Conquer (National; Olivier)
3. Can We Talk About This? (National; Lyttelton)
4. The Awkward Squad (Arts)
5. Moon on a Rainbow Shawl (National; Cottesloe)
6. Floyd Collins (Southwark Playhouse)
7. King Lear (Tobacco Factory)
8. The King's Speech (Richmond Theatre)
9. The House of Bernarda Alba (Almeida)
10. Floyd Collins (Southwark Playhouse)

Who was the best performer in number one (The Recruiting Officer)?
They were pretty much all superb, to be honest. However, much as I am desperately in love with Nancy Carroll, and much as I am tempted to go for Stuart Ward as a guitar-playing wildcard, for the sake of the meme I am going with the brilliant Rachael Stirling.

Why did you go to see number two (She Stoops to Conquer)?
John Heffernan.

Can you remember a line/lyric from number three (Can We Talk About This?) that you liked?
It wasn't really that kind of show. Don't get me wrong, there were a lot of words, but it was all rather in a documentary style. Words-wise, anyway.

What would you give number four (The Awkward Squad) out of ten?
Let's be a devil and chuck it a 9! It rang my bell and was extremely good besides.

Was there someone hot in number five (Moon on a Rainbow Shawl)?
There were some lovely ladies in this one, particularly Martina Laird and Jade Anouka.

What was number six (Floyd Collins) about?
A man who got stuck in a cave, and the plucky young cub reporter who resolved to get him out. Also there is banjo. IT'S WONDERFUL.

Who was your favourite actor in number seven (King Lear)?
THE MIGHTY JOHN SHRAPNEL.

What was your favourite bit in number eight (The King's Speech)?
Any bit with Myrtle Logue (Charlotte Randle), to the point that if it were down to me, I'd restructure the entire play as a series of anecdotes recounted by Lionel to Myrtle, acted out by the necessary actors while Myrtle remained onstage the whole time, alternately impressed by and despairing of her husband. I suspect it would have been a MUCH better play that way.

Would you see number nine (The House of Bernarda Alba) again?
I'd see another production of it, but I'm satisfied to have seen this production only the once.

What was the worst thing about number ten (Floyd Collins)?
The only thing - literally the ONLY thing - was the sound balance. Some of the lyrics were harder to hear than others. Not a problem for me, but potentially alienating for anyone who hadn't loved it for years.

Which was best?
Floyd Collins! And an honourable mention for The Recruiting Officer.

Which was worst?
Probably The King's Speech. Some excellent performances, but they were not helped by the oddly-structured and rather weak script.

Did any make you cry?
Floyd Collins, and The Awkward Squad.

Did any make you laugh?
The Recruiting Officer, She Stoops to Conquer, and The Awkward Squad.

Which roles would you like to play in any of them?
Ooh, two of my dream roles in this batch! Regan in King Lear and, my number one ultimate dream role, Nellie in Floyd Collins. I'd be interested in The Recruiting Officer if that came my way too, with no real preference for roles.

Which one did you have best seats for?
Floyd Collins.