Last 10 things seen at the theatre: #033

27th February to 24th March.


List the last 10 things you saw at the theatre in order:
1. The Captain of Köpenick (National; Olivier)
2. Hello/Goodbye (Hampstead)
3. The President Has Come to See You (Royal Court)
4. The Audience (Gielgud)
5. Purple Heart (Gate)
6. Matilda (Cambridge)
7. Richard III (Tobacco Factor)
8. Old Times (Harold Pinter)
9. Macbeth (Trafalgar Studios)
10. If You Don't Let Us Dream, We Won't Let You Sleep (Royal Court)

Who was the best performer in number one (The Captain of Köpenick)?
Well I suppose it's a toss-up between two of our most dependable performers, Barnaby Kay and Adrian Schiller. The revolve made a good attempt to steal this one though.

Why did you go to see number two (Hello/Goodbye)?
A ridiculously charming cast and some decent word-of-mouth.

Can you remember a line/lyric from number three (The President Has Come to See You) that you liked?
Yes! So many! I did laugh an awful lot at this one! Let's go with: "Hello. I'm Nina 4". (Which is one of those lines that is only truly entertaining when one has lived through the play and understands the overall context. Sorry, y'all!)

What would you give number four (The Audience) out of ten?
Erm... 8. There was a certain effortlessness about it that I don't necessarily mean as a compliment. Nothing was really challenged, no risks were taken, no significant depths were plumbed. But it was all well put-together for a hugely enjoyable night out, and Richard McCabe's performance alone is worth at least 7 of those 8 marks all on its own.

Was there someone hot in number five (Purple Heart)?
I suppose the immediate answer to that one very much depends if you're on the Oliver Coopersmith wagon or not.

What was number six (Matilda) about?
Standing up for right in the face of injustice, with a side note on how wonderful it is to read.

Who was your favourite actor in number seven (Richard III)?
CHEATING TIME: definitely John Mackay! It always feels like cheating when the lead actor is the best one, but I truly did think he was splendid.

What was your favourite bit in number eight (Old Times)?
I don't think I had a favourite bit. It was an all-round absorbing but peculiar play.

Would you see number nine (Macbeth) again?
Peculiarly, I would! I've never been the hugest fan of the play, always of the opinion that if you want to do a play about an ambitious man who's handy with a sword and won't let anything stand between him and the crown then Richard III is by far the more fun option, but this was a brilliant production that tickled my fancy very nicely and managed to overcome the terrible problem with the play where the characters are almost always played as characters and so very rarely as people.

What was the worst thing about number ten (If You Don't Let Us Dream, We Won't Let You Sleep)?
It was just shallow. So busy was the playwright with making his point that he forgot to make a thoroughly engaging piece of theatre. The cast did extremely well with what they had though.

Which was best?
Easily Matilda! But if that's cheating, then Macbeth.

Which was worst?
Neither The Captain of Köpenick nor If You Don't Let Us Dream, We Won't Let You Sleep lived up to their potential.

Did any make you cry?
I always weep at Matilda. I can't remember but suspect I must have shed a tear at The Audience.

Did any make you laugh?
Hello/Goodbye, The President Has Come to See You, The Audience, Matilda.

Which roles would you like to play in any of them?
I have no particular yearning beyond general Matilda longings.

Which one did you have best seats for?
The Audience. Front row centre for a tenner! God bless dayseats.