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Post by mrbarnaby on Jun 18, 2023 15:54:36 GMT
So I saw this yesterday afternoon- wow! Nothing could have prepared me for what I witnessed. I know this show well. I have two cast recordings and have seen several productions, both professional and amateur. The Donmar Production was the first time I actually (truly) understood the show. And as brilliant as that production was, yesterday's just blew everything I've seen before out of the water! That was a large auditorium and as far as I could see, it was full. I loved the use of the screens as a roulette of former Presidents. The whole ramping up of the audience was so clever! I actually though that this must be a slither of what it must be like to be a politically enthused American at a rally! The positioning of the orchestra- didn't even realise that's what they ere till they started playing. Given the theme of the rally, I thought that we recording tallys! Lol! I don't necessarily disagree with a lot that has been said however Lizzy Connolly- didn't even realise it was her. Same with Luke Brady as Giuseppe Zangara. Having each assassin sitting amongst the audience was (truly) inspired. Not gonna lie- I was uncertain about Sam Oladeinde as Leon Czolgosz but he actually grew on me. I though Danny Mac as John Wilkes Booth was just outstanding! I loved the way the roles of the Balladeers, spit and television journalists really worked. Amy Booth-Steel as Sara Jane Moore stole every scene she was in. For anyone else whose seen it, did anyone else think that the bearded Harry Hepple as Charles Guiteau with the hat looked like Fagin from Oliver? For me, the only 'weak' performance was Samuel Thomas as Lee Harvey Oswald. He just wasn't 'strong' enough. That said, I did shed a tear when they showed the famous footage of JFk being shot and Jackie climbing over the back. Having read through the previous posts, I note various comments about Nick Holder as Samuel Byck. As I say, I know this show well and all of the characters and for my money, that was the best Sam Byck I've ever seen. Someone commented in a previous post the length of his speeches; that's how they're written in the book. And if you understand the character, you'd understand why. There's actually a film called The Assassination of Richard Nixon with Sean Penn as Byck You sit back and think of all of the assassins as nuts, or crazy. However, regardless of your personal opinions, they all had their own beliefs and motivations for doing what it is that they did. I beg that this transfers- and if it doesn't that someone, somewhere- somehow captures this on film The Donmar was the first UK production though! |
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Post by thistimetomorrow on Jun 18, 2023 19:16:33 GMT
Concept 10 Musical staging 10 Band 10 Book scenes 4 I thought this too. The concept worked so well and I really enjoyed all the cast, but some of the book scenes were just quite boring |
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Post by mrbarnaby on Jun 18, 2023 20:15:58 GMT
Concept 10 Musical staging 10 Band 10 Book scenes 4 I thought this too. The concept worked so well and I really enjoyed all the cast, but some of the book scenes were just quite boring I think that’s the fault of the piece though? |
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Post by Someone in a tree on Jun 18, 2023 20:27:43 GMT
I thought this too. The concept worked so well and I really enjoyed all the cast, but some of the book scenes were just quite boring I think that’s the fault of the piece though? I disagree, as this is the first time I was bored in Assassins. For me the review structure works brilliantly as what is presented is so derranged and interesting. |
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Post by theatrelover123 on Jun 18, 2023 21:59:56 GMT
I think that’s the fault of the piece though? I disagree, as this is the first time I was bored in Assassins. For me the review structure works brilliantly as what is presented is so derranged and interesting. Revue or review? |
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Post by Someone in a tree on Jun 19, 2023 5:43:55 GMT
Sorry, typo, should be review
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Post by jr on Jun 19, 2023 7:58:22 GMT
I thought this too. The concept worked so well and I really enjoyed all the cast, but some of the book scenes were just quite boring I think that’s the fault of the piece though? I don't think it is the piece. I think it is the directing and acting. It is all surface with no depth. Though I seem to be in the minority, I feel very strongly about this. |
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Post by theatrefan62 on Jun 24, 2023 18:08:06 GMT
Saw this this afternoon, 5 star production of a 4 or 3 star show.
I enjoyed this much much more than the Menier production but agree, as before, some book scenes are still bit boring and kill the flow.
Very impressive set and staging, more than what's shown in the stage photos before it starts. Cast universally excellent. First time I've seen Danny Mac really impress, found him a bit vanilla before but he really is excellent here.
Found tge ending powerful.
This definitely deserves a longer life but can't think where it would fit.
Is the audience participation always there? Was funny to be picked on (and I usually hate that type of thing) but I can't imagine some of Chichesters traditional audience swearing or getting up and hugging.
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Post by anthony40 on Jun 24, 2023 18:27:25 GMT
You know when I saw this the guy playing John Hinkley actually made me feel a little uncomfortable- read into that what you will.
You know, although I was only 11 at the time, I do remember Ronald Regan being shot. Of course I was in Australia and too young to know the back story and of his obsession with Jodie Foster, but I do remember it.
The assassination attempt on Gerald Ford was 1975- so I would have been 5 and too young to know what it was or remember it.
Sam Byck, again I would have been 4.
Please God let this transfer!
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Post by sf on Jun 24, 2023 21:12:13 GMT
Saw it this afternoon.
An extraordinary clever piece of direction/design that manages to draw clear links between the stories of the various assassins, the flip side of the American Dream, the way the US political system weaponises patriotism, the proliferation of guns and gun violence, the US's vapid media culture, Trump, and January 6th. And an equally extraordinary performance from Danny Mac, and a very good one from Peter Forbes too.
I know the show backwards (a very long time I wrote a chunk of an MA thesis about it; I haven't looked at it in quite a few years, but I was still a line ahead of the book all the way through the show). I did not expect a production of Assassins to surprise me the way this did. A couple of things need refining - the Emma Goldman scene didn't work - but it's a confident, intellectually rigorous, tremendously entertaining revival with a fascinating take on the material. My biggest complaint about it is that the Chichester run ends today and I need to see it again.
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Post by mrbarnaby on Jun 24, 2023 22:59:00 GMT
Saw it this afternoon. An extraordinary clever piece of direction/design that manages to draw clear links between the stories of the various assassins, the flip side of the American Dream, the way the US political system weaponises patriotism, the proliferation of guns and gun violence, the US's vapid media culture, Trump, and January 6th. And an equally extraordinary performance from Danny Mac, and a very good one from Peter Forbes too. I know the show backwards (a very long time I wrote a chunk of an MA thesis about it; I haven't looked at it in quite a few years, but I was still a line ahead of the book all the way through the show). I did not expect a production of Assassins to surprise me the way this did. A couple of things need refining - the Emma Goldman scene didn't work - but it's a confident, intellectually rigorous, tremendously entertaining revival with a fascinating take on the material. My biggest complaint about it is that the Chichester run ends today and I need to see it again. Don’t despair. A transfer is being worked on |
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Post by Being Alive on Jun 24, 2023 23:31:39 GMT
Ah, so you've finally heard the same as me Mr B!
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Post by showtoones on Jun 25, 2023 1:39:57 GMT
To keep the cast in tact, it would need to transfer in the Autumn I’d think. Are there any avail theatres?
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Post by mrbarnaby on Jun 25, 2023 7:16:13 GMT
To keep the cast in tact, it would need to transfer in the Autumn I’d think. Are there any avail theatres? It may not transfer to a west end theatre …. |
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Post by c4ndyc4ne on Jun 25, 2023 10:12:09 GMT
To keep the cast in tact, it would need to transfer in the Autumn I’d think. Are there any avail theatres? It may not transfer to a west end theatre …. God I hope it’s not the troubadour |
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Post by mrbarnaby on Jun 25, 2023 10:25:56 GMT
It may not transfer to a west end theatre …. God I hope it’s not the troubadour Haha no |
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Post by Someone in a tree on Jun 25, 2023 12:55:57 GMT
God I hope it’s not the troubadour Haha no Bridge or the other Nick one at King's Cross? @sohoplace? |
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Post by sf on Jun 25, 2023 14:57:09 GMT
To keep the cast in tact, it would need to transfer in the Autumn I’d think. Are there any avail theatres? It may not transfer to a west end theatre …. I could make a case for the National to put it in the Olivier... (I know, I know. But I can dream.) |
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Post by theatrefan62 on Jun 25, 2023 15:05:00 GMT
If what Being Alive said about the Old Vics 2024 schedule being all up in the air is true, maybe the Old Vic after Christmas Carol?
The Old Vic did house the Chichester production of Kiss Me Kate there so there is a precedent. It could be a good theatre for it size wise.
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Post by mrbarnaby on Jun 26, 2023 7:06:21 GMT
If what Being Alive said about the Old Vics 2024 schedule being all up in the air is true, maybe the Old Vic after Christmas Carol? The Old Vic did house the Chichester production of Kiss Me Kate there so there is a precedent. It could be a good theatre for it size wise. It isn’t the Old Vic |
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Post by theatrefan62 on Jun 26, 2023 14:45:49 GMT
Unlike some I've never had an issue with Chichesters core audience, but I did notice at Assassins the audience was noticeably more diverse in all demographics.
I love chichesters golden age musical revivals but it would be good to see them tackle more sondheim. A Little Night Music, and Into The Woods would be great there.
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Post by sf on Jun 26, 2023 16:50:56 GMT
Unlike some I've never had an issue with Chichesters core audience, but I did notice at Assassins the audience was noticeably more diverse in all demographics. I love chichesters golden age musical revivals but it would be good to see them tackle more sondheim. A Little Night Music, and Into The Woods would be great there. They've done A Little Night Music and it transferred to the Piccadilly. |
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Post by theatrefan62 on Jun 26, 2023 17:13:13 GMT
Oh so they have, although in fairness it was in 1989 lol
Time for another production then haha
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Post by c4ndyc4ne on Jun 26, 2023 21:29:17 GMT
If what Being Alive said about the Old Vics 2024 schedule being all up in the air is true, maybe the Old Vic after Christmas Carol? The Old Vic did house the Chichester production of Kiss Me Kate there so there is a precedent. It could be a good theatre for it size wise. It isn’t the Old Vic It isn't the Old Vic.... |
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Post by Jon on Jun 26, 2023 21:57:43 GMT
Isn't The Young Vic a bit small in terms of capacity?
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