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Post by Dave B on Jun 15, 2023 8:37:39 GMT
Finally made it out to OT to see this last night. As a frequent flyer at OT I knew the chaise longue would set a usual high standard and I was hoping that the rest of the cast could keep up and pleasingly they were all great. It was very funny with strong work from all the cast, even in their little reactions and the moments where they are on-lookers to the action, and a lovely tension or sizzling chemistry between 'em throughout.
There is a piece in the programme talking about Tom Littler directing in the round, or more so him being less use to it. I think it showed just a little, the cast were slightly more static than the OT normally manages, I saw more backs than usual. Impressively for a show in the 6th or 7th week, Littler was there and still taking notes and out talking to people at the interval.
I'm excited about my membership and the coming year. We moved a short while ago, about 10 miles further away from OT but fast trains get me there in 25 minutes compared to the almost hour when I was a lot closer.
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Post by showgirl on Jun 18, 2023 3:43:22 GMT
I enjoyed this yesterday after a longer wait than expected both to see it (had to move my booking back 6 weeks to accommodate physio appointments) and then to enter the auditorium which, for an unannounced reason, was opened very late and inevitably delayed the start of the performance.
As I'd never had the opportunity to see this play but had enjoyed a production of another of Somerset Maugham's plays at CFT, I was looking forward to this anyway and more so once the reviews were so positive. Also, whilst I'd never book (or, with a few exceptions) avoid doing so due to any particular members of the cast, I was delighted to be seeing Nicholas Le Prevost once more as he's one of my favourite actors but not surprisingly, does less theatre now.
Others have said that the whole cast was great and I agree but yes, there was definitely an extra frisson during the scenes involving 2 or 3 of the more senior actors, ie Jane Asher, Clive Francis and Nicholas Le Prevost; I don't know how they have the stamina to carry on doing it, but I'm so glad that they do.
Imo not a great play but hugely enhanced by the production and cast.
A small beef however about lack of audience management by front of house: as it was a matinee and the auditorium was opened late, a long queue of restive and not-very-mobile people had built up and it took AGES for everyone to enter and at the interval and again at the end, everyone else was held up by a man sitting by the exit who clearly had an impairment but managed to launch himself into the gangway and block this for everyone else, then hover there, presumably recouping his strength before inching his way up and out. Why on earth don't FOH staff identify people clearly needing assistance and help them into their seats earlier and again at the interval and end? It can't be pleasant for those concerned to be aware that everyone else is jammed up behind them and people who need to escape swiftly to catch an infrequent train are thwarted.
Exactly the same thing happens at Guildford, where of course all the audience members in wheelchairs or using sticks book seats by the side exit to the street, then completely block this at the interval and end. I've seen this so much better managed elsewhere and for everyone: for instance, at Hampstead Downstairs, ushers escort those with impairments into the auditorium first and wait until they are seated before opening it for others. Surely this is preferable for all, allowing those needing help to be in a relaxed mood ready to enjoy the performance itself and avoiding unnecessary delays?
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Post by Jan on Jun 18, 2023 9:54:28 GMT
They have elaborate plans at the OT to completely rebuild and extend the entire front of house area with a new entrance at ground level so if that ever happens it will improve access.
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345 posts
Member is Online
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Post by jr on Jun 19, 2023 7:59:37 GMT
I am sorry I missed this. Booked twice and had to cancel due to train strikes and other commitments. Not sure if it could have a life somewhere else.
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Post by jampot on Aug 4, 2023 9:23:44 GMT
Going to Bath in January...
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Post by bordeaux on Jan 18, 2024 6:55:52 GMT
This looks and sounds good at the Bath Theatre Royal. It's an enjoyable evening at the theatre if you like that sort of thing - Edwardian-style, or in this case, early 1920s social comedy. Tom Littler tries to make the case in an interview in the programme that Somerset Maugham is the missing link between Oscar Wilde and Noel Coward but he is neither as witty nor as sharp as either. There are good performances, some witty lines, the whole set-up is artificial but amusing, the ending surprising. Interesting to see what was popular in 1922 (the year of Ulysses, The Waste Land and Virginia Woolf's Jacob's Room!).
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Post by alicechallice on Jan 18, 2024 9:00:07 GMT
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Post by theatrefan77 on Jan 18, 2024 9:23:56 GMT
This will play at Richmond theatre 20-24 February.
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Post by bordeaux on Jan 18, 2024 10:06:04 GMT
Thanks for finding this - very interesting to see most of us have fairly similar views on it and all agree that Nicholas Le Prevost is particularly good. Funny to think that he is a founding member of The Wrestling School company, dedicated to putting on the work of Howard Barker! I remember seeing him in Seven Lears in 1990 at the Royal Court - seem to remember the play was hard work. |
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Post by BurlyBeaR on Jan 18, 2024 10:47:17 GMT
Merged. Thanks alicechalliceOldest thread takes precedence (not the number of posts) |
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Post by BurlyBeaR on Jan 18, 2024 10:56:01 GMT
Wed, 10th January 2024 to Sat, 20th January 2024
Theatre Royal, Bath»
Tue, 30th January 2024 to Sat, 3rd February 2024
Chichester Festival Theatre, Chichester»
Tue, 6th February 2024 to Sat, 10th February 2024
The Playhouse, Oxford»
Tue, 13th February 2024 to Sat, 17th February 2024
Malvern Theatres, Malvern»
Tue, 20th February 2024 to Sat, 24th February 2024
Richmond Theatre, London
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Post by adamkinsey on Feb 25, 2024 17:27:40 GMT
Caught the last night of the tour in Richmond last night. It had not sold well there (presumably because of the previous run at the nearby Orange Tree).
Echoing previous comments, the play fizzes when the three veterans are on although I was in the dress circle and Le Prevost was often inaudible.
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