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Post by mkb on Jun 29, 2023 16:16:58 GMT
Do people feel like when there's a technical glitch preventing the play from going on that just cancelling and refunding is a bit of a cop out? ... It's the automatic refund that bugs me when they cancel a show. If you are able to go to a different date, the NT will not offer a free transfer of ticket to the new date; they refund and expect you to pay whatever is the going rate to rebook, which is almost always more than you originally paid. |
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Post by Jon on Jun 29, 2023 17:27:45 GMT
I was at the matinee yesterday, went down very warmly with a lot of people on their feet. I enjoyed it though did think the themes such as racism, the campaign for the LGBT+ rights armband in Qatar etc could have been explored in more depth. Knowing how everything pans out does take away any peril, but then I know that won't be the case for everyone. Some of the writing also felt a bit clunky at times (Why would they be stood on the Wembley Stadium pitch to have a brief conversation that the Euros had been delayed by Covid?) - but a crowd pleaser for sure and one I suspect will have a longer life. Also as an aside - do we think they weren't able to get clearance for Three Lions? They did play Three Lions although Three Lions 98 but not the 96 version. |
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Post by Jan on Jul 2, 2023 8:05:14 GMT
Never played football..never watched a football match...have nil intrest in "the beautiful game" but this was fantastic! Brilliantly written and spectacularly staged it didn't matter one jot I knew nothing about the subject matter or players depicted.One of the best plays I have seen in a long time. There you have a glimpse of how things would have been if they’d appointed Rupert Goold as AD instead of Norris. He’s a showman who can handle those big stages. It was the same with his Lyttelton production of Time and the Conways in 2009 which I think is the only other time he’s directed at NT. |
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Post by Rory on Jul 2, 2023 9:01:22 GMT
Surely there are some plans in place for this to transfer or return? Can't believe it'll just end on 11th August!
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Post by djdan14 on Jul 2, 2023 13:45:03 GMT
Maybe replace aspects at the Lyric until Hadestown comes in?
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Post by Rory on Jul 2, 2023 13:56:04 GMT
Maybe replace aspects at the Lyric until Hadestown comes in? Peter Pan Goes Wrong is going in before Hadestown from 23rd November |
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7,050 posts
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Post by Jon on Jul 2, 2023 16:51:08 GMT
The Lyric is only available for 9-10 weeks which would make it very hard for something like Dear England which has a big cast to come in for a short run.
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3,528 posts
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Post by Rory on Jul 2, 2023 17:01:57 GMT
The Lyric is only available for 9-10 weeks which would make it very hard for something like Dear England which has a big cast to come in for a short run. It's now going dark for 13 weeks between Sat 19th August and Sat 18th November (Mischief start on 23rd). So something could in theory go in for a 12 or 13 week run. |
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Post by Jon on Jul 2, 2023 17:08:18 GMT
The Lyric is only available for 9-10 weeks which would make it very hard for something like Dear England which has a big cast to come in for a short run. It's now going dark for 13 weeks between Sat 19th August and Sat 18th November (Mischief start on 23rd). So something could in theory go in for a 12 or 13 week run. I'm including time to load out and load in sets as well as rehearsal as well which is why I think Dear England is unlikely but Frank and Percy or School Girls, The African Mean Girls Play could go in especially the former. |
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Post by Rory on Jul 2, 2023 18:06:14 GMT
Wouldn't be surprised if Frank and Percy reopened the Ambassadors in August.
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Post by joem on Jul 5, 2023 14:52:27 GMT
James Graham is an amazing playwright, he has an uncanny finger on the country's pulse and manages to make dramas out of news stories, political events, whatever.... but always finding a dramatic conflict with which to explore ideas beyond the basic narrative.
This is no different and I believe he may achieved the wonderful feat of bringing new audiences into the theatre. The audience (crowd?) on Monday night was somewhere between a theatre audience and a football crowd, joining in on chants they recognised and cheering mentions of the teams they follow.
It was a play of two halves. The first was I think more exciting, pure entertainment, the audience getting that little thrill where they recognise characters and events but with the heightened reality that being on a stage brings to them. Although there wasn't a ball in sight and I knew the outcomes, some of the recreated penalty shootouts were genuinely tense and dramatic.
The second half where Graham brings in other themes is slightly (very slightly) less absorbing but it makes its points and does so effectively. Racism, leadership, identity - what it means to be English (there is no English anthem in football, only the UK one), violence... the British do beat themselves up a lot, we are no longer world leaders in football hooliganism and haven't been for years. I was reminded at the conclusion of Larkin's "An Arundel Tomb" - quite something, for a play about what is still such a macho sport to evoke these feelings.
Can you enjoy this play if you know nothing about football and care even less? Well, of course. It is a potent piece. I don't have to be a fan of world wars to appreciate Downfall.
Great work from the ensemble and the high standards you'd expect from Joe Fiennes and Gina Mckee. I think Graham's got another winner here, I expect this to transfer to the West End. The National is on quite a run! Well done lads.
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Post by Sotongal on Jul 5, 2023 16:43:38 GMT
James Graham is an amazing playwright, he has an uncanny finger on the country's pulse and manages to make dramas out of news stories, political events, whatever.... but always finding a dramatic conflict with which to explore ideas beyond the basic narrative. This is no different and I believe he may achieved the wonderful feat of bringing new audiences into the theatre. The audience (crowd?) on Monday night was somewhere between a theatre audience and a football crowd, joining in on chants they recognised and cheering mentions of the teams they follow. It was a play of two halves. The first was I think more exciting, pure entertainment, the audience getting that little thrill where they recognise characters and events but with the heightened reality that being on a stage brings to them. Although there wasn't a ball in sight and I knew the outcomes, some of the recreated penalty shootouts were genuinely tense and dramatic. The second half where Graham brings in other themes is slightly (very slightly) less absorbing but it makes its points and does so effectively. Racism, leadership, identity - what it means to be English (there is no English anthem in football, only the UK one), violence... the British do beat themselves up a lot, we are no longer world leaders in football hooliganism and haven't been for years. I was reminded at the conclusion of Larkin's "An Arundel Tomb" - quite something, for a play about what is still such a macho sport to evoke these feelings. Can you enjoy this play if you know nothing about football and care even less? Well, of course. It is a potent piece. I don't have to be a fan of world wars to appreciate Downfall. Great work from the ensemble and the high standards you'd expect from Joe Fiennes and Gina Mckee. I think Graham's got another winner here, I expect this to transfer to the West End. The National is on quite a run! Well done lads. We were there Monday evening too and I agree with your points. The first half was exciting, there was an aim,they were all focusing and fully going for it, but in the second half it wandered around a bit- almost like Graham was depicting in the various second half topics the uncertainty the players and Southgate have felt, about finding their way through those points joem has listed. Really enjoyable production. I once sat next to Southgate at a football lunch and he’s a really nice man. |
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Post by lonlad on Jul 8, 2023 12:49:45 GMT
I hear from friends in the company that Will Fletcher is on both shows today as Gareth Southgate. If that is so, here's hoping he nails it in what is bar none the most exciting play in town.
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Post by Mark on Jul 8, 2023 16:08:54 GMT
I was there, and he absolutely did nail it!
What a wonderful play, I’m not into football at all but this was brilliant from start to finish, expertly crafted, great humour, and just really bloody good! Another knockout from the National Theatre!
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Post by theatremiss on Jul 9, 2023 12:58:48 GMT
I hear from friends in the company that Will Fletcher is on both shows today as Gareth Southgate. If that is so, here's hoping he nails it in what is bar none the most exciting play in town. I was there for the matinee. I did feel a bit meh not to see Fiennes, but blooming heck Will blew me away with his performance. Does anyone know if this was his first time on? If so he appeared quite at ease with the role. I did manage to snag a single back of stalls seat in a few weeks so I can see the play again, and possibly see Fiennes, but I won’t mind if I see Will too. does anyone think this might get a transfer? |
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Post by c4ndyc4ne on Jul 9, 2023 14:08:42 GMT
I hear from friends in the company that Will Fletcher is on both shows today as Gareth Southgate. If that is so, here's hoping he nails it in what is bar none the most exciting play in town. I was there for the matinee. I did feel a bit meh not to see Fiennes, but blooming heck Will blew me away with his performance. Does anyone know if this was his first time on? If so he appeared quite at ease with the role. I did manage to snag a single back of stalls seat in a few weeks so I can see the play again, and possibly see Fiennes, but I won’t mind if I see Will too. does anyone think this might get a transfer? They’d be foolish not to transfer it… especially as the 2024 men’s euros approach |
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Post by theatremiss on Jul 9, 2023 16:01:51 GMT
I was there for the matinee. I did feel a bit meh not to see Fiennes, but blooming heck Will blew me away with his performance. Does anyone know if this was his first time on? If so he appeared quite at ease with the role. I did manage to snag a single back of stalls seat in a few weeks so I can see the play again, and possibly see Fiennes, but I won’t mind if I see Will too. does anyone think this might get a transfer? They’d be foolish not to transfer it… especially as the 2024 men’s euros approach It’s what I was thinking. Wonder if they’ll keep Fiennes? I also see they are filming it too |
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Post by Being Alive on Jul 9, 2023 17:27:53 GMT
Where on earth are they going to put it though without serious redesign and essentially losing the grandness it gets from the Olivier?
I reckon a chance of NT Live but no transfer personally.
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Post by nash16 on Jul 9, 2023 20:16:23 GMT
I was there for the matinee. I did feel a bit meh not to see Fiennes, but blooming heck Will blew me away with his performance. Does anyone know if this was his first time on? If so he appeared quite at ease with the role. I did manage to snag a single back of stalls seat in a few weeks so I can see the play again, and possibly see Fiennes, but I won’t mind if I see Will too. does anyone think this might get a transfer? They’d be foolish not to transfer it… especially as the 2024 men’s euros approach Back to the Olivier next summer (May to August) for the Euros, as predicted by many on here, then to the Gillian Lynne almost straight after for a limited run. |
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Post by Dave B on Jul 9, 2023 20:28:22 GMT
Back to the Olivier next summer (May to August) for the Euros, as predicted by many on here, then to the Gillian Lynne almost straight after for a limited run. for Feb - May and then Coriolanus afterwards from Aug? |
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Post by Rory on Jul 9, 2023 21:39:26 GMT
They’d be foolish not to transfer it… especially as the 2024 men’s euros approach Back to the Olivier next summer (May to August) for the Euros, as predicted by many on here, then to the Gillian Lynne almost straight after for a limited run. Is this what's happening then? |
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Post by c4ndyc4ne on Jul 9, 2023 22:56:57 GMT
Back to the Olivier next summer (May to August) for the Euros, as predicted by many on here, then to the Gillian Lynne almost straight after for a limited run. for Feb - May and then Coriolanus afterwards from Aug? Where does asssassins fit in there - between Nye and Dear England? |
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Post by Being Alive on Jul 9, 2023 23:56:54 GMT
They’d be foolish not to transfer it… especially as the 2024 men’s euros approach Back to the Olivier next summer (May to August) for the Euros, as predicted by many on here, then to the Gillian Lynne almost straight after for a limited run. Well this DOES make more sense |
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Post by Dave B on Jul 10, 2023 7:16:00 GMT
Nye for Feb - May and then Coriolanus afterwards from Aug? Where does asssassins fit in there - between Nye and Dear England? Is that going to transfer to NT and Olivier? Time seems tight if so. |
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Post by Mark on Jul 10, 2023 9:15:17 GMT
It’s too good, and quite frankly, too mainstream and good an opportunity for the National to make some money, for it to not have a future life.
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