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Post by Deleted on Sept 12, 2023 20:02:15 GMT
Looking at the characters names I'd assume they are "fictional" characters or based on other servants who worked for the QM. Its strange Reg Wilcock isn't featured as he worked for the royal family for over 40 years and was William's partner for the vast majority of it. Reg died only a week after the Queen Mother's 100th birthday and losing him and then HM within a couple of years was a huge loss for Billy which we wonder if he never really recovered from. On a lighter note I wonder if the urban legend about the QM once commenting to two squabbling staff "When you two old Queens have finished arguing, this Old Queen wants her Gin." was about Billy and Reg. If it was it would seem fitting. |
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Post by cat6 on Oct 7, 2023 23:36:33 GMT
Hi All! Just found out I'm going to be in London in November. Anyone have any idea about the run time of Backstairs Billy? Thanks! (Got front row Royal Circle).
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Post by Deleted on Oct 8, 2023 1:51:44 GMT
Hi All! Just found out I'm going to be in London in November. Anyone have any idea about the run time of Backstairs Billy? Thanks! (Got front row Royal Circle). Hope you enjoy it, no running times listed yet as I doubt it has been fully timed yet. But as it opens on 27th Oct I'm sure the running times will be up well before you go to see it or someone on here will have been and will then give the timings. |
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Post by cat6 on Oct 8, 2023 14:06:01 GMT
Thanks, original 9. What I want to do is reserve my after theatre dinner at the Ivy.
Last time I was in London (May) it was all booked up, even tho' I tried just a week before going.
So, I reserved for 9:45. Plenty of time, I think, since the play does not SEEM as if it's going to be long, to amble out of the theatre and find West Street in the dark.
It's part of my extended birthday weekend! Obviously, I'm very excited that this play popped up!
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Post by alece10 on Oct 8, 2023 17:02:15 GMT
Thanks, original 9. What I want to do is reserve my after theatre dinner at the Ivy.
Last time I was in London (May) it was all booked up, even tho' I tried just a week before going.
So, I reserved for 9:45. Plenty of time, I think, since the play does not SEEM as if it's going to be long, to amble out of the theatre and find West Street in the dark.
It's part of my extended birthday weekend! Obviously, I'm very excited that this play popped up!
I'm sure once the running time is published you could always phone the Ivy and change the time. But 9.45pm is presuming the play will be under 2 hours plus 15 mins interval. I wonder if you might be wise making the reservation a bit later. Maybe allow 2hours 30 mins. Always better to arrive early and relaxed than late and stressed. (But maybe that's just me). |
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Post by Sean on Oct 8, 2023 17:14:19 GMT
I agree with the above poster. A reservation for 9:45pm is assuming this will be a very short play. Personally if it was me for comfort I would make it for slightly later.
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Post by teamyali on Oct 10, 2023 14:06:45 GMT
Not sure if this was posted already but here’s the first look of Dame Penny and Luke in character and in costume: http://instagram.com/p/CyDLTGOMg-3 Penelope’s smile reminds me of the late Queen Elizabeth II. She played QEII before, I think? The show’s arrival is perfect, in time for the final season of The Crown on Netflix. They just announced yesterday that season 6 will be released in two parts - 16 Nov and 14 Dec. Similar strategy that Netflix has employed in some of their top shows (Stranger Things, The Witcher, The Glory). Even if QEQM is not The Crown’s main character, but anyone who likes some royal portrayals would also go to see Backstairs Billy. |
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Post by alicechallice on Oct 10, 2023 15:28:01 GMT
Penelope’s smile reminds me of the late Queen Elizabeth II. She played QEII before, I think Yes, in Spielberg's film version of The BFG. |
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Post by Deleted on Oct 10, 2023 16:26:46 GMT
Excellent likeness for both. I'm sure Billy would approve of Luke playing him. I had to look back at a photo of the Queen Mum from around 1980 as I still had the much older version of her in my mind and Dame Penny is an excellent likeness in character.
It will be interesting to hear what voice Penelope uses for the QM as there aren't that many recordings of her in later years as she didn't make that many speeches and only gave a couple of informal interviews that were broadcast.
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Post by Rory on Oct 10, 2023 16:32:33 GMT
I wonder what this will be like. I have visions of a middle of the road BBC sitcom or something like the Queen & I by Sue Townsend. On one hand it could be quite a safe comedy but then again the writer's play "Feeling Afraid as if Something Terrible is Going to Happen" with Sam Barnett got fantastic reviews so maybe we're in for something with a bit more bite.
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Post by Deleted on Oct 10, 2023 18:49:26 GMT
With the quality of the cast and such interesting characters I'd hope it is a good play. I'd think that Luke and Dame Penelope accepted the roles should mean they like the script which should be a good starting point.
The QM cannot really be too comedy but me might find she "gets a bit tipsy" perhaps. Luke can probably have a more freer reign with Billy and switch from fawning, bitchy, being very OTT and I can see him having a lot of fun with the role especially the mannerisms and things like serving the drinks. He'll have a lot of props to play with so can put extra bits in with the director and see what works and doesn't.
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Post by talkingheads on Oct 11, 2023 16:44:02 GMT
If anybody wants it, I have a front row ticket for this on the 4th November evening performance. ATG are refusing to even give a credit so I'd rather it didn't go to waste!
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Post by barelyathletic on Oct 13, 2023 9:44:35 GMT
I wonder what this will be like. I have visions of a middle of the road BBC sitcom or something like the Queen & I by Sue Townsend. On one hand it could be quite a safe comedy but then again the writer's play "Feeling Afraid as if Something Terrible is Going to Happen" with Sam Barnett got fantastic reviews so maybe we're in for something with a bit more bite. Feeling Afraid As If Something Terrible Is Going to Happen is one of the sharpest, smartest and laugh out loud funny plays I've seen. I can't wait to see it again when it opens at the Bush next month, so I have high hopes for this. Exciting to get a double whammy off and on the West End from a truly promising new playwright.  |
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Post by thinton on Oct 22, 2023 0:25:50 GMT
If anybody wants it, I have a front row ticket for this on the 4th November evening performance. ATG are refusing to even give a credit so I'd rather it didn't go to waste! I'll take the ticket if it's still available! |
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Post by BurlyBeaR on Oct 22, 2023 10:44:47 GMT
If anybody wants it, I have a front row ticket for this on the 4th November evening performance. ATG are refusing to even give a credit so I'd rather it didn't go to waste! If anybody wants it, I have a front row ticket for this on the 4th November evening performance. ATG are refusing to even give a credit so I'd rather it didn't go to waste! I'll take the ticket if it's still available! Folks, for future reference please use the Noticeboard and PM for ticket sales/giveaways. Cheers. |
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Post by barelyathletic on Oct 27, 2023 10:00:28 GMT
Opening tonight. Who's first to see it? I'm not there til late November.
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Post by drmaplewood on Oct 27, 2023 10:07:26 GMT
This really doesn't appear to be selling so am hoping for everyone's sake that its good!
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Post by A.Ham on Oct 27, 2023 10:22:21 GMT
I'm there next Thursday - looking forward to it. It still surprises me it's selling poorly given the star casting - especially given Lyonesse has been pretty much sold out for ages with similarly-starry names.
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Post by theatrefan62 on Oct 27, 2023 13:03:50 GMT
I wouldn't say they are equal star castings tbh.
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Post by Deleted on Oct 27, 2023 13:36:11 GMT
I wouldn't say they are equal star castings tbh. If Luke Evans was in a musical role I think he'd be a bigger draw. Dames Penny and Kristin are totally different profiles one much more a stage and TV actress who is borderline national treasure whilst the other is Anglo French film star, was a model too. Both great members of the Acting Dames club but very different in the roles they play. Will Backstairs Billy try to get walk ups via TKTS and other offers this early as if people know they can likely get in this way there would be no urge to pre-book at full price. |
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Post by theatrefan62 on Oct 27, 2023 15:06:48 GMT
Yeah, although Luke Evans never seems to have fully broken through to mainstream fame. Yes he did BATB, but aside from that his movie cv is more miss than hit (or a supporting role). People like him, but not enough to be excited (and pay) to see him
My personal view is he also isn't that great an actor either. Quite samey.
If Downton was still on penelope might be more of a draw. But again she's never quite got the same level of fame/love compared to some of the other dames.
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Post by Deleted on Oct 27, 2023 17:46:14 GMT
I fully agree Theatrefan 62, Luke has a lot of fans for his film work and has been in stuff where he can have a nice side line doing the convention circuit and if he was in a West End musicial he'd be a big draw there. But this might be a bit bwtween his two main fanbases.
Dame Penelope had been a major stage star and had numerous TV roles before she became widely known in the mid 1980's in Ever Decreasing Circles since then she has gone onto a wide range of roles on stage, screen and TV and done her finest work of her career after she earned wider fame. She is borderline national treasure but her being on stage is a nice thing to see rather than a real event and ots not like they have said this could be her last stage work or we think it could be.
I do hope the play does well as it is an interesting subject and well known real life characters which I think the main actors can have a lot of fun with. I just hope the script is up to scratch and look forward to some reviews on here.
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Post by mkb on Oct 29, 2023 12:31:49 GMT
Cards on the table: I'm an ardent anti-royalist. I loathe the monarchy -- how they behave, what it represents, and how it acts as the keystone to the British class hierarchy, keeping all others in their place -- with a passion.
So how detached could I be to enjoy a play about that most beloved of royals, the Queen Mum, and her relationship with her flamboyant Page of the Backstairs? It helps that she famously kept her personality out of the public spotlight, so much so that we barely knew how her voice sounded. Writer Marcelo Dos Santos has this to his advantage, because he can create a largely fictional persona and narrative, and it doesn't really matter.
And guess what? It's a total hoot! I haven't laughed this much in ages. And it has two real corgis! What more could you ask for?
The players are uniformly good, including some who double up in quite different roles as various visitors to Clarence House.
There's a scene near the end that will be marmite as to how you respond. I thought it didn't work in its current form in this early preview, but I managed to not let that put me off.
The set is sumptuous, and Michael Grandage's direction is expertly judged, apart from that late scene.
Simply because I had such a good time: five stars.
Act 1: 19:36-20:38
Act 2: 20:59-21:57
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Post by alece10 on Oct 29, 2023 14:11:31 GMT
Cards on the table: I'm an ardent anti-royalist. I loathe the monarchy -- how they behave, what it represents, and how it acts as the keystone to the British class hierarchy, keeping all others in their place -- with a passion. So how detached could I be to enjoy a play about that most beloved of royals, the Queen Mum, and her relationship with her flamboyant Page of the Backstairs? It helps that she famously kept her personality out of the public spotlight, so much so that we barely knew how her voice sounded. Writer Marcelo Dos Santos has this to his advantage, because he can create a largely fictional persona and narrative, and it doesn't really matter. And guess what? It's a total hoot! I haven't laughed this much in ages. And it has two real corgis! What more could you ask for? The players are uniformly good, including some who double up in quite different roles as various visitors to Clarence House. There's a scene near the end that will be marmite as to how you respond. I thought it didn't work in its current form in this early preview, but I managed to not let that put me off. The set is sumptuous, and Michael Grandage's direction is expertly judged, apart from that late scene. Simply because I had such a good time: five stars. Act 1: 19:36-20:38 Act 2: 20:59-21:57 Great news as I'm going on Friday. I'm not a play person at all but loved the subject matter and the cast. If its funny then it's win, win for me. |
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Post by drowseychap on Oct 30, 2023 1:57:03 GMT
I’m going Saturday looking forward to it now … got tickets as my partner is huge luke fan mind you me too after seeing home 7 times in the original Taboo he was fabulous
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