Stanley Kubrick’s Dr. Strangelove - Noel Coward Theatre

[jake]

Oct 10, 2024 10:31:39 GMT FrontroverPaul said:

The overall experience of seeing any show from the closest seat possible (I was dead centre in A13) for me always makes up for any restriction like a high stage or reduced legroom and it certainly did last night. 

I'm a front row enthusiast myself, largely for the reasons you mention. But there are exceptions - particularly when some idiot has decided the best place for a huge piece of furniture is right on the edge of the stage.  Also, as an average height man I've often found myself wondering (at places like TR Haymarket) what kind of view a much shorter person might have past such a high stage.

[drmaplewood]

Oct 10, 2024 13:21:31 GMT drmaplewood said:

Oct 10, 2024 10:31:39 GMT FrontroverPaul said:

I was in a front row £39.50 seat last night and the high stage had minimal effect on the view EXCEPT the scenes around the oval table where a few of the participants can't be seen and others only the upper parts of their bodies.

The overall experience of seeing any show from the closest seat possible (I was dead centre in A13) for me always makes up for any restriction like a high stage or reduced legroom and it certainly did last night. Steve Coogan was just amazing, the whole cast excellent and I predict this will be a major success with cheap seats hard to get. The house full sign was up last night.

Front row seats still at £39.50 and IMHO a steal at the price have just gone on sale for performances on 18 and 19 October and given the pricing elsewhere won't be around for long.

Notice these have gone already, anyone had any intel on whether there is a pattern for when these are released? 

To correct myself, they are still on the DMT site, was originally looking at ATG.

[Dave B]

I enjoyed this, I had a restricted slip seat but one of those that isn't actually very restricted and has some leg room but for £20 - I'm quite happy with that.

Coogan is excellent, really really excellent with Giles Terera and John Hopkins both also turning in excellent work. Large pieces of new dialogue and despite keeping the setting, more than one not so veiled reference to Putin's Russia and Trump's America.

Pretty good stage work allowing Coogan to be on stage more than once though from the slips, some of the stagecraft was pretty visible. Here it felt like previews with it and some of the set changes and brief fight work still bedding in. A couple of line flubs and repeated lines but no calls for lines this evening.

I do think it will sell well and do well, the very limited nature with a trip to Dublin already set means no chance to extend. I don't know how it will review, the cast will rate highly but it also feels a little superfluous to the movie, I found myself wondering at the interval what it really brings. The last two minutes might be the moment that makes the adaption really worth it, it's pretty stunning and ends on quite a high note.

One thing that bugged me a lot, there is a chunk of pre-recorded dialogue for the multi-roles and it *sounds* pre-recorded. You can tell just when Coogan comes back to talking live and I would have thought with this much effort, they'd have better sound quality. I don't know if it's been done in a sound booth or a smaller space or really have any clue but it takes a little some of the magic away when it's so obvious. Might be just me though.

3.5 stars.

[Jon]

I wonder how the set is going to look like when it transfers to the Bord Gais Energy Theatre in Dublin because it's a big theatre.

[nicenin]

Just nabbed one of the £39.50 front row seats. Been watching these tickets for ages the prices have been insane so won't worry too much if I miss part of the action. Glad to hear this will be a hit.

[thaneofglamis]

Oct 11, 2024 11:43:06 GMT nicenin said:

Just nabbed one of the £39.50 front row seats. Been watching these tickets for ages the prices have been insane so won't worry too much if I miss part of the action. Glad to hear this will be a hit.

Thanks for posting as prompted me to get a pair on the front row towards the end of the run. I was debating between the balcony or front row for a cheaper option and figured restrictions but a close-up view would be best of the two options! I’m sure they’ll sell quickly and the preview comments are positive, so happy to have bagged these!

[dip]

Yup, just got a pair of front rowers for the final matinee

[scotty8692]

Oct 11, 2024 0:13:42 GMT Jon said:

I wonder how the set is going to look like when it transfers to the Bord Gais Energy Theatre in Dublin because it's a big theatre.

Will also be seeing it there too, Jon, so interested in the same thing.  I think the problem for shows transferring or going on tour is slightly smaller spaces (usually) so be interesting to see how they use the space.  I'm encouraged by the positive reaction to the play itself anyway!  I possibly would have saw it in London, I happened to see some of the front row tickets mentioned when looking at tickets for my upcoming trip, in the morning when I went back, they all had gone!  Oh well, it will be a novelty to see this at the Bord Gais next year.  

[Sean]

Oct 11, 2024 12:57:18 GMT scotty8692 said:

Oct 11, 2024 0:13:42 GMT Jon said:

I wonder how the set is going to look like when it transfers to the Bord Gais Energy Theatre in Dublin because it's a big theatre.

Will also be seeing it there too, Jon, so interested in the same thing.  I think the problem for shows transferring or going on tour is slightly smaller spaces (usually) so be interesting to see how they use the space.  I'm encouraged by the positive reaction to the play itself anyway!  I possibly would have saw it in London, I happened to see some of the front row tickets mentioned when looking at tickets for my upcoming trip, in the morning when I went back, they all had gone!  Oh well, it will be a novelty to see this at the Bord Gais next year.  

This is the opposite case tho. The Bord Gais is massive in comparison to the Noel Coward. Much bigger stage and much more backstage space.

[scotty8692]

Oct 11, 2024 14:11:21 GMT Sean said:

Oct 11, 2024 12:57:18 GMT scotty8692 said:

Will also be seeing it there too, Jon, so interested in the same thing.  I think the problem for shows transferring or going on tour is slightly smaller spaces (usually) so be interesting to see how they use the space.  I'm encouraged by the positive reaction to the play itself anyway!  I possibly would have saw it in London, I happened to see some of the front row tickets mentioned when looking at tickets for my upcoming trip, in the morning when I went back, they all had gone!  Oh well, it will be a novelty to see this at the Bord Gais next year.  

This is the opposite case tho. The Bord Gais is massive in comparison to the Noel Coward. Much bigger stage and much more backstage space.

That's what I was saying, they'll have more space but usually it's the opposite that is true.  

[nicenin]

Sightlines are poor in the Bord Gais unless you're front row Dress Circle or boxes to the side.

Also, no drinks allowed in during the performance.

[zahidf]

Got a front row for a couple of weeks. Intrigued by this

[thaneofglamis]

Not sure if these were always available, but I noticed £20 standing tickets at the rear of the grand circle for the next couple of weeks. From the seat plan, they probably have a better view than the same priced balcony/grand circle slips (albeit without a seat).

[g3]

Mixed feelings about this one. Very well produced, Coogan puts a proper shift in, and he's really well supported by the rest of the cast. Problem is, it's just not funny, and a large reason for that is the source material. It's absurdist, dark humour, not laugh out loud funny, and all the nudge nudge, wink wink, modern references to Trump just feel lazy.

Coogan is a good comic actor, but he's no Peter Sellars who, let's not forget, had time when making the film to make each character focussed and distinct. Given the time constraints, Coogan couldn't really do that and relied on costumes and gimmicks.

The BBC comedy loving audience laughed in all the right places, but even they were flagging at the end. 2*

[Mark]

I thought this was very good. I wasn’t familiar with the source material so went in pretty blind. Very easy humour and easy to follow. Steve Coogan very good in his multiple roles and as always a shout out to Giles Terera.
It looks great! Very impressive set.


BurlyBeaR can we have a poll please

[mrbarnaby]

Oct 11, 2024 0:13:42 GMT Jon said:

I wonder how the set is going to look like when it transfers to the Bord Gais Energy Theatre in Dublin because it's a big theatre.

It will look exactly like the Noel Coward set.. plonked on a much bigger stage.
They won’t be redesigning or rebuilding it for a bigger theatre.

[mkb]

Oct 13, 2024 9:24:41 GMT g3 said:

Mixed feelings about this one. Very well produced, Coogan puts a proper shift in, and he's really well supported by the rest of the cast. Problem is, it's just not funny ...

Different folks, different strokes. Act 1 had me laughing out loud a great deal: it's five-star hilarious, and I was literally crying with laughter. The tempo and humour flag in Act 2. I hankered after a big, camp song-and-dance number to perk things up after the airborne scene.

The leads are superb, and Coogan manages, somewhat incredibly, to make you forget entirely the Sellers interpretations.

Great fun.

Four stars - could be a five with development of Act 2.

Act 1: 19:32-20:29
Act 2: 20:52-21:40

[Rory]

I thoroughly enjoyed this. Coogan is excellent and I was cracking up every time he came on in his wheelchair as Strangelove, with his mechanical arm which had a mind of its own. This was my favourite of his 4 characters but he did a great President Merkin Muffley, Major TJ Kong and Captain Mandrake too, ingeniously appearing and transforming as if from nowhere.

Giles Terrera, John Hopkins and Mark Hadfield give strong support and the staging is excellent. There are some wonderful set pieces and some use of film which actually complement the script. I agree with others though. It's still not quite at the stage where it lets rip into a glorious next level crescendo of hilarity (although I enjoyed the surprise appearance at the end), but I think it will get there. 4*

[greatauntedna]

I wouldn’t recommend the front row, one of the people sat at the table you can’t see is Steve Coogan. There’s about a quarter of it where you can’t see him. I was in A14 which is the actual dead centre.

I found it gently funny, with some big laughs from Steve’s delivery. There’s not a lot to it really and it felt stretched thin.

[jakobo]

I also sat in the front row and found it great value for money. Yeah I missed some bits behind the table but it was more than compensated for by watching Steve as Dr Strangelove from 2 yards and his brilliant facial impressions, comedy gold.

I absolutely loved every second of it. It was way funnier than the film although probably slightly less sinister. Iannucci kept all the themes and added his own brand of humour which took it to another level. Easiest 5 star I gave all year! And Steve Coogan doing 4 characters, so so impressive.

[greatauntedna]

I couldn’t see his face for most of the plane scenes as well.

It was great to see him right in front of you when you could!

[nicenin]

I'm front row next Saturday night. Not too sure to stick with this ticket or try move elsewhere.

[mhumphries]

What's the general finish time for the show?

[nash16]

Oct 20, 2024 16:21:21 GMT mhumphries said:

What's the general finish time for the show?

I thought they’d cut that character?

[staggerstag]

Oct 20, 2024 16:21:21 GMT mhumphries said:

What's the general finish time for the show?

Generally between 21.37 - 21.42
Matineés 16.37 -16.42