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Post by Rory on Mar 27, 2024 12:50:10 GMT
This comment from the always thoughtful critic Marianka Swain, got me thinking. After describing misogny depicted, she starts off describing Myrtle then turns to Sheridan Smith: "It’s also troubling to see the company’s blithe disregard for their lead’s wellbeing, to the point where she’s lying catatonic on the floor. I hope that’s one area where life doesn’t imitate art, and that Smith has great support for this courageous – and personally cathartic – performance." I've sometimes seen shows where the 'Creatives' list includes a 'health and wellbeing' expert, or 'mental health advisor', but nothing is listed on the website for this show. I'm not suggesting this isn't taken care of in some way, for the whole cast to access (not just Smith), but it does feel like a show where signaling the care taken might be something an audience would like to know, to feel more receptive to watch. Swain's full review: www.londontheatre.co.uk/reviews/opening-night-review-gielgud-theatre Swain's comment is ill-informed. Wessex Grove are quite ahead of the curve in providing support, and proactively engage on their shows with Applause for Thought to support the company. Sheridan Smith said as much herself in her Front Row interview. Their company care is also endorsed in Nicola Hughes' Instagram post today. |
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Post by Being Alive on Mar 27, 2024 13:00:52 GMT
Sheridan has been very vocal throughout the press for this that there is support available for her when she needs it.
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Post by max on Mar 27, 2024 13:11:11 GMT
To be fair to Swain, and myself, she 'hopes it's in place' and isn't casting any aspersions. Good to hear that it is in place, I'm just saying that the show's own website would be a good place to get that reassuring information across, and I expect Swain would have looked/checked as I did. There's a difference between being 'ill-informed' (i.e 'you go it wrong') and 'not being informed', due to the material not being readily available, other than via the lucky dip of Insta or clicking the right interview amongst a sea of some that I have watched but didn't specifically cover the support provided. Interviews I've seen and read got as far as it being a brave close to the bone choice, but nobody took it to the next stage: are you sure this is wise to revisit this mental state? Which would then elicit Smith's response about support being in place.
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Post by ladidah on Mar 27, 2024 13:33:53 GMT
It's very telling that I can get a Rush ticket for tonight in the stalls.
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Post by distantcousin on Mar 27, 2024 14:26:00 GMT
The more I read about this show, the more I like it. I wonder how long that will last when I'm watching it - lol. Same, TBH! I can't wait for 18 April! |
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Post by max on Mar 27, 2024 14:48:57 GMT
The more I read about this show, the more I like it. I wonder how long that will last when I'm watching it - lol. Same, TBH! I can't wait for 18 April! Having just remembered I started a thread, a while ago, titled something like "Bring back the feel bad musical" I'm now feeling a responsibility to like it! |
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Post by osbert on Mar 27, 2024 14:49:52 GMT
This comment from the always thoughtful critic Marianka Swain, got me thinking. After describing misogny depicted, she starts off describing Myrtle then turns to Sheridan Smith: "It’s also troubling to see the company’s blithe disregard for their lead’s wellbeing, to the point where she’s lying catatonic on the floor. I hope that’s one area where life doesn’t imitate art, and that Smith has great support for this courageous – and personally cathartic – performance." I've sometimes seen shows where the 'Creatives' list includes a 'health and wellbeing' expert, or 'mental health advisor', but nothing is listed on the website for this show. I'm not suggesting this isn't taken care of in some way, for the whole cast to access (not just Smith), but it does feel like a show where signaling the care taken might be something an audience would like to know, to feel more receptive to watch. Swain's full review: www.londontheatre.co.uk/reviews/opening-night-review-gielgud-theatreThe programme for the show has mental health experts/advisors listed as part of the show's creative team. |
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Post by Deleted on Mar 27, 2024 14:50:29 GMT
A mental health and well being expert on is show is a new thing. I understand the intimacy experts on set or people needing advice and support when playing "damaged people" on stage and screen. Plus when a "difficult" subject is approached the the performer/director has the means to speak to actual people who have experienced this or someone from that field is used as an advisor.
On musicals certainly there would likely be cast members who have done yoga even mindfulness training so can lead relaxation sessions and organizations often do have trained wellness people or a number you can ring. So big theatrical organizations and Equity etc having this available too would make sense.
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Post by Deleted on Mar 27, 2024 14:53:09 GMT
Casey and Laura are both excellent in the role from what I've heard from fans who have seen the show so no-one is getting short changed. Some people will try and go to see both ladies in the tole to see what different inflections they bring to it etc.
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7,054 posts
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Post by Jon on Mar 27, 2024 14:55:48 GMT
I understand many criticisms of this show, really I do, but for All That Dazzles to say Ivo Van Hove has (and I quote) "a severe lack of understanding for theatre and its connectivity in general" is objectively hilarious. I get the sense some people really hate Ivo and want him to lose his career. |
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Post by max on Mar 27, 2024 15:09:07 GMT
I understand many criticisms of this show, really I do, but for All That Dazzles to say Ivo Van Hove has (and I quote) "a severe lack of understanding for theatre and its connectivity in general" is objectively hilarious. I get the sense some people really hate Ivo and want him to lose his career. I don't think so - lots of good things have been said about his other work, in the process of castigating this. I wish he'd revive Bowie's 'Lazarus' or at least put the streamed recording out on DVD - mesmerising; and Amy Lennox really had a substantial role in that, and was as brilliant as everyone else. Perhaps to restore his pride it might happen, as his Jesus Christ Superstar wasn't fantastically received, so it's not been the best time for him since 'A Little Life'. But the latter will have its Broadway life soon, while 'Opening Night' may struggle to go further than London as the USA reviewers haven't seen the good in it that some UK reviewers have. Van Hove has a New York hit next/soon, with 'A Little Life'; he'll be fine. |
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Post by nash16 on Mar 27, 2024 15:19:43 GMT
Wow, this show got crucified. Surely it can't last all the way till July with that reception?  They’ve already got the publicity images out with the 4* reviews and quote bites from their saviours the Daily Fail, Guardian, and Time Out. Without them they’d be in trouble. |
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Post by nash16 on Mar 27, 2024 15:22:25 GMT
Some reviews talk about the very awkward curtain call, as discussed by many here too. On the evidence of this tweeted video, it seems just an extension of the wry/baleful view of the so-called 'glamour of theatre' - they're taking the P: benefiting from the false bonhomie of the audience/cast end-of-show dynamic 'hey - we made a show happen!' while mocking it. Talk about 'have your cake and eat it': Each cast member does various self-deprecating flourishes (which are therefore self-praising) until the final one shows his arse to the audience. Lol. Something about watching it back making it more mortifying than watching it live. And you see the audience on their feet and clapping as the inane tune goes on, and you think what the hell do we become when we’re in the theatre? The definition of sheep? It maddening and also hilarious. |
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Post by Being Alive on Mar 27, 2024 15:47:44 GMT
...I quite like the curtain call 👀
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Post by BurlyBeaR on Mar 27, 2024 15:59:22 GMT
The guy turning and showing his bum to the audience is… well. I don’t know what to say. The whole thing looks odd. And awkward.
Maybe it will find its audience amongst the London intelligentsia and the black polo neck brigade who’ll discuss at dinner parties how it was too clever for the west end.
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Post by max on Mar 27, 2024 18:34:24 GMT
The guy turning and showing his bum to the audience is… well. I don’t know what to say. The whole thing looks odd. And awkward. Maybe it will find its audience amongst the London intelligentsia and the black polo neck brigade who’ll discuss at dinner parties how it was too clever for the west end. I think we're supposed to stand and applaud, while laughing at the performative nature of our own Pavlov's dogs response to a cast who are taking the rise out of curtain call walk downs and how easily those can manipulate audiences. Maybe they could lead the audience in a chorus of 'musicals are sh*t' and the audience could respond with a chant of 'we want our money back', before going to the foyer to buy some expensive merch on the way out; but buying it ironically, in order to then chuck it in the nearest bin on Shaftesbury Avenue.  |
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Post by max on Mar 27, 2024 18:44:15 GMT
Some reviews talk about the very awkward curtain call, as discussed by many here too. On the evidence of this tweeted video, it seems just an extension of the wry/baleful view of the so-called 'glamour of theatre' - they're taking the P: benefiting from the false bonhomie of the audience/cast end-of-show dynamic 'hey - we made a show happen!' while mocking it. Talk about 'have your cake and eat it': Each cast member does various self-deprecating flourishes (which are therefore self-praising) until the final one shows his arse to the audience. Lol. Something about watching it back making it more mortifying than watching it live. And you see the audience on their feet and clapping as the inane tune goes on, and you think what the hell do we become when we’re in the theatre? The definition of sheep?
It maddening and also hilarious. I think that's entirely their point. Does seem a bit contemptuous of anyone who thought they were seeing a nice linear musical with Sheridan Smith in it, and doesn't realise that they are the butt of the joke here. Nevertheless, I'm now addicted to this, and if you watch each performer individually they are doing a selection of archetypal ingratiating bows. Where Jamie Lloyd had a 'don't even smile' shtick at Sunset Boulevard, here they are *prosecuting* the nature of ovations. (aah 'prosecuting' - I had to, because you just know that's what was said in rehearsing this sequence). At the start of the video, the woman in white seems to also show her butt to the audience (memo to ALW for WIW revival); Sheridan Smith half heartedly seems to join in. 'You're the butt of the joke' reference? I've just noticed that 'bum man' is the only one who comes back for a second go. There's no holding him! |
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Post by BVM on Mar 27, 2024 22:50:14 GMT
Still not seen this, but there is something deeply intriguing about it all!
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Post by nash16 on Mar 27, 2024 23:14:35 GMT
Well done to the marketing team who are now swiftly deleting any negative comments on their Facebook page for the show.
Enfield Haunting thingy just left them there for all to see, but O.N. team are on it!
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Post by greatauntedna on Mar 27, 2024 23:32:27 GMT
I saw it a second time this evening, after seeing the first preview. It’s better but not much better. Ivo van Hove should have let someone else write the book.
I love Magic! I want to see the show that belongs in, and the Broadway one, and the one with Myrtle and the writer, and the I’m ready for battle one. It’s like flicking between two channels.
The last scene has changed a lot and it’s better.
The ex-boyfriend is a drip, the director is just horrible to watch and the producer is a little bit interesting. I think they’re deliberately like that, but they’re not enjoyable to watch. The ex-boyfriend now redeems himself somewhat in the last scene.
Nancy is just stupid really, she doesn’t fit the tone of the rest of it. It skirts with being a fantasy thing, I wish it leaned into that more.
I didn’t care about Myrtle and the ex-boyfriend’s relationship until the last scene, I guess you’re meant to? Amy Lennox is completely wasted. Her and the director need to be fleshed out characters for the quartet to work.
I think we need to know more about the play and the play needs to be more exciting. Act 2 I think and the producer is moping about Broadway and theatre being tough, but the incidents with the play feel minor, I suppose because everyone acts pretty indifferently when say Myrtle starts singing in the play. Everything but Myrtle feels undercooked. Get all the people stood about with their arms crossed off the stage, they’re depressing.
That rally the troops song, it’s just so unearned and inappropriate for what we’ve seen of the play. It doesn’t feel like they’ve been through a struggle, it doesn’t feel touch and go.
I still don’t know how she comes to her conclusion in the last scene. I like the first woman, second woman thing and it’s nice when they acknowledge she’s been imagining Nancy, it feels like it knows what it is for once. It’s just so haphazard. That Trojan woman song, ugh.
I love how they do Nancy’s death, but it should have been in the street, I don’t get that. Unless it’s some ironic thing, the drunk scene is meant to be comparatively trivial.
At the end, you want to feel like you’ve gone somewhere with Myrtle, but it’s Sheridan you’ve been with, Myrtle’s journey you just get little fleeting vignettes of that don’t add up to anything.
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Post by forfivemoreminutes on Mar 28, 2024 0:41:11 GMT
I love how they do Nancy’s death, but it should have been in the street, I don’t get that. are they still using the stuff that looks like ketchup? |
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Post by greatauntedna on Mar 28, 2024 1:07:14 GMT
I love how they do Nancy’s death, but it should have been in the street, I don’t get that. are they still using the stuff that looks like ketchup? Yeah! Nancy opens a door and goes inside and then gets hit, I can’t remember her doing that originally. |
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Post by simon on Mar 28, 2024 8:45:42 GMT
So is Nancy no longer throttled with the standard lamp?
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Post by greatauntedna on Mar 28, 2024 10:57:05 GMT
So is Nancy no longer throttled with the standard lamp? She still is and it still goes on for ages. They err overlay the footage on itself to make it more dreamlike/interesting to look at! |
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Post by hannechalk on Mar 28, 2024 10:58:45 GMT
Is it me or does the audience remain seated for the bows?
I don't get the 'obligatory' standing ovation.
If I feel it deserves it, I do it - but when I don't I'm often the only one seated.
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