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Post by c4ndyc4ne on Jan 25, 2024 15:14:56 GMT
Not a first season, a final. |
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Post by mattnyc on Jan 25, 2024 15:19:50 GMT
Oh, i got so excited when I saw “Secret Garden” listed until I read the description.  |
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Post by zahidf on Jan 25, 2024 15:43:39 GMT
It's not a first season - It's actually the final season which Tim Sheader has programmed even though he's no longer Artistic Director. Drew McOnie is responsible for programming the 2025 season and beyond. I seem to be alone in thinking it's not a bad season at all. A Shakespeare, a new dramatisation of a classic English novel (they've a long tradition of doing those) and a timely revival of a Broadway musical directed by someone who's worked on two of the most exciting recent musical revivals. Also kudos to them for looking at the pricing structure and making over 33,000 tickets available at £15, and all Monday tickets at £15, £25 and £35. With that pricing, ill have a look at Fiddler. Ive seen 12th Night too many times, so will give that a miss. Secret Garden doesnt sound great, but may revisit it if reviews are good |
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Post by erik24601 on Jan 25, 2024 16:07:37 GMT
What an utter snooze-fest.
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Post by Dr Tom on Jan 25, 2024 16:22:47 GMT
To do The Secret Garden and not do the Lucy Simon version is a big disappointment. I guess we wont get that version anytime soon now. Agreed, but I think this is a play rather than a musical (unless I’m reading everything wrong)? |
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Post by mattnyc on Jan 25, 2024 17:00:57 GMT
To do The Secret Garden and not do the Lucy Simon version is a big disappointment. I guess we wont get that version anytime soon now. Agreed, but I think this is a play rather than a musical (unless I’m reading everything wrong)? It looks like a play, yeah. |
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Post by david on Jan 25, 2024 18:30:25 GMT
I had a look at this year's offerings and despite loving the venue, these programmed shows don't really do anything for me I'm afraid to get me visiting there this summer. Hopefully a return next year.
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Post by ThereWillBeSun on Jan 25, 2024 18:38:08 GMT
Well this all saves me some money ! Hoorah! My sentiments exactly (haha) |
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Post by theatremiss on Jan 25, 2024 20:16:17 GMT
Totally underwhelming. Saves me some money then
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Post by mattnyc on Jan 25, 2024 20:23:11 GMT
There really was more excitement for that random photo they posted a few months ago than to anything they actually announced today.
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Post by Jon on Jan 25, 2024 20:30:01 GMT
I personally don't think it's that bad but it will be interesting to see what Drew McOnie does with the Open Air in 2025.
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Post by theoracle on Jan 25, 2024 23:27:57 GMT
His approach to programming the Park has been interesting to say the least and directorial choices have certainly been questionable at times. I’m actually quite concerned by what he might do at the Donmar given that’s a very different audience to OAT and with the ACE cuts the venue faced, it could end up being very rocky indeed
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Post by Jon on Jan 25, 2024 23:38:46 GMT
His approach to programming the Park has been interesting to say the least and directorial choices have certainly been questionable at times. I’m actually quite concerned by what he might do at the Donmar given that’s a very different audience to OAT and with the ACE cuts the venue faced, it could end up being very rocky indeed The Open Air never had funding from ACE so if anything he's got experience in running a theatre without subsidy. |
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Post by toomasj on Jan 26, 2024 3:24:07 GMT
His approach to programming the Park has been interesting to say the least and directorial choices have certainly been questionable at times. I’m actually quite concerned by what he might do at the Donmar given that’s a very different audience to OAT and with the ACE cuts the venue faced, it could end up being very rocky indeed Good point. It will be a big step up going to the Donmar. He’s no Michael Longhurst, Sam Mendes, Michael Grandage or Josie Rourke. His brand (I would use a ruder word if I could) won’t fly there. The sponsors, donors and audience won’t stand for it. There is an expectation of quality. I think we are in pretty much universal agreement the last few seasons at the OAT have been a dark age for the venue. The new programme is - on paper - pretty dire. And I’m sure he knows this. Maybe he has something up his sleeve? |
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Post by bobbievanhusen on Jan 26, 2024 4:31:29 GMT
Good point. It will be a big step up going to the Donmar. He’s no Michael Longhurst, Sam Mendes, Michael Grandage or Josie Rourke. His brand (I would use a ruder word if I could) won’t fly there. The sponsors, donors and audience won’t stand for it. There is an expectation of quality. I think we are in pretty much universal agreement the last few seasons at the OAT have been a dark age for the venue. The new programme is - on paper - pretty dire. And I’m sure he knows this. Maybe he has something up his sleeve? You do love a sweeping statement... You've basically written off his 15+ years of achievements at the Open Air just because you didn't like a few of his shows. How ridiculous. His time there has been very succesful and broken many records for it's productions. Besides, the role is far more than just choosing what shows to do. The outreach programmes, upkeep, bringing in children and young people, community, diversity, pricing, talent, and it's those things that the Donmar will have seen as being a good fit for them. |
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Post by mrnutz on Jan 26, 2024 9:25:25 GMT
I fear for the Donmar!
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Post by MrBunbury on Jan 26, 2024 9:49:13 GMT
I am quite happy with the season. I will definitely book Fiddler and Twelfth night.
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Post by andypandy on Jan 31, 2024 2:17:30 GMT
These are bad choices in current events. Mostly because we neeeeeed to be entertained. La Cage did that.
I won't be visiting next year!
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Post by Being Alive on Jan 31, 2024 8:58:07 GMT
I disagree that we need to be entertained - theatre can be for that but it can be for a whole heap of other stuff too...
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Post by theatrefan62 on Jan 31, 2024 9:22:25 GMT
I would say Fiddler can he entertaining too, like many of the musicals of that era it has lighter and darker moments.
Twelfth Night isn't exactly a heavy show either.
To not do Fiddler because of its Jewish story would be deeply problematic.
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Post by fluxcapacitor on Jan 31, 2024 10:11:01 GMT
To not do Fiddler because of its Jewish story would be deeply problematic. I agree about this, but to not do Fiddler because it's less than five years since the last successful London revival would be a completely acceptable - if not sensible - decision! I'm personally very disappointed in the Fiddler announcement. It just feels... lazy? In fact all their recent attempts feel rather as if a group of people just reeled off some hit musicals off the top of their heads in an ad-hoc meeting and picked one, rather than actually researching countless musicals from the past which are crying out for a revival and could so uniquely benefit from being staged in that space. Such a missed opportunity. |
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Post by Jon on Jan 31, 2024 10:36:36 GMT
To not do Fiddler because of its Jewish story would be deeply problematic. I agree about this, but to not do Fiddler because it's less than five years since the last successful London revival would be a completely acceptable - if not sensible - decision! I'm personally very disappointed in the Fiddler announcement. It just feels... lazy? In fact all their recent attempts feel rather as if a group of people just reeled off some hit musicals off the top of their heads in an ad-hoc meeting and picked one, rather than actually researching countless musicals from the past which are crying out for a revival and could so uniquely benefit from being staged in that space. Such a missed opportunity. I don't think it's lazy to do a musical just because it was done elsewhere especially considering the Open Air is very different to the Menier. Also, there is also a chance they can't get the rights to other musicals and to be blunt some simply won't sell. |
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Post by Someone in a tree on Jan 31, 2024 11:05:28 GMT
fluxcapacitor can i ask what shows you think they should be staging?
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Post by fluxcapacitor on Jan 31, 2024 13:08:28 GMT
I agree about this, but to not do Fiddler because it's less than five years since the last successful London revival would be a completely acceptable - if not sensible - decision! I'm personally very disappointed in the Fiddler announcement. It just feels... lazy? In fact all their recent attempts feel rather as if a group of people just reeled off some hit musicals off the top of their heads in an ad-hoc meeting and picked one, rather than actually researching countless musicals from the past which are crying out for a revival and could so uniquely benefit from being staged in that space. Such a missed opportunity. I don't think it's lazy to do a musical just because it was done elsewhere especially considering the Open Air is very different to the Menier. Also, there is also a chance they can't get the rights to other musicals and to be blunt some simply won't sell. That's not what I'm saying, though. I'm saying it feels lazy to not look outside the box when staging a new revival. The Menier is actually quite good at doing just that - look at The Boy Friend, or Bridges or Madison County; as is the Donmar - e.g. the covid-victim City of Angels, Band's Visit or the (now transferring) Next to Normal. I just personally feel like the Open Air doesn't bother looking for something different with their revivals. It feels like they settle on something recognisable and trust it's enough that the space/approach is different - and I personally feel that's not very exiting. I'm sorry, but I also don't believe for a moment it's to do with rights. Highly likely it's much easier to get the rights to something more obscure than it is for Fiddler or Legally Blonde. fluxcapacitor can i ask what shows you think they should be staging? I'm not an expert in any way, but I just know there's a huge number of shows outside the usual box that haven't been done in a long time which I'd love to see get an airing - especially in a new guise like this theatre can offer. The rumour of Brigadoon sounded - to me - the perfect vehicle: a popular show that hasn't been done in a while, which lends itself beautifully to being performed outside and could benefit from some reworking. The Secret Garden, Annie Get Your Gun (yes, I know there were one off concerts of both), The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas could work; as could Urinetown, Steel Pier, The Boy From Oz... I mean, the list is endless, but that's exactly my point - if I was personally an artistic director at any venue looking for a musical, and my first choice had already been done very recently, I just think I'd automatically set a wider net to try and mount something different. That's all I'm saying. That's what frustrates me about the Open Air's recent announcement. I get equally frustrated at the endless Hamlets and Midsummer Night's Dreams (and Twelfth Night, but I've attacked the Open Air enough!) that are mounted when a venue fancies putting on some Shakespeare  |
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Post by Jon on Jan 31, 2024 13:27:56 GMT
The Open Air Theatre may be a charity but they still need bums on seats which is why you're not going to see big risky shows there. Urinetown and Steel Pier would die a death there.
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