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Post by Jan on Jun 30, 2021 12:34:15 GMT
Director Max Webster is going to show us the problem with “a privileged white man”, Henry V, being in a position of power. He should know all about that, I suppose.
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Post by jojo on Jun 30, 2021 12:41:45 GMT
The Henry V is going to throw up a lot of commentary that is, or could be about Brexit, so I look forward to seeing how the reviews tie in with each paper's editorial stance.
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Post by bordeaux on Jun 30, 2021 15:32:14 GMT
I would rather they just went ahead with the stuff they'd planned for last year. I predict largely three-star reviews for everything.
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Post by oxfordsimon on Jun 30, 2021 15:32:41 GMT
I hope they don't cut the great discussion about Salic laws of succession. That will really help contextualise H5 as a play about Brexit.
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Post by theatrelover123 on Jun 30, 2021 15:53:58 GMT
With the exception of Marys Seacole (and with reservations about the audience-directed poetry) it sounds pretty boring and unoriginal. The Broadway production of Marys Seacole is currently available for free via BroadwayonDemand - it's pretty hard going and very pretentious in places. Reckon those who liked/enjoyed Fairview might enjoy it - but not many others  |
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Post by lynette on Jul 1, 2021 1:35:20 GMT
Never mind Henry V, Brexit or Shmexit, have they improved , increased number of, the ladies’ toilets?
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Post by Jan on Jul 1, 2021 6:57:24 GMT
I hope they don't cut the great discussion about Salic laws of succession. That will really help contextualise H5 as a play about Brexit. I hope they use the siege of Harfleur scenes to discuss the politics of lockdown. I saw King Lear directed by Max Webster - not much good - but as he took over from another director who was indisposed it may not be representative of his Shakespeare work. |
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Post by floorshow on Jul 8, 2021 21:04:27 GMT
Had a look at prole access today - lots of availability, slow sales?
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Post by theatrelover123 on Jul 8, 2021 21:07:55 GMT
Had a look at prole access today - lots of availability, slow sales? Weirdly slow sales today. No queue at all this morning. Lots of availability. A fair number of interesting shows coming up and prices not drastically different do maybe it’s because of Covid uncertainty. Maybe |
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Post by Jan on Jul 9, 2021 6:27:49 GMT
Had a look at prole access today - lots of availability, slow sales? Weirdly slow sales today. No queue at all this morning. Lots of availability. A fair number of interesting shows coming up and prices not drastically different do maybe it’s because of Covid uncertainty. Maybe I think you're right. I only wanted tickets for Henry V and there was no problem, a range of dates with lots of availability and I got tickets right in the middle of the front row - that has never happened before, normally on public booking I've only got seats at the back and side somewhere after searching multiple dates. It looked like the members mustn't have bought their normal number. As you say the pricing wasn't much different and that hasn't been an issue in the past at the Donmar. |
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Post by NeilVHughes on Jul 9, 2021 6:52:30 GMT
Was also surprised by the number of seats available for all the shows, booked Henry V and will look into the others closer to the date.
Pre COVID I usually had the weekends for the next 3-4 months booked in advance and some shows almost a year out, I had my theatrical life mapped out but nowadays only booking the limited cheap seats released such as National and RSC at the Barbican and choosing what I want to see closer to the date on availability, offers and what takes my fancy. There may be a few I want to see such as Henry V and will book in advance but so far these have been few and far between and my Oct/Nov calendar is extremely sparse.
One other thing is that Thursday has become my Friday going forward, will be working a hybrid model when we finally return to the office and Thursday will be one of my on site days due to the weekly team meeting so it makes sense from a transport perspective and will not have to get up early on Friday for the commute. Going forward once in a routine most of my weekday theatre going will likely align with being in the office.
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Post by Mark on Oct 9, 2021 14:09:19 GMT
Anyone seen Love and Other Acts of Violence yet and can report back on how it is?
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Post by TallPaul on Oct 10, 2021 7:38:42 GMT
Anyone seen Love and Other Acts of Violence yet and can report back on how it is? You've seen it haven't you, Forrest? |
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Post by Forrest on Oct 10, 2021 9:27:47 GMT
Yes TallPaul , thanks for tagging me. :) Sorry Mark , didn't see the question until now. I saw the second preview on Thursday and I very much liked it. The more I think about it, the cleverer I think it is (in a good way), although the premise of it (if I understood it correctly) is very bleak. It is really difficult to say anything without accidentally spoiling it, because it covers what the title suggests, and then some, but if you like plays that explore the relationship between the personal and political (which I do), there is a good chance you'll enjoy it. The two main actors - Mothersdale in particular - are really good (he is given a great chance to show off his range as an actor, and he jumps at it, but then again I don't think I've ever found him less than excellent in anything; she is lovely too). The design changes but the core of it is minimalist, and while at first it struck me as unusual, it soon starts making sense. I'm sorry I cannot be more specific, but I worry I might accidentally reveal something I shouldn't. But I'd say do go and see it, it is very thought-provoking. As an incredibly charming senior gay couple who were sat next to me said after it ended: "This will make for a really interesting discussion on the way home!" |
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Post by Mark on Oct 10, 2021 12:47:22 GMT
Sounds good then! Another one to add to the list.
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Post by david on Oct 12, 2021 20:56:24 GMT
Forrest , having seen Love and Other Acts of Violence tonight, I totally agree with you about what you can write about this play without spoilers, it’s a tough one to write about! Like you, I thought the two leads were great, especially Mothersdale who I particularly liked. The production certainly gave him plenty to work with over the 90 minutes. I must admit I was a bit perplexed with the bare staging at first but as the play unfolds I can see why that decision was taken and it did make sense by the end. It’s definitely a play that provides food for thought and it’s one I think I’ll be pondering over during the next few days. Overall, it’s certainly a engaging play that I would recommend giving a watch.
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Post by catcat100 on Oct 12, 2021 21:45:34 GMT
Saw this tonight as well and also on the one to go and see side.
Again for fear of spoilers will be a bit brief. Ultimately its a love story in what is a slowly deteriorating future. But a bit of a no holds barred love story including the violence of different sorts.
Its also more than that and lots of the little things in the early part of the play raise their heads later on to various degrees.
Have to say that its probably the first serious play that I've properly enjoyed since lockdown. I've been veering towards musicals and comedies but this has hopefully brought me back to enjoying plays with a kick again.
Also, a welcome return to a good Donmar play. Thought the last few before lockdown were getting a bit 'judgey'. This brings them right back to form and looking forward to the next one.
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Post by londonpostie on Oct 13, 2021 12:08:28 GMT
I liked aspects. Fwiw, the Donmar blurb suggests inheritance as a significant theme>> {Spoiler - click to view}
I’m disappointed with myself because I let the politics distract me. In as far as it goes, the politics feels unsophisticated but once you look past that at what she’s trying to do the work is interesting. Perhaps that’s what attracted Tom Mothersdale.
To make brief observations on the politics; in the passage where the woman was asked to compromise on her University lectures, in the modern world that’s pressure from the Woke Left (science vs. feelings). Also, in the modern world, fascism here is indicated, for example, by the aggression of the police, as well as them becoming armed. So, if the idea is pressure can come from both sides, fair enough. I also found the fascism thing unanchored, a bit … Children of Men.
So, the art. We seem to have an interesting structure of two time periods divided by about 100 years: fear abounds in uncertain times, barbarians are either at the gate (now) or have already climbed over (the past).
They' are requisitioning her home and they know her real name, they made a point of telling her; they’re all after them Jews again.
The consequence of looking at the past after the present, is that the 3rd Act - and the story arcs - all conclude in the past, as well. Which is tricky: the story happens now and then it all ends in the past. I was distracted at that point by the politics so lost detail.
It’s confident writing – great to see writers exploring structures. Good to see emotional violence portrayed, as well. And carved animals.
If someone can help with her rationale for not having a child (she’s frightened of giving birth because of events from 75 years ago and carries the entire Holocaust with her?). I mean we’re all fearful for the future, but that’s the story of human history: there has never been a time otherwise. Look at the 29th Century: 27 million Soviets died in WW2, the threat of nuclear war for half a century, two World Wars in 30 years .. it’s not a competition but, tbh, I’d take climate change. You live longer.
Also, anyone think the unnamed guy (Mothersdale) was ADHD? Did I miss the part where we learned what attracted her to him?
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Post by londonpostie on Oct 13, 2021 12:22:49 GMT
p.s. well done Abigail Weinstock in your first pro job; off stage for one change in 90-minutes!
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Post by Forrest on Oct 13, 2021 12:40:45 GMT
londonpostie , I think the premise of it... {Spoiler - click to view}
...in relation to the story going back, is that, in addition to the trauma that we are aware of, and all that/who "we know we are", we all also carry around this embedded, inherited trauma coming from the experiences of our ancestors, which we did not personally live through, but it shapes us. To my knowledge, there is some scientific research that backs this up. I understood that the story goes back to "prove" what I think she had felt all along: that their relationship wasn't meant to be, because there was something constantly standing between them. (There's a hint of her fear of that when they establish both their ancestors are Polish, from the same city - she is adamant that it would be better if the families had never met each other, and he seems slightly oblivious what she is pointing at, he seems to find the idea just an amusing possibility.) In the end, she literally kills him in the trenches of their own war, as a sort of a revenge act for the injustice that was brought on her family that she has had to live with all these years. And yes, hence the childlessness, too: from the fear she literally carries in her DNA. I think their acting conveys their burdens as well as positions of power well and quite beautifully, too: he is charming, so in love, naive and wears his heart on his sleeve, but some of the violence of his ancestors comes out in sudden bursts; she is much more cold and distant, and she has a bit of a demeaning view of him at times, as a remnant of her family's pride, perhaps?
In terms of the lectures, I don't think the pressure came from the "woke" (gosh how I hate that word!) left, but from the radical right: it was pressure to help build a culture of supremacy (think "white aryan", in Nazi times) by twisting the facts to "acknowledge" that "scientifically", I think the phrase they used was something like "that there are obvious differences" to highlight those "less suitable". That was my reading of it.
And no to ADHD, I think he is just... a poet. An embodiment of slight contradictions at times: determined, driven (perhaps even a little narcissistic), romantic and passionate one moment, a little feeble and gentle the next.
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Post by londonpostie on Oct 13, 2021 13:37:21 GMT
aha! That is very helpful. Goodness I missed a lot - serves me right for not giving fullest attention. Thank you, @forrest
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Post by Forrest on Oct 13, 2021 14:07:57 GMT
londonpostie, you (and the rest of the board) know by now that I joyfully jump at any opportunity to go on and on (and on...) about the plays I've loved, and the more I think about this one the more I think I like it. So it's a definite win-win! :) I am impatiently waiting for more members' impressions to pour in (and to go back to see it again!).
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Post by NeilVHughes on Oct 13, 2021 15:02:54 GMT
Good to hear the positive feedback, was unable to take up the offers received this week and hopefully will get further offers before the run ends as on my list of plays I want to see.
So many deals I’m fighting the urge to splurge and aiming/trying to limit my Theatre visits to twice a week at the moment.
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Post by londonpostie on Oct 13, 2021 15:54:56 GMT
Same for me. Wary of over cooking things.
Fwiw, this one is 90-mins straight through.
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Post by londonpostie on Oct 15, 2021 12:45:47 GMT
Booked a return visit for Monday; too frustrating not having this clear in my head  |
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