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Post by BurlyBeaR on Jun 28, 2024 19:10:52 GMT
But what would the Royal Company do? Something that doesn’t involve yet another reinterpretation of a story that’s been told a million times? The RSC have other stuff going on, go do that. |
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Post by kate8 on Jun 29, 2024 7:40:17 GMT
But what would the Royal Company do? Something that doesn’t involve yet another reinterpretation of a story that’s been told a million times? The RSC have other stuff going on, go do that. I sometimes wish there could be no musicals for a year, but usually I try to tolerate others‘ tastes that I don’t share😉. Anyway, I’m glad 2024 hasn’t been chosen for the Shakespeare ban or I’d have missed the Donmar Macbeth, Almeida Lear and RSC Dream & Love‘s Labour‘s Lost. I didn’t enjoy R&J, but I still spent a lot of time thinking about why JL & the actors made these choices, what were they trying to do, and comparing it to other productions. Being able to see multiple productions and really get to know the plays through different interpretations is part of the appeal of Shakespeare for me. |
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Post by BurlyBeaR on Jun 29, 2024 8:57:04 GMT
I have no doubt you’d have got it all in 2025 instead! Anyway I wasn't being entirely serious but even so after doing this job for 8 years now I do see occasional signs of fatigue even amongst the faithfuls.
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Post by lolaluffneggle on Jun 29, 2024 20:24:46 GMT
Reading this thread I wasn’t expecting the huge standing ovation at the matinee today
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Post by theatreprince on Jul 2, 2024 10:08:36 GMT
Is there a reliable runtime for this?
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Post by lolaluffneggle on Jul 2, 2024 11:21:19 GMT
Is there a reliable runtime for this? 2 hours 30 for me on Saturday |
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Post by christya on Jul 2, 2024 11:53:40 GMT
Well, turns out I can't go to my original date so I got onto ATG about exchanging - they'll do it alright, but want an extra £200 so that's a 'nope'.
Ticket has gone off for resale via the theatre, I'm not sure how it works but there'll be a £145 ticket for Thur 25th available soon. Apparently they have to honour the original price.
Not having much luck with Shakespeare this week!
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Post by BVM on Jul 3, 2024 9:21:49 GMT
Reading this thread I wasn’t expecting the huge standing ovation at the matinee today I think it's a good example of the echo chambers we all live in! It's speaking to an audience out there who aren't in the main frequenters of this forum. |
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Post by Sam on Jul 3, 2024 9:37:07 GMT
90% of the time, if I stand it's because the people in front of me have stood, and I wouldn't be able to see otherwise.
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Post by theatrefan62 on Jul 3, 2024 10:25:37 GMT
Reading this thread I wasn’t expecting the huge standing ovation at the matinee today I think it's a good example of the echo chambers we all live in! It's speaking to an audience out there who aren't in the main frequenters of this forum. I don't think it's speaking to people. It's just that 90% of that audience are there for Tom Holland and would stand regardless, especially with the psychology of having spent so much on a ticket vs enjoyment of something. Tom Holland fans are a hard and loyal bunch who love and gush about every little thing he does. |
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Post by ntherooh on Jul 4, 2024 21:48:56 GMT
This one was not for me. Absolutely loved Sunset and planning to see it again on broadway, but I almost fell asleep multiple times during today’s matinee and felt absolutely no emotions throughout. Some top grade acting here for sure, but it all feels very forcibly cut off. To the actors detriment. Only so much you can bring playing almost a full show standing still, staring at the audience.
The very heavy music before curtain seemed to promise something the actual show never delivered. Did think the end of act one was spectacular.
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Post by blamerobots on Jul 5, 2024 12:56:13 GMT
Reading this thread I wasn’t expecting the huge standing ovation at the matinee today I think it's a good example of the echo chambers we all live in! It's speaking to an audience out there who aren't in the main frequenters of this forum. When I saw it, I made a point of asking the first random person I could find what they thought, and I think the case is a lot of people are incredibly bored during it but will stand because they're there FOR Tom Holland and nothing else. If you're not there for Tom Holland and you're there for Jamie Lloyd or for the Shakespeare, you are outside of the target audience.  |
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Post by mattnyc on Jul 5, 2024 15:09:45 GMT
The other night the couple next to me didn’t come back anfter the interval and I noticed some other empty seats in the RC before the start of act two, as well. Applause at the end was VERY muted and the standing ovation (as expected) was begrudgingly done so people could see the stage and really not for lack of excitement - and yes I looked carefully as I was fascinated by people’s reactions.
This is just a boring retread of things Lloyd has already done. It’s like he took his “Sunset” script (which was already a lot of things he’d done previously) and just replaced the names and kept all the schtick the same. It was tired and really it’s time to say goodbye to these “minimalist” shows that charge £200 for what’s essentially a reading of the script with fog and some cameras.
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Post by parsley1 on Jul 5, 2024 16:30:01 GMT
The other night the couple next to me didn’t come back anfter the interval and I noticed some other empty seats in the RC before the start of act two, as well. Applause at the end was VERY muted and the standing ovation (as expected) was begrudgingly done so people could see the stage and really not for lack of excitement - and yes I looked carefully as I was fascinated by people’s reactions. This is just a boring retread of things Lloyd has already done. It’s like he took his “Sunset” script (which was already a lot of things he’d done previously) and just replaced the names and kept all the schtick the same. It was tired and really it’s time to say goodbye to these “minimalist” shows that charge £200 for what’s essentially a reading of the script with fog and some cameras. No one forcing patrons to book |
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Post by mattnyc on Jul 5, 2024 16:31:38 GMT
The other night the couple next to me didn’t come back anfter the interval and I noticed some other empty seats in the RC before the start of act two, as well. Applause at the end was VERY muted and the standing ovation (as expected) was begrudgingly done so people could see the stage and really not for lack of excitement - and yes I looked carefully as I was fascinated by people’s reactions. This is just a boring retread of things Lloyd has already done. It’s like he took his “Sunset” script (which was already a lot of things he’d done previously) and just replaced the names and kept all the schtick the same. It was tired and really it’s time to say goodbye to these “minimalist” shows that charge £200 for what’s essentially a reading of the script with fog and some cameras. No one forcing patrons to book Double checking what I wrote but I don’t believe I said anyone was. |
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Post by twed on Jul 8, 2024 21:03:29 GMT
Front row single ticket for Friday 12th July, on the noticeboard if anyone wants it for face value (£28.95). It's a key worker/U30s ticket. Thanks!
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Post by JustJ on Jul 11, 2024 12:37:35 GMT
I saw this last week and honestly hated it. No emotions, super boring, and if I had an aisle seat, I would've walked out 10 minutes into the second act—it got that bad. Feels like a rushed attempt to cash in on something like Sunset Boulevard, but it really didn't work.
I wish I had spent my money (and evening) elsewhere - and if I had spent the prices they are charging now - I would be appalled.
It's safe to say, I will not be recommending this to anyone - but hey, I know some who have enjoyed it so each to their own!
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Post by blamerobots on Jul 11, 2024 12:49:08 GMT
and if I had an aisle seat, I would've walked out 10 minutes into the second act—it got that bad. I was bang in the middle, and made the horrific mistake of thinking Act 2 would be better. Little did I know... |
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Post by blamerobots on Jul 11, 2024 13:40:15 GMT
Reflecting on this about two weeks later, my belated review: Walking out the Duke of York, I wondered where the "bite" was. At some point, I think my mind has come to one conclusion. I'm likely going to get absolutely flamed for saying this, but I think Jamie Lloyd has played the biggest, cruelest prank on the West End since... I don't know when. Either deriving from burnout, his emotional state, how much work he's doing from his newfound popularity, etc. etc. To me, it feels entirely deliberate. Two productions I'd seen: Sunset had an emotional and satirical core playing somewhat off NS's star power but the heart of the material still shone through. Cyrano pushed the concept of the verse and artistry of poetry to the forefront through modern reinterpretation an audience can understand. All the decisions he made in those productions weren't done simply just for style, they still served a meaning. I know I must sound stupid, but emotionally (and maybe even spiritually) this production almost feels like Jamie Lloyd crying out for someone to see something. The way it was so drawn out and devoid of the imagination and flair and meaning of Cyrano and Sunset made me feel like he was almost leaning into and parodying himself... like with microphones on stands, the end with taking off the microphones, random appearances on the roof. Cameras stupidly circling around actors not acting to anything, and running about with a lack of direction. What do these things mean to enhance the story of the Shakespearean legend of Romeo and Juliet? Why pick Romeo and Juliet, for the millionth time!?
I think it truly hit when I was going over the programme. Tom Holland's page is basically an autobiography - small print text basically explaining his life, uselessly explaining the plot of the films he had been in. And then, turning the page to Francesca Amewudah-Rivers' profile, I laughed. And then I sort of stared at the page. And then I frowned. This has to be deliberate. There's cynicism dripping from everything!. Because, the average teen girl or person isn't there for JL, or the incredible company of actors trying their damn best out there. They're there for Tom Holland. It feels like a prank. To me, with how he is utilised in this production it's like he's said. "You bought these tickets FOR Tom Holland, here he is. Now, I'm leaving. Enjoy the show!" and he's left some guy to throw together a fascimile of a Jamie Lloyd production. Recycling everything, not truly inventing anything new. It's the big leadup when he's walking down the corridor on stage, beamed onto the screen above, hood up like some kind of monk. The way it goes past all the backstage tech, spare radios and random plastic boxes lining the walls. He's hitting us over the head so hard with the backstage thing it feels like parody. What does this mean?? He just walks on stage without much fanfare. Because in the end, does Tom Holland being in this really matter? He could be anyone. Anyone could literally play that role. The reason most of the people there anticipate him coming on stage is BECAUSE he is Tom Holland. It felt like a critique of "star power" in a completely inverted way from Sunset Boulevard. For the critics who said that Sunset was riding on the stunt cast alone, he's truly putting to the forefront that the reason these productions work isn't because there's a big star in it. Without a director leading a talented cast through a well thought through interpretation of the story there to helm the ship, it is devoid of life, boring. The problem is that the audience has fallen for this prank in droves. There's still an SO every night, regardless of what's in front of them. I think people need to think more about why it is an awful show. Why he must have done this. What is he trying to say? What was all that backstage drama about? What were the actors told to do?
Of course, this all could be nothing. Jamie Lloyd could have truly just made a real bomb. But I want to believe he has more to say.
Theatre doesn't have to be fun, or satisfying. A show can be abrasive, irritating, truly boring. I think the problem here is people understanding WHY a show is abrasive or boring. Is it because the director just doesn't care? If so, why do they not care?
I'm not saying Jamie Lloyd is the biggest genius ever and he's amazing for making this truly subversive bit of theatre, blah blah blah. It's an awful show. My 2* rating is staying and not budging. I might even revote down to 1 at some point. But I don't regret seeing it. And I think there must be something more to this that is up for discussion.
Edit: Retyped some caps lock stuff cus I wrote it on my phone with proper formatting 🥲
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Post by Jon on Jul 11, 2024 13:43:27 GMT
^I know everyone allows to post the way they want but I do think caps locks overuse is a bit OTT.
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Post by blamerobots on Jul 11, 2024 13:45:00 GMT
^I know everyone allows to post the way they want but I do think caps locks overuse is a bit OTT. Yeah, I do apologise. I'd rather make it bold or use italics but I wrote this mostly on my phone 🥲 Maybe when I get on my PC I'll edit it |
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Post by zed on Jul 12, 2024 16:13:37 GMT
Was just about to head out and received an ATG email that today's show is cancelled: "Unfortunately, due to illness within the company, the performance of Romeo & Juliet tonight at the Duke of York's Theatre will no longer go ahead as planned."
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Post by Rory on Jul 12, 2024 16:34:24 GMT
This sort of thing is a regular occurrence these days.
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Post by artstudent231 on Jul 12, 2024 16:49:48 GMT
Was just about to head out and received an ATG email that today's show is cancelled: "Unfortunately, due to illness within the company, the performance of Romeo & Juliet tonight at the Duke of York's Theatre will no longer go ahead as planned." Me too 😞 and it says will be in touch with options in the coming days but the only option will be refund or pay the difference from original booking price to the current £345-£395 ticket price so that’s the end of that! |
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Post by A.Ham on Jul 12, 2024 17:15:22 GMT
Was just about to head out and received an ATG email that today's show is cancelled: "Unfortunately, due to illness within the company, the performance of Romeo & Juliet tonight at the Duke of York's Theatre will no longer go ahead as planned." Me too 😞 and it says will be in touch with options in the coming days but the only option will be refund or pay the difference from original booking price to the current £345-£395 ticket price so that’s the end of that! Based on the general response on this thread, perhaps they’ve done you a favour… |
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