Between Riverside & Crazy - Hampstead Theatre

[theoracle]

Full cast announced:




x.com/whatsonstage/status/1775471408828539004?s=46&t=gT4Kf17HonLpY68QGmkEAA

[alessia]

I’ve just seen this and really liked it. I thought that the acting was terrific and the plot very interesting and exactly up my street (down on his luck old person with demons and difficult family relationships). After a couple of disappointments this year, i needed a good one and this was it. Theatre wasn’t full and was able to move to the front row in the second half. The audience reaction was mixed with some people standing and clapping and others who looked like they couldn’t wait to leave.

[parsley1]

I saw this earlier in the week

I also liked the acting

But I didn’t find the dialogue realistic

I am surprised this play was deemed worthy of a Pulitzer

Some very good scenes but for me it was over long

And I preferred the other plays from the same playwright I have seen

[alessia]

May 11, 2024 18:07:27 GMT parsley1 said:

I saw this earlier in the week

I also liked the acting

But I didn’t find the dialogue realistic

I am surprised this play was deemed worthy of a Pulitzer

Some very good scenes but for me it was over long

And I preferred the other plays from the same playwright I have seen

Interesting- I’m the opposite lol - I never felt like it was dragging, and I thought that the dialogue was spontaneous and natural. I read in the programme that a few elements of this are based on real life people the writer knew (knows?) Only thing was I am sure I missed out on bits and pieces as the accent was strong and I’m not a native speaker. I haven’t seen anything else by this writer.
Keen to see what the press makes of it.

[mrekko]

Thinking of going to this next week. £20 rush tickets available so will wait and grab them on the day

[Dave B]

I like this a lot. Sapani's charisma and sheer presence really makes this work. Lots of interesting pieces in the themes, the conversation with the two current NYPD officers is so loaded and a swerve into magical realism in the second act really drives things along.

Lots of offers around which is a bit of a shame, well worth picking up a ticket.

[theatreliker]

Yes it seems odd that it's gone under the radar. Pulitzer winner and Tony nominee plus some of his other plays have had big productions here.
I like the play a lot myself.

[nash16]

May 15, 2024 19:57:00 GMT theatreliker said:

Yes it seems odd that it's gone under the radar. Pulitzer winner and Tony nominee plus some of his other plays have had big productions here.
I like the play a lot myself.

Normally, when you see “Pulitzer Prize”, it translates as it travels across the pond, to mean “avoid”.

Not sure why this is, but it routinely seems to be the case.

BRAC is a good, not great play.

But still, beware the Pulitzer Priiiiiiiize.

[alicechallice]

May 15, 2024 22:44:15 GMT nash16 said:

May 15, 2024 19:57:00 GMT theatreliker said:

Yes it seems odd that it's gone under the radar. Pulitzer winner and Tony nominee plus some of his other plays have had big productions here.
I like the play a lot myself.

Normally, when you see “Pulitzer Prize”, it translates as it travels across the pond, to mean “avoid”.

Not sure why this is, but it routinely seems to be the case.

BRAC is a good, not great play.

But still, beware the Pulitzer Priiiiiiiize.

There are recent exceptions, of course...

August:Osage County
Ruined
Next to Normal (didn't see myself, but plenty seem to love it)
The Flick
A Strange Loop (an acquired taste but I liked it a lot)

[nash16]

And new additions:

www.theguardian.com/stage/article/2024/may/16/english-review-sanaz-toossi-pulitzer-the-other-place-stratford

[aloysius]

May 15, 2024 22:44:15 GMT nash16 said:

May 15, 2024 19:57:00 GMT theatreliker said:

Yes it seems odd that it's gone under the radar. Pulitzer winner and Tony nominee plus some of his other plays have had big productions here.
I like the play a lot myself.

Normally, when you see “Pulitzer Prize”, it translates as it travels across the pond, to mean “avoid”.

Not sure why this is, but it routinely seems to be the case.

BRAC is a good, not great play.

But still, beware the Pulitzer Priiiiiiiize.

This is my view as well when I saw it in preview. Exciting plot on paper, brilliant lead actor, exceptional director. But that didn't translate into a particularly satisfying experience. I wonder whether the weight of the Pulitzer somehow acts as a bit of an anchor round the neck. It just didn't feel as relevant over here as I suspect it did when it played NYC. It was also let down by a fussy set. Seems a long time since I've gone to the Hampstead and been wowed, was really hoping this would be the one but sadly not.

[Steve]

Saw this at Thursday's matinee and liked it a lot.

Some spoilers follow. . .

Its got a lot of entertaining elements: Danny Sapani being gruff, twists and turns every 15 minutes, unpredictable dramatic confrontations, and therefore it is entertaining.

However, the above elements feel a little Screenwriter 101 in the application, and I found that the other Adly Guergis plays I've seen ("The Last Days of Judas Iscariot," "Jesus Hopped the A Train," and "The Motherf--ker with the Hat) felt less by-the-numbers, more imaginative, so I suspect the Pulitzer for this is a bit like Gary Oldman winning the Oscar for the "Darkest Hour," which felt like career recognition for "Sid and Nancy," "Pr**k up your Ears," and "Meantime" lol.

In any event, Sapani giving gruff is good fun, the twists surprise, and amongst an excellent ensemble, Martins Imhangbe is particularly good as the most real feeling and consistent character, playing Sapani's son.

All in all, I liked this to the tune of 3 and a half stars.

[david]

A few thoughts from tonight’s viewing. Firstly it was a nice surprise to bump into fellow board member jampot tonight. Having got a ticket via a TT offer, there was plenty to like with this one. Whilst I wouldn’t consider this to be a classic in years to come, it was certainly an engaging watch over the 2hrs 30 mins run time and was well received by tonight’s audience at cast bows. With the writing, there was a nice balance between the more dramatic moments and the comedic scenes. As Walter, Danny Sapani for me was worth the ticket price alone. He completely owns the stage and quite rightly his performance in this play is getting great reviews from the press / bloggers. Tiffany Gray as Lulu was also a great watch here. 

Rating - 3⭐️

[mkb]

According to the programme, Max Jones has been designing sets since 2001, so I am surprised at how little attention he has paid to the effect of a set on acoustics. The stage is open apart from a bedroom box on wheels, and the bare walls make for a lot of echo when characters speak. I missed a fair bit of the dialogue as a result. I didn't like the aesthetics of the design either, but at least that is a matter of taste rather than function.

Which is all a shame, as I would probably have rated this production higher if I wasn't becoming frustrated at not being able to discern all the words. (I've not had this issue before at the Hampstead.)

The narrative engrosses, but a couple of times the playwright chooses dramatic shock over realism. While it's far from being an awards-worthy play, the author does draw interesting characters, even if their behaviours sometimes stretch credulity.

There is top-class acting from Danny Sapani who keeps you very much on his side in his fight for justice, despite his character's brash manner, and good performances all round from the other six players.

Three stars.

Act 1: 14:35-15:39
Act 2: 16:00-16:52

[bryan99]

Really enjoyed this last night. Excellent performances and a strong production (notwithstanding, as per the previous poster, the affect on the acoustics). My abiding impression, however, was that it's (already) a 'period piece'. The era of issues-led, sometimes declamatory, often sweary American theatre seems to have come and gone. I'm not saying that's a good thing - I was rather my 'thing' whilst it lasted. Hey Ho.

Question, though. How have Hampstead managed to turn things around after their recent travails? This and next season appears to be mainly own-produced, which is great. Lots of big name writers and directors - also good. Big cash injection from somewhere? More co-productions? They've just got to convince the audience to come back now.....

[jr]

I also saw it last night. I really liked it but thought something was missing. Writing, acting and directing were good, even very good at times, but I felt that it lacked some punch. I liked it better than Jesus hopped the A train but less than The motherf***er with the hat.

For once in a UK production, the Latinx characters were believable (not so sure about the church's lady Portuguese though). I think for me that was the main problem with Jesus' Young Vic production, I wouldn't belive for a moment that the character was Latin.

Danny Sapani was very good and Martins Imhangbe has great stage presence (reading the notes I realised I saw him in Death of a salesman and Barbershop chronicles).
Tiffany Gray was also great and had a lot of energy. I think her scenes were some of the best in the play.

[foxa]

I really enjoyed this. In some ways, it's a very typical American play, largely naturalistic, centred on a family wth a flawed father figure.But it is beautiully acted and directed with some moments, like the end of the first act, which made me gasp. I found it substantial and thought-provoking, We didn't have an issue with the acoustics but we were in Row C, so that might have helped. 4 stars.

[kate8]

I enjoyed this too. Warm, believable and touching performance from Danny Sapani, whose stage work I barely knew before Lear, but his casting would sell me a ticket to whatever he does next. I liked the writing too, good mix of humour and grittier subject matter, and well-drawn relationships. Lulu was a bit of a stereotype but very well acted by Tiffany Grey.

Sadly it seems to be another Hampstead play that‘s sold badly. I’m not sure why - surely plenty of theatregoing-types in this area, and right next to a tube station. I think their marketing is poor, but even so, there must be a way for them to tap into local audiences better.

[Rory]

Apparently the production of Rock'n'Roll was their most successful show, but the three plays which have followed on the Main Stage have all papered. It's a real shame and a bit of a conundrum because their programming has been excellent with top class cast and creatives.

[foxa]

As posters above have said, I don't know why this hasn't sold better - it's a quality production of an award-winning play with a well-known and respected lead actor, director and writer.
Possibly the formerly loyal Hampstead audience was put off by a couple of rough years, but hope they are able to build that back up again.I don't live near, but don't find the journey bad (as kate8 says it is right next to a tube station) and the foyer, etc. are pleasant. We had a really good afternoon.

[Jon]

Hampstead IMO needs new blood and a laser focus on the local audience to get more bums on seats. Greg Ripley-Duggan have done well to steer the ship but perhaps he needs to step aside and let someone or a new team take over.

[mkb]

Don't think there's much wrong with the way this theatre is being run. It's one I always look forward to going to. The staff are welcoming, and I don't think I've regretted seeing a play here, even the ones that didn't work for me.

The main problem is that the loss of funding has meant steep price increases, and that will have an effect on sales, despite being in a wealthy area. People will be pickier.

[Jon]

May 27, 2024 13:32:56 GMT mkb said:

Don't think there's much wrong with the way this theatre is being run. It's one I always look forward to going to. The staff are welcoming, and I don't think I've regretted seeing a play here, even the ones that didn't work for me.

The main problem is that the loss of funding has meant steep price increases, and that will have an effect on sales, despite being in a wealthy area. People will be pickier.

Hampstead Theatre under Ed Hall was mostly excellent but his final years weren't great and Roxana Silbert's tenure wasn't great either. 

A new team taking over IMO isn't a bad thing and sometimes creative renewal at the top can do wonders.

[jek]

I'm not able to get to this. But I have to say that I wish I could, not just because I've enjoyed his other plays, but also having read the review in the Catholic liberal weekly The Tablet. Headed 'Miraculous Sacrilege? A cure sure to shock Catholics' and written by Mark Lawson, it draws parallels with Dennis Potter's Brimstone and Treacle, focusing on the shock of Scene 2, Act 1 of Adly Guirgis' play. Lawson says it is a play that explores the boundaries of faith and concludes that 'It is serious about religion, but that seriousness includes the right to offend'.

[showgirl]

Only a week since I saw this but I had to think hard to work out what on earth Mark Lawson could be referring to. So it can't have been that shocking - though I'm an atheist, not a Catholic.