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Post by showgirl on Oct 10, 2024 2:53:56 GMT
I saw this at yesterday's matinee and agree with many of the earlier comments. It was an all-but-full house and as you might expect, given that it was a weekday matinee and a play focusing (imaginatively) on Alzheimer's, there was hardly anyone in the audience below pension age. The staging enhances it a lot and all the performances are good. I enjoyed the credible family interactions and conflicts; less so the more mystical, poetical flights of fancy, largely focused around the husband whom I found supremely irritating. He seemed an implausible partner for the down-to-earth, hard-headed businesswoman, ruthless at times, whom we're told Queenie was, though the reason she became that way is explained as the play develops. I didn't find it moving but that's probably because I don't come from the background or culture depicted or even from a family with surviving older relatives, close or otherwise and the writing did a good job of conveying what it is like in those circumstances.
Two things I really disliked and found distracting, but not during the play themselves: there's a really pervasive, strong, unpleasant smell throughout the foyers as you enter, though there was no warning about this; also very loud music so there's nowhere quiet or pleasant to sit if you arrive early and want to read or have a break.
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Post by hamletothello on Oct 10, 2024 4:40:28 GMT
I saw this at yesterday's matinee and agree with many of the earlier comments. It was an all-but-full house and as you might expect, given that it was a weekday matinee and a play focusing (imaginatively) on Alzheimer's, there was hardly anyone in the audience below pension age. The staging enhances it a lot and all the performances are good. I enjoyed the credible family interactions and conflicts; less so the more mystical, poetical flights of fancy, largely focused around the husband whom I found supremely irritating. He seemed an implausible partner for the down-to-earth, hard-headed businesswoman, ruthless at times, whom we're told Queenie was, though the reason she became that way is explained as the play develops. I didn't find it moving but that's probably because I don't come from the background or culture depicted or even from a family with surviving older relatives, close or otherwise and the writing did a good job of conveying what it is like in those circumstances. Two things I really disliked and found distracting, but not during the play themselves: there's a really pervasive, strong, unpleasant smell throughout the foyers as you enter, though there was no warning about this; also very loud music so there's nowhere quiet or pleasant to sit if you arrive early and want to read or have a break. I was told by NT staff that the sounds and smells in the foyer are intended to immerse you in the world of the play before you enter the auditorium. |
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Post by parsley1 on Oct 10, 2024 7:35:26 GMT
I saw this at yesterday's matinee and agree with many of the earlier comments. It was an all-but-full house and as you might expect, given that it was a weekday matinee and a play focusing (imaginatively) on Alzheimer's, there was hardly anyone in the audience below pension age. The staging enhances it a lot and all the performances are good. I enjoyed the credible family interactions and conflicts; less so the more mystical, poetical flights of fancy, largely focused around the husband whom I found supremely irritating. He seemed an implausible partner for the down-to-earth, hard-headed businesswoman, ruthless at times, whom we're told Queenie was, though the reason she became that way is explained as the play develops. I didn't find it moving but that's probably because I don't come from the background or culture depicted or even from a family with surviving older relatives, close or otherwise and the writing did a good job of conveying what it is like in those circumstances. Two things I really disliked and found distracting, but not during the play themselves: there's a really pervasive, strong, unpleasant smell throughout the foyers as you enter, though there was no warning about this; also very loud music so there's nowhere quiet or pleasant to sit if you arrive early and want to read or have a break. It is incense |
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Post by parsley1 on Oct 10, 2024 18:38:10 GMT
It was a few days before PN, oddly, that I noticed that the run - well, matinees, certainly, as those are the performances I can attend - was suddenly almost sold out, so maybe it was word of mouth? The positive reviews which followed can only have helped. However, as so often with the NT, a swathe of tickets appeared shortly before the next couple of performances so I bagged one of the more affordable ones as though that was more expensive than they can be via Friday Rush, doing the latter is difficult or impossible on a working day. After this week ie: from next weds matinee The entire run is sold out thereafter Suggest get a remaining ticket now if you want to catch it |
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Post by jake on Oct 10, 2024 18:55:22 GMT
I saw this at yesterday's matinee and agree with many of the earlier comments. It was an all-but-full house and as you might expect, given that it was a weekday matinee and a play focusing (imaginatively) on Alzheimer's, there was hardly anyone in the audience below pension age. The staging enhances it a lot and all the performances are good. I enjoyed the credible family interactions and conflicts; less so the more mystical, poetical flights of fancy, largely focused around the husband whom I found supremely irritating. He seemed an implausible partner for the down-to-earth, hard-headed businesswoman, ruthless at times, whom we're told Queenie was, though the reason she became that way is explained as the play develops. I didn't find it moving but that's probably because I don't come from the background or culture depicted or even from a family with surviving older relatives, close or otherwise and the writing did a good job of conveying what it is like in those circumstances. Two things I really disliked and found distracting, but not during the play themselves: there's a really pervasive, strong, unpleasant smell throughout the foyers as you enter, though there was no warning about this; also very loud music so there's nowhere quiet or pleasant to sit if you arrive early and want to read or have a break. It is incense Thanks for the warning. I'm really glad I didn't buy a ticket and now I shall drop plans to turn up on spec on one of my free evenings. Reminds me of about 15 years ago when I turned up for a show in an old dockside warehouse and turned on my heel because the reek of patchouli was noticeable before you even got through the door. In these days when you get warned about a single cigarette being lit on stage many yards away, you'd think they'd be a bit more careful before subjecting audiences to other oppressive odours. |
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Post by parsley1 on Oct 10, 2024 19:03:10 GMT
Thanks for the warning. I'm really glad I didn't buy a ticket and now I shall drop plans to turn up on spec on one of my free evenings. Reminds me of about 15 years ago when I turned up for a show in an old dockside warehouse and turned on my heel because the reek of patchouli was noticeable before you even got through the door. In these days when you get warned about a single cigarette being lit on stage many yards away, you'd think they'd be a bit more careful before subjecting audiences to other oppressive odours. Sorry but I think people need to get a grip It’s noticeable but hardly overpowering or offensive Didn’t see people collapsing or suffocating ] Incense plays a role in many religions Including Catholicism Hinduism and Sikhism And a role in death and mourning rituals I take some offence to the term “oppressive” tbh Probably you are better off at home maybe How do you adapt to the stench of rubbish sewage and piss around London? |
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Post by showgirl on Oct 10, 2024 19:07:27 GMT
It makes sense that the aim of the music and incense (thank you hamletothello and parsley1) is intended to set the scene but I stand by what I said about the music being almost painfully loud and unavoidable and about the fact that some people don't cope well with loud noises and/or strong smells, both for reasons of mental and physical health. So it would be reasonable for the NT to provide a warning about both. |
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Post by jake on Oct 10, 2024 19:09:08 GMT
Thanks for the warning. I'm really glad I didn't buy a ticket and now I shall drop plans to turn up on spec on one of my free evenings. Reminds me of about 15 years ago when I turned up for a show in an old dockside warehouse and turned on my heel because the reek of patchouli was noticeable before you even got through the door. In these days when you get warned about a single cigarette being lit on stage many yards away, you'd think they'd be a bit more careful before subjecting audiences to other oppressive odours. Sorry but I think people need to get a grip It’s noticeable but hardly overpowering or offensive Didn’t see people collapsing or suffocating Can always go and stand outside if so bothered Can always not go, too |
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Post by jake on Oct 10, 2024 19:12:35 GMT
Thanks for the warning. I'm really glad I didn't buy a ticket and now I shall drop plans to turn up on spec on one of my free evenings. Reminds me of about 15 years ago when I turned up for a show in an old dockside warehouse and turned on my heel because the reek of patchouli was noticeable before you even got through the door. In these days when you get warned about a single cigarette being lit on stage many yards away, you'd think they'd be a bit more careful before subjecting audiences to other oppressive odours. How do you adapt to the stench of rubbish sewage and piss around London? Can't remember the last time I queued up to buy a ticket to smell it. |
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Post by zahidf on Oct 10, 2024 19:42:29 GMT
The upstairs audotorium has no music or incense smell of you want to wait there prior to the play...
I don't think the incense was particularly oppressive myself. Music a little loud, but not excessively so.
They have a quiet room marked near the entrance as well.
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Post by jake on Oct 10, 2024 20:23:33 GMT
The upstairs audotorium has no music or incense smell of you want to wait there prior to the play... I don't think the incense was particularly oppressive myself. Music a little loud, but not excessively so. They have a quiet room marked near the entrance as well. Thanks. Maybe I'll drop by on an evening when I'm not planning to attend and get a feel of it. I like Meera Syal a lot and the play looks interesting. And, of course, they don't really need me to fill the house; which wasn't the case for the warehouse production I mentioned above. That looked like it could do with any passing trade it could get; but I had enough of being smoked out by patchouli, sandalwood etc when I was at college. It really gives me a headache- even more so than the loud music mentioned. I can usually put up with loud music if the play is appealing enough and the sounds are reasonably relevant. Which reminds me of a production of Trainspotting I saw in Upper St a while back. We all sat quietly waiting for the performance to start - which it duly did in a raucous club scene. At this point, a couple in the audience walked out holding their ears. I couldn't help wondering what they expected an adaptation of Trainspotting to be like! Thankfully, though, the production didn't use, ahem, exotic smells to set the scene. |
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Post by parsley1 on Oct 10, 2024 21:49:54 GMT
Parsley1 How do you adapt to the stench of rubbish sewage and piss around London? And I thought it was ME! I have a hanky with essential oils Which I refresh periodically Much in the fashion of a nose gay With a fragrance predominantly of clove, orange, cinnamon To ward away bad smells In the summer I may change for a mint, eucalyptus, camphor blend When the stench is particularly potent and incubated by the hot weather It can be like a fermented toxin |
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Post by tommy on Oct 12, 2024 12:20:22 GMT
Great natural acting and creative staging. I wouldn't be surprised if they would turn this play into a movie in the (near) future. The difference between the intense scènes showing the impact of the disease often in contrast with the scènes before/after, but perhaps that also helped the subject of the play easier to deal with in its entirety. I could see this already within a movie too. Truly deserved standing ovation, not in the least for the leading role.
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Post by jr on Oct 23, 2024 21:02:22 GMT
I think I am in the minority here. First act just finished and struggling with the play. It looks like the writer read a manuel about Alzheimer's and just created scenes to fit the facts in. The scene about the lasting power of attorney is completely unnecessary and utterly boring.
Meera Syal is great and that's the reason why I am staying. Shobna Gulati is also good but she does not have much to do.The last scene of act 1 was powerful. Can't stand the scenes with the husband or the actor playing him, too forced.
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