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Post by westendboy on Oct 3, 2024 6:58:17 GMT
We need to see where the board really stands at a glance, via a poll pease? Agreed, would be interesting to see the overall reception across the board, although myself and Steve are some of the few who actually liked it! |
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Post by rumbledoll on Oct 3, 2024 7:21:00 GMT
We need to see where the board really stands at a glance, via a poll pease? Agreed, would be interesting to see the overall reception across the board, although myself and Steve are some of the few who actually liked it! Both of you gave me hope! I try not to miss Mr Rylance on stage whenever I'm in London - his style is very particular, might not be for everyone, but I find it pretty theatrical but genuinly natural at the same time. I enjoy it a lot, the thing Steve said about him "feeling it" every time is spot on, it what makes his performances so engaging if you go with the flow so to speak. Based on reviews in here I gather that the direction this time takes quite an unconventional approach.. I'm not familiar with the play at all, would you recommend going blind or read the playtext first? I gotta say after all the Irish TV shows I've binged I'm okay with heavy accents at least  |
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Post by Mark on Oct 3, 2024 7:54:39 GMT
BurlyBeaR Can we have a poll please... Saw this yesterday and was unimpressed. I thought at the end of the first act, oh here we go, but then it never really took off. What a shame.
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Post by BurlyBeaR on Oct 3, 2024 8:09:21 GMT
Poll added
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Post by jake on Oct 3, 2024 8:20:28 GMT
Agreed, would be interesting to see the overall reception across the board, although myself and Steve are some of the few who actually liked it! Both of you gave me hope! I try not to miss Mr Rylance on stage whenever I'm in London - his style is very particular, might not be for everyone, but I find it pretty theatrical but genuinly natural at the same time. I enjoy it a lot, the thing Steve said about him "feeling it" every time is spot on, it what makes his performances so engaging if you go with the flow so to speak. Based on reviews in here I gather that the direction this time takes quite an unconventional approach.. I'm not familiar with the play at all, would you recommend going blind or read the playtext first? I gotta say after all the Irish TV shows I've binged I'm okay with heavy accents at least I usually try and see MR, too and I know he divides opinion. Several people I spoke to thought he was overacting in Richard III at the Globe. I thought he was superb. I also loved Rooster Byron but even there I was a little worried by his dominance. As Captain Jack I thought he stood out from the rest of the cast; but, this time, not in a good way. When I asked myself if I'd forgive anyone other than Rylance for this performance, the answer I gave myself was a definite 'no'. I'll still go and see him in his next role but this was the first time I've thought he got it very wrong. Obviously, how you prepare is your decision but you might be interested in the comparison between my experience and that of my companion at the production who was 'going blind'. I've read the script and seen the play several times and I thought this was the worst interpretation of the play I've ever seen as well as the only disappointing performance I've seen from Rylance. My companion (who had seen and liked Rylance as Dr Semmelweis) left with the feeling that there was a good play in there somewhere but we hadn't seen it. As I posted earlier, this might have been due in part to the awful acoustics in the rear stalls; but he found the production disjointed and often hard to follow. And he specifically found the comic elements annoying and distracting. Specifically on the script. If you choose not to read it in advance it's worth noting that the Irish pronunciations are largely written into the text (as well as the title!) eg struttin' about the town like a paycock; entherin' the neck...penethratin' the heart; the boul' Joxer ...and that's just in the first few pages. So that, at least, is something that can't be blamed on the cast overacting! |
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Post by rumbledoll on Oct 3, 2024 8:40:15 GMT
Thank you for your thoughful response, jake.
I've seen MR in Twelve Night (hysterical & delightful), Jerusalem (simply sensational), Farinelli (poignant), Othello (good mixture of fun & mischief) and Dr Semmelweis (captivating) and I know what people criticizing his style mean - at times his connection to the audience seems too strong and winking at us a bit too much you know. But I see it as a part of his individual acting trade and not necessarily a weekness as this flirting with the audience is mostly found entretaining by the audience intself.
I suppose I'll end up not reading the text but taking a leap of faith. Aiming for day seats in front row anyways so I don't believe poor acoustics will get in the way.
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Post by theatrefan77 on Oct 3, 2024 10:51:19 GMT
Really enjoyed this on Saturday. I think it's an amazing play. Never seen another production so can't compare. Thought Rylance was excellent and found him hysterically funny in the comedy bits. Hilton was also terrific and the rest of the cast did a great job too.
The response from the audience was enthusiastic and almost everybody in front stalls gave a standing ovation.
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Post by Dave B on Oct 3, 2024 11:16:07 GMT
Press night is tonight. Really interested to read reviews tomorrow.
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Post by lichtie on Oct 3, 2024 11:59:10 GMT
Saw this at the matinee yesterday - 2/3 panto, 1/3 tragedy, in terms of acts 1 and 2, then act 3. But then a panto ending as well! I suppose you could play this largely for the comedy pairing but I doubt it's what O'Casey had in mind. But the real problem, as lots of others have noted, is that the rest of the cast seem to be inhabiting a very different play from Mark Rylance, with the possible exception of Paul Hilton. If you're going for a light afternoon's comedy which features terrorist murder as part of its theme, this will be right up your street...
For what it's worth I was right at the back of the stalls and the acoustics were fine.
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Post by lookingatthestars on Oct 3, 2024 18:29:06 GMT
Today I attended a walking tour as part of the 'Dublin Theatre Festival' about the history of theatre in Dublin. When the tour got to the era of Sean O Casey and his time at the Abbey, I was reminded of just how serious these plays were at the time, for obvious political and social reasons. It was mainly The Plough and the Stars that caused riots, but all 3 plays were highly sensitive for people. I learned today that free state soldiers showed the actors how to carry and hold guns properly!
It is 100 years on of course, and
different interpretations are vital to plays. But, from the description of the clowning/Pantomime in this production, it really jars with the context, for me at least. Max gave a fantastic description of the paycock's character and the I think the brilliance of this play, is to have that character exist in the tragic domestic and social situation around him.
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Post by avfan on Oct 3, 2024 20:58:57 GMT
Was this perfect, no, did I think it was a good production of an Irish classic, yes. Rylance is a version of Rooster Byron but it works and overall the cast are very good. What stops it from really soaring unfortunately is J Smith Cameron. It felt like she was so focused on the accent, which wasn’t terrible, that she lacked the emotional punch needed for the character. Even though they’re miced, she still swallowed dialogue. She wasn’t terrible by any means but just didn’t look comfortable up there. 4 stars just, from me. The direction, majority of the cast, set and lighting were really good.
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Post by mrbarnaby on Oct 3, 2024 21:06:15 GMT
Saw this tonight- well 2/3 of it.
Just absolutely absymal.
Mark Rylance is really quite self indulgent in this. I found him hugely irritating and desperately unfunny. The whole production is such a mess.
Terrible Oirish accents
Couldnt wait to get out of there.
1 star. For J Cameron Smith who must be thinking what on earth is she doing stuck in this.
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Post by nash16 on Oct 4, 2024 8:10:47 GMT
Anyone know what time the review embargo lifts?
Am guessing it might be midday today, or SFP could trench it until tomorrow.
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Post by avfan on Oct 4, 2024 8:28:53 GMT
Reviews embargoed until 00:01 on Monday according to Nick Curtis!
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Post by nash16 on Oct 4, 2024 10:39:18 GMT
Reviews embargoed until 00:01 on Monday according to Nick Curtis! Yikes, that’s not a good sign. A Thursday Press Night is usually to get them out in the weekend papers for maximum publicity. |
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Post by avfan on Oct 4, 2024 10:57:18 GMT
Reviews embargoed until 00:01 on Monday according to Nick Curtis! Yikes, that’s not a good sign. A Thursday Press Night is usually to get them out in the weekend papers for maximum publicity. I agree, word on the grapevine is that its not been the happiest production so wonder if press were delayed because of it. Normally, well these days, press get access about 3 days before the official opening night but don't think that happened here which may mean press had to be rebooked for tonight / tomorrow. I might be wrong but it is highly unusual to have an embargo for so long after the official press night. |
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Post by Steve on Oct 4, 2024 11:12:30 GMT
Reviews embargoed until 00:01 on Monday according to Nick Curtis! Yikes, that’s not a good sign. A Thursday Press Night is usually to get them out in the weekend papers for maximum publicity. They probably suspect critics will be po-faced, about the use of fourth wall breaking comedy, instead of being really really serious, with regard to the Irish civil war.
Personally, I think the comedic and absurdist "Oh What a Lovely War" approach can work brilliantly, and I've seen this particular play done significantly more seriously though I'm so naturally lowbrow that I prefer this.
I know that the standing ovation that this production got the other night was instantaneous and heartfelt so I'm not the only lowbrow.
I do think those bad reviews are extremely likely though. The question is whether there will be good ones to counter them.
Gritted teeth and wellington boots in anticipation of the tidal wave of high and mighty disdain and condescension flooding us all on Monday morning lol.
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Post by Rory on Oct 4, 2024 11:24:58 GMT
It's only a 9 week season so, regardless of the reviews, it'll not be coming off early.
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Post by Jon on Oct 4, 2024 11:27:49 GMT
Sonia Friedman's track record is usually decent but clearly this is a stinker akin to Lyonesse.
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Post by mrbarnaby on Oct 4, 2024 12:06:07 GMT
Yikes, that’s not a good sign. A Thursday Press Night is usually to get them out in the weekend papers for maximum publicity. I agree, word on the grapevine is that its not been the happiest production so wonder if press were delayed because of it. Normally, well these days, press get access about 3 days before the official opening night but don't think that happened here which may mean press had to be rebooked for tonight / tomorrow. I might be wrong but it is highly unusual to have an embargo for so long after the official press night. I’ve heard rumours of this too. Not good. |
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Post by Dave B on Oct 4, 2024 12:57:43 GMT
They probably suspect critics will be po-faced, about the use of fourth wall breaking comedy, instead of being really really serious, with regard to the Irish civil war. e tidal wave of high and mighty disdain and condescensiom Others are allowed to dislike something that you liked you know  |
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Post by Steve on Oct 4, 2024 14:14:14 GMT
They probably suspect critics will be po-faced, about the use of fourth wall breaking comedy, instead of being really really serious, with regard to the Irish civil war. e tidal wave of high and mighty disdain and condescensiom Others are allowed to dislike something that you liked you know Of course. I never said otherwise. What you are saying is that others are "allowed to dislike something I like" in a non high-and-mighty way. Again, of course. Only the professional critics who disagree with me are "high and mighty." |
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Post by Phantom of London on Oct 4, 2024 14:19:55 GMT
I wonder what the consequences would be if the press ignored the embargo and published on Sunday anyway? It’s not for the management company to manage expectations by interrupting the news cycle because they suspect their product not being favourable?
Spiderman reviewers did this on Broadway, after another aborted opening night, the critics lost patience and went ahead anyway. But Juno has A superstar producer?
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Post by Phantom of London on Oct 4, 2024 14:22:14 GMT
It sounds like Matthew Warchus who also directed Mark Rylance in the Olivier and Tony winning.triumph Boeing Boeing. Looks like Matthew is doing the same with Juno!
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Post by bordeaux on Oct 4, 2024 14:56:11 GMT
In the early 90s Warchus did a wonderful Much Ado with Rylance as Benedick and Janet McTeer as Beatrice on Shaftesbury Ave. Rylance was hilarious with a strong Ulster accent. Then they did and equally brilliant production of Sam Shepard's True West with Rylance and another actor alternating the roles of the brothers. Rylance was extraordinary as the angry brother. Would love to have seen him as the gentler one too.
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