2025 - tips and recommendations

[Someone in a tree]

Ive bought my 2025 paper diary, yup im old fashioned and im putting in lots of lovley things (or things i think are lovley!) 

What are you looking forward to and any recommendations? 

Musicals 

Here we are x 2

Road show 

Producers 

Love life 

Opera 

Jenufa 

Excursions of Mr Broucek 

Dance 
In C 
...No doubt I'll visit the new sadlers wells 

Plays 

Little foxes 

Rhinoceros 

Manhunt 
Twelfth Night - first visit to the Orange Tree

Diva's

Pattie 

Melissa Errico 

Also twice this week I've walked to the venue to avoid the booking fee. Not always possible but I am going to try and carry it on and get smug satisfaction 

[bordeaux]

Most looking forward to Oedipus/The Invention of Love/The Years, which I suppose are this year's shows. I have tickets to the Hytner Richard II, the Ostermeier Seagull, Icke's Manhunt, James Graham's Punch, Here We Are (though having listened to the music three times it seems like a show for completists only - I am one).

Very much looking forward too to Stereophonic, Simon Russell Beale in Titus Andronicus (and to hearing who is directing it) and the Ralph Fiennes season in Bath, as I live in Bristol.

My tip would be Kyoto, which I saw in Stratford. There were cheap preview seats but they may all have gone.

[sixdegrees]

I will be in London this January from overseas. I have a short list of 5 plays: Kyoto, Midsummer Night's Dream, Merchant of Venice, When We Talk About Anne Frank, and Witness for the the Prosecution. I only have time for 3 of them. Any suggestions on which to see or which to not see?

I haven't seen Midsummer or Merchant before but I live close enough to Stratford (Canada) to see lots of Shakespeare if these are not good productions.

[Someone in a tree]

Nov 24, 2024 14:03:36 GMT sixdegrees said:

I will be in London this January from overseas. I have a short list of 4 plays: Kyoto, Midsummer Night's Dream, Merchant of Venice and Witness for the the Prosecution. I only have time for 3 of them. Any suggestions on which to see or which to not see?

I haven't seen Midsummer or Merchant before but I live close enough to Stratford (Canada) to see lots of Shakespeare if these are not good productions.

I havent heard great things about Witness, its fine but nothing more.

Dream is on my to do list!

I hope you have a great trip.

[max]

'Someone In A Tree' I love that you've inadvertently come up with a show title for Patti Lupone's solo outing.

Following on from 'Liza with a Z' here comes 'Pattie with an E'. I think it's a good idea. Do you want to tell her, or shall I? ; )

[rumbledoll]

One thing I’m most excited about in the first half of 2025 is RSC’s Hamlet.
I do consider Luke Thallon the brightest young talent currently on stage so can’t wait to see his version of the ‘sweet prince’.
Not sure anyone could beat Rory Kinnear’s performance for me but fifteen years on I believe it can at least be challenged

[thaneofglamis]

Nov 24, 2024 14:03:36 GMT sixdegrees said:

I will be in London this January from overseas. I have a short list of 5 plays: Kyoto, Midsummer Night's Dream, Merchant of Venice, When We Talk About Anne Frank, and Witness for the the Prosecution. I only have time for 3 of them. Any suggestions on which to see or which to not see?

I haven't seen Midsummer or Merchant before but I live close enough to Stratford (Canada) to see lots of Shakespeare if these are not good productions.

Having seen all these, I’d go for Midsummer Night’s Dream as the top pick and Witness For The Prosecution last (I didn’t *dislike* it, but it wouldn’t be as strong a recommendation either). Merchant, When We Talk About…, and Kyoto are all well worth seeing in my opinion, but quite a close call so I’d base it on subject matter/cast that most appeals.

[thaneofglamis]

I’ve booked, and am looking forward to, Hytner’s Richard II with Jonathan Bailey, Icke’s Manhunt at the Royal Court and a double-Hamlet: Rupert Goold’s RSC staging with Luke Thallon and Hamlet: Hail to the Thief using the music of Radiohead (I’m seeing this in Manchester but also at the RSC).

I’m also looking forward to James Graham’s reworked ending for Dear England - I loved this but only saw as an NT Live screening, so have booked to see it in-person for its second run.

My tip would be James Graham’s Punch at the Young Vic. I saw this in Nottingham this year followed by a ‘talking circle’ - an interactive discussion held on the patio of the theatre with the person whose life story it was based on as well as cast members and restorative justice campaigners. It was a really powerful story and viewing experience.

[rumbledoll]

Nov 24, 2024 14:03:36 GMT sixdegrees said:

I will be in London this January from overseas. I have a short list of 5 plays: Kyoto, Midsummer Night's Dream, Merchant of Venice, When We Talk About Anne Frank, and Witness for the the Prosecution. I only have time for 3 of them. Any suggestions on which to see or which to not see?

I haven't seen Midsummer or Merchant before but I live close enough to Stratford (Canada) to see lots of Shakespeare if these are not good productions.

I agree with the above - can’t say Witness is an outstanding production but it was a brilliant idea to set it in the actual court. The venue is magnificent and I believe it’s worth for the experience alone.
I would add The Importance of Being Earnest to your list if you’re after this soft of comedies, I am myself gutted to miss it. I’ve heard they put some more cheap front stall seats out yesterday.

[rumbledoll]

Nov 23, 2024 14:08:53 GMT bordeaux said:

Simon Russell Beale in Titus Andronicus (and to hearing who is directing it)

Could not find the info for this - when it’s going to land and where?

[aspieandy]

I'm still waiting for Pinter's The Lover / The Collection (from Bath) to appear in London.

/spitting feathers

[thaneofglamis]

Nov 25, 2024 5:56:16 GMT rumbledoll said:

Nov 23, 2024 14:08:53 GMT bordeaux said:

Simon Russell Beale in Titus Andronicus (and to hearing who is directing it)

Could not find the info for this - when it’s going to land and where?

Also looking forward to this. I don’t think it’s been formally announced but he’s mentioned it in press interviews (Telegraph a couple of months ago iirc). RSC, presumably summer 2025.

[kate8]

Cat on a Hot Tin Roof
Unicorn
4:48 Psychosis
The Seagull

[rumbledoll]

Nov 25, 2024 7:10:41 GMT thaneofglamis said:

Nov 25, 2024 5:56:16 GMT rumbledoll said:

Could not find the info for this - when it’s going to land and where?

Also looking forward to this. I don’t think it’s been formally announced but he’s mentioned it in press interviews (Telegraph a couple of months ago iirc). RSC, presumably summer 2025.

Thanks! Can’t say I’m a big fan of SRB but my friend is, was excited to bring her the news

[doctorshaw]

Nov 24, 2024 14:03:36 GMT sixdegrees said:

I will be in London this January from overseas. I have a short list of 5 plays: Kyoto, Midsummer Night's Dream, Merchant of Venice, When We Talk About Anne Frank, and Witness for the the Prosecution. I only have time for 3 of them. Any suggestions on which to see or which to not see?

I haven't seen Midsummer or Merchant before but I live close enough to Stratford (Canada) to see lots of Shakespeare if these are not good productions.

I saw the current production of Merchant of Venice - I would say go for it if you want to see an interesting take on the play with a very good Shylock, but be aware that there are some flaws with shifting the setting. The blackshirt angle is perhaps overplayed, and some things like the literal pound of flesh and three boxes don't translate well to a 1930s setting. I wish they had tinkered with the script a bit to make clear the pound if flesh is a metaphor (because it's set in 1936 England where the rule of law would prevent such barbarous exchanges) and the three chests could've been updated to something more interesting and period-fitting. But the acting is very good, costumes and set are decent.