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Post by CG on the loose on Feb 12, 2016 8:13:00 GMT
You've sold it to me (not that I needed that much persuading!) ... will stop dithering and book, pronto  |
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249 posts
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Post by theinvisiblegirl on Feb 13, 2016 17:39:40 GMT
I liked this but I didn't love it. It wasn't as funny as expected and Jemima Rooper's role was too small for her to have a proper chance to show how talented she is.
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1,052 posts
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Post by David J on Feb 13, 2016 22:34:08 GMT
I had a good time. Mostly because of the profanity, puppet action, and the violent turns during the second act
The cast was great. Melling has come a long way since Harry Potter
There were some gut punches and moments where I could ask myself things like whether the puppet was doing all these nasty things or is it Jason?
I didn't really engage with the characters and I don't think it is a great comedy. It took a while to get going, and most of the laughter was for all the profanity and shenanigans.
This is apparently a satire of religion and society. How we don't know our full potential because we abide by these ancient rules.
What other profane, comedic show do we know that makes fun of religion? Book of Mormon. Perhaps Hand to God is more subtle in how it addresses religion, but I feel Mormon knows how to pull the gut punches more.
I would have liked to think about the themes in this play as it progressed, and at times I did, but that's not possible when there's constant profanity and shenanigans.
Yes I am thinking about this play on my way home, but what matters to me is how much I was engaged to the production and there were only a few moments where that happened.
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546 posts
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Post by drmaplewood on Feb 15, 2016 10:48:04 GMT
Enjoyed this, though Jemima Rooper playing a teenager when she’s in her mid-30s did prove vexing.
Got a day seat, £15 front row. Its good to be up close for this one so highly recommend it.
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219 posts
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Post by PalelyLaura on Feb 15, 2016 11:09:08 GMT
Enjoyed this, though Jemima Rooper playing a teenager when she’s in her mid-30s did prove vexing. Got a day seat, £15 front row. Its good to be up close for this one so highly recommend it. What was the day seat queue like? (Sorry to be "that person"!) |
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546 posts
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Post by drmaplewood on Feb 15, 2016 11:22:04 GMT
Very little queue to speak of, only 3 people in front of me when I arrived just before 10.
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219 posts
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Post by PalelyLaura on Feb 15, 2016 11:58:48 GMT
Very little queue to speak of, only 3 people in front of me when I arrived just before 10. Thanks v much. Looks like a viable option for me then :-) |
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1,475 posts
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Post by Steve on Feb 15, 2016 18:11:13 GMT
I loved this. It's a lovely dramedy about displaced grief, and the dysfunction that stems from that grief, bookended by scenes of potent and heartfelt blasphemy. The producers missed a trick by not casting Simon Lipkin as Pastor Greg though, rather than the serviceable Neil Pearson, as my own idea about Lipkin being deeply disturbed by puppetry had me giggling, even though he wasn't playing the part. A trick missed. Anyhow, Harry Melling is the new Simon Lipkin, and boy, is he good with that sock-puppet!? The contrast between his portrayal of morose wet doormouse of a teenager, Jason, and his gobby foul-mouthmouthed furious puppet, Tyrone, couldn't have been better realised. In one scene I felt Melling channelling Bruce Campbell's Ash, in that simultaneously shocking and hilarious scene in the original "Evil Dead" movie, where Ash goes to war with his own hand. Having seen Melling's own play, and quite a few of his performances, I find him the most impressive of the young generation that emerged from Harry Potter. Janie Dee is brilliant when she breaks bad, as she did in the Royal Court's NSFW, and does again here. It's funny how realistic sex is never remotely sexy in theatre, but comedic sex is steamingly hot. Janie Dee's Margery is distant and detached, until she inappropriately vents her libido on a teenage victim, Timothy (Kevin Mains). At that point, Dee commits to the explosion of her character's world so thoroughly that I was gasping in shock and laughter! The blasphemy bookends to the play must have been shocking in America, where so many government officals and schoolchildren parrot daily pledges to a nation "under God." Here, even Bishops question whether God can be taken literally, or is merely a useful concept, and the BBC and Richard Dawkins share the grim facts periodically to make sure we don't get our irrational hopes up. But while many of us over here won't find blasphemy shocking, the play is fortunately written by a true-believer, playwright Robert Askin. The spirit of his boundary-breaking daring and naughtiness is distilled by his words into a searing expression of truths some take too easily for granted this side of the pond. By turns hilarious and meaningful, this is an excellent night out. 4 stars. |
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Post by theatreliker on Feb 15, 2016 21:49:34 GMT
Well if you want a subtle contemporary American play about grief go and see Rabbit Hole. Humour is at the fore here (and not all of it hilarious) but the central story of Margery and Jason really ground it, especially those 2 scenes in the car and bedroom. A very impressive set, a very committed cast, and a fresh and exciting play/production. I agree about Jemima Rooper (and Neil Pearson) who are playing thankless roles, but this is an enjoyable show. Melling is superlative in it, and Janie Dee is (as ever) very good. It's such a weird show, quite dream like with the bright colours of the set.
The short scenes mean that the characters can't really grow and there are forced jokes but I'd recommend it and the audience really enjoyed it when I saw it. As did I.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 15, 2016 22:52:58 GMT
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330 posts
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Post by charliec on Feb 15, 2016 22:55:40 GMT
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Post by couldileaveyou on Feb 15, 2016 23:04:58 GMT
that's so weird, the chubby guy always gave enthusiastic reviews to horrible plays! now, I agree that every now and then it was a bit self-conscious (I mean, the sex scene for example, very like: look at how profanous we can be and get away with it! how modern!), but I loved the show, I found it absolutely brilliant and I think it has an important message.
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1,013 posts
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Post by talkstageytome on Feb 15, 2016 23:31:19 GMT
Was shocked by this. 1* feels totally unfair and the review seems not to take note of perhaps the most important questions raised by the play. Some elements were really quite touching and felt a lot more like they justified using blasphemy etc than that found in the likes of BoM (which I also love). Also, if nothing else, the superb cast deserves a bit more praise than that given. Luckily the audience reaction on twitter is much more positive than this one review. Very shocking, but I suppose it just goes to show how polarizing a play can be! I personally loved this. Possibly the best thing I've seen in 2016 so far! |
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Post by littlesally on Feb 15, 2016 23:49:42 GMT
I think Shenton's had his funny bone removed...  ? |
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Post by wickedgrin on Feb 16, 2016 9:43:24 GMT
If Daddy Shenton hated it I will probably love it!!! I find the things he raves over decidedly "meh".
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270 posts
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Post by littlesally on Feb 16, 2016 9:51:08 GMT
If Daddy Shenton hated it I will probably love it!!! I find the things he raves over decidedly "meh". I just don't get his "tastes". He seems so inconsistent and a bit random in his reviews. |
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1,013 posts
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Post by talkstageytome on Feb 16, 2016 10:03:21 GMT
Most other reviews so far have been positive.
As I still don't really understand the rules, is this show eligible for the 2016 Oliviers?
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8,094 posts
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Post by alece10 on Feb 16, 2016 10:13:35 GMT
I went to press night last night and enjoyed it but not as much as I thought I would. Cant fault the performers especially Harry Melling and Janie Dee who were execllent. Some very funny lines but also some quite disturbing scenes.
Something went wrong with the set in the first act and looked like it wouldnt move between scenes but it was sorted after a few minutes.
I was sitting in the back row of the stalls and so couldnt really see the puppets properly or the facial expressions of the actors. I probably would have enjoyed it more if I was closer to the stage.
i'd give it 3 stars and probably 3.5 if I was sitting nearer.
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1,475 posts
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Post by Steve on Feb 16, 2016 10:15:58 GMT
1* feels totally unfair and the review seems not to take note of perhaps the most important questions raised by the play. Yes, the review is bizarre, not because he states his opinion which he's very much entitled to, but because he seems to thoroughly get the facts wrong. He states that "the sexual politics of the play, in which the mother surrenders to violent sex with the other teenage male after rejecting the advances of the local adult pastor, is also extremely questionable, if not to say actively distasteful. Playwright Robert Askins will no doubt claim that he is challenging taboos – but he's simply parading stereotypes and peddling cliches." Stating Janie Dee's Margery "surrenders" to sex is ridiculous, and suggests a "stereotype" about female sexual passivity that simply isn't in this play. In fact, Margery utterly devours that boy in order to clear her mind of grief. The boy is left reeling in shock. By denying Margery's absolute agency, it is Shenton who is "peddling stereotypes." |
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Post by raiseitup on Feb 16, 2016 11:34:15 GMT
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Post by littlesally on Feb 16, 2016 12:00:14 GMT
Wilma. Standard. The Stage. Mmmm. I'll reserve judgement until I've seen it on Sat. Word of mouth has been quite positive.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 16, 2016 15:40:32 GMT
3* Times I am sorry but that is not mixed it is quite clearly a negative selection of review I am seeing this next week but as they are giving away tickets already it doesn't bode well We all know a recent new show which received a raft of 5 star reviews and is closing These really are tough times for new shows and this show should never have entered the commercial WE It is going to flop big time A limited run at Tricycle or Dorfman would be more appropriate |
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Post by Deleted on Feb 16, 2016 16:05:20 GMT
I am sorry but that is not mixed it is quite clearly a negative selection of reviewI am seeing this next week but as they are giving away tickets already it doesn't bode well We all know a recent new show which received a raft of 5 star reviews and is closing These really are tough times for new shows and this show should never have entered the commercial WE It is going to flop big time A limited run at Tricycle or Dorfman would be more appropriate It's a limited run, of a 5 person play, in a theatre owned by one of the producers. It will do just fine. |
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Post by Deleted on Feb 16, 2016 16:06:02 GMT
Well I for one am still very much looking forward to seeing this next week, regardless of reviews. I intend to form my own opinion once I've seen it before my own eyes.
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Post by avenueqresident on Feb 16, 2016 16:15:40 GMT
TodayTix seem to be doing a lottery for Tuesday evening performances to win £15.00 tickets
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