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Post by foxa on Oct 29, 2016 15:59:50 GMT
Off to see this tonight. Booked mainly on the strength of the adapter, Connor McPherson and music by P.J. Harvey.
One interesting thing - I notice this has a 'Babes in Arms' performance. When my babies were little I think I would have loved this - I was always looking for something to keep my mind from going to mush, but without having to book a babysitter. But can't imagine what it would be like for anyone in the audience without a baby:
Babes in Arms Performance
The Nest
25 Nov 11.30am
Here at the Young Vic we’re opening our doors to those with little ones.
If you’re a parent or a carer with a baby under eighteen months we have an extra performance just for you.
The actors will be aware that there may be additional noise from the auditorium and the house lights will remain up throughout. You’ll be welcome to move about the space should you need to settle your baby.
There will be space for buggies to be parked. Baby changing and milk-warming facilities will be available.
This performance is open to everyone but specifically designed for audience members with babes in arms.
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Post by Deleted on Oct 29, 2016 21:24:28 GMT
Thought it was truly awful
The attempted suicide scenes are laughable
And the male actor is atrocious some of the most awful wailing
Again had to suppress my laughter
Yet another play designed to appeal to self indulgent middle class audiences who think having a child is a god given right
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Post by Deleted on Oct 29, 2016 22:09:40 GMT
I hate to break it to you, Pars, but the only way having a child *isn't* a god-given right is if you can prove once and for all that there definitely is no god of any description.
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1,502 posts
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Post by foxa on Oct 30, 2016 6:20:48 GMT
I'm afraid this wasn't very good.
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Post by foxa on Oct 30, 2016 6:21:27 GMT
And I definitely wouldn't bring my baby to it!
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Post by popcultureboy on Oct 30, 2016 8:27:58 GMT
Uh oh. I'm going this week, though mostly for Caflalalala Dunne than anything else. I will see her in anything. She's glorious.
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Post by foxa on Oct 30, 2016 8:57:47 GMT
This is one of those rare shows that I like less upon reflection. This morning, I was ranting, 'Why put that on stage?' The script would be suitable for a small grim film (the play was originally German) - a microscopic look at a working class couple and the strains on their marriage when expecting their first child. At first, I thought this might be a satire on consumerism/capitalism. The play opens with the young woman unsuccessfully cold calling and, in what was probably the most interesting/unusual scene, the couple discuss in detail what they need to buy for the baby they are expecting. But then it just plods on and on. Yes, there is some clever staging when an allotment is created, yes, the scene change music is fine, the actors Caoilfhionn Dunne and Laurence Kinlan are committed and give naturalistic performances (though a long solo section is quite exposing of Kinlan and I was eager for that bit to reach its conclusion.)
I suppose I had been misled by the Babes in Arms performance, so thought this would something that parents might watch with in a fond, knowing 'haven't we all been through this' way but I can't think this would make parents feel anything but rotten. I didn't get quite the same message from it as Parlsey - the couple are firmly working class and struggling financially, so I don't think it's particularly aimed at the middle classes. And the begetting of the child didn't seem the difficulty for them. I think the takeaway message was something about money and the urge to provide for a family unbalancing a couple. I don't know, something like that.
It was well-attended last night. Last time I was in the Maria, it was to see 'Cuttin It' a far superior play that seemed to attract a smaller audience.
One hour forty five, no interval.
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Post by Polly1 on Oct 30, 2016 10:37:43 GMT
I thought this was going to be a play about Theatremonkey and his friends in their favourite theatre seats (I forget where now). Sounds as if that might have been more entertaining?
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Post by Marwood on Oct 30, 2016 10:44:28 GMT
I was going to go because I enjoyed the previous Conor McPherson works I've seen(never been too excited by PJ Harvey's music, to be honest), but never got round to actually booking, it sounds like I haven't missed out on much by what I've read on here so far.
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Post by foxa on Oct 30, 2016 12:18:22 GMT
I was going to go because I enjoyed the previous Conor McPherson works I've seen(never been too excited by PJ Harvey's music, to be honest), but never got round to actually booking, it sounds like I haven't missed out on much by what I've read on here so far. Yes, I liked The Weir, and though I didn't see it, Shining City sounded good. I'm sure someone will disagree with me (I rather hope they do - obviously a lot of care went into this so hope someone appreciates it) but I think no one's life would be adversely affected by giving this a miss. |
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Post by Deleted on Oct 30, 2016 12:30:42 GMT
It's heartening, post the EU referendum, to see the premier theatre in the North of Ireland staging a modern German classic in a new version by a major Irish playwright.
I can't comment as I haven't seen it but I remember the original Bush production of The Nest, and an earlier production of Request Programme by Franz Xaver Kroetz. On both occasions, the audience was consciously paying rapt attention, eager not to miss the impact of a single word or movement.
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Post by foxa on Oct 30, 2016 13:08:25 GMT
The audience was attentive. There were some moments, I suppose, that had a certain fly-on-the-wall quality. But then there was a lot of miming so that sort of pulled me out of that naturalism. I'm sure someone will like it. But not me.
As part of my continuing rant, over lunch I said to my husband, 'I don't get it, what were we meant to feel at the end?'
Him: Happy that it was over.
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