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Post by theatreliker on Jul 3, 2016 11:02:51 GMT
War Horse is a very different show - and that was on in the Olivier wasn't it? - but I think that they'd be OK with slightly downsizing. I can imagine the Noel Coward might be a possibility. I'd still be surprised if it transferred though.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 3, 2016 11:08:14 GMT
War Horse is a very different show - and that was on in the Olivier wasn't it? - but I think that they'd be OK with slightly downsizing. I can imagine the Noel Coward might be a possibility. I'd still be surprised if it transferred though. Yes maybe the Noel Coward in the new year or possibly the Wyndhams? I dont know if It would transfer because Helen might not be able to do it, but it's sold out for the majority of the run so it has done great financially and would probably do well if it transferred |
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Post by Deleted on Jul 3, 2016 13:31:41 GMT
Yeah I thought about capacity but don't they need a big stage for the set and the New London seems similar staging and auditorium to the national? If they transferred to a smaller theatre then would the set have to downsize? War Horse did well there [ The New London is very similar to the Olivier auditorium, to the extent that I assumed the NL was based on the Olivier but then found they were built at the same time. Possibly both inspired by Chichester? |
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Post by mrbarnaby on Jul 3, 2016 14:21:29 GMT
You do know there are 3 theatres at the NT don't you? This being in one that is nothing like the New London! The New London has a bigger capacity than the Lyttelton. I think they'd go for a more traditional playhouse if they transfer. Yeah I thought about capacity but don't they need a big stage for the set and the New London seems similar staging and auditorium to the national? If they transferred to a smaller theatre then would the set have to downsize? War Horse did well there |
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Post by Deleted on Jul 3, 2016 14:26:51 GMT
You do know there are 3 theatres at the NT don't you? This being in one that is nothing like the New London! Yeah I thought about capacity but don't they need a big stage for the set and the New London seems similar staging and auditorium to the national? If they transferred to a smaller theatre then would the set have to downsize? War Horse did well there Yeah I know there are 3 theatres: Olivier, Dorfman and Lyttledon. However, I didn know which one this one was in but I knew one of the theatres had the same auditorium as New London (one with the drum roll) |
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Post by Jonnyboy on Jul 12, 2016 22:10:37 GMT
On paper this had everything going for it but my experience was of a good play and nothing more. This was likely due to the seats we had. Second row of the circle is not good for this production. Oh my goodness it feels so far away!
It's a gloomy set - understandably - and you can't really see facial expressions from the front of the circle. For me this is a huge problem. This is an intense intimate play and losing facial acting loses 50% of the play or more. I suppose this can't be a criticism of the production, more the seats.
Sound quality is not good. Helen McCrory I could hear every word. The judge husband however... No projection at all! I understand he's quiet and clipped but there are people who've paid to hear you! I remembered him from The Late Middle Classes also opposite HM. Same projection issues there too. Lots of audience coughing didn't help either tonight.
Set lovely. Reminded me of Skylight but felt too big.
Some great acting and several electrifying moments - when Freddie slams the shilling on the table there's a gasp from the audience.
I guess I was just let down by feeling so distant from the stage and you wouldn't necessarily think the front of a circle would feel remote. Worth seeing up close or on screen but far back you only really have the dialogue to go off. If you can hear it.
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Post by stefy69 on Jul 13, 2016 6:36:56 GMT
Saw this yesterday afternoon and thought it was excellent ( mind you anything by Terence Rattigan has a head start in my book ! ) I thought the cast were all excellent in their parts and Helen McCrory you felt for her so much !
I agree with Jonnyboy above the scene with the shilling was oh so powerful !!!
If you get the chance please do see it either at the NT of when it's screened.
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Post by lynette on Jul 13, 2016 16:49:17 GMT
On paper this had everything going for it but my experience was of a good play and nothing more. This was likely due to the seats we had. Second row of the circle is not good for this production. Oh my goodness it feels so far away! It's a gloomy set - understandably - and you can't really see facial expressions from the front of the circle. For me this is a huge problem. This is an intense intimate play and losing facial acting loses 50% of the play or more. I suppose this can't be a criticism of the production, more the seats. Sound quality is not good. Helen McCrory I could hear every word. The judge husband however... No projection at all! I understand he's quiet and clipped but there are people who've paid to hear you! I remembered him from The Late Middle Classes also opposite HM. Same projection issues there too. Lots of audience coughing didn't help either tonight. Set lovely. Reminded me of Skylight but felt too big. Some great acting and several electrifying moments - when Freddie slams the shilling on the table there's a gasp from the audience. I guess I was just let down by feeling so distant from the stage and you wouldn't necessarily think the front of a circle would feel remote. Worth seeing up close or on screen but far back you only really have the dialogue to go off. If you can hear it. Acoustic in Lyttleton terrible. We also had a prob hearing one or two lines and we were in the middle of the stalls towards the front. Yes, stage dark. Hard to see the easel at the back until Helen McCrory touched it. |
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Post by PalelyLaura on Jul 14, 2016 11:35:13 GMT
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Post by peggs on Aug 1, 2016 23:11:42 GMT
Sound quality is not good. Helen McCrory I could hear every word. The judge husband however... No projection at all! I understand he's quiet and clipped but there are people who've paid to hear you! I remembered him from The Late Middle Classes also opposite HM. Same projection issues there too. Lots of audience coughing didn't help either tonight. Acoustic in Lyttleton terrible. We also had a prob hearing one or two lines and we were in the middle of the stalls towards the front. Yes, stage dark. Hard to see the easel at the back until Helen McCrory touched it. It's miced (sp?) now, I was front row and you could see the hair/ear mic pieces, I did wonder why but perhaps this is the reason, presumably wasn't earlier in the run? Lovely gloomy one for me, have been on a bit of middle theatre run of late but perhaps that was the issue, they just weren't miserable enough for me! Interesting set, rather liked the music, added to the feel for me and loved the acting, was quite happy hating Tom Burke's character through the first half and was then forced to relent and admit it wasn't that simplistic. Lovely scenes with the husband which has noted was lost completely when this was made into a film, much more nuanced in the play form I thought. Loved Helen McCrory, couldn't remember from the film how it ended (it was THAT good) so all rather tense, she does a good line in shaking and apparent control crumbling into despair. Touching scenes with the 'doctor' and good support from the landlady. Joined in second half in seat next to me with man with the noisiest beard and for once my pointed stare worked, I was quite proud of myself until I reflected that it probably means I am turning into my mother who could Paddington stare for Britain. |
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Post by lynette on Aug 2, 2016 13:30:03 GMT
Peggs, what is a noisy beard? Don't reply if it is rude! I'll get into trouble.
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Post by peggs on Aug 2, 2016 18:30:25 GMT
Peggs, what is a noisy beard? Don't reply if it is rude! I'll get into trouble. Sorry, late night typing is not remotely comprehensible, not at all rude, you are quite safe, he was a very scratchy man and his stubbly beard sat in front row seats so very close to my ear. was very noisy when scratched for what seemed an excessive amount of time for presumably an itch. |
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Post by Flim Flam on Aug 2, 2016 18:53:21 GMT
Well done Lynette. I also wanted to know, but was too scared to ask...
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Post by peggs on Aug 2, 2016 21:04:29 GMT
Well done Lynette. I also wanted to know, but was too scared to ask... I feel I should have had a more interesting response now. |
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Post by Deleted on Aug 4, 2016 16:11:38 GMT
If this were to transfer, where could it go?
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Post by theatreliker on Aug 4, 2016 16:34:44 GMT
Depends if they're willing to wait a bit. Otherwise, the Phoenix for a very limited run? Then again, I wouldn't be surprised if it didn't transfer.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 4, 2016 17:33:26 GMT
Depends if they're willing to wait a bit. Otherwise, the Phoenix for a very limited run? Then again, I wouldn't be surprised if it didn't transfer. I too thought the Phoenix but wasn't sure as the run doesn't end until Sperember smd Phoenix is free from August. I think that would be a good theatre and should fit the set or majority of it? I think it would be a smart move for them to transfer it for a limited time and put it in a theatre this size because it's sold out mainly now at the NT and Helen McCrory is an amazing actress! |
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Post by Jon on Aug 4, 2016 19:59:19 GMT
I'd probably think the Wyndham's after No Man's Land, keep in mind they don't have to transfer straight away.
I'm thinking it'll be either Ross or JCSS for the Phoenix
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Post by Deleted on Aug 4, 2016 20:14:05 GMT
I'd probably think the Wyndham's after No Man's Land, keep in mind they don't have to transfer straight away. I'm thinking it'll be either Ross or JCSS for the Phoenix Yeah I too thought Wyndhams would be a good choice. I do hope it transfers, it would do well I think in the West End |
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Post by stefy69 on Aug 5, 2016 6:47:36 GMT
I'd probably think the Wyndham's after No Man's Land, keep in mind they don't have to transfer straight away. I'm thinking it'll be either Ross or JCSS for the Phoenix Yeah I too thought Wyndhams would be a good choice. I do hope it transfers, it would do well I think in the West End Yes I agree totally it deserves another run and being selfish I want to see it again !
I'm still keeping everything crossed for Ross going into the Phoenix.....
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Post by Deleted on Aug 12, 2016 10:10:11 GMT
Well. I found this pleasant but not much more I'm afraid. All the way through it, I found myself drifting off to the Arcola's 'Kenny Morgan' which I found superior and way more emotional.
The set is nice but it reminded me a bit of that one at the NT where everyone kept walking up and down the stairs. 'A Woman Killed With Kindness' or something like that?
Some nice performances (Peter Sullivan and Tom Burke) but on the whole it left me a little underwhelmed. I do think some of my problem with it was with Helen McCrory actually. She's one of those actresses that I know I'm supposed to adore because we're always being told how great she is but the performances I've seen of hers seem to always be infused with that "Look at how hard I'm working at ACTING darling" that it often leaves me a little cold. Don't get me wrong, she certainly wasn't bad. She was good in fact and does her thing very well but for me she just didn't make Hester particularly interesting. Which is a shame as it's such a great part.
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Post by wickedgrin on Aug 13, 2016 11:15:09 GMT
"Look at how hard I'm working at ACTING darling" that it often leaves me a little cold. Don't get me wrong, she certainly wasn't bad. Yes, I know exactly what you mean. There are quite a few actors in this category that I won't name. The art of acting is appearing not to be acting at all and appearing completely natural, or appearing to do nothing at all. |
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Post by peelee on Aug 14, 2016 15:40:29 GMT
This was interesting enough but nothing special, and the stage design was unkind to actors and audience alike. Also I think that having seen a related play recently, I was prejudiced when watching 'The Deep Blue Sea' at the National the other night. 'Kenny Morgan', recently at the Arcola Theatre was the better play, and about as well acted. It was more convincingly set in its time period, and was a better production. It also had fewer acres on stage for the actors to have to cover. If there could be a few scene changes at the National for its recent revival of 'A Taste of Honey', and for 'The Plough and the Stars', couldn't something similar have been done for 'The Deep Blue Sea"?
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Post by rumbledoll on Aug 15, 2016 11:15:27 GMT
Theatremonkey, yes, it certainly was on the matinee I attended. {Spoiler - click to view}
But not as loud as reaction on "dirty Jew!" line in Chekhov's Ivanov the day after. |
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Post by peggs on Aug 15, 2016 22:12:37 GMT
Do you mean the second mention theatremonkey? Well actually I think several characters mention it but the big second? If so yes, audible reaction, so much so that someone behind me who clearly hadn't heard it or understand it had it explained to them by their neighbour and then did a belated gasp.
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