|
|
Post by Boob on Dec 9, 2017 8:46:22 GMT
There are a few bigger set pieces - two, maybe three depending on your definition of a set piece. But they’re quite protracted and dull.
Feel I should give a little more opinion about the whole misguided endeavour that this is. Aptly, for a story about a wooden boy, it has no soul, no heart, no brains (although I will admit I found the final scene very moving). There are many elements that, on their own, might be impressive - but together the production is less than the sum of its parts. Biggest problem is the awful book, but several of Tiffany’s decisions stop us from engaging in the paper-thin story. Crucially, we don’t care one jot about Pinocchio (or Gepetto) in the first half and we need to.
Very muted response from last night’s audience. Several bored looking children around me. I don’t think this is fixable without major changes.
|
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Dec 9, 2017 10:51:29 GMT
(the ratio of adults to children was about 50:1)... I see this having more of a future as a show for adults than children. During previews, it's had to run all week and all the regular nut NT preview attenders have squeezed themselves in, hence loads of adults. But once it's open, it's scheduled for school holidays and weekends-only in term-time so it seems the NT is targeting this run squarely at families with pre-teen kids. If it ever transferred, it would have to play all week, and attract more adults! |
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Dec 9, 2017 11:22:09 GMT
No song for the first HOUR??? No BIG set pieces? Eek I fear that some people are going thinking it will be a big, splashy west end musical. Maybe the National should have emphasised more the Dennis Kelly/John Tiffany angle to attract the darker play audience instead? EDIT: That’s the play being darker not the audience, although you never know.... |
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Dec 9, 2017 11:54:13 GMT
I don't really understand why people would be expecting a big splashy show. The movie isn't, in fact it's quite dark at times and the source material if you've read the book is even more twisted. The songs in the movie aren't exactly massive numbers either. It's not like the Disney movie musicals of the 90s.
It does need go be tight on the storytelling though
|
|
4,172 posts
Member is Online
|
Post by anthony40 on Dec 9, 2017 13:22:55 GMT
I don't really understand why people would be expecting a big splashy show. The movie isn't, in fact it's quite dark at times and the source material if you've read the book is even more twisted. The songs in the movie aren't exactly massive numbers either. It's not like the Disney movie musicals of the 90s. It does need go be tight on the storytelling though Because that's the benchmark that Disney has set; The Lion King, Beauty & The Beast, AIDA, Aladdin. And that's the way they're going with Frozen. Basically recreating the cartoon image on stage so given this, it's not unrealistic to expect something of a similar nature. |
|
7,054 posts
|
Post by Jon on Dec 9, 2017 13:57:49 GMT
I don't really understand why people would be expecting a big splashy show. The movie isn't, in fact it's quite dark at times and the source material if you've read the book is even more twisted. The songs in the movie aren't exactly massive numbers either. It's not like the Disney movie musicals of the 90s. It does need go be tight on the storytelling though Because that's the benchmark that Disney has set; The Lion King, Beauty & The Beast, AIDA, Aladdin. And that's the way they're going with Frozen. Basically recreating the cartoon image on stage so given this, it's not unrealistic to expect something of a similar nature. To be fair, this isn’t a Disney show, it’s a National Theatre production so it was never going to a slavish recreation |
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Dec 9, 2017 14:31:11 GMT
I don't really understand why people would be expecting a big splashy show. The movie isn't, in fact it's quite dark at times and the source material if you've read the book is even more twisted. The songs in the movie aren't exactly massive numbers either. It's not like the Disney movie musicals of the 90s. It does need go be tight on the storytelling though Because that's the benchmark that Disney has set; The Lion King, Beauty & The Beast, AIDA, Aladdin. And that's the way they're going with Frozen. Basically recreating the cartoon image on stage so given this, it's not unrealistic to expect something of a similar nature. But those are big West end and Broadway shows, this is being done at the national for a limited run and isn't being marketed as 'Disney's Pinocchio'. Also those movies were big lavish fairytales. Pinocchio has always had a different feel and is a different type of story so sorry yes I think it is unrealistic to just assume all Disney shows are the same. Newsies, jungle book, hunchback, Peter and starcatchers...none were big or lavish. |
|
|
|
Post by Boob on Dec 9, 2017 14:48:54 GMT
This is definitely more “NT Christmas Show” in its approach but, where the best of them captivated audiences young and old with fabulous storytelling, wonderful visuals and bags of heart, this one is anaemic on all fronts.
|
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Dec 9, 2017 18:40:03 GMT
I'm excited to see this tonight. Though I hate children. Especially an child that makes any form of noise. And there are some here. Maybe this show was a boo boo for me.  |
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Dec 9, 2017 20:08:23 GMT
I must say, I am really enjoying it. Its got a certain charm to it that I really like, and the lead is fantastic. It should be said though, the person wthere is no songs until an hour in, complete overreaction. The show began just after 7 and the interval just started. Hi Diddle Dee Dee comes about two thirds in and it is pretty much consistantly songs fro, the movie from then until the end of Act 1, and there is a song called Little Wooden Head sung by whatshisname, the puppet maker, at the start of the show, and the Fairy also gets a brief number. There is also music throughout. So its not like it is just a play with one or two songs. Not a full out musical either. Its a weird one. But I'm really enjoying it!  |
|
1,210 posts
|
Post by musicalmarge on Dec 9, 2017 20:32:15 GMT
Because that's the benchmark that Disney has set; The Lion King, Beauty & The Beast, AIDA, Aladdin. And that's the way they're going with Frozen. Basically recreating the cartoon image on stage so given this, it's not unrealistic to expect something of a similar nature. But those are big West end and Broadway shows, this is being done at the national for a limited run and isn't being marketed as 'Disney's Pinocchio'. Also those movies were big lavish fairytales. Pinocchio has always had a different feel and is a different type of story so sorry yes I think it is unrealistic to just assume all Disney shows are the same. Newsies, jungle book, hunchback, Peter and starcatchers...none were big or lavish. Newsies was very lavish actually! A big huge dance musical on Broadway. I saw it! |
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Dec 9, 2017 20:39:06 GMT
I've seen it too...i wouldn't class it as lavish in terms of physical production in the same.way other Disney Broadway shows have been
|
|
1,210 posts
|
Post by musicalmarge on Dec 9, 2017 20:50:33 GMT
I've seen it too...i wouldn't class it as lavish in terms of physical production in the same.way other Disney Broadway shows have been I must have dreamt the various rotating split level metal towers that depicted Manhattan then. My fault! |
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Dec 9, 2017 21:01:42 GMT
Each to their own, I wouldn't call that lavish. To me its a clever, but simple design as it was never planned to be the hit it was so it didn't have the investment the likes of batb, Aladdin, lion king etc had.
|
|
3,325 posts
|
Post by Dr Tom on Dec 9, 2017 21:54:13 GMT
I must say, I am really enjoying it. Its got a certain charm to it that I really like, and the lead is fantastic. It should be said though, the person wthere is no songs until an hour in, complete overreaction. The show began just after 7 and the interval just started. Hi Diddle Dee Dee comes about two thirds in and it is pretty much consistantly songs fro, the movie from then until the end of Act 1, and there is a song called Little Wooden Head sung by whatshisname, the puppet maker, at the start of the show, and the Fairy also gets a brief number. There is also music throughout. So its not like it is just a play with one or two songs. Not a full out musical either. Its a weird one. But I'm really enjoying it! Glad you're enjoying it. Hi Diddle Dee Dee was the one about an hour in. I don't remember any full songs earlier though, just a couple of lines from longer songs here and there. They are changing this every day though, so they might have expanded the earlier songs from when I saw it earlier in the week (which would be a good thing). |
|
1,345 posts
|
Post by tmesis on Dec 9, 2017 22:04:00 GMT
I enjoyed it but wasn't blown away. I have an aversion to productions with a lot of puppetry anyway but, obviously this time it was pretty apt. I felt act one zipped along but act two dragged, particularly the pleasureland bit (there was some quite naff acting in this bit too.) As others have said the end was quite affecting but the concluding arrangement for 'When you wish upon a Star' was horrible and robbed the song of its effectiveness. In fact most of the re-orchestrations were poor.
On the whole a very effective production but the step-ladders because tiresome (a bit Sally Cookson in that respect but with more dosh thrown at it.)
|
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Dec 9, 2017 22:12:04 GMT
I really enjoyed this. I actually thought the staging and music were actually beautiful, and quite haunting in my opinion. I loved the use of the snow and the lighting. I found the final scene actually quite moving and emotional, and I think the music and staging had a large part to play in that. Also loved the use of the blue flame and appearances of the fairy. The lead Joe as Pinocchio was fantastic, and great to see Dawn as Lampy following her performance in Our Ladies! Annette was another standout as the Blue Fairy, a beautiful performance. Could of used a tad more glitter haha. I guessed how the Monstro scene would be done, so it was a tad underwhelming for me, but staged very well. It was just alot of fun! Id love to catch it again later in the run to see it improve as it goes on. |
|
20 posts
|
Post by jake1345 on Dec 9, 2017 22:42:04 GMT
Just back from this. I feel this is somewhat a jumbled mess, that has some shining moments! The magic is done very well, but is quite reminiscent in places of the Cursed Child. I feel the biggest flaw currently, is the use of puppets for the "real" characters. Whilst this could work the puppets whilst huge and dominating, are so expressionless if their mouths dont move, or their eyes, or anything!! We were essentially listening at points to the story whilst watching bits of wood not really doing very much! Jiminy was the only real stand out puppetry work for me. Loved the blue flames, and the whale was impressive and quite scary from row c, although the inside of the whale was underwhelming. I have to disagree and say that Pleasure Island was one of the stand out pieces of the show for me, and the humour and darkness in this scene were done brilliantly! This may be down to my dislike of being around children, and this scene encouraging them to basically harm themselves (it works in context and isnt as horrifying as i have made it sound). I really didnt like Joe as Pinocchio, found him very panto, and no real dark and shade in the performance for me, just one tone the whole way through. It kept my attention, and I wasn't bored, but can't say I was excited coming out, indifferent springs to mind.
|
|
20 posts
|
Post by jake1345 on Dec 9, 2017 22:43:35 GMT
Forgot to add, that by the fox only explaining why he was so horrid to Pinocchio until the very end meant we also couldnt really understand why he was doing this and made his actions seem random.
I did enjoy the costume however, especially the moving tail!
|
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Dec 9, 2017 23:34:50 GMT
I got the point of Geppetto, Stromboli and the Driver being a puppet, didn't understand at all why the Blue Fairy was, even for the one scene. Especially as she appears to Geppetto later in human form anyway. That part made no sense to me.
|
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Dec 9, 2017 23:35:58 GMT
Just back from this. I feel this is somewhat a jumbled mess, that has some shining moments! The magic is done very well, but is quite reminiscent in places of the Cursed Child. I feel the biggest flaw currently, is the use of puppets for the "real" characters. Whilst this could work the puppets whilst huge and dominating, are so expressionless if their mouths dont move, or their eyes, or anything!! We were essentially listening at points to the story whilst watching bits of wood not really doing very much! Jiminy was the only real stand out puppetry work for me. Loved the blue flames, and the whale was impressive and quite scary from row c, although the inside of the whale was underwhelming. I have to disagree and say that Pleasure Island was one of the stand out pieces of the show for me, and the humour and darkness in this scene were done brilliantly! This may be down to my dislike of being around children, and this scene encouraging them to basically harm themselves (it works in context and isnt as horrifying as i have made it sound). I really didnt like Joe as Pinocchio, found him very panto, and no real dark and shade in the performance for me, just one tone the whole way through. It kept my attention, and I wasn't bored, but can't say I was excited coming out, indifferent springs to mind. Oooo I was Row B! I admit it was quite daunting, the Monstro scene! |
|
3,325 posts
|
Post by Dr Tom on Dec 10, 2017 0:33:45 GMT
I got the point of Geppetto, Stromboli and the Driver being a puppet, didn't understand at all why the Blue Fairy was, even for the one scene. Especially as she appears to Geppetto later in human form anyway. That part made no sense to me. Wasn't the Blue Fairy the same person who (in human form) gave the magic wood to Geppetto in the opening, which was then carved to form Pinocchio? I must admit, it's years since I've seen the film version which this is loosely based on (I will compare this to the Disney film, as the original novel is different again), so I may be muddling up the characters. To me, the idea of the role reversal, that most of the characters are puppets, but Pinocchio is not, is one of the strongest parts of the production. |
|
7,054 posts
|
Post by Jon on Dec 10, 2017 0:42:22 GMT
I saw it on Friday and quite liked it but I wonder if human sized puppets for Geppetto, Stromboli and The Coachman would be better rather than the giant puppets they have? I sort of get the giant puppets for Stromboli and The Coachman but it didn't quite work for Geppetto. The ending is very poignant, the idea that pain is what makes us human worked really well, I don't think that was in either the film or the novel but i could be wrong |
|
736 posts
|
Post by dippy on Dec 10, 2017 0:53:00 GMT
I saw it on Friday and quite liked it but I wonder if human sized puppets for Geppetto, Stromboli and The Coachman would be better rather than the giant puppets they have? I sort of get the giant puppets for Stromboli and The Coachman but it didn't quite work for Geppetto. A human sized Geppetto wouldn't make sense though, he's got to be bigger than Pinocchio until then end. I thought the puppets were nicely made but as others have said the fact that their faces don't move at all didn't help me want to watch them. I remember how much the puppets and humans in Avenue Q became one but in this I gave up watching the giant puppet's because I wasn't involved in watching them. However I thought Jiminy was amazing and loved the puppet. I don't see why people found the big blue fairy puppet at the start odd. It makes sense because she's showing herself to Geppetto as a woman so she'd be a similar size to him. Obviously we see her smaller later and in non human form and then at the end she's the same size as Geppetto again. |
|
7,054 posts
|
Post by Jon on Dec 10, 2017 1:03:57 GMT
I saw it on Friday and quite liked it but I wonder if human sized puppets for Geppetto, Stromboli and The Coachman would be better rather than the giant puppets they have? I sort of get the giant puppets for Stromboli and The Coachman but it didn't quite work for Geppetto. A human sized Geppetto wouldn't make sense though, he's got to be bigger than Pinocchio until then end. I thought the puppets were nicely made but as others have said the fact that their faces don't move at all didn't help me want to watch them. I remember how much the puppets and humans in Avenue Q became one but in this I gave up watching the giant puppet's because I wasn't involved in watching them. However I thought Jiminy was amazing and loved the puppet. I remember Handspring had human sized puppets for Titania and Oberon with in their co-production of A Midsummer's Night Dream and they were worked really well and I think that could have worked for Geppetto. |
|
