171 posts
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Post by moelhywel on Mar 22, 2018 22:14:24 GMT
Just back from seeing this in the cinema having had to miss the performance I had a ticket for because of the snow. I thought it was really good and found the modern setting made it even more relevant to today than a "Roman" setting. I have to agree with souchyboyy about Michele Fairley as Cassius, I found her riveting. Think I may have got more out of seeing this in the cinema than the theatre as the seat I had was in Gallery 3 so I would have missed the expressions.
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408 posts
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Post by maggiem on Mar 23, 2018 16:52:34 GMT
I loved watching it at the cinema last night, so I've gone mad and got myself a standing ticket for 14/04 matinee. Cheap(ish) tickets on the train too for a day trip. I'm gonna "Do this"!
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4,153 posts
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Post by kathryn on Mar 24, 2018 18:42:08 GMT
Loved this today! Sat in row C gallery 1 - turned out to be a good choice as my mum came with me instead of my usual theatre buddy, and she couldn’t have stood for 2 hours in the pit.
We both loved it. It felt really dynamic and urgent.
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5,690 posts
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Post by lynette on Mar 24, 2018 23:33:17 GMT
What souchboyy said: I bloody loved this.
Rufus should have sat in the rehearsals here. Not being nasty but this was set in a modern context and with guns and it worked. Why was that? I’m sure the soldiery stuff was just as dodgy as it usually is in these updates but here it all made sense. And the actors spoke the text as if they had just thought of it, freshly and with understanding. Loved Brutus. Loved em all actually. First time I can remember the conspirators being so well delineated, possibly because of the gender mix. The scene between Briutus and Cassius, the argument scene, was particularly good and this I think due to some careful cutting and sheer acting skill. Never seen it better.
I noticed how the crowd were generally millennials while those of us sitting down were baby boomers. I thought it was as if we older ones were looking on, watching the future. And helpless.
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Post by Deleted on Mar 25, 2018 11:01:08 GMT
What souchboyy said: I bloody loved this. Rufus should have sat in the rehearsals here. Not being nasty but this was set in a modern context and with guns and it worked. Why was that? I’m sure the soldiery stuff was just as dodgy as it usually is in these updates but here it all made sense. And the actors spoke the text as if they had just thought of it, freshly and with understanding. Loved Brutus. Loved em all actually. First time I can remember the conspirators being so well delineated, possibly because of the gender mix. The scene between Briutus and Cassius, the argument scene, was particularly good and this I think due to some careful cutting and sheer acting skill. Never seen it better. I noticed how the crowd were generally millennials while those of us sitting down were baby boomers. I thought it was as if we older ones were looking on, watching the future. And helpless. I think this really sums up what distinguishes a good Shakespeare from a bad one - basically it's not enough to have a concept, that concept has got to have a logic that works forensically for the whole play. I remember being particularly aware of that when I saw the NT Lear directed by S Mendes - much as I love a bit of SRB, the production itself wasn't much to write home about and a lot of that was because it felt like Mendes had just plonked it in a particular setting and then not really thought much about it after that. Hytner is bloody excellent at tightly thought through, illuminating Shakespeare. |
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392 posts
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Post by lichtie on Mar 25, 2018 18:06:39 GMT
Saw this one today, as last part of my London theatre weekend. Free seat upgrade after they vanished my seat to a wheelchair and companion, which grey were very apologetic about. Thought it was great, made excellent use of the crowd in the pit, kept up a cracking pace, and could understand exactly what the actors were trying to get across, unlike Macbeth on Friday (OK, the much more intimate space helped a lot!). Also much better than the lacklustre RSC en-togad version last year.
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2,389 posts
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Post by peggs on Mar 25, 2018 21:21:34 GMT
Was most stressful trying to get my balloon home without bursting or losing it, but I do like a production where you leave with purloined goods!
Wow this was just crazing. Started off in pit, noting as flagged majority of the mob was more than a tad younger than me and taller but got my flag to show good will and do like a sing along where I know the words. I don't know if I picked the corner with the most bits of mob moving or it just seemed that way but it kept me on my toes and distracted me from any aching legs but the frequency of someone balling 'MOVE!' in my face and then seeing how many feet you could stand on as you hastily were herded that way or this. I don't get out much I concede but it's the most fun I've had when squashed up with a lot of strangers in ages, if only travelling on the tube was this entertaining.
For me being in the mob made it rather event theatre and the joy of not being with anyone does give one free rein to join in with enthusiasm, felt rather like being at the globe at a intentionally rowdy performance only in the dark and without the chance of rain. Some rather lovely acting, it's funny there was a lot more Caesar then I remembered, the whole thing seemed very much doomed from the start for the conspirators. On the announcement of the cast i'd initially assumed Ben Whishaw would be Mark Antony and David Morrissey Brutus I guess due to age perhaps but it worked this way round. Who'd of thought Ben Whishaw would have made a convincing grimy soldier, I mean his tactics were pretty hopeless but it was very different to anything I've seen him do before. Loved Michelle Fairley's Cassius and Adjoa Andoh's Casca. Great staging, use of music, lights and of the mob. Giving a larger purse i'd have liked to have seen it sitting down to see how different it would be, certainly I missed somethings in the mob but the thrill of that close, of being shoved out the way is hard to beat. Not for everyone I guess, but one of those productions I'd have loved to have taken someone to who though Shakespeare was all dull speechifying in togas.
Very well played the bridge. oh and the cloakroom queue whilst very long afterwards was staffed with very friendly, speedy staff so well done there.
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3,533 posts
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Post by Rory on Mar 26, 2018 8:29:41 GMT
I saw this on NT Live last week and thoroughly enjoyed it. It zipped along and had a crackling energy which translated well to screen but I would imagine to experience it live would be terrific. Standouts for me were Michelle Fairly (excellent) and Adjoa Andoh.
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4,153 posts
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Post by kathryn on Mar 26, 2018 8:33:44 GMT
Giving a larger purse i'd have liked to have seen it sitting down to see how different it would be, certainly I missed somethings in the mob but the thrill of that close, of being shoved out the way is hard to beat. I was seated and I think I want to go again and see it as a member of the mob! |
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330 posts
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Post by RedRose on Mar 26, 2018 8:48:09 GMT
Giving a larger purse i'd have liked to have seen it sitting down to see how different it would be, certainly I missed somethings in the mob but the thrill of that close, of being shoved out the way is hard to beat. I was seated and I think I want to go again and see it as a member of the mob! I enjoyed both experiences and the NT live screening gave another great perspective of the play. Will be in the mob again for the last performance. |
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2,052 posts
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Post by Marwood on Mar 27, 2018 21:38:10 GMT
Saw this tonight from the pit and thought it was truly excellent, really succeeded in being an exciting production, which doesn’t happen too often when it comes to Shakespeare these days.(well not the ones I see anyway) Not one to see in the pit if you’re not that mobile or of a nervous disposition, but I loved it. More thoughts in the next few days (I’m writing this on the train back from London Bridge)
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Post by Deleted on Mar 28, 2018 15:55:37 GMT
Urgent vital and relevant? I think not Perhaps the most patronising and dumbed down Shakespeare I have seen In some ways worse than the NT Macbeth From the clumsy and noisy staging To the shouted dialogue And the terrible Lighting and unrealistic sound effects Guns which don’t actually fire anything We just hear a “bang” coming from a totally different direction Why bother having guns Without blanks?  This production will impress people Who like being herded about For no good reason And find waving flags And balloons exciting And think this amounts to excitement And sophistication I found it utterly dull And a massive misfire 2H 15M of tedium I don’t know what the idea behind it was But live theatre is not film This came across like a cheap 1970s made for TV affair It was just cringe And embarrassing Also interesting That despite the apparent (pointless) Efforts Gone into the staging And the acting talent (in name at least) No Olivier nominations Is the Bridge not eligible for these? The pit was full of school children Excited at the flashing lights And waving flags about Children are used to be bossed about And told what to do So perhaps this is the target audience My needs sit somewhat above What this production offers I think it’s the worst thing I have seen this year The “Band” At the start... f***ing dreadful Their murdering of the “songs” Was the biggest crime of the whole show So far we haven’t seen any Sellouts at The Bridge I wonder how the coming productions will fare? Interesting the AB is not sold out If it was showing at the NT Would not be the case |
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Post by lynette on Mar 28, 2018 18:44:51 GMT
Parsley, I usually agree with some of your reviews if not all but on this occasion I think you are quite wrong. The band, the shouting etc were all references to our contemporary political gatherings. When I was there there were no school kids, it was a Saturday. I can imagine a whole pit of school kids might be a 'challenge' but watching from a seat at the side I found the interpretation illuminating and fresh. I didn’t notice the sound of the guns being out of place. I thought the lighting was excellent actually as was the up and down of the set. The acting was superb, come on. Ben Whishaw was an exceptional Brutus. For once the gender changes said something interesting. I’m sorry you feel differently. But that is what this Board is for, isn’t it, passionately expressed views on Theatre?
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Post by Deleted on Mar 28, 2018 19:38:11 GMT
Parsley, I usually agree with some of your reviews if not all but on this occasion I think you are quite wrong. The band, the shouting etc were all references to our contemporary political gatherings. When I was there there were no school kids, it was a Saturday. I can imagine a whole pit of school kids might be a 'challenge' but watching from a seat at the side I found the interpretation illuminating and fresh. I didn’t notice the sound of the guns being out of place. I thought the lighting was excellent actually as was the up and down of the set. The acting was superb, come on. Ben Whishaw was an exceptional Brutus. For once the gender changes said something interesting. I’m sorry you feel differently. But that is what this Board is for, isn’t it, passionately expressed views on Theatre? Yes the acting was fine As one would expect from this cast But many of the scenes were just shouting I personally have not been to any such Modern political event With a rowdy band who can’t sing And in any case People shouting in the street Having their voice heard Is not real politics It is window dressing The real politics and actual decisions go on behind closed doors It should be elegant and dignified There was also a lack of sufficient differentiation Between the “outside” And “inside” Scenes I think the acting was good enough That the Roman period setting For me anyway Would have been more effective A bit like Imperium The senate scenes were quite thrilling And much more heated Than this limp offering I also think the actors had to constantly Compete with stuff being pushed about I didn’t find the staging exciting If anyone Has seen any recent pop tours Rising and falling elements are used Much much more impressively And there was lots of “shushing” All The time For all The love this production has garnered And good reviews Bizarre it has not sold out Perhaps the arrogant pricing doesn’t help?? I felt the staging detracted from the acting And that wasn’t all perfect anyway Adjoa Andoh Seemed to be auditioning For a Panto With exaggerated facial expressions To be quite frank I am Not a 10 year old school child And for me this production Is designed to appeal to school groups And people who are scared of Shakespeare |
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Post by peggs on Mar 28, 2018 19:43:16 GMT
This production will impress people Who like being herded about For no good reason And find waving flags And balloons exciting And think this amounts to excitement And sophistication That'll have been me then! Well perhaps not sophistication but definitely excitement  You can't win them all @parsley and lynette you are quite right, that is exactly what the board is full, 'passionately expressed views of theatre' |
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Post by Stephen on Mar 28, 2018 21:06:36 GMT
I think you need to experience this one from the pit Parsley. Interesting you should comment on the sound design re guns and such as this could sound less effective when seated? In the pit I found it nervously realistic!
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Post by Deleted on Mar 28, 2018 21:19:36 GMT
I think you need to experience this one from the pit Parsley. Interesting you should comment on the sound design re guns and such as this could sound less effective when seated? In the pit I found it nervously realistic! Perhaps I was front row of the first level They didn’t recoil when the guns went off Those firing them Would be a reflex Just seems unrealistic to me On a related note Does anyone recall at the NT paint frame There Will Be A War I think it was called Tom Basden With Phoebe Fox One of her early stage roles OMG They had rounds and rounds of blanks It was terrifying If anyone else remembers it Please speak up I was shaking I mean they had machine guns firing Whole rounds of blanks Those long chains of them |
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Post by Being Alive on Mar 28, 2018 21:35:39 GMT
Sadly I just can't agree with you Parsley - I truly thought it was one of the most exciting pieces of theatre I've seen in a good few years. Standing in the bit was exhilarating and the time flew by.
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Post by Deleted on Mar 28, 2018 22:10:04 GMT
Sadly I just can't agree with you Parsley - I truly thought it was one of the most exciting pieces of theatre I've seen in a good few years. Standing in the bit was exhilarating and the time flew by. Don’t be sad We all Have different tastes!! Happy Easter 🐣 |
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Post by david on Mar 28, 2018 22:44:10 GMT
After watching this back in January, I read Parsley’s comments, and have to say I thought that the production was well done and the audience I was sat with was fully supportive of the performance. Did I feel it dumbed down the text? No, I felt it gave a modern feel to it that allowed the audience to engage with it, wether they had previous experience of seeing Shakespeare performed or not. I can appreciate that this version will not be to everyone’s taste, but hey, if we all liked the same things, life would be pretty boring and we’d have nothing to talk about!
Hopefully, there will have been theatre goers who have seen the show and/or Andrew Scott’s Hamlet and hopefully this will show what theatre can do in terms of staging a show and maybe help breakdown some people’s preconceptions of what theatre is maybe get more people going to the theatre in the long term.
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1,132 posts
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Post by Stephen on Mar 29, 2018 2:49:21 GMT
Although I don’t share your views on this production @parsley I do find them interesting. I think you’d find things a bit more intense in the pit.
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2,052 posts
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Post by Marwood on Mar 29, 2018 18:36:41 GMT
Shock, horror : Parsley (or is it parsley, I lost track after the second or third time they regenerated) didn’t enjoy a show. I’m sure all those reviews that the Bridge have quoted in their ads giving JC 4 and 5 stars are totally wrong and Mr. Hytner will be pulling all future ads for this after reading that review 😐
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Post by Jan on Mar 30, 2018 8:16:54 GMT
Agree the sound of the handguns coming from a soundtrack rather than the guns themselves was odd. Maybe they didn’t want to carry guns loaded even with blanks amongst the crowd, who knows.
On the fact it didn’t sell out, well this theatre was built far too big wasn’t it, not much they can do about that now.
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Post by Deleted on Mar 30, 2018 8:58:47 GMT
Agree the sound of the handguns coming from a soundtrack rather than the guns themselves was odd. Maybe they didn’t want to carry guns loaded even with blanks amongst the crowd, who knows. On the fact it didn’t sell out, well this theatre was built far too big wasn’t it, not much they can do about that now. There are regulations that mean you can’t fire a prop gun with blanks within a certain distance of anyone, something they couldn’t plan for with the audience close by. There is another reason, being the way that an audience reacts and how it screws up the atmosphere. Fire a blank and audiences jump/scream with some then invariably laughing at their embarrassment at doing so. At a serious moment then what you are looking for is totally lost. A sound cue of a gunshot tends not to have that effect, as it is quieter, less explosive. It doesn’t sound anywhere near as good, of course. |
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Post by Deleted on Mar 30, 2018 8:58:58 GMT
Saw this twice and each time it was full bar a few odd seats. The idea that a new theatre on its second production should be able to sell tickets as easily and quickly as one that's been going for over 50 years... It will take time to get on people's radar, am sure the founders and funders were perfectly aware of that.
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