Post by Stephen on Dec 6, 2017 1:29:32 GMT
Thoroughly enjoyed my visit tonight to this wonderful new theatre! It's a stunning modern space from outside, through the spacious foyer and into the auditorium. There was a lovely bustling happy atmosphere inside and it's a welcome change having a comfortable seat with good legroom! Additional perks in the building include spacious gender-neutral toilets and self-service water fountains like at the National. They really have created a warm, inviting place that gets you in the right mood to see any play!
Now the play. I wasn't expecting to be too overwhelmed with this having read and heard mixed reviews ranging from average to good. Luckily, I really enjoyed it. Richard Bean has written a short drama which, with light comedy and bubbly pacing, makes for the perfect mid week theatre trip. The joy is that it never takes itself too seriously therefore when serious moments arrive for Marx we feel very connected with him. Although not hilarious, I thought, there's witty jokes and some farce that the audience loved. Performances were in my opinion sound especially from Rory Kinnear as Marx. For me, Kinnear is just a joy to watch and listen to. Oliver Chris gets slightly more comic reign in the latter half of the play which I enjoyed too. The revolve and set work well and never get in the way of the action onstage.
Really, enjoyed the play and the evening considerably more than I expected to. Four stars from me!
On a side note I thought it would be a fairly empty house tonight but in reality, it felt mostly full. Like others have said, laughter really bounces around the theatre in a lovely way! Well done Starr and Hytner - long may this new theatre continue to be a great success on the South Bank!
Now the play. I wasn't expecting to be too overwhelmed with this having read and heard mixed reviews ranging from average to good. Luckily, I really enjoyed it. Richard Bean has written a short drama which, with light comedy and bubbly pacing, makes for the perfect mid week theatre trip. The joy is that it never takes itself too seriously therefore when serious moments arrive for Marx we feel very connected with him. Although not hilarious, I thought, there's witty jokes and some farce that the audience loved. Performances were in my opinion sound especially from Rory Kinnear as Marx. For me, Kinnear is just a joy to watch and listen to. Oliver Chris gets slightly more comic reign in the latter half of the play which I enjoyed too. The revolve and set work well and never get in the way of the action onstage.
Really, enjoyed the play and the evening considerably more than I expected to. Four stars from me!
On a side note I thought it would be a fairly empty house tonight but in reality, it felt mostly full. Like others have said, laughter really bounces around the theatre in a lovely way! Well done Starr and Hytner - long may this new theatre continue to be a great success on the South Bank!
