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Post by Michael on Nov 1, 2017 9:00:35 GMT
Just because some comments or posts weren't removed or edited doesn't mean they haven't been dealt with. We don't discuss actions publicly, but possible actions include PMs, warning points, temporary account suspension and more.
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Post by n1david on Nov 1, 2017 9:55:00 GMT
Saw this last night and it was pleasant enough - didn't do the politics very well, and didn't do the farce very well, but always good to see Rory Kinnear and Chris Oliver up close.
Front row, which as Monkey says is a bit high - I'm 5'9" and some of the staging wasn't very clear to me, but not a disaster.
Seeing the comments here about access/egress to the stalls - last night from the front we were ushered down corridors to the sides of the stalls, into another (unfinished) lobby which will probably be the entrance to the Pit when it's in Julius Caesar configuration. That then took us upstairs to bring us out on the mezzanine level. But that bit of the theatre isn't finished yet (presumably they thought they wouldn't need it until JC). Didn't see them using it on the way in or at the interval, but it looks like there might be a longterm solution in due course to get people out the Stalls faster.
Exemplary bar service, although I was a bit disappointed in the madeleines as ours were definitely not "served hot", but I'm not really a sweet person so I ordered them more out of curiosity than anything else.
So a good experience for my first visit to the Bridge, although I wasn't blown away. As others have said, I do wonder what will happen if they have a flop or two in a row - even Sir Nick isn't infallible.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 1, 2017 10:15:54 GMT
As long as he's a tosser because he's a tosser and not because he's autistic. Thanks Burly. Somebody else used the "B" word but I'll let her off because I don't want it getting back to Andrew Garfield how much of a right-on PC square I can be! I did but you could argue that I was quoting what the moderator above also said! I do think there's a difference between comments about someone. "Off the telly" as it were who has made themselves a bit of a public figure vs the kind of bitchy comments Parsley made about FOH staff here and elsewhere- they aren't public figures, and don't deserve that kind of talk. And don't worry me and Andrew only bitch about people who bitch about his hair. We've got a whole forum dedicated to it in fact. |
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Post by Deleted on Nov 1, 2017 11:45:56 GMT
I found the "bitch" and "tosser" name calling a bit aggressive really, coming out of nowhere, as far as I could see. A bit like the feeling you have when you find yourself standing next to some lairy bloke in a bar, and you feel you need to move out of his way. I'll admit to being sensitive about name calling after spending most of my childhood years (is that the term for everything up to 20 now???) being on the receiving end of the name calling. I would imagine quite a few of us on here have been in the same position. Difficult years to re-live if I'm honest... As for the "suggestion", I just thought this was funny a) given the circumstances I have since highlighted and b) it's usually the case that as soon as you see the word "suggestion" you just know it's going to tell you something you already know. Like the "serving suggestion" on a tin of fruit! I have to say that I do feel sorry for poor old parsley sometimes, and I know he won't thank me for saying that. Yes, he goes out of his way to stir us all up from time to time (along with several others I could think of...!) and he tends to overdo it somewhat. But I really do see this as him playing some kind of role. He's being 'theatrical'! Even his delivery is unique! My bet is that in real life he's nothing like the persona he presents on this forum! Of all the people on here I'd like to meet for real (yes, I'll admit there are one or two!) parsley is towards the top of my list!  |
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Post by Tibidabo on Nov 1, 2017 16:41:05 GMT
I have to say that I do feel sorry for poor old parsley sometimes, and I know he won't thank me for saying that. Yes, he goes out of his way to stir us all up from time to time (along with several others I could think of...!) and he tends to overdo it somewhat. But I really do see this as him playing some kind of role. He's being 'theatrical'! Even his delivery is unique! My bet is that in real life he's nothing like the persona he presents on this forum! Of all the people on here I'd like to meet for real (yes, I'll admit there are one or two!) parsley is towards the top of my list! Agree with all this............apart from that last sentence, oooer! I'm happy to leave him safely ensconced in my imagination........ |
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Post by Deleted on Nov 1, 2017 16:46:37 GMT
I have to say that I do feel sorry for poor old parsley sometimes, and I know he won't thank me for saying that. Yes, he goes out of his way to stir us all up from time to time (along with several others I could think of...!) and he tends to overdo it somewhat. But I really do see this as him playing some kind of role. He's being 'theatrical'! Even his delivery is unique! My bet is that in real life he's nothing like the persona he presents on this forum! Of all the people on here I'd like to meet for real (yes, I'll admit there are one or two!) parsley is towards the top of my list! Agree with all this............apart from that last sentence, oooer! I'm happy to leave him safely ensconced in my imagination........ Haha! Yes, on reflection, a fantasy is always best kept as a fantasy! (***picturing you Miss Tibby, doing that little sashay in your crinoline*** ) |
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Post by peelee on Nov 1, 2017 16:54:58 GMT
1) "..you have called Michaela Strachan a “bitch” and Chris Packham a “tosser”."" There is a fascinating programme on Chris Packham available on BBC iPlayer: www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b09b1zbb/chris-packham-aspergers-and-me?suggid=b09b1zbb2) Over the years I've used theatres, I've found box office staff, ticket-checkers, programme sellers, bookshop staff and bar staff to be welcoming and helpful. It's been as positive an experience as dealing with cinema staff and people keeping us safe and well served at football stadiums like Wembley. Starting by being positive helps greatly. |
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Post by Deleted on Nov 1, 2017 18:31:33 GMT
Well I couldn't make this up but by sheer fluke (i.e. No other suitable Wednesday matinees) I ended up at this today.
The play was good enough to make me take Richard Bean off my "would like to punch on the nose for the hours I lost at your play" list (joking...before anyone tells me off) but not the greatest play ever written. The proper thoughts when I'm back home.
The theatre itself is lovely. Beautiful but idling and auditorium- can't wait to see it's other configurations. I admit I didn't eat or drink but every usher I spoke to (a fair few as I went the wrong way) and box office staff were lovely, polite and getting things done efficiently. Yes they were consulting notes on the theatre layout or asking each other but they've hardly been open 5 minutes so to be expected. And the bad queue from what I witnessed moved quickly (as did the loo queue)
The £15 lower gallery restricted view seats are a bargain too- hardly miss anything.
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Post by chrissie on Nov 1, 2017 21:00:10 GMT
I was there too this afternoon. I thought the theatre itself was impressive, comfortable seats, plenty of leg room. I got there early to have a snack before the play, the bar had a disappointing range of cold food on offer, rather dreary baguette type sandwiches and expensive small salads. The staff were all very friendly and helpful. One chap took me all the way down to the front stalls via a very nice lift and showed me to my seat, that was impressive. The play was great, good to see all the NT regulars back on stage! I found it amusing and the double act of Rory Kinnear and Oliver Chris was excellent. 100% better than the awful St George I'd seen on Monday just up the road. By the way, where is good to eat around there? I note it is close to More London, is that a fruitful area for restaurants? Any recommendations?
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Post by Jon on Nov 2, 2017 3:14:22 GMT
I was there too this afternoon. I thought the theatre itself was impressive, comfortable seats, plenty of leg room. I got there early to have a snack before the play, the bar had a disappointing range of cold food on offer, rather dreary baguette type sandwiches and expensive small salads. The staff were all very friendly and helpful. One chap took me all the way down to the front stalls via a very nice lift and showed me to my seat, that was impressive. The play was great, good to see all the NT regulars back on stage! I found it amusing and the double act of Rory Kinnear and Oliver Chris was excellent. 100% better than the awful St George I'd seen on Monday just up the road. By the way, where is good to eat around there? I note it is close to More London, is that a fruitful area for restaurants? Any recommendations? More London has loads of restaurants, I went to Strada but there is a Jamie's Italian nearby. |
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Post by londonmzfitz on Nov 2, 2017 14:40:25 GMT
Eating around here - depends if you want a toasted sandwich or a tablecloth and cutlery ...
If you leave London Bridge by the Tooley Street exit you will walk past a Pret. Further on is Hays Galleria; there is a little deli place on the corner with seats. Walk into the Galleria and there is a Café Rouge and a Costa. Walk further and you pass Leons (it’s tiny, and chilly though). Another coffee place (Café Nero?). At the square in front of More London is a Jamies Italian, across the road on the corner of Bermondsey Street is Chilango Mexican (never tried it, sorry). On the same side as Chilango is Shad Indian Restaurant, eaten there twice and enjoyed it. Back towards Jamies Italian and walk down towards the River Thames is Gaucho’s, and next door is somewhere I had very good Chinese dumplings. If you are early, I’d recommend visiting Bermondsey Street which has many bars serving food.
Alternately, walk over Tower Bridge to St Katherines Dock (5 minutes from The Bridge Theatre), where there is a Slug & Lettuce serving food, another Café Rouge (sign up for excellent deals, 30% off all food, etc); and other places to eat in the shadow of The Tower of London and overlooking the pretty dock with fancy boats.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 2, 2017 20:15:35 GMT
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Post by Someone in a tree on Nov 3, 2017 10:16:12 GMT
Lovely theatre. So easy to find and so central.
Very relaxing foyer space - I’m guessing they are open during the day to catch all passing trade?
But god the play was tedious. Not informative, moving or political. RK was brilliant (he always is) but the production was like time travelling back 10 years to ‘glory days’ of the Travelex Season.
I can’t believe they chose to open a brand new spanking theatre with this dud ... I not sure when I will visit this theatre again
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Post by lynette on Nov 3, 2017 12:28:47 GMT
You remind me of the opening of the Olivier with that dreadful Goldoni farce. They had the choice of the world's Theatre but chose a dud.
But this wasn’t that bad. It was entertaining rather than mind expanding.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 3, 2017 12:54:03 GMT
You remind me of the opening of the Olivier with that dreadful Goldoni farce. They had the choice of the world's Theatre but chose a dud. But this wasn’t that bad. It was entertaining rather than mind expanding. Indeed! I was thinking about this and Heisenberg as choices to open new companies/theatres with. And I think there's something to be said for playing it safe in some respects. While it might look good to go in guns blazing (So Company for Elliott Harper and perhaps Julius for The Bridge) actually if you're 'testing the water' going in quietly is possibly a better option. If Young Marx doesn't set the world on fire, or sell out the run- it probably won't- it doesn't matter in the scheme of things, it lets Hytner open the theatre, bed in all that stuff with a solid decent play doing solid business. Likewise for Elliott Harper, they got decent if not rave reviews but weren't trashed. And if they can limp on to the end of the run they've lost a limited amount- conversely Company is a big show and a big gamble (it could get utterly trashed in the reviews lets face it). So I think for both companies they're going for a 'play it safe (and cheaper) and build on it' Anyhoo all to say Marx is a fun, entertaining evening out. I saw someone rip it to shreds on Twitter and frankly I can't imagine having that strong a feeling about it either way - it's a well acted, decently written piece of theatre and sometimes that's ok. |
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Post by Jon on Nov 3, 2017 13:36:16 GMT
I think Hytner and Starr going for Young Marx, a new play rather than a safe revival was a way of showing that the Bridge is for new plays rather than being the NT 2.0 I’m sure if they have a flop or two down the line, they’ll get a star studded revival for Hytner to direct to fill the coffers
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Post by lynette on Nov 3, 2017 14:45:07 GMT
Guys and Dolls?
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Post by blobble84 on Nov 4, 2017 17:15:40 GMT
Well, that was dull.
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Post by Latecomer on Nov 4, 2017 17:53:44 GMT
I rather enjoyed it!However egg mayonnaise sandwich was frankly pathetic. Plus if you had rearranged the small bite sized pieces it would only have made 3/4 of a round. Poor bread, no garnish £6. Coffee,filter only,small cups from an urn. Cakes looked splendid but didn't try. Need to improve this catering!
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Post by Polly1 on Nov 4, 2017 21:25:30 GMT
I rather enjoyed it!However egg mayonnaise sandwich was frankly pathetic. Plus if you had rearranged the small bite sized pieces it would only have made 3/4 of a round. Poor bread, no garnish £6. Coffee,filter only,small cups from an urn. Cakes looked splendid but didn't try. Need to improve this catering! Lovely to see Latecomer again and meet peggs. Theatre 9/10, they have really put some thought in, much-vaunted loos excellent. Programme 8/10 Play 6/10 fun and engrossing Seats 6/10 (I think I broke mine!) Lack of perspective from front row but nice to be close. Catering 1/10 see Latecomer's comments - disgusting, over-priced sandwich. Cakes looked nice tho. Overall a good experience, pleasant walk along the river, will be lovely in the summer. Oh, and at least 11/10 for the divine Nancy Carroll, as always |
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Post by showgirl on Nov 5, 2017 5:21:56 GMT
What, were there 3 of you at yesterday's matinee, Latecomer, peggs and Polly1? I wish I'd known since so far as I can see, I was the only one who posted (in the "This Week I Am Going To See" thread, which is after all optional) that I'd be seeing this - though of course, you might not have wanted to meet me! I quite liked the new theatre but it was frustrating to get there an hour early (over-allowing for rail engineering work and finding a venue new to me) to discover that there was already nowhere whatsoever to sit, as though there was ample seating, it was all fully occupied, so I had to skulk about like a lost soul until the downstairs foyer opened. However, it's obviously good that there is so much seating for those who arrive early enough, and that the theatre seems so popular already with patrons. The setting was really attractive, even on a rather cold, wet and windy November day when you don't want to linger outside: set back from the Thames and at an angle, so with a beautiful view of the north bank and the landscaped gardens; I can imagine the area being thronged in better weather and it's so much more spacious and appealing than the equivalent further west by the NT/South Bank, which is cramped and now horribly overcrowded, as not designed for the numbers now visiting or passing through. Once in the auditorium, I could see why people were comparing it to the Dorfman and my visit provided useful intel for any future bookings, as I'd aim to pay less and sit somewhere else. I had one of those cheaper, tip-up, end-of-row stalls seats, which was still expensive by my usual standards and not worth it; also unexpectedly precarious, as at one point I must have shifted my weight slightly (probably trying in vain to get comfortable!), only for the whole contraption to start to fold up and tip me off. Obviously I don't expect the same comfort as offered by the adjacent seats for a lower price and I had no problem with the seat width, but the seat instability was an unexpected drawback (I have sat in this type of seat in the Dorfman and it felt far more secure) and as for the seat depth - aargh! I suppose the designer(s) had to compromise somewhere to balance cost, comfort and view, but the seat depth is hellishly inadequate and I'm not even tall. Moreover, so far as I could see, it was no better in the more expensive seats alongside, so if I were to return, I'd have to be really keen, rather than booking on spec as I was for this first visit. I'd also aim for something cheaper, as if the view was no worse and the seat no less uncomfortable, I might as well at least save unnecessary expense. As for the play, I agree with Polly1's 6/10: it was fun at times and we were out by 4.40 pm (so sooner than advertised), but it felt under-powered to me and not entirely sure of what it wanted to be or was trying to do. |
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Post by Someone in a tree on Nov 5, 2017 8:05:10 GMT
Beyond the Bridge Theatre what future do think the play will have?
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Post by Polly1 on Nov 5, 2017 11:31:30 GMT
Aw, showgirl, of course we would have wanted to meet you, and could have saved you a seat in the foyer too! Sorry, don't read the 'I'm going to...' thread much. I agree that the depth of the theatre seats wasn't great, the extra legroom in the front row meant I didn't notice but it may be an issue for other rows. Also I was wondering in an idle sleepless moment, how differently would this play and St. George have been received if they'd been in the other's theatre? Did Marx get an easier ride as it was the Bridge's first production? If it had been in the Olivier I think a few more critical knives would have come out, whereas if George had been at the Bridge, I believe more allowance would have been made (plus it may well have benefited from Hytner's wisdom before it got to the stage!) |
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Post by Latecomer on Nov 5, 2017 12:06:32 GMT
Yes, sorry showgirl....always love to meet forum people! Like Polly1 hadn't read thread recently. Apologies. Should have worn forum badge!
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Post by peggs on Nov 5, 2017 16:46:38 GMT
It would in fact be plain mean at this point to say we were there hours early and even had a spare chair you could of used, sorry Showgirl! I'm sure you would have been vastly interested in Latecomers horror at her egg sandwich or my horseraddish making me incapable of speech. I don't read the i'm going this week thread mainly as it makes me very envious. I would have quite enjoyed staring at people and wondering if they were you had I known but would have been too socially inept to actually risk speaking to anyone. I did think that yes if you weren't there pretty early it was something of an open space to try and lurk in for any amount of time, fine when warmer but not so good now. I missed the seat depth, was too busy trying to sit very upright to see over the high stage wondering which of the actors was Nancy Carrol but not daring to ask as knew i'd have horrified Latecomer and Polly1 for not knowing |
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