Romantics Anonymous - Sam Wanamaker / Bristol Old Vic

[zahidf]

They will be having a socially distanced audience for sept 27th

[Deleted]

Looking forward to finally getting to see this, albeit online, tonight.

[originalconceptlive]

For anyone else watching this particular session: there were technical issues but it seems to be actually starting now.

[marob]

Just watched this tonight. Technical issues at the start, luckily it came on just as I was about to give up on it. Far better quality sound/video than the Old Vic have managed with zoom.

Very glad I saw it. What a lovely little gem of a show.

[southstreet]

What was the running time? Have another online show booked for 10pm, so wondering if I could fit this in as well beforehand. :-)

[originalconceptlive]

I didn't time it, but the booking confirmation details advised 2 hours 15 minutes. I was also advised that while the virtual foyer opens at the stated starting time, the actual show begins half an hour later (eg 7:00pm vs 7:30pm UK time), assuming that there isn't another technical delay. (Note: you require a piece of chocolate to eat at the start of the show.)

I really enjoyed it as well. The first act played the anxiety and romance a bit more for laughs than I would have liked. The second act felt more sincere to me, and delved more deeply into the issues and joys of the couple's developing relationship.

[cheri78]

Although you miss the intimacy of this show as it was at the Sam Wanamaker, it still was a joy to watch and is a little gem of a show. Lovingly directed, wittily staged and beautifully lit, with super performances from Carly Bawden and Gareth Snook from the original cast. And what an uplifting and joyful finale. Bravo to the team involved and thanks for bringing live theatre into the house.

[ThereWillBeSun]

I watched the live stream on Thursday, yes there were technical glitches but kudos to Wise Children and Bristol Old Vic who were great at communications. There was an unexpected Q&A too which was a treat feat. Emma Rice. I absolutely adore this show, I would love Wise Children to produce Flying Lovers although not sure if that would work as it was technically a Kneehigh show.

[Deleted]

Watched this on Wednesday. Not the sort of thing I'd normally go for but it was simple, sweet and light and I enjoyed it.

Just nice to see something live really. No idea why more people can't do live paid for streams in this way.

Hopefully they'll do Starlight Express next.
(#Spoiler - they won't!)

[ThereWillBeSun]

Sept 26, 2020 11:45:45 GMT @sharpe12 said:

Watched this on Wednesday. Not the sort of thing I'd normally go for but it was simple, sweet and light and I enjoyed it.

Just nice to see something live really. No idea why more people can't do live paid for streams in this way.

Hopefully they'll do Starlight Express next.
(#Spoiler - they won't!)

I think Wise Children are pioneers - thought the quality was excellent and it did work!

[mrbarnaby]

Are they going to release a cast recording? Some lovely songs in this.

I thought it was utterly delightful. Beautifully staged and directed, and 2 fabulous lead performances. A future life is essential!

[Someone in a tree]

I've read my digital programme and I'm now doubly excited!

Glad last night was a rehearsed reading (southwark playhouse) and tonight is fully staged. Total fluke on the planning stakes

[fossil]

I watched this last night (Friday) and it was the perfect light hearted antidote to these gloomy times. Thoroughly enjoyable from beginning to end. Having seen the Old Vic's effort at streaming with a very jerky picture, by contrast the picture quality for this was very good. The sound was also clear and well balanced. The camera work was just right to show the performances with no unnecessary close-ups or busy cutting from camera to camera like you get sometimes get with live performances.

There is a fifteen minute interval.

Almost tempted to grab one of the few tickets left to see this live in the theatre on Sunday, but I suppose I had better not risk it having endured so many months of shielding. As if to run salt into the wounds my calendar reminder app has just popped up to tell me that I should be off to the Bridge Theatre to see the now postponed Book of Dust for which I did have tickets!

[ThereWillBeSun]

Sept 26, 2020 13:40:52 GMT Someone in a tree said:

I've read my digital programme and I'm now doubly excited!

Glad last night was a rehearsed reading (southwark playhouse) and tonight is fully staged. Total fluke on the planning stakes

I missed the digital programme - whereabouts was that please?

[Someone in a tree]

Sept 26, 2020 16:38:45 GMT ThereWillBeSun said:

Sept 26, 2020 13:40:52 GMT Someone in a tree said:

I've read my digital programme and I'm now doubly excited!

Glad last night was a rehearsed reading (southwark playhouse) and tonight is fully staged. Total fluke on the planning stakes

I missed the digital programme - whereabouts was that please?

I was on an email link sent to me yesterday by wise children - not much init but nice none the less

[ncbears]

My sound and picture are not in sync!

[ncbears]

It is them. I tried another device and method. Aargh

[ncbears]

And they heard me? They are in a hold.

[Someone in a tree]

Prior to the out of sync and stop I thought it was great.

Please let it continue

Basesd on the first 5 minutes I really want a cast recording to be made

[ncbears]

Got an email. They are going to start at top when they resume

[david]

Hadn’t planned to watch this, but based on earlier posts I ended up getting a ticket for tonight’s performance. Upto the stoppage I have really enjoyed it. From the email I have just received they are starting the show (hopefully) from the beginning. The problem with a show about chocolate is that I starting craving for some. Unfortunately the chocolate orange i found in my cupboards only lasted until the stoppage.

[ncbears]

yay. Fixed!

[david]

What a beautifully crafted piece of theatre. I thoroughly enjoyed the entire production (the ad-libbing at the start of Act 2 song about the tech issues tonight was just brilliant) and I’m just glad I got a ticket for it in the end. Well done and a big thank you to everyone involved in bringing this sublime production into our homes.

[ncbears]

I thought it was a delight - slight, but a delight. Very old fashioned - but with a bit of new - although some of the new seemed awkward.
I'm glad I watched it - but I didn't love it as so many others on this board did. It might play better in the theatre. 

We very much enjoyed some of the stagecrafted, um, silliness like the neon lights and the car chase. 

Did very much enjoy the bit at the beginning of Act Two. Was there always that song there or added for a streaming audience - and who dashed off the extra/added/amended lyrics regarding technical issues?  Quite clever.

And the "dancing on air" bit at the end?  How very ... very .... very extra.  On the TV, it just seemed like "ok - why not" and maybe, even in the theatre, it was is "ok, why not" - but, a fun touch.

Gareth Snook took advantage of the camera - adlibbing movements and gestures just for us at home. There were a few other bits that seemed played just for the camera.

Enjoyed the enthusiastic applause from the crew for the broadcast!

And a major thank you to Wise Children for catching the technical issue, emailing about it, fixing it and starting from the top, although the email had a ten second warning!   

[dippy]

Sept 26, 2020 23:09:37 GMT ncbears said:

Did very much enjoy the bit at the beginning of Act Two. Was there always that song there or added for a streaming audience - and who dashed off the extra/added/amended lyrics regarding technical issues?  Quite clever.

There was always an interval song but it was in the foyer and more of the cast. I can't remember what it was about but they talked about it in the Q&A. They said they weren't going to put in an interval song but then they came up with what you saw. We had technical issues on Thursday and he only changed a couple of words to make it relevant so I'm guessing he did the same last night.