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Post by floorshow on Feb 27, 2019 15:08:07 GMT
I can't recall music/drones in All About Eve, what was used?
Haven't seen it yet but it's Polly Harvey, who also scored Streetcar & Electra. |
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Post by londontheatrefan on Feb 27, 2019 15:47:52 GMT
Because actually Van Hove IS clever enough to make it clever. If that makes sense. I would love Van Hove to go back to what he does best which is stripping things back to their core THIS. When you know someone can do it and make it amazing and it isn’t. Double disappointment. That's exactly why I was so disappointed - it had so much potential and on paper should have worked. For me it didn't. |
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Post by Mark on Feb 27, 2019 16:47:07 GMT
Asked about dayseats earlier and nothing available, but amazingly won the front row lottery tonight through TodayTix! Never seen the film and not familiar with the material but looking forward to it.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 27, 2019 19:01:42 GMT
THIS. When you know someone can do it and make it amazing and it isn’t. Double disappointment. That's exactly why I was so disappointed - it had so much potential and on paper should have worked. For me it didn't. Yes to both of you- exactly, I think he is a genius (admittedly I didn't endure the Jude Law car oil one) but I was so let down by this one. It felt almost like a kid who had rushed his homework. 'Oh crap I said I'd do this so let's bung a bit of this thing we've done before, and a bit of this and...will that do?' |
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Post by Mark on Feb 27, 2019 22:12:55 GMT
Quick review from me - I really liked it. The front row is really excellent and the stage high at all. Loved Gillian and Lily, loved the story, loved the staging. Cast universally strong, although must highlight Monica Dolan who was fabulous!
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Post by theatrefan77 on Feb 28, 2019 8:40:06 GMT
I enjoyed this last night. The acting was good in general and it's cleverly staged although the party scene fell a bit flat.
It was certainly entertaining and I was never bored, however I much prefer the movie which is a masterpiece and a must see classic.
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Post by Distant Dreamer... on Feb 28, 2019 12:08:15 GMT
however I much prefer the movie which is a masterpiece and a must see classic. An absolute classic  |
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Post by Deleted on Feb 28, 2019 13:56:21 GMT
It felt almost like a kid who had rushed his homework. Given all that he is involved with right now, this might be a bit closer to the truth than perhaps you intended. |
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Post by orchidman on Mar 1, 2019 0:50:45 GMT
Always thought the film was a poor relation to Sunset Boulevard and undeserving of the Oscar in the same year although haven't seen it for years now.
Thought the play exposed weaknesses in the story, it's pretty silly and inconsequential, and the tone is off, but maybe I'd think that if I rewatched the film. If Eve has such great star quality as we are told she doesn't need all the scheming beyond getting her foot in the door. As soon as she auditions and wins over New York's hottest playwright and leading critic to her talents, everything else is redundant.
It's unclear if she is actually supposed to be obsessed with Margo or only pretends to be so to ingratiate herself. She's portrayed as Machiavellian but badmouthing Margo in the press is actually extremely stupid, as was telling Addison she is going to marry Lloyd before her opening night just when she wants him to write her a rave. For the story to work, I feel like it needs Eve to truly ruin Margo's life. Whereas Margo having to step away from young leading lady parts is inevitable with or without Eve. And Eve fails to seduce Bill which would have added some much needed dramatic punch. Or alternatively, if it's really a story about the brutality of aging for women, it would be better if Eve didn't scheme at all, she really was guileless, and Margo was obsessed with staying at the top but nothing she can do matters because she simply can't compete with a beautiful youth.
Ironically given the title, I'm not sure we actually get to really know Eve and what makes her tick, we know what she wants but her underlying motivations are pretty opaque.
Thought the decision to have a pivotal scene between Eve and Karen filmed off-stage was totally bizarre. That was balanced out with the camera in the mirror stuff which was very effectively done, probably the highlight. Hate the jarring men's costumes, I don't know why van Hove thinks it's clever to have one anachronistic element, it just takes me out of the play, did the same thing with the coffee in The Crucible on Broadway. Within the story there's some total nonsense like high schools across America having fan clubs for a stage actress in the movie era.
Monica Dolan and Rhashan Stone did not make a believable couple, the acting in general was fine but little more. Would have been more interesting to see Cate Blanchett in the part, not necessarily better but to see how her more ethereal presence would have fitted in. Did think mentioning Sunset Boulevard that Gillian Anderson would be a better fit as Norma Desmond.
Mind-boggling to think people will be paying £175 a ticket for such mediocre fare.
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Post by Deleted on Mar 1, 2019 8:49:19 GMT
orchidman I missed the anachronism in the men’s costuming. What was going on?
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Post by orchidman on Mar 4, 2019 15:47:55 GMT
orchidman I missed the anachronism in the men’s costuming. What was going on? I'm not as good on women's fashion but their costumes look contemporary to the film (1950), the men's costumes are very modern. Slim cut suits which hark back to the early 1960s but the cut of them, colour combinations and missing ties much more 2010s than 1960s. I guess the whole thing could have been shifted 10 years to 1960 or even be stylised modern dress but the pop culture references from the film aren't updated. Any which way something is off and it's unnecessary and adds nothing whilst raising these fairly banal questions while you are watching. |
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Post by joem on Mar 8, 2019 0:08:10 GMT
Underwhelmed. Cleverly staged and well acted this is a slight piece with little depth to either its narrative or themes or characterisation. Much as I like la Anderson this is no more than competent, a pedestrian tale of ambition and bitchiness in the theatre.
Overlong, needed an interval to stop the stream of people heading towards the toilets and returning in midflow.
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Post by Deleted on Mar 8, 2019 6:48:01 GMT
people heading towards the toilets and returning in midflow. That's terrible. They should at least finish their business in the loo before returning to the auditorium! |
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Post by westendgurl on Mar 13, 2019 20:40:47 GMT
There may be a few slight spoilers in this post...
I saw the play again last night after going in the first week, and I have to say it's definitely improved, but it still left me feeling absolutely flat at the end. I loved the film and on paper this has everything on paper to be a brilliant play - the actors, the director, the script - but I feel this play is really let down by the direction. The screens were used far too much, the party scene seemed to go on forever, and it was just too much - the best bits by far was when there were no screens or cameras in sight. The first time I saw it I was really impressed with the acting, although I don't think Gillian was anywhere near as good as she was in Streetcar, but last night at times it felt like they weren't really trying? (it's easy for me to say not being an actor but last night I was disappointed, and even Monica Dolan wasn't as impressive - and she's the best thing about this production). There have been a few changes since the first time I saw it, some good and funny (I quite liked the miming Monica does in the kitchen scene now, and the opening scene with Addison going backstage) but some really not called for (I didn't care for a lingering close-up of Margo's vomit!) I just didn't feel anything watching it other than boredom at times, and disappointment. The most entertaining moments were when one of the cameras died momentarily so we got a close-up of the cameraman's foot and when the audio description got stuck and seemed to give up, but other than that it wasn't very memorable. It could be a great play but for me it's good at best.
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Post by lynette on Mar 16, 2019 22:42:18 GMT
Well, first of all I was quite grateful for the video stuff so I could see the faces of the actors ( anyone got the phone number of the guy who mixed the martinis?) because I was in row P which is a bit further back than I would have liked though the rake is ok. Yes I 'got it', the Hollywood refs, the reality v illusion, the whole nine yards. But in the end I thought maybe I should have stayed at home and watched the rugby, I mean the tv in my living room. I could have made myself a cuppa and got up and down. When did it become ok to leave in the middle of a play by the way, people did tonight and they came back in! If you can’t wait two hours to pee then book a different show. Two hours with no interval is ridiculous of course, and hey, the same time as a movie! Gosh, how did we miss that?
So mixed feelings. Nice performances from the women, overacting from all the men, sorry I’m right here. ( apart from the guy who mixed the martinis) All a bit trying too hard. It would be nice to see both the leads in something really good..a classic maybe or something cutting edge.
Afterthought: there was a standing ovation. I’ve seen some of the greats in my time and a stand up was a rarity. It irritates me because I can’t see the curtain call if people stand up in front of me and makes me feel I’m not appreciative. Can we save the stand ups for the really great performances? End of grumpy rant. I'll be better when I’ve had a cup of tea ...or a martini.
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Post by Deleted on Mar 17, 2019 10:56:20 GMT
lynette I wonder if there is a higher likelihood of a standing ovation on certain nights of the week? As someone who can happily not give a standing ovation to a play I’d rate as five stars, I rarely go to the theatre on the weekend. My guess is that people who go to the theatre less are more likely to go on the weekend, and are more likely to give a standing ovation. I think it’s something that is thought of ‘as a theatre-y thing to do’ and so they happen out of a sense of occasion. There was no standing ovation (maybe one or two people) when I saw AAE, but it was on a Tuesday night. (I also don’t think it deserves one, so even if everyone else had stood up, I would have stayed seated.)
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Post by lynette on Mar 17, 2019 14:24:45 GMT
Right, Saturday more of an occasion perhaps and indeed there was a general feeling of occasion with the women quite dressed up. I noticed a few sparkly jackets!
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Post by winonaforever on Mar 17, 2019 14:41:59 GMT
lynette I wonder if there is a higher likelihood of a standing ovation on certain nights of the week? As someone who can happily not give a standing ovation to a play I’d rate as five stars, I rarely go to the theatre on the weekend. My guess is that people who go to the theatre less are more likely to go on the weekend, and are more likely to give a standing ovation. I think it’s something that is thought of ‘as a theatre-y thing to do’ and so they happen out of a sense of occasion. There was no standing ovation (maybe one or two people) when I saw AAE, but it was on a Tuesday night. (I also don’t think it deserves one, so even if everyone else had stood up, I would have stayed seated.) I actually can't remember the last time I saw a show (musical or play) that DIDN'T get a standing ovation! (Apart from the MT Fest musicals at The Other Palace, but that's a different situation) No difference on week nights/matinees compared to Saturdays though. |
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Post by BurlyBeaR on Mar 18, 2019 7:04:45 GMT
No SO when I saw this in a Saturday matinee.
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Post by latefortheoverture on Mar 18, 2019 22:49:20 GMT
Anybody know if the TodayTix rush has calmed down a bit for this- hoping to catch it in the next few weeks.
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Post by jamb0r on Mar 18, 2019 22:51:26 GMT
Won the TodayTix lottery for this tonight on my 4th attempt. The stage is significantly lower than it was for The Inheritance so the view from the front row is perfect - definitely give the lottery a go if you’re looking for a bargain!
Enjoyed this a lot more than I was expecting to (after reading comments on here). My main issue was that I have not long ago finished watching Netflix’s Sex Education, so it took me a while to get the image of Gillian Anderson and a cucumber out of my head when she first came on stage.
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Post by Deleted on Mar 19, 2019 7:43:41 GMT
My main issue was that I have not long ago finished watching Netflix’s Sex Education, so it took me a while to get the image of Gillian Anderson and a cucumber out of my head when she first came on stage. We all struggle with that. Sometimes daily. |
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Post by stefy69 on Mar 19, 2019 9:13:11 GMT
My main issue was that I have not long ago finished watching Netflix’s Sex Education, so it took me a while to get the image of Gillian Anderson and a cucumber out of my head when she first came on stage. We all struggle with that. Sometimes daily. Yes Emi we do !!! x |
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Post by gibbo1956 on Mar 19, 2019 16:40:00 GMT
I haven't seen Sex Education. What happens with GA and the cucumber?
Asking for a friend.
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Post by happytobehere on Mar 19, 2019 18:11:57 GMT
I haven't seen Sex Education. What happens with GA and the cucumber? Asking for a friend. Just the standard sex ed stuff. Putting condom on etc. but mainly she simulated masturbation using it as a penis, with some awkward/hilarious dialogue. |
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