Quiz - CFT / Noël Coward / CFT & Tour

[n1david]

Just finished "Bad Show", the book by plaskett and Bob Woffinden.

Definitely worth a read if the play makes you wonder how much is real and how much is constructed - the play is obviously heavily inspired by the book, but the book goes so much further. Wouldn't suggest you read it before, as it covers so much of the same ground, but in the event that this doesn't transfer, and you want a sense of the issues of the play, worth a read.

[showgirl]

I quite enjoyed this today but whilst admiring and understanding James Graham's use of the quiz format, it alienated me somewhat as it reminded me how utterly I detest any type of quiz/game/puzzle, etc. Nevertheless the author has certainly mastered the art of being thought-provoking, topical and entertaining all at the same time and the UK theatre audience clearly can't get enough of his work.

[Jon]

I assume if it does transfer, it won't be announced until the Chichester run is over.

[showgirl]

It hasn't quite sold out yet though - despite the good reviews and the writer's reputation - and I'd have thought either enough to produce a sell-out, possibly even before the opening.

[emsworthian]

Nov 23, 2017 20:50:52 GMT showgirl said:

It hasn't quite sold out yet though - despite the good reviews and the writer's reputation - and I'd have thought either enough to produce a sell-out, possibly even before the opening.

The run was extended by a week. 

 I'm seeing it in 8 days time.  I'll let you know what I think. 

[alicechallice]

Have been a bit slow to report but went to see this last Friday and really enjoyed it! I thought the balance between the serious and the comic was just right and the audience interaction bits were hilarious. I got the impression that some of the more senior audience members didn't know what the hell they'd let themselves in for. My chum preferred it to 'Ink' in fact and felt this one refrained from being just that little bit too "James Graham" for his liking. Acting was fab, particularly Gavin Spokes, Sarah Woodward and Keir Charles.

Anyway, the most exciting part of the evening was afterwards when we entered the post-'Quiz' quiz in the Minerva saloon hosted by Daniel Evans and Rachel Tackley. There were about 10-12 teams I suppose and the questions were quite History of CFT-heavy but we only went and bloody won the thing!! It was very exciting and everybody was extremely friendly. Then before we left we had a right old chin-wag with Daniel who is just lovely. We reeled off a list of musicals he should do and I believe he was taking notes. He was also rather handsome and has therefore become my favourite theatre gay (sorry @ryan, can you cope with being my no.2?)

[Deleted]

Nov 30, 2017 13:23:38 GMT alicechallice said:

Have been a bit slow to report but went to see this last Friday and really enjoyed it! I thought the balance between the serious and the comic was just right and the audience interaction bits were hilarious. I got the impression that some of the more senior audience members didn't know what the hell they'd let themselves in for. My chum preferred it to 'Ink' in fact and felt this one refrained from being just that little bit too "James Graham" for his liking. Acting was fab, particularly Gavin Spokes, Sarah Woodward and Keir Charles.

Anyway, the most exciting part of the evening was afterwards when we entered the post-'Quiz' quiz in the Minerva saloon hosted by Daniel Evans and Rachel Tackley. There were about 10-12 teams I suppose and the questions were quite History of CFT-heavy but we only went and bloody won the thing!! It was very exciting and everybody was extremely friendly. Then before we left we had a right old chin-wag with Daniel who is just lovely. We reeled off a list of musicals he should do and I believe he was taking notes. He was also rather handsome and has therefore become my favourite theatre gay (sorry @ryan , can you cope with being my no.2?)

Well it's well known in theatrical circles, Kensington Palace and the House of Commons bar that I never usually like to come second but on this occasion I shall make an exception.

[TallPaul]

On the subject of queens, Her Majesty is visiting Chichester Festival Theatre today.

And when Daniel Evans was still in Sheffield, I urged him to stage Hello Dolly! one Christmas. You read it here first!

[daniel]

Transferring to the Noel Coward from March 31.

[demonbarber]

Transferring to the Noel Coward from March 31st

[Jon]

James Graham's fourth West End show in 18 months! He's on a roll at the moment

[Latecomer]

Any idea when booking opens?

[Rory]

I think it's this morning at 10am.

[Rory]

You can see dates and that sort of stuff on www.quiztheplay.com which takes you to Delfont Mackintosh's site.

[Deleted]

Booking is open via the link above

Sadly no bargain seats in the stalls like other recent productions in this theatre - only cheap options are the side seats in the upper circle or in the balcony. So I'm passing on this for now.

[Rory]

I know. £95 or £67.50 for a decent seat in the stalls. £42 or thereabouts for the very back. It's disgraceful really.

[Deleted]

Wow, that's pricier than I would have hoped for. Still, I've discovered Delfont Mackintosh are pretty good about exchanging tickets with enough notice and for a small fee, I'm going to book a cheap seat now and see what happens over the next few months.

[n1david]

From Whatsonstage.com:

Graham said: "Being given the chance to share Quiz with more people – and with the opportunity to develop and push our gameshow-meets-theatre concept even further – is beyond exciting for all of us."

Sounds like there might be some changes to the Chichester production - would have been needed for the set anyway - but suggests there could be more changes.

[Latecomer]

Disappointed they aren't doing the usual £10 seats at the back of stalls/circle.....will give this a miss at these prices! Come on James, reward your loyal fans!

[zahidf]

Ah. I#ll keep an eye out for cheap tickets/day seats

[Mark]

Not sure of what the set-up was in Chichester for this one, but I'm guessing there may be a potential for on-stage seats for this?

Very glad its transferring.

[frosty]

Nov 30, 2017 13:23:38 GMT alicechallice said:

Anyway, the most exciting part of the evening was afterwards when we entered the post-'Quiz' quiz in the Minerva saloon hosted by Daniel Evans and Rachel Tackley. There were about 10-12 teams I suppose and the questions were quite History of CFT-heavy but we only went and bloody won the thing!!

We were there too!  We had been to see the Wipers Times in the main theatre, then popped over for a drink in the Minvera afterwards and they asked us if we wanted to join the theatre quiz, so we did.  Well done on winning, we were very impressed with your knowledge, we thought we were doing well after the first round, but it went rapidly downhill from there, we weren't last, but pretty near it I think!  I've booked a theatre tour to try and improve my history knowledge.   Isn't Daniel just lovely?  And so Welsh!  He's done an amazing job in his first season at CFT, can't wait to see what he comes up with next year.  Anyway, I really didn't fancy Quiz the play, but from the comments here and the reviews, it sounds everso good, so we're seeing it tonight.

[Jon]

The prices are on par with most commercial West End plays, Ink was similarly priced so it’s not too surprising.

[Rory]

Dec 1, 2017 16:28:17 GMT Jon said:

The prices are on par with most commercial West End plays, Ink was similarly priced so it’s not too surprising.

No, it's not surprising but it is outrageous. I can't help but feel that down the line, future generations just won't go to plays when they are so expensive, and because they've been priced out from an early enough age, it won't be in their DNA to see plays and fork out vast sums for the privilege.

When I went to the Ink midweek matinee last month, the average age of the audience was definitely 60+. Very few younger people. And I wondered then if the current 25 year olds would be bothered to fork out nearly 70 quid (or equivalent of the era) in 40 years time to see the likes of it. My guess is that they mightn't. So the West End will shoot itself in the foot in the long run.

[Jon]

Dec 1, 2017 17:52:49 GMT Rory said:

No, it's not surprising but it is outrageous. I can't help but feel that down the line, future generations just won't go to plays when they are so expensive, and because they've been priced out from an early enough age, it won't be in their DNA to see plays and fork out vast sums for the privilege.

When I went to the Ink midweek matinee last month, the average age of the audience was definitely 60+. Very few younger people. And I wondered then if the current 25 year olds would be bothered to fork out nearly 70 quid (or equivalent of the era) in 40 years time to see the likes of it. My guess is that they mightn't. So the West End will shoot itself in the foot in the long run.

At the end of the day, it's commercial theatre and not a charity. While producers do try and make and have affordable tickets through day seats, lotteries and other lower priced tickets they need to make money and TBH the Grand Circle and Balcony are not badly priced.