3,429 posts
|
Post by ceebee on Oct 15, 2022 23:02:24 GMT
Most excellent. The piece hangs together much better than what I remember from Edinburgh, really catches the essence of the film, the Stella/Marina mash up and the absence of Danny was jarring at first but by the end it almost made the denouement even better. As a film I watch regularly at first I was initially discombobulated as the characters and the actors who played them in the film are indistinguishable but by the end this was dispelled, Mac was Mac, Gordon was Gordon, Stella was Stella……. high praise. Not sure if there are any classic musical tunes that will stand the test of time but as a whole stands together well, do hope it gets a transfer to London as definitely want to see it again, have already looked at some matinees later in the run just in case. Glad you enjoyed it Neil. This production would work very well in Soho Place. |
|
3,429 posts
|
Post by ceebee on Oct 18, 2022 7:20:33 GMT
|
|
2,744 posts
Member is Online
|
Post by n1david on Oct 18, 2022 7:24:57 GMT
Mark Shenton not impressed:
|
|
2,744 posts
Member is Online
|
Post by n1david on Oct 18, 2022 10:12:08 GMT
Mark Shenton not impressed: Didn’t realise he was still about does anyone listen to his rambling these days anyway? Terrible taste I loved it but like I said some people won’t get it I suppose. Probably has a bigger following than the Sussex Express... |
|
3,429 posts
|
Post by ceebee on Oct 18, 2022 11:08:39 GMT
Mark Shenton not impressed: I stopped placing value on Shenton's reviews quite a while ago now. The old boy seems to be gritty and gloomy about so many productions - it's as if he has lost his constructive voice and can't cope with the modern way of reviewing. It's like hearing a dinosaur roar from a bygone age. |
|
3,429 posts
|
Post by ceebee on Oct 18, 2022 11:11:18 GMT
Oh, and technically the real Ferness is in the NE of Scotland, and the film was shot on both East and West coasts of Scotland, so Shenton's knowledge is pretty vague.
|
|
3,429 posts
|
Post by ceebee on Oct 18, 2022 11:59:25 GMT
|
|
2,744 posts
Member is Online
|
Post by n1david on Oct 18, 2022 12:08:54 GMT
|
|
3,429 posts
|
Post by ceebee on Oct 19, 2022 13:33:21 GMT
|
|
3,429 posts
|
Post by ceebee on Nov 6, 2022 22:08:28 GMT
This production is being filmed for "archive purposes" - cameras in situ on Saturday afternoon. Seems to be attracting quite a bit of interest following the predicted "sell out", despite the mixed reviews. The show deserves a run in London - Soho Place or the Pit will be fine. Perhaps Daniel Evans will revive it in the Pit as part of a future RSC season where they run productions simultaneously at the Barbican and the Pit, just like the good old days...
|
|
382 posts
|
Post by stevemar on Nov 8, 2022 17:54:29 GMT
I found this pleasant but underwhelming. I am not familiar with the film and whilst some atmosphere was built, I felt that so much more could be done with the characters of the village and the central character of Mac. A rather bland performance from the leading man for me; I would not have known by any means he was a Tony award winning actor. I thought the part of Stella and the actress was very good. The music was fine but didn’t really build to anything. I would be surprised to see this transfer to a larger theatre, but wish them well. Anyhow, 6/10 from me.
|
|
|
|
Post by talkingheads on Nov 13, 2022 8:15:12 GMT
I saw the Chichester production yesterday. I saw the original production in Edinburgh and my compliments still go mainly to Mark Knopfler's music, I really hope we get a cast recording.
Otherwise? The script has some laughs and captures some of the magic of the film. The main issue, for me, is changing the character of Stella to an activist. She comes across as unpleasant and it doesn't work. Likewise, Mac feels like a secondary character in his own story. Paul Higgins as Gordon was the best part of it, full of energy and pitch perfect comic timing.
|
|
423 posts
|
Post by dlevi on Nov 13, 2022 8:15:34 GMT
I wish this were a better show. The elements and the talent of the creative team are all there for a character-driven musical driven by charm and humanity in the manner of "Once" or "The Band's Visit" but I don't believe they've succeeded. Mark Knopflier's score is largely to blame due to its blandness ( and the genuine lack of singing talent among the cast.) David Greig's book gets the job done, but the needed laughs aren't there. However, the sense of Scottish whimsy which was so integral to the success of the film is lacking here. I thought Gabriel Ebert was fine int he leading role but that the others in the cast simply weren't that interesting. Daniel Evans direction simply lacks the confidence needed to pull off this sort of "smaller" show. I can't imagine it will go forward from Chichester without some serious revision. But hey we live in a world where "Hex" has returned so who knows?
|
|
3,429 posts
|
Post by ceebee on Nov 13, 2022 16:15:39 GMT
I wish this were a better show. The elements and the talent of the creative team are all there for a character-driven musical driven by charm and humanity in the manner of "Once" or "The Band's Visit" but I don't believe they've succeeded. Mark Knopflier's score is largely to blame due to its blandness ( and the genuine lack of singing talent among the cast.) David Greig's book gets the job done, but the needed laughs aren't there. However, the sense of Scottish whimsy which was so integral to the success of the film is lacking here. I thought Gabriel Ebert was fine int he leading role but that the others in the cast simply weren't that interesting. Daniel Evans direction simply lacks the confidence needed to pull off this sort of "smaller" show. I can't imagine it will go forward from Chichester without some serious revision. But hey we live in a world where "Hex" has returned so who knows? "Genuine lack of singing talent among the cast..." Do me a favour. Lillie Flynn, Liz Ewing, Jackie Morrison and Gabriel Ebert are worth the entrance money alone for their singing chops. This show is transportable and I wouldn't be surprised to see it live on in the UK or even in the US. Interesting how you said others in the cast weren't that interesting, as I felt the same after a Q&A session on Thursday evening, where Gabriel Ebert seemed to be the only actor who wanted to be there and was chirpy and charming - the rest looked fed up and like the Q&A session was a chore. Perhaps not helped by the facilitator - no idea who the person is but she facilitated the Q&A session with Daniel Evans for the same show, and LOVES the sound of her own voice. Consequently, the audience participation element for both was somewhat limited whilst she hogged the airtime with a fairly banal conversational style. Perhaps that's why the cast looked peed off on Thursday. |
|
3,565 posts
|
Post by showgirl on Nov 18, 2022 5:45:24 GMT
I finally saw this at a matinee performance yesterday and was relieved that my booking wasn't affected by train strikes as it would have been too late in the run to re-book - though that said, the trains were abysmal: all delayed or cancelled, meaning it took me almost 3 hours to get home when as the crow flies, the distance is only about 45 miles. So, the show itself: having followed the thread avidly and re-read recent comments, sadly I find myself agreeing most with stevemar and dlevi. It was OK, but could have been so much better. It took me most of the (long) first half to feel at all engaged and it generally felt a little lacklustre and routine. The greatest disappointment for me, as a fan originally of Dire Straits and then of Mark Knopfler's solo work, was the music: not one memorable song - how is that possible? Yes, I could occasionally hear one of his trademark guitar chords and the first number initially sounded reminiscent of Skateaway but the rest? Based on what I saw - and I see others have made similar comments above - I'm really not sure how well this would transfer in its present form; I was also surprised to see that though the performance had sold out and the auditorium had been full, after the interval there were at least 10 empty seats - and those were obvious gaps I could see from my side seat; I didn't check all round. Not the best note on which to end my series of visits to CFT this year but at least my curiosity was satisfied. |
|
3,429 posts
|
Post by ceebee on Nov 20, 2022 1:01:28 GMT
Final performance tonight. Great send-off for a great show - well done to everybody involved!
|
|
