The York Realist - Donmar Warehouse / Crucible Sheffield

[stevemar]

I loved this - such nuanced and heartbreaking performances from all of the cast. So much left unsaid, but understood between the characters. Little nuances - John touching George’s back at the table with the family around, the nuzzle on the back of George’s neck. Grief and loss expressed silently, the restrictions of one’s mind and circumstances, and snatches of freedom. Very funny also with some great one liners - particularly in the family’s discussion of the York Mysteries.

I particularly enjoyed the performance from Katie West as Doreen. The women here were fully rounded characters. Her loss and longing and recognition of the situation just as emotional. Ben Batt has such a heartbreaking face and acted with pain written on it even though his character didn’t always express this vocally, and yes, his chest is a damn fine work of art. Jonathan Bailey’s puppy dog eyes and wide eyed excitement were so sincere and affecting you just wanted to cuddle him. A great selection of knitwear and braces too. Much credit to all concerned - particularly the director Robert Hastie and write Peter Gill for such an ensemble piece where each character mattered.

After a few months of some good but not outstanding plays, something to rival last year’s The Ferryman, Angels of America (Part 1) and Beginning. 

Would I change anything? Well, I wanted to spend more time with these characters, to find out more about John and George, and in my head had an alternative ending. But, as it was, I think it was perfect for me.

The behind the scenes is rather good too. www.donmarwarehouse.com/production/6395/the-york-realist/#behind-the-scenes

[mrbarnaby]

Saw this last night and it’s quite the most wonderful play I’ve seen in a long time.
Faultless performances from all but particularly Ben Batt who is just heartbreaking (and hot)
Quietly devastating and incredibly moving.
I never say this but I wanted it to last longer- I so wanted to be in the company of these characters for longer.

This will sure take some beating.

[Rory]

Have you heard any word on the grapevine about a transfer mrbarnaby? I'm busting to see this!

[dani]

I would be worried about a transfer destroying the production's amazing detail and intimacy. It might work in one of the smaller West End theatres, but I'd hate its affectingness to be lost in a space that is too large for it. All the praise for Bailey and Batt is deserved but I was also impressed with Katie West, Lesley Nicol and debutant Brian Fletcher who carries himself in a very unusual way.

[andrew]

I thought the whole cast were really great, it's just Bailey and Batt had more stage time.

[tmesis]

Interesting interview on Saturday's R2 Graham Norton show with Hastie, Batt and Nicol. It's in the last hour for iPlayer users

[Deleted]

Mar 12, 2018 12:45:38 GMT andrew said:

I thought the whole cast were really great, it's just Bailey and Batt had more stage time.

And were the foxiest.

[noboiscout]

Thanks Tmesis - will listen to that interview on G Norton radio show. I loved this and have re-booked to see it this week. All the performances were great, but Ben Batt was stunning. Would have said that he blew me away, but I don't want to step on Ryan's toes.

You know it's a great performance when you are lying in bed asking why couldn't it have ended differently? Why is life so unfair? I just have to keep telling myself, it's only a play, it's only a play - although Batt's upper arms were definitely real..

[stevemar]

Mar 12, 2018 12:55:26 GMT tmesis said:

Interesting interview on Saturday's R2 Graham Norton show with Hastie, Batt and Nicol. It's in the last hour for iPlayer users

Thanks Tmesis. Found it after a bit of a search - here’s a link www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b09twdxs#play
2 hours 10 to 2 hours 30.

On the Sheffield Crucible site is a good trailer with short footage of the show, and interviews from Jonny Bailey, Lesley Nichol and Ben Batt www.sheffieldtheatres.co.uk/whats-on/the-york-realist . The observant amongst you will even notice Ben Batt’s pecs twitch in his interview! 

[jek]

Saw this this afternoon and loved it. Had no idea when I booked it a couple of days back that it was a school's matinee but - for me - that made it even more enjoyable. The young people had a very direct (not always comfortable) response to the play - I see from the programme that they will have had a workshop before attending and I would love to have been a fly on the wall during pre and post show discussions among them.

Inevitably for me the play stirred memories of seeing Brian Glover as God in the Mysteries put on at the National when I was in my late teens. Sheffield audiences are in for a treat.

[Rory]

The new season announcement at the Donmar must be due any day now. Hopefully it will be accompanied by a transfer announcemnt for this!🤞

[tmesis]

Just seen today's matinee and wow...

A beautiful play, the understatement expressed so much emotion and yet there was also some lovely bits of natural comedy. As others have said the acting was so subtle and open that it was like eavesdropping on a slice of real life.

Robert Hastie is a brilliant director - having now seen his Kith and Kin and the immaculate My Night with Reg he deserves a major job when he moves on from Sheffield.

It's one of the few plays I've seen where I wanted to see it all again immediately it had finished.

[mrbarnaby]

Mar 11, 2018 10:39:19 GMT Rory said:

Have you heard any word on the grapevine about a transfer mrbarnaby? I'm busting to see this!

Yes - no transfer.. very sad. More people should have seen this wonderful production

[Rory]

Thanks for replying. Is that definite? I'd be astounded if that were the case, really I would. It might not be immediate but I could see it coming back in a later transfer like Consent and The Jungle are.

It's been the Donmar's biggest critical and commercial success in years with the best word of mouth ever. One of the cast mentioned in a BBC Radio London interview a few weeks ago1that there were 'investigations' about a further life.

[stevemar]

I loved this so much the other week, it was pretty much fate when a return popped up on the website last night for the front stalls. Took it and how better to spend a snowy afternoon than in the warmth of a Yorkshire farmhouse? The first time seeing it, I wanted to go back and see it again immediately. Well, it took a week. Wonderful performances which I could appreciate more without the haze of tears from last time! The pain etched on George’s face as he sits at the family dining table all alone, or desperate for happiness with John is devastating. Subtle performances from the leads and great ensemble

[Deleted]

This play

Manages what

The Inheritance tries to do

In under 1/4 of the time with elegance and dignity

And without resorting to vulgarity

[vdcni]

My third production of this and it never fails to be heart breaking!

That said this is certainly the finest of the three with Batt and Bailey having a lot to do with that. Just exquisite performances from both of them, with every look weighted with meaning.

Great support from the rest of the cast, this for me was faultless.

[noboiscout]

Thankfully closing this week, as I have become a little (lot) obsessed with this play - or rather the performances. Seeing it for the fourth time tonight. No criticism whatsoever for Bailey who is excellent - but Batt's performance is one of the best, if not the best, I have seen in anything. Supporting roles all faultless too. And spot on Direction.

I will be interested to hear how it works in Sheffield with a much larger stage. I am just glad to have seen it at the Donmar.

[stevemar]

Mar 20, 2018 12:48:02 GMT noboiscout said:

Thankfully closing this week, as I have become a little (lot) obsessed with this play - or rather the performances. Seeing it for the fourth time tonight. No criticism whatsoever for Bailey who is excellent - but Batt's performance is one of the best, if not the best, I have seen in anything. Supporting roles all faultless too. And spot on Direction.

I will be interested to hear how it works in Sheffield with a much larger stage. I am just glad to have seen it at the Donmar.

I agree that the opportunity to see this play at the Donmar and the acting up close from such a talented cast means that revisiting it is totally understandable. All the more so, as it is such a short play (1hr 45 including interval), and you almost wish it had a different ending.

Ben Batt's performance is outstanding but also with the wonderful direction and writing, he is quite understated. A very fine line which this production balances well.

There are lots of seats available for Sheffield (only half sold) which is a shame given the demand in London. It's only 2 hours from London. I'm off to see the show there too!

[Deleted]

Oooh I'm back again tonight for another go! I've seen several policemen around on my way here. Jonny B and Benny Batt must have got wind of it.

[BurlyBeaR]

Mar 20, 2018 15:51:20 GMT stevemar said:

There are lots of seats available for Sheffield (only half sold) which is a shame given the demand in London. It's only 2 hours from London. I'm off to see the show there too!

I love it when people travel the other way 👍👍👍

[crabtree]

all booked for Sheffield....can't wait.

[TallPaul]

I love dynamic pricing...when prices fall.

I've just booked myself one of the 'extra' seats right by the stage for just £15, rather than the £32, or even £38, they were a few days ago.

The Sheffield Theatres website kindly warned me that I would be sitting close to the stage, which is surely the point?

[Rory]

Nice little piece on this tonight on Front Row on Radio 4 with plenty of clips. Slightly strange they didn't run it when it was still on in London.

[n1david]

Mar 27, 2018 20:12:24 GMT Rory said:

Nice little piece on this tonight on Front Row on Radio 4 with plenty of clips. Slightly strange they didn't run it when it was still on in London.

Presumably linked to this article on the BBC website, which also only appeared last week: www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-42826232

I loved this at the Donmar, thought seriously about heading up to Sheffield to see again, but such a short run there...