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Post by n1david on Jun 17, 2018 20:52:10 GMT
Haha! Like i say though when it was first announced as an RSC only production and not a co-production with SE, you could tell. Actually the marketing and press did say "Developed in collaboration with Theatre Royal Stratford East" ... (although it isn't on the website anymore, it does in the season brochure including the TRSE logo in the corner!) And still visible in the press release: www.rsc.org.uk/press/releases/rsc-announces-2018-summer-season |
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Post by tonyloco on Jun 17, 2018 22:43:58 GMT
^ But not just “anyone”, learfan ... several posters on here, including our very own tonyloco , who worked extensively at Theatre Royal Stratford East, and who actually knew Joan Littlewood, wondered if it might transfer for a short run, because... from 1953 it was the home of the Theatre Workshop Company, famously associated with Joan Littlewood! Not such a random idea after all...  Just to set the record straight from my point of view, I confirm what Caiaphas has said. I first heard about "Miss Littlewood" from my contacts at the Theatre Royal, Stratford East, at an early stage while it was definitely still being developed by the RSC in co-operation with TRSE and the intention was that it would definitely transfer from the Swan Theatre for a run at Stratford East. When the new Director, Nadia Fall, was appointed at the Theatre Royal to replace Kerry Michael, she made it clear that musicals would not be part of her agenda and I understand that she actually cancelled the existing arrangement with the RSC that "Miss Littlewood" would transfer to the Theatre Royal. This however is hearsay on my part, but the fact that the show is now officially not coming to Stratford East – the place where the most important part of the story actually took place – seems to bear this out. |
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Post by jek on Jun 18, 2018 6:53:05 GMT
Disappointed to hear that this isn't coming to TRSE. I would certainly have walked around the corner to see it. However, I do wonder if Nadia Fall is, understandably, eager to establish some clear blue water between herself and the previous regime at the theatre. And given the financial problems which the theatre has clearly found itself in, is that perhaps a consideration? I can't imagine the theatre opting out of anything that might encourage some footfall to their doors. I wonder how successful booking for the new season is? I didn't get round to seeing the most recent production there (Cafe Society Swing) but there were still plenty of seats available when I was looking at buying tickets there last week. I would love TRSE to do well so am keeping fingers crossed that it will.
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Post by Someone in a tree on Jun 18, 2018 7:23:01 GMT
Miss Littlewood is one of the few things I would be interested in seeing in the East London venue. Seems crazy to me to turn down a co with the RSC especially when you consider what the production is about
- does the AD really hate musicals that much?
I’m planning on seeing Noye Fludd next July. Hopefully biblical operas set in Norfolk will still tick the bounds of respectably
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Post by Boob on Jun 18, 2018 8:05:28 GMT
What a narrow-minded view, if true. An AD is there to serve their audiences and their community, esp in the case of TRSE, not their personal tastes. Although, one could argue this musical isn’t necessarily the right thing for them now, in spite of its relevance to the venue and its history.
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Post by lynette on Jun 28, 2018 22:42:43 GMT
Very enjoyable musical play or just musical delivered by a very talented team of women and three men plus musicians. I had no idea that Joan Littlewood's Theatre had emerged from such radical thinking and such rejection as by the time I saw the movie 'O what a lovely War' she was a legend and spoken of in hushed respectful tones. I was not in London ( or where she toured early on ) and so never saw her Theatre work. Here she is portrayed as difficult and tough by a series of actors who each add something to the portrayal.
Lots of fun and also a few moving moments in this. My niggle is that presenting the life of Joan Littlewood in the style that made her famous, the ironic musical with a smashed fourth wall, is risky. But then I don’t see any other way of doing it as a straight play risks being banal.
I don't think Sondheim need worry about competition from these lyrics and 'tunes' but they are carefully composed. And I also thought that Matilda is definitely a better musical, a better show and so I don’t think this will rock the world. Having said this, I think Miss Littlewood should get a longer run and maybe tour. It deserves to be seen around the country.
Special mentions: Sophia Nomvete, Emily Johnstone and Solomon Israel who plays Gerry Raffles. But indeed there is not a weak link here.
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Post by showgirl on Jun 29, 2018 3:34:43 GMT
Glad you had a good time, lynette, and delighted to read this as after enjoying my recent trip to see Mrs rich (etc), I took a chance and booked a seat (and an overnight hotel) for this. I haven't seen Matilda, nor do I plan to and I've never had any interest in Joan Littlewood either (heresy); I just wanted to have a good time and it sounds as though I shall. Plus I do like the Swan, too - the venue can make such a difference to the audience experience.
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Post by BurlyBeaR on Jun 29, 2018 4:38:16 GMT
Merged
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Post by Deleted on Jun 29, 2018 8:45:16 GMT
A slight digression - I remember being at an awards ceremony (Olivers?)where they were presenting Joan with a lifetime achievement award and as she clamoured onto the Drury Lane stage she demolished the floral display that ran the length of the stage arriving at the podium arms full of artificial flowers.What a gal!
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Post by Deleted on Jun 29, 2018 21:07:32 GMT
The word of mouth on Twitter (if that's the correct phrase) sounds great for this, very excited to see it next week.
Also it looks as if a cast recording is already being made...
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Post by n1david on Jul 4, 2018 10:10:49 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Jul 24, 2018 15:34:20 GMT
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Post by theatreian on Jul 25, 2018 10:53:01 GMT
Saw this last night and it was a great piece of theatre. Well acted and produced with a really talented cast. The Swan is such a lovely theatre too. Didn't really know much about Joan before this , but it was great to get more of an insight into her life. If you get the chance go and see it.
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Post by Jan on Jul 26, 2018 7:44:53 GMT
Judging by the number of emails I have been sent with offers for this it must be doing badly. Stratford on Avon is totally the wrong place to get an audience for this. It should be on at Stratford East or at least somewhere in London where there is more of an audience who know about or are interested in Littlewood and her legacy.
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Post by foxa on Jul 26, 2018 7:52:24 GMT
If this was on in London (and Jan is right - Stratford East would be perfect) I would definitely have booked for it. What a shame it isn't doing better - it seemed a really good idea and I have a friend who hardly likes anything who raved about it.
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Post by theatreian on Jul 26, 2018 8:15:51 GMT
Judging by the number of emails I have been sent with offers for this it must be doing badly Well when I saw it on Tuesday night it was packed. Only one night I know but it was a Tuesday. |
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Post by n1david on Aug 1, 2018 8:06:18 GMT
Sold out last night. Really enjoyed it.
It will be a travesty if this doesn’t play at Theatre Royal Stratford East.
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Post by Lemansky on Aug 1, 2018 8:58:10 GMT
I love this show and it would be fantastic for it to come into London. As far as I've heard though, Stratford East have wanted nothing to do with it, which is a really big shame.
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Post by Someone in a tree on Aug 1, 2018 11:20:12 GMT
Looking at Stratford East’s programming they don’t like productions that appeal to people !
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Post by cirque on Aug 1, 2018 11:22:47 GMT
lots of Rush tickets available.
Dont think it would work in London......very much an industry show and no real appeal to wider audience.
Simply my opinion.
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Post by nash16 on Aug 1, 2018 23:34:45 GMT
Yep, the music and songs in this are, unfortunately, too samey, and the staging not daring enough to warrant a transfer. Great cast though.
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Post by n1david on Aug 2, 2018 7:39:46 GMT
Certainly not a West End transfer, but I could see this being successful in a short run off WE. TRSE would have been perfect, wonder if Hackney Empire or Wilton’s would be interested?
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Post by showgirl on Aug 2, 2018 15:34:56 GMT
I saw and loved this yesterday and though the music may be samey and derivative, I did actually like it and anyway, it was just one element among many which added up to a great overall experience, including the ambience (full house again), venue, weather etc. Probably heresy to say this but I'm not particularly bothered about Joan Littlewood; however her story made a great hook and it was satisfying to see a largely female cast for once. The line about many mediocre men but few great women (or similar) being famous was well-received, as you might expect.
My only gripe had nothing to do with the production but the fact that yet again, some really HUGE people were taking up more than their fair share of the seating. I wasn't the only one affected but was nearly pushed off the bench myself by the obese couple next to me and there were 4 very large people in front, whom I noticed playing a sort of musical chairs as the last to try to sit down didn't actually have room to do so.
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Post by paddy72 on Aug 4, 2018 20:10:52 GMT
Got a strong feeling Littlewood would have loathed this. For me it was just dull. Like an unfunny ‘Horrible Histories’’ story of a great woman. Terrible asides, nods and winks pepper an unready script and grated on my patience. The lead Littlewood (there are a few of them) was like a head girl. I found myself asking why a massively subsidised corporate like the RSC can take such fascinating subject matter and turn it in to something so tepid. I suspect that in the hands of the subsidy starved Southwark Playhouse Littlewood would have been much better served. She’d also probably be found working in the Elephant garage rather than anywhere near Stratford. Time for some of that Arts Coucil dosh to be wasted elsewhere I suggest.
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