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Post by joem on Apr 28, 2018 10:44:51 GMT
For Ibsen completists (yes, I am one) the same team which gave us The Feast At Solhaug at the Baron's Court Theatre is now presenting the first production of this early Ibsen in UK in over 100 years. I suppose to avoid tongue-twisting on the phone whilst purchasing tickets they have shortened the title to "Olaf".
It will be performed during the last ten days of June or so at the Baron's Court Theatre.
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Post by dani on Apr 29, 2018 13:03:35 GMT
20th to 30th of June.
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Post by schuttep on May 3, 2018 15:15:24 GMT
It's a pity the theatre doesn't have its own website.
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Post by Jan on May 3, 2018 19:29:03 GMT
It's a pity the theatre doesn't have its own website. Or accept credit card bookings - you pay on the night. Part of its charm. |
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Post by jason71 on May 3, 2018 22:31:28 GMT
You can reserve a ticket by emailing the theatre
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Post by Jan on May 4, 2018 6:57:18 GMT
You can reserve a ticket by emailing the theatre Or phone the very pleasant chap who runs things there (020-8932-4747). |
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Post by markottisdotter on Jun 11, 2018 12:27:16 GMT
Ah - just noticed this. You can indeed pay cash on the night following a reservation on the phone. However for anyone with an interest in pre-booking, we have online card booking at www.ottisdotter.co.uk (Barons Court Theatre sells half, we sell half). We hope to see you there  Kind regards mark |
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Post by argon on Jun 28, 2018 11:10:55 GMT
This play had a Shakespearean quality to it, with the principal love interest dialogue written in verse. I'm still undecided if it really worked but the first Act seemed overly long.In addition, frequent fluffed lines by a particular cast member ( may be nerves) became a slight distraction or was it hearing a loud cheer when Brazil scored.
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Post by joem on Jun 29, 2018 22:16:48 GMT
No competition from the football tonight!
The programme notes mentions Ibsen authority Brian Johnston as saying words to the effect that this was not Ibsen's finest hour, which is then refuted by pointing at how the strong women in Ibsen's early plays presage his later heroines. Despite the good efforts of the dedicated Ottisdotter group and the cast I am afraid Johnston is right. I have now seen the bulk of the Norwegian master playwright's work and read most of the noes I haven't seen and this is by his standards thin gruel.
As a comedy it mostly isn't funny, there are a few laughs but you find more laughs in some of Ibsen's tragedies. As light entertainment the third act, with it's pleasing denouement is probably the best but it does not compensate for the long pedestrian speeches in the first two acts and for the mostly lightly-sketched and barely sympathetic characters. Yes, there are hints of strong matriarchs, fey women leading men astray (Ibsen loved being led astray by women) and dreamers such as Olaf who rebel against duty by following the senses. But they do not amount to a well-structured and engrossing narrative.
Grace Monroe takes the acting honours with a strong performance as the wild mountain girl Alfhilde. Passionate, articulate and with a strong yet subtle delivery, this is a solid interpretation which brings the character to life..
I hope this is not Ottisdotter's swansong. I look forward to more early Ibsen over the years. Surely "Catiline", "The Vikings at Helgeland" and "Love's Comedy" deserve a look?
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Post by mallardo on Jun 30, 2018 6:42:51 GMT
Love's Comedy was done at the Orange Tree back in 2012 in a very strong production of what turned out to be quite a strong play - it certainly did not feel like an apprentice work.
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Post by joem on Jun 30, 2018 7:52:47 GMT
Love's Comedy was done at the Orange Tree back in 2012 in a very strong production of what turned out to be quite a strong play - it certainly did not feel like an apprentice work. Damn. I missed that, never even heard it was on, as I missed these guys Lady Inger of Ostratt. And I also apparently missed a "Vikings at Helgeland" at Drayton Arms pub in 2014. Given that those are three out of the five left for me to see I may have made it very difficult for myself to complete the lot. Upon reading it, despite being written just six years after this, "Love's Comedy" certainly seemed a cut above "Olaf", much more sophisticated and well though out with a reasonably recognisable Ibsenian anti-hero. |
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Post by Jan on Jul 1, 2018 7:19:01 GMT
Love's Comedy was done at the Orange Tree back in 2012 in a very strong production of what turned out to be quite a strong play - it certainly did not feel like an apprentice work. Damn. I missed that, never even heard it was on, as I missed these guys Lady Inger of Ostratt. And I also apparently missed a "Vikings at Helgeland" at Drayton Arms pub in 2014. Given that those are three out of the five left for me to see I may have made it very difficult for myself to complete the lot. Upon reading it, despite being written just six years after this, "Love's Comedy" certainly seemed a cut above "Olaf", much more sophisticated and well though out with a reasonably recognisable Ibsenian anti-hero. Love’s Comedy was excellent at OT. I mostly agree with your comments on this one but I was glad of the opportunity to see it. This was very badly attended. I would suggest Barons Court at least develop a website so people can check what’s on. |
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