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Post by lt on May 4, 2024 12:09:29 GMT
Has anyone sat in the stage seats for this yet? I remember in A Little Life we had to switch off our phones and lock them away in pouches - is it the same for this or less strict? That sounds an excellent idea for all productions! |
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Post by ncbears on May 5, 2024 19:15:07 GMT
Sales are poor based on seat plans, even for performances coming soon. It'll take off after press and review - but on a three month run perhaps with deals. Yes it's commercial theatre this time, but at these prices, and holding these values perhaps they're helping particular groups of people to see it: "We all felt a responsibility to make the play, primarily, for those who know what it is to live with addiction, for them to feel represented and seen" - MacMillan interviewed ahead of remount. We booked 21 June when booking opened. it's our only weekend in the UK. Just checked and there are no tickets sold around us (center of first row of dress circle). |
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Post by parsley1 on May 5, 2024 20:40:48 GMT
Sales are poor based on seat plans, even for performances coming soon. It'll take off after press and review - but on a three month run perhaps with deals. Yes it's commercial theatre this time, but at these prices, and holding these values perhaps they're helping particular groups of people to see it: "We all felt a responsibility to make the play, primarily, for those who know what it is to live with addiction, for them to feel represented and seen" - MacMillan interviewed ahead of remount. What an entitled comment from the playwright Make no mistake they are bringing this play back under the misconception that it’s a cash cow like Jerusalem AKA greed and because the playwright has been incapable of producing any new material of significance since then And that will be a hugely expensive misjudgment of error for them Were the playwright or actress or producers GENUINELY bothered about addiction They could have presented the issues through a fresh lead character from a different demographic background and ethnicity and cast a new lead Or written a new play building on the subject If they think a rose tinted view of addiction through the lens of a white middle class female is addressing or acknowledging the topic in a meaningful way a decade down the line they are quite wrong It is purely designed to entertain and appeal to theatre audiences themselves of a certain demographic This play might be revelatory for NT audiences I can tell you having worked in addiction it barely scratches the surface There are MANY better and realistic portrayals of addiction and substance misuse which present it in a more engaging way eg: Euphoria, Long Days Journey into Night, Dopesick, etc etc etc If you want to see a hysterical performance though then it might hit the spot |
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Post by wiggymess on May 5, 2024 21:41:49 GMT
Yawn
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Post by max on May 5, 2024 22:20:35 GMT
parsley1 - the recent revival of 'Blue/Orange' (with Giles Terera in the role first played by Bill Nighy) was a good example of what you describe: galvanising and drawing new angles out of an established recent modern hit/classic. Very much not colour-blind casting (how could it be agnostic in 'Blue/Orange') the decisions made by a Black consultant on the fate of a Black patient in the mental health system brought new layers of complexity. The fallout from the play's situation made you wonder if Terera's Robert would be hung out to dry, while Nighy's Robert would find a way back via louche charm and the old school tie. The previous line in the Duncan Macmillan quote says that in the original process:"the company visited treatment centres and worked closely with people in recovery". But as you say, that was then. What's now, and what's new? At some point plays fly free from their original process and integrity, and hope to find a new truth and different integrity in someone else's hands. Repeating the same production later, but in new commercial circumstances, may be the most uncomfortable formula for playing it again.
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Post by aloysius on May 5, 2024 22:45:34 GMT
Has anyone sat in the stage seats for this yet? I remember in A Little Life we had to switch off our phones and lock them away in pouches - is it the same for this or less strict? I was in the stage seating last night. No pouches, just a polite request to keep them hidden throughout the performance - which was exceptional. Sat inches away from Denise Gough you really do see how remarkable her performance is, every twitch and snort in high definition. Superb seats, highly recommended. |
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Post by parsley1 on May 5, 2024 22:49:41 GMT
parsley1 - the recent revival of 'Blue/Orange' (with Giles Terera in the role first played by Bill Nighy) was a good example of what you describe: galvanising and drawing new angles out of an established recent modern hit/classic. Very much not colour-blind casting (how could it be agnostic in 'Blue/Orange') the decisions made by a Black consultant on the fate of a Black patient in the mental health system brought new layers of complexity. The fallout from the play's situation made you wonder if Terera's Robert would be hung out to dry, while Nighy's Robert would find a way back via louche charm and the old school tie. The previous line in the Duncan Macmillan quote says that in the original process:"the company visited treatment centres and worked closely with people in recovery". But as you say, that was then. What's now, and what's new? At some point plays fly free from their original process and integrity, and hope to find a new truth and different integrity in someone else's hands. Repeating the same production later, but in new commercial circumstances, may be the most uncomfortable formula for playing it again. This is a really interesting point and parallel And more a reflection on Blue/Orange Which is a versatile play and almost a vessel for the subject matter It has been revived several times in high profile productions I saw the original at the NT and the stunning YV version The point with PPT is that whatever the intent Unlike your excellent example of Blue/Orange This show was effectively written for the lead actress which isn’t a bad thing in itself But it also explains why it hasn’t been performed all around the world outside of the existing production in the last 10 years and made it into standard theatre rep |
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Post by Mark on May 6, 2024 21:41:29 GMT
Enjoyed this a lot tonight, Denise Gough is a powerhouse.
That said, I didn’t quite feel the emotional connection to it that I maybe expected. I think in ways the play felt a little dated especially in the staging. I don’t know - couldn’t put my finger on it.
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Post by lt on May 7, 2024 12:36:47 GMT
Saw this last night and thought it was terrific. All the cast were excellent, but this is really Denise Gough's show and she carries it off perfectly. She is also a brilliant physical actor and I think a lot of others could learn from how she uses her body in her acting. This would be so easy to overdo, but she plays her role with sublety and nuance, and perhaps her own history of addiction which she has spoken about recently has helped inform her role.
I was expecting that a show about addiction might just be grim and gruelling, but actually - perhaps surprisingly - Gough's sparring with her psychiatrist, other patients and life in general is very funny. The play also has some quite pointed and double-edged things to say about therapy in general (and how the pat solutions offered don't always play out in quite the same way in real life.) And draws some thoughtful connections between acting, therapy and identity. It's by far the most interesting show on either TV or stage that I have seen about addiction.
There is still a dearth in both film and theatre of great roles for women, so really good to see an important show like this returning.
I thought the staging also worked incredibly well with the play, both creatively producing the idea of Emma (Gough's role) falling apart and enabling very quick scene changes, keeping up the momentum of the show.
For me I think the first half was even better than the second (although arguable the group therapy session could have been slightly shortened), but both were compelling, and I am so very glad I've seen this.
It was also very popular with the audience the night I went. I was in the first row of the dress circle and as I far as I could see most people behind me were standing to applaud and from the stall rows I could see from the circle, they were on their feet too. I certainly was. It's one of the most extraordinary performances by any actor I've seen on stage.
Go see it!
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Post by aspieandy on May 7, 2024 22:14:09 GMT
Abut 95% capacity tonight and most of those were standing at the end.
Point being, almost none would have seen this back in the day, and they seemed to love it. Maybe there are more perspectives than the internet knows.
Not for the first time recently, the tube was quiet and there was a sense of tourists/visitors holding up the West End. I keep hearing how covid changed peoples habits. It could be, I am finally pondering seriously.
For me, it's a discussion piece and the views elucidated are as relevant now as before. But it's also a family saga and a redemtpion arc. Well crafted, might sag at one point but soon picks up again.
Fwiw, I was on stage. It is pretty novel, like being in the final days at a rehearsal room. Full sensory experience. Facinating looking at the audience looking at the actors. Did the same with A Little Life though this was more engaging - more like being at the Orange Tree.
I felt sorry for the man with the dog. Subtle points being made there and dotted throughout.
Very engaging. Time really flew. Surprised how glad I am to have gone.
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Post by Dave B on May 8, 2024 7:18:08 GMT
Not for the first time recently, the tube was quiet and there was a sense of tourists/visitors holding up the West End. I keep hearing how covid changed peoples habits. It could be, I am finally pondering seriously. Fairly heavy train strike yesterday would have affected London so I would not consider yesterday to be an typical day in your pondering. |
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Post by aspieandy on May 8, 2024 7:56:11 GMT
Maybe, though the tube wasn't busy south of Euston or north of Euston.
Lot's of chatter in recent months about 'nothing to do in London after 10/11', when it might also be there aren't enough wanting to do.
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Post by lt on May 8, 2024 8:35:00 GMT
Not for the first time recently, the tube was quiet and there was a sense of tourists/visitors holding up the West End. I keep hearing how covid changed peoples habits. It could be, I am finally pondering seriously. Fairly heavy train strike yesterday would have affected London so I would not consider yesterday to be an typical day in your pondering. Was packed on Piccadilly line at 1030 in the evening on Bank Holiday Monday. |
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Post by ThereWillBeSun on May 8, 2024 16:38:13 GMT
Saw this recently and Foster’s storyline broke
my heart. Didn’t feel connected with the story. Loved the sound and lighting. Denise Gough was brilliant- what a performance. The music during the interval was a vibe.
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Post by Dave B on May 8, 2024 22:34:52 GMT
Wow the on stage seating is INTENSE. I can feel the tension still in my shoulders almost an hour later. Front row and right by the aisle. Gough is sensational, as is Malachi Kirby.
That long first act is really something, and to the credit of all that it remains so human. I think the humour really helps here, from the absurd to the touching. I loved everything about the names and the identities that Emma takes on and how it keeps looping back to that and the roles that people play.
Quite a devastating conversation at the end too.
I had not seen it the first time around, not living in London back then. So I'm glad it came back, it looked pretty full this evening and the audience clearly appreciated it. Jeremy Herrin about 8 rows back and looked to have taken a load of notes from a brief glimpse on the way out.
On stage seats may have gone up to £45 but oh yes I would recommend 'em.
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Post by andrew on May 12, 2024 9:29:42 GMT
I think this still packs a punch several years later, but agree it’s probably dropped a star in not feeling quite as immediate, as vital. Thats just the nature of doing a same-actor/same-director/same-designers revival so many years later, nobody’s bringing anything new (apart from some script updates for cultural references etc) to the piece. It was such a good play to start with though that it’s still something that needs to be seen, and I took front row stage seating to do that in which is an experience in itself. We could very clearly see how many empty seats there were for a Saturday matinee at the beginning of the run, it’s not sold well has it?
I still think it had a lot to say and is a different take on addiction than other pieces of art. Gough is outstanding again, this is the role she was born to play.
Definitely go to this if you’ve never been, but if you saw it before you could let it go by.
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Post by max on May 14, 2024 10:48:28 GMT
This is being filmed at both performances on 26th June.
Also, it's now on Rush Tickets via TodayTix: £25
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Post by sophia on May 15, 2024 13:50:13 GMT
Is there anything I need to know about the stage seats? When I saw A Little Life, we had instructions for when to arrive etc and we had to lock our phones away, but I haven’t heard anything for this.
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Post by Dave B on May 15, 2024 13:59:54 GMT
Is there anything I need to know about the stage seats? When I saw A Little Life, we had instructions for when to arrive etc and we had to lock our phones away, but I haven’t heard anything for this. There are some advance warnings about not being able to leave during the performance but the actual warning from staff on the day/ will be that they can get you out if needs be except during the much shorter act after the interval. No phone pouches, no issue with coats or small bags. You do have to leave the area at the interval, presumably for setup, you'll see various costume pieces and cast waterbottles as you come in and out, the passageway in is in use throughout the show hence them not wanting people to leave. |
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Post by sophia on May 15, 2024 14:00:37 GMT
Is there anything I need to know about the stage seats? When I saw A Little Life, we had instructions for when to arrive etc and we had to lock our phones away, but I haven’t heard anything for this. There are some advance warnings about not being able to leave during the performance but the actual warning from staff on the day/ will be that they can get you out if needs be except during the much shorter act after the interval. No phone pouches, no issue with coats or small bags. You do have to leave the area at the interval, presumably for setup, you'll see various costume pieces and cast waterbottles as you come in and out, the passageway in is in use throughout the show hence them not wanting people to leave. Great, thanks! |
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Post by mrnutz on May 15, 2024 15:58:26 GMT
Is there anything I need to know about the stage seats? When I saw A Little Life, we had instructions for when to arrive etc and we had to lock our phones away, but I haven’t heard anything for this. There are some advance warnings about not being able to leave during the performance but the actual warning from staff on the day/ will be that they can get you out if needs be except during the much shorter act after the interval. No phone pouches, no issue with coats or small bags. You do have to leave the area at the interval, presumably for setup, you'll see various costume pieces and cast waterbottles as you come in and out, the passageway in is in use throughout the show hence them not wanting people to leave. What are the rough durations of each act please? |
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Post by Dave B on May 15, 2024 16:10:13 GMT
What are the rough durations of each act please? Fairly roughly 19:30 - 21:00 and then 21:15 - 22:05 |
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Post by sph on May 16, 2024 11:40:12 GMT
Are rush tickets daily? And what time do they become available?
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Post by Being Alive on May 16, 2024 16:09:44 GMT
Are rush tickets daily? And what time do they become available? its on TodayTix at £25 rush at 10am |
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Post by sph on May 16, 2024 23:52:34 GMT
Are rush tickets daily? And what time do they become available? its on TodayTix at £25 rush at 10am Thank you! It's so weird that you can "set an alert" on the TodayTix app but they don't say when the rush actually IS on there as far as I can see! Thank you for the help! |
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