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Post by Deleted on Dec 2, 2018 1:48:13 GMT
Based on Instagram photos, does Kit appear onstage pre-show like he did in Doctor Faustus? Just interesting that both of his more recent West End runs, he begins on stage before the play. Is that just a coincidence thing or is that maybe a thing to do with producers making an active choice to remove crazy fans going nuts once the play starts, so it's better for him to be on prior so the crazies can have their moment?
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Post by andrew on Dec 2, 2018 1:53:58 GMT
Based on Instagram photos, does Kit appear onstage pre-show like he did in Doctor Faustus? Just interesting that both of his more recent West End runs, he begins on stage before the play. Is that just a coincidence thing or is that maybe a thing to do with producers making an active choice to remove crazy fans going nuts once the play starts, so it's better for him to be on prior so the crazies can have their moment? He does. I think the reason is mainly Instagram marketing though. |
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Post by jojo on Dec 2, 2018 10:04:04 GMT
According to an interview in Time Out, the Faustus thing was all planned to let the crazies get it out of their system before the show proper starts, but there's no denying the convenient bonus of extra Instagram coverage, especially from those who wouldn't dream of taking photos during a show or bother with the stage door. You always see people taking photos of an empty stage, or even the curtain, so if the show allows this and your star actor doesn't mind starting work a few minutes early, why not? www.timeout.com/london/theatre/kit-harrington-i-f***ing-hate-snootiness-in-the-theatreI won't say which show or which star (who did an excellent job), but my friend, who is a regular theatre goer, let out an involuntary yelp of excitement when she spotted her favourite as he first appeared on stage, which led to me letting out an involuntary laugh. Thankfully, it was a musical and the music was loud, so I don't think we disturbed anyone, but I also noticed a sudden increase in the use of the binoculars for the next five minutes or so. There is sometimes a discernible frisson in the audience when the star name appears, and sometimes that's OK, but it's bad if it pulls you out of a dramatic moment. I welcome directors finding ways to manage those moments. The added benefit is that it encourages fans to take their seats early, so a better chance of starting on time. |
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Post by theglenbucklaird on Dec 2, 2018 10:41:06 GMT
Yesterdays matinee also. Wouldn't go as lavish as Steve in my praise but a solid three stars. Thought Johnny Flynn was excellent, a good role for him
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Post by addictedtotheatre on Dec 2, 2018 13:23:02 GMT
I did have tickets for this, but gave them to a friend after losing all respect for Johnny Flynn after having watched him in this multiple times waiting for my film to start
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Post by willonthebill on Dec 3, 2018 13:35:17 GMT
Anyone have a specific running time - Act 1 and Act 2?
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Post by maggiem on Dec 3, 2018 16:45:21 GMT
I did have tickets for this, but gave them to a friend after losing all respect for Johnny Flynn after having watched him in this multiple times waiting for my film to start So... you don't "do it all again", then? |
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Post by n1david on Dec 5, 2018 9:01:35 GMT
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Post by michalnowicki on Dec 5, 2018 9:07:21 GMT
I know nothing about this play, but I do wonder how 1* for this, compares to 4* for Magic Mike. |
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Post by Deleted on Dec 5, 2018 9:12:41 GMT
I'm very much wondering where the critics are coming from. The 1* review in particular sounds like the reviewer has a keen idea of how Shepard plays should work and that this production doesn't fit that mould, though I don't know if that means she's "right" just because she's coming from a strongly pro-Shepard background.
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Post by dani on Dec 5, 2018 9:31:10 GMT
I was just going to drop in here to comment on the weird reviews, some of which say it's terribly acted and tourist catnip, but some of which say it's a high-voltage production, as Steve does on this thread. It's 1* from WOS, 2* from Daily Mail and The Upcoming, 3* from Guardian, Times, Telegraph, and 4* from ES, Stage, Radio Times.
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Post by crowblack on Dec 5, 2018 11:59:12 GMT
Didn't miss any action though as that was almost all up front. I've got one of the £15 restricted view front row side upper circle seats for much later in the run, so I'm hoping this means they won't disappear out of sight. I heard the play on the radio a couple of years ago and enjoyed it. |
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Post by demonbarber on Dec 5, 2018 12:06:08 GMT
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Post by crowblack on Dec 5, 2018 13:32:29 GMT
they will be in view all the time Thanks. I was front row at the Pinter and it was OK but they did disappear when they got towards the back (I'm not tall). |
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Post by crowblack on Dec 5, 2018 16:42:56 GMT
I was on the end of row A, which is the third row Are there aa, aaa and aaa then? They're not showing on the Nimax plan. Oh, I see - front is AY! |
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Post by foxa on Dec 5, 2018 23:05:16 GMT
Wow that is a huge range of stars. The scene at the Sam Shepard event they did looked good. However, if the reviews are mixed maybe I'll have a fair chance of getting a deal on tickets for my son when he's in town mid December/early Jan....
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Post by theatrefan77 on Dec 6, 2018 11:17:29 GMT
Yes! I got row A for £40 with GILT
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Post by foxa on Dec 6, 2018 14:10:40 GMT
Thanks TM will check out!
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Post by missthelma on Dec 7, 2018 11:05:33 GMT
Managed to snag a lottery ticket for this yesterday afternoon. (Thanks due to Jordan at Today Tix for helping with a very fraught process trying to actually claim the blasted ticket)
So, firstly I have to get over my conflicting feelings about Sam Shepard, I've been watching his plays since Fool For Love at the NT in the 80's and they always leave me slightly confused, a bit cold and dissatisfied and yet I persevere as I loved him as an actor and as some kind of iconic American archetype.
Arguably True West is his best known work and is the kind of play that has actors of a certain age stampeding towards to prove their mettle. It's about two brothers..... Or is it? Is it in fact a meditation on the fractured male psyche, and the divide between the physical and the intellectual? Or even, do the brothers represent the changing face of America as was and the move away from the Pioneer spirit? And would you like ice and a slice with that? Obviously it doesn't have to have a deeper meaning and you can just watch two people go hammer and tongs at each other for two hours with occasional interruptions. You pays your money....
Anyway it's a brisk two hours with a 20 minute interval. The set is exceptionally well designed and from my seat played with perspective in an intriguing way. Johnny Flynn dominates pre interval and is a bracing presence across the stage, Kit Harrington dominates post the interval and breaks out from his quieter demeanor in first half. i saw Flynn in Hangmen and he has a real flair on stage, Harrington was off when I saw the insufferable Doctor Faustus and I've never seen GOT but he acquits himself well without making me think he's the second coming. Madeline Potter, who I thought had the world at her feet when she debuted in The Bostonians years ago (what happened??) wanders in at some point, possibly on her way to the nearby Sainsbury's Local for a meal deal, and then wanders off again without any appreciable impact. Don't know if that was the part, the performance or the direction. It's definitely worth seeing but not at stupid prices, it was fairly full for a Thursday matinee, but enough space to ensure there will be deals.
And now we come to the audience, there was the man who I thought was going to actually explode behind me as his fake laughter at points was so overpowering. The man to my left who elbowed me repeatedly until he decided to fashion a pillow from his clothing and slump down in his seat for a little snooze, accompanied by much huffing. And the woman to my right who about 30 minutes in announced 'Oh My God, this is so terrible'. I have no idea if she meant the play, the production, the theatre , her wine or possibly even Brexit as she scarpered at the interval
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Post by jojo on Dec 9, 2018 11:52:39 GMT
My friends who saw this during previews all loved it, as did those I follow on social media with the exception of one who liked it, but was meh about the ending and scene changes. Granted, I tend to surround myself with positive people, but they aren't idiots and collectively they see a lot of theatre, so I was surprised by the negativity of the WOS review and the difference between that and some of the more enthusiastic professional reviews, or even the carefully considered three star ones.
I very much accept that everyone has different expectations and tastes, and sometimes reviewers will see things very differently, but I do think that if a professional reviewer writing for a wider audience (as opposed to blogger writing for their friends and their own records) gives a one star review, then it means that they don't expect anyone to like it. Now, I admire reviewers who don't copy the homework of others, but surely they do pay attention to the reaction of others in the theatre? I got to talking about this yesterday with my friend who attended, and she felt that her audience were obviously appreciative, and that it compared favourably with the Tricycle production she'd also enjoyed. She could see that some would favour the previous production(s), and articulating as much in a review is fair game, but her blunt view was that the WOS review was unfair and the reviewer must have let personal feelings/expectations get in the way of her objectivity. I'd have thought that could impact any show, and we thought that often the most interesting shows are the ones that result in the greater variety of response, and we wondered if the presence of actors known for TV might be an additional factor. I've often felt that certain reviewers are more likely to give a benefit of the doubt for acting/directing choices to less well known actors that isn't extended to "thingy off the telly" who has idiot fans who want to see them anyway. Of course, this works both ways, and some professionals will get a bit of a thrill at seeing that person off the posters in the flesh which adds to their enjoyment of the experience, with bonus points for playing against the well known image.
My friend also noted that the London Tricycle production was in a smaller theatre, which may better suit the material, and of course that where you sit can influence your experience. She was rear stalls, seating plan fans.
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Post by Deleted on Dec 19, 2018 11:57:32 GMT
Noticed yesterday that TodayTix has switched from doing a lottery to doing rush tickets for this - £25 for stalls seats around row N.
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Post by Deleted on Dec 19, 2018 12:57:54 GMT
No, it was lottery till this week - see missthelma's post above for instance.
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Post by andrew on Dec 20, 2018 14:17:29 GMT
Yes it was lottery before, it changed to rush on Monday. I think it's better this way. I wanted to see the seat options and I got a row B for Tuesday's matinee.
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Post by Deleted on Dec 20, 2018 14:55:48 GMT
This ridiculous making people queue outside
In a line for “bag checks”
Is pathetic
And needs to stop
If they are so bothered invest in some metal detectors and sniffer dogs
Not poking through people’s bags
How many people are likely to carry a something incriminating in a hand held bag anyway
The biggest joke that is this show
“Star” casting aside
Is barely half sold out
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Post by Deleted on Dec 20, 2018 15:02:23 GMT
Dress circle not even half full
I do wonder what “famous” actors
Think when they see such awful box office sales
Particularly if the reviews have been good
Along with this
The Inheritance
And
Company
Have plenty of unsold tickets left
Some
Performances of Company haven’t even sold 1/3 of the available tickets
Inheritance seems to have picked up a bit
But given it is almost at the end of its run
It was hardly the hottest ticket it was touted as
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