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Post by zahidf on Jun 28, 2018 9:07:58 GMT
Hampstead Theatre is proud to present the Broadway production of The Humans by Stephen Karam, the winner of four 2016 Tony Awards including Best Play, Best Featured Actor in a Play, Best Featured Actress in a Play and Best Scenic Design in a Play. This highly anticipated UK premiere follows the play’s extraordinary Broadway success and includes the complete award-winning New York cast.
Three generations of the Blake family have assembled for Thanksgiving in Brigid and Richard’s ramshackle pre-war apartment in Lower Manhattan. Whilst the event may have a slightly improvised air, the family is determined to make the best of its time together. As they attempt to focus on the traditional festivities, fears of the past and pressures of the future seep into the reunion and the precariousness of their position becomes increasingly evident.
Stephen Karam’s blisteringly funny and deeply chilling drama is a stunning portrayal of the human condition; a family at its best and worst navigating the challenges of everyday life. Karam’s other plays include Speech & Debate and Sons of the Prophet, the latter of which was, like The Humans, a Pulitzer Prize finalist.
Two-time Tony Award winner Joe Mantello’s directing credits also include the hit musical Wicked, the 2018 Broadway production of Edward Albee’s Three Tall Women and the currently playing Broadway revival of The Boys in the Band.
Reed Birney and Jayne Houdyshell reprise their Tony Award winning performances alongside the full Broadway cast, which includes Cassie Beck, Lauren Klein, Arian Moayed and Sarah Steele.
I AND YOU
By LAUREN GUNDERSON
Directed by EDWARD HALL
Housebound because of illness, Caroline hasn’t been to school in months. Confined to her room, she has only Instagram and Facebook for company. That is until classmate Anthony bursts in – uninvited and armed with waffle fries, a scruffy copy of Walt Whitman’s poetry and a school project due in the next day… Caroline is unimpressed all round.
But an unlikely friendship develops and a seemingly mundane piece of homework starts to reveal the pair’s hopes and dreams - as well as a deep and mysterious bond that connects them even further.
Maisie Williams makes her stage debut. Her television credits include Game of Thrones (8 series) and films include Mary Shelley and Early Man.
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Post by n1david on Jun 28, 2018 9:18:45 GMT
Getting a winner of four Tonys over with the entire Broadway cast is impressive - I'm in!
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Post by Deleted on Jun 28, 2018 9:56:32 GMT
Damnit, this just sounds like a great season all round, but it's being announced awfully late for my diary. My weekends get booked up MONTHS in advance for heaven's sake.
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Post by Rory on Jun 28, 2018 10:04:31 GMT
What a tremendous coup for Hampstead getting 'The Humans'. I wonder if it already has a commercial producer attached with a view to a West End transfer?
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Post by markmc on Jun 28, 2018 10:17:02 GMT
I'm so excited for The Humans! What a coup for the Hampstead Theatre.
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Post by Rory on Jun 28, 2018 11:29:19 GMT
What a tremendous coup for Hampstead getting 'The Humans'. I wonder if it already has a commercial producer attached with a view to a West End transfer? I see from the Hampstead's website that Sonia Friedman was one of the plethora of originating producers on Broadway. |
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Post by zahidf on Jun 28, 2018 12:14:56 GMT
One of their best looking seasons for a while
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Post by stevej678 on Jun 28, 2018 14:08:52 GMT
Is there usually still good availability when public booking opens at the Hampstead? And do they have a lovely virtual queue to enjoy on the website? Just weighing up whether priority booking is worth it.
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Post by Deleted on Jun 28, 2018 14:16:43 GMT
I've never had any trouble getting tickets for the Hampstead, I'd only worry about diving in the second public booking opened if I was keen to get the £5 previews for Downstairs. There's not a wide variety of prices in the Upstairs auditorium; the "cheapest" seats tend to be the very back of the circle, so they don't sell out super-quickly, and much of the stalls is excellent for comfort, legroom, and rake, so the fact that all the seats are the same price is fairly reasonable and also means there's no need to scurry for the best ones. Even after they announced the cast for Gloria, which was several months after the original booking period had opened, it was still perfectly possible to get decent seats. Also I've picked a random performance of Genesis Inc and I can still get front row stalls or a cheap back circle seat, and that's already started performances. It's honestly the very last theatre I'd ever worry about rushing for.
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Post by zahidf on Jun 28, 2018 14:40:12 GMT
I've never had any trouble getting tickets for the Hampstead, I'd only worry about diving in the second public booking opened if I was keen to get the £5 previews for Downstairs. There's not a wide variety of prices in the Upstairs auditorium; the "cheapest" seats tend to be the very back of the circle, so they don't sell out super-quickly, and much of the stalls is excellent for comfort, legroom, and rake, so the fact that all the seats are the same price is fairly reasonable and also means there's no need to scurry for the best ones. Even after they announced the cast for Gloria, which was several months after the original booking period had opened, it was still perfectly possible to get decent seats. Also I've picked a random performance of Genesis Inc and I can still get front row stalls or a cheap back circle seat, and that's already started performances. It's honestly the very last theatre I'd ever worry about rushing for.
I'd normally agree with this, with the caveat that Maisie William's stage debut will probably be a big draw. Whilst it wont be a meltdown and you can get tickets, I probably wouldn't hang about if that's something you really want to see
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Post by Deleted on Jun 28, 2018 14:44:19 GMT
Yeah, true. I wouldn't hang around until opening night before booking, but I'm not planning to book until I get paid in July, and although I'll probably check in on how sales are going, I'm not in the least bit worried. Hampstead being neither cheap nor central (even though it's REALLY not that far out and top price Hampstead is nothing next to top price West End) will surely work in our favour.  (Also, while I'm sure she'll be a fairly big draw, I feel like Colin Morgan's fans are more fervent and more terrifying, which is why I cited Gloria specifically as being fairly easy to buy tickets for.  ) |
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Post by sherriebythesea on Jun 28, 2018 23:30:01 GMT
I and You and The Hoes really look good to me and they are playing when I'm in London. I've set my alarm to be get ticket for I and You when public sales begin and will then get ticket to The Hoes depending on when I can get the other.
ETA: at this rate I'll only be able to do short day trips out of London on my 24 day visit. So much theatre, so little time......
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Post by NeilVHughes on Jul 6, 2018 9:38:58 GMT
Booked for The Humans and I and You.
Quick and easy, fourth in the queue, plenty of tickets available for my preferred dates.
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Post by jadnoop on Jul 6, 2018 10:16:50 GMT
Wow, really easy booking this morning. I guess that the demand for tickets is far less than somewhere like the NT, but it was still surprisingly smooth. Only booked for 'The Humans' in the end. Considered 'I and You' too, but the clips online seemed a little too YA-attempts-Aaron Sorkin for me, and the reference to 'manic pixie dream girl' in a review means it's probably not for me. Should be good though, and seems like a coup to have Maisie Williams' stage debut. It'll be my first trip to the Hampstead Theatre, and I couldn't find ticketing advice on the TM or Seatplan websites. We went with the cheap seats (middle, back of the dress circle) since it seems like an intimate and well-design space from the photos, but would be grateful for any comments on visibility for those who have been.
Edit: One weird thing that I did notice was that the 'queue' started at about 9:30 on my mobile, but wasn't active until much later on desktop.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 6, 2018 10:40:48 GMT
Visibility absolutely fine from back row of dress circle. It's a little tight getting in and out, and you should be aware that the floor slopes (I have fallen over up there more than once, and getting back up again is never dignified), but there's nothing in your way, and you can lean forward if you do end up behind the tallest audience member in the world.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 6, 2018 10:43:56 GMT
Aren't the seats on the back row of the circle the high stools too? I'm sure I've sat there before and the view is absolutely fine. So long as you don't mind jumping up to get onto the seat and resting your feet on a bar.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 6, 2018 10:51:22 GMT
Nope, just normal seats upstairs. You're raked up a decent height above the row in front but your legs shouldn't dangle unless they're *very* short. The high stools are only in the back of the stalls in the gallery bit as far as I'm aware.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 6, 2018 10:55:56 GMT
OK, my mistake.
Bank that one because it won't happen often.
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Post by jadnoop on Jul 6, 2018 11:07:14 GMT
Thanks so much for the quick responses. |
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Post by sherriebythesea on Jul 6, 2018 12:13:13 GMT
Advice please. Would it be too much of a stretch to do Wed matinee of "I and you" and then Swiss Cottage tube to Victoria for "Hamilton" 7:30 evening. TFL shows only 14 minute ride but I never know if I should trust those.
I've never been to this theatre and was also wondering about the seating. From their chart it looks very small. Any cautions abut views? Has anyone heard if Ms. Williams will be doing all shows?
Thank you !
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Post by theatrelover123 on Jul 6, 2018 12:20:49 GMT
Advice please. Would it be too much of a stretch to do Wed matinee of "I and you" and then Swiss Cottage tube to Victoria for "Hamilton" 7:30 evening. TFL shows only 14 minute ride but I never know if I should trust those. I've never been to this theatre and was also wondering about the seating. From their chart it looks very small. Any cautions abut views? Has anyone heard if Ms. Williams will be doing all shows? Thank you ! Easily do-able. I And You starts at 3pm. Looks like the NYC production was 80-90 mins. Then on Jubilee line from Swiss Cottage to Westminster, change on to District and Circle line and go 2 stops to Victoria. Tube journey maybe 25 mins total. Reckon you would be there at 5pm. |
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Post by jadnoop on Jul 6, 2018 12:21:11 GMT
Advice please. Would it be too much of a stretch to do Wed matinee of "I and you" and then Swiss Cottage tube to Victoria for "Hamilton" 7:30 evening. TFL shows only 14 minute ride but I never know if I should trust those. I've never been to this theatre and was also wondering about the seating. From their chart it looks very small. Any cautions abut views? Has anyone heard if Ms. Williams will be doing all shows? Thank you ! I can't see how long I and You is, but assuming it's around 2 hours and the matinee starts at 3, then you should be out of the Hampstead Theatre by around 5. This is more than enough time to get to Victoria, with time to grab something to eat. Swiss Cottage tube is only a few minutes walk from Hampstead Theatre, and you can change at Green Park. You will be going close to rush hour, and Green Park station is fairly big to walk between platforms, but I can't imagine the journey taking more than 30 minutes.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 6, 2018 12:25:33 GMT
The theatre is slap bang next to the entrance and exit to the tube station (make sure you take exit 2) so that's easy.
The theatre is lovely. The staff are a delight and the food and drink is very nice indeed. I like the auditorium and have sat in various seats over the years and I don't think I've ever really had a bad view although I think the cheap seats on the very sides of the stalls and circle (almost like slips) can be very hit and miss in terms of view depending on the staging of the play. I saw one play from there and it was fine, another I missed a huge amount of action on one side so I never bother with those anymore. Also the very ends of each row can feel a little bit like the Leaning Tower of Pisa as the floor slopes quite noticeably (especially in the circle). However the back rows of both stalls and circle offer good views in my (not so) humble opinion. Obviously stalls offer a better view naturally.
Swiss Cottage to Green Park on the Jubilee line and then change to the Victoria line to Victoria should be fairly straightforward. Even if the play is 3 hours it will still finish at 6:00 so plenty of time to get to Victoria. In fact, it's finding my way out of Victoria station that always causes me confusion.
Well now look at that. Helpful and not a hint of smut. Must be the heat.
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Post by TallPaul on Jul 6, 2018 12:29:47 GMT
Well now look at that. Helpful and not a hint of smut. Must be the heat. And you're pretending you use public transport too, just to make us all feel better. |
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Post by sherriebythesea on Jul 6, 2018 12:31:17 GMT
The theatre is slap bang next to the entrance and exit to the tube station (make sure you take exit 2) so that's easy. The theatre is lovely. The staff are a delight and the food and drink is very nice indeed. I like the auditorium and have sat in various seats over the years and I don't think I've ever really had a bad view although I think the cheap seats on the very sides of the stalls and circle (almost like slips) can be very hit and miss in terms of view depending on the staging of the play. I saw one play from there and it was fine, another I missed a huge amount of action on one side so I never bother with those anymore. Also the very ends of each row can feel a little bit like the Leaning Tower of Pisa as the floor slopes quite noticeably (especially in the circle). However the back rows of both stalls and circle offer good views in my (not so) humble opinion. Obviously stalls offer a better view naturally. Swiss Cottage to Green Park on the Jubilee line and then change to the Victoria line to Victoria should be fairly straightforward. Even if the play is 3 hours it will still finish at 6:00 so plenty of time to get to Victoria. In fact, it's finding my way out of Victoria station that always causes me confusion. Well now look at that. Helpful and not a hint of smut. Must be the heat. Very grateful for advice but rather disappointed by lack of smut |
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