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Post by bob2010 on Jul 2, 2018 18:37:21 GMT
Previews for this starts this Thursday 8th July and was wondering if anyone saw the performance in Bristol and what your thoughts were.
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Post by foxa on Jul 2, 2018 22:16:53 GMT
I haven't seen it though saw a few production photos which looked interesting.
I think they may have added some additional PWC dates or there are more than usual. I just got Row C Stalls for £10 for Saturday night 14th July, so if you missed out on some of the earlier PWC performances it might be worth checking it out.
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Post by robertb213 on Jul 6, 2018 19:06:54 GMT
Got a £10 Stalls seat for the first preview tomorrow. Loved the film so looking forward to seeing this 😀
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Post by bob2010 on Jul 8, 2018 19:08:17 GMT
Got a £10 Stalls seat for the first preview tomorrow. Loved the film so looking forward to seeing this 😀 What was your take on it? |
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Post by robertb213 on Jul 8, 2018 21:33:42 GMT
It was really well done - it's a difficult thing to say you 'enjoyed' because of the subject matter, and half the cast and audience were in tears at the end, but it was superbly acted and very clever in its minimal staging (although I think having the musicians visible distracts you from what's happening on the stage). The use of ropes to create the tree forces you to use your imagination which is no bad thing, although there are some projections as well. It reminded me a bit of Curious Incident. The cast were all really strong, particularly Matthew Tennyson (you genuinely believe he's a frightened teenager) and Marianne Oldham as his dying mum. Also special mention to Stuart Gooodwin in the very physical role of the monster, especially his creepy whisper voice trying to outdo Liam Neeson in Harry Potter!
Definitely worth seeing I'd say, especially in previews for a tenner, as it's already in great shape from its Bristol run.
Runtime was 7.30 to 9.50 with a 20-minute interval.
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Post by timothyd on Jul 9, 2018 19:14:23 GMT
Might go and see it on Friday based on your review. Thanks for the post!
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Post by westendcub on Jul 9, 2018 21:58:07 GMT
This is a beautiful yet devastating piece.
Great to be at ‘The Old Vic’ again at the PWC £10 preview.
The set and direction are visually (even at many times sparse & ropes) stunning (sometimes less is more) and excellent performances from all.
This is in great shape for previews & it’s wonderful to have a dark show that is really one to talk about (had an emotional moment with my friend after).
Dark and compelling, uplifting and heartbreaking.
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Post by robertb213 on Jul 9, 2018 22:08:25 GMT
This is in great shape for previews & it’s wonderful to have a dark show that is really one to talk about (had an emotional moment with my friend after) Aw, hugs! That's lovely though. Definitely one to sit and talk about afterwards. You're lucky, I had a solo train journey with the play going round in my head for an hour! |
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Post by Deleted on Jul 9, 2018 22:12:59 GMT
Well. For those of you who loved 'Curious Incident . . ' but thought that it could do without all the lights but needed a touch of Cirque du Soleil about it instead you will be delighted here. And if your view of a set is that it could always do with more chairs then you will die. Throw in Diversity dangling around on a few old ropes and really, you'll have found theatre utopia. The cast all work very hard for their money and seem so adept at rope knots that I could have done with their help when I was a scout but special mention has to go to Selina Cadell and the astonishing Matthew Tennyson who is just one of the most mesmerisingly elegant actors I've seen in a long time with one of the most beautiful and beautifully expressive faces. He simply *is* a 13 year old boy in this it's astonishing. If you've read the (utterly marvellous) book by Patrick Ness then you'll know what to expect and if you haven't, prepare yourself. Either way you'll be hit for six and the simple cry of "help me" will knock all of the wind out of your sails. There is also one bit where . .
{Tissues at the ready}
. . Conor falls to the ground from a ledge . . . . which is simply one of the most beautiful things I've seen on stage for a long time. I'd probably been crying for about 20 minutes by that point and that set me off on snot crying. Not my finest moment.
AND in amongst all the electro-pop soundtrack you get a blast of the theme from 'The Onedin Line' too. Really, Sally Cookson is spoiling us so much that she might as well have handed round the Ferrero Rocher. |
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Post by bob2010 on Jul 10, 2018 9:39:49 GMT
Managed to get some £10 tickets but it's quite close to the front in row D.
Does it have a high stage?
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Post by robertb213 on Jul 10, 2018 13:24:10 GMT
Managed to get some £10 tickets but it's quite close to the front in row D. Does it have a high stage? Should be totally fine for the most part. You may have to look up occasionally for some of the tree scenes but I'd think mostly it should be OK 😀 enjoy! |
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Post by ctas on Jul 11, 2018 21:47:27 GMT
Saw this tonight, I’m a big fan of the film adaptation and read the book after seeing it and I really think A Monster Calls is one of the best depictions of childhood grief and loss I’ve ever come across. With these high hopes I’m happy to say that the stage adaptation did not disappoint. It’s imaginative and heartbreaking and I adored it. The role of “Mum” was played by an understudy tonight and she was excellent, the whole cast were.
I sat in row E in a £10 seat and had an excellent view, a little head-dodging as there wasn’t enough rake to compensate for the tall person in front of me but I can’t really fault the seat for the price.
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Post by andrew on Jul 11, 2018 21:57:06 GMT
Ignoring the football, and apparently having a better night than those who didn't ignore it, I went to this tonight. I had missed who the director of this was but as soon as I sat down on my seat I thought "Sally Cookson". Very Peter Pan-esque. Then she came out and did a little speech about Marianne Oldham being out due to laryngitis and confirmed it. Whilst they did some really beautiful things with all the ropes they have going on, sometimes it felt a bit clunky and a bit distracting. Hopefully after previews the cast will be a bit more proficient at wielding the set and this will be less of an issue.
As we hit the interval I was a bit unsure about how engaged I was, and it wasn't until the very last few scenes that I felt really emotionally in tune with the production, and at that point found it very moving. There were a few moments that I wondered whether they couldn't have been written slightly better, some didn't pack as much punch as I wanted. As I say though, by the end it all came together very well. I agree a little bit about the musicians being slightly distracting, mainly because they're very good and it's fascinating to see how they're creating the music. It may have been better to put them in the circle boxes instead of in such a prime position.
The "amazing ensemble cast" (as Cookson called it) were excellent, special mention to Nandi Bhebhe who stepped into the Mother role she hadn't rehearsed for until this afternoon, and Stuart Goodwin for doing well in the difficult role of The Monster.
Not perfect, but worth seeing.
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Post by theatrefan77 on Jul 12, 2018 9:07:57 GMT
I went on Monday and am sorry to say that it didn't engage me at all. Love the movie but the stage version didn't do much for me and I found the whole thing a bit dull. The second half of part II gets a bit better but by then it's too late. Overall disappointing.
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Post by zahidf on Jul 12, 2018 9:35:55 GMT
I thought this was great, well acted and moving. Loved the music as well
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Post by barelyathletic on Jul 12, 2018 10:02:07 GMT
Thought this was very mediocre. Ropes and wooden chairs don't make it exciting visually and it's so underwritten. The poor actors do what they can with the material but it's all a bit one dimensional, clunky and awkward. I remained totally unengaged and unmoved throughout. The sort of worthy 'serious' theatre that some think is good for young people. Those teenagers sitting around me looked bored rigid. I certainly was. A two star dud, three at a real stretch, as the live music was interesting, more so than what was happening onstage.
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Post by TallPaul on Jul 12, 2018 12:24:07 GMT
The poor actors do what they can with the material But surely it was 'the poor actors' who devised what they do with their own material? |
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Post by barelyathletic on Jul 12, 2018 13:23:58 GMT
The poor actors do what they can with the material But surely it was 'the poor actors' who devised what they do with their own material? According to the publisher, the script they have to work with is written by Adam Peck and Sally Cookson from the book by Patrick Ness. Not sure that the actors had any involvement. If they did then unfortunately my sympathy is sadly misplaced.  |
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Post by latefortheoverture on Jul 12, 2018 17:29:50 GMT
What would you say is a suitable age to see this at- my youbrer brother, 12, is as big a theatre fan as me.
I loved this book when I was younger, my brother is incredibly mature so I do believe that he’ll be able to cope with the subject matters within the play.
Those who have seen it, what would you say?
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Post by andrew on Jul 12, 2018 20:24:33 GMT
What would you say is a suitable age to see this at- my youbrer brother, 12, is as big a theatre fan as me. I loved this book when I was younger, my brother is incredibly mature so I do believe that he’ll be able to cope with the subject matters within the play. Those who have seen it, what would you say? As with films, it's usually advisable to see it yourself before taking a young one. My own instinct though is that I would have been fine with this at 12. |
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Post by foxa on Jul 12, 2018 21:31:05 GMT
I'm seeing it Saturday night so can say more confidently after that, but I think they are saying 10+ for this so I would think you would be absolutely fine.
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Post by foxa on Jul 12, 2018 21:35:33 GMT
Also if you call theatres they are usually very helpful about this - even if it costs them a ticket sale.
I had a colleague who was looking for a trip to take some A level students to and saw at a theatre convenient for her there was a show with some warnings about sexual content and drug use in (I think) a visiting Polish Shakespeare production (did I make that up? I don't know.) However the timing was perfect, the tickets were cheap and the kids mature so she thought she'd call for further advice. After a few questions, the box office assistant finally firmly said, 'Just don't bring them.' So she didn't - and by all accounts that was good advice.
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Post by jamb0r on Jul 12, 2018 21:55:47 GMT
Well I adored this tonight! An all round beautiful piece. Some really clever use of the ropes and chairs (how they avoid them getting tangled up I have no idea) and the use of the staging for the cliff scene was very well done. Excellent performances all round, we also had the understudy for the mother tonight who did a great job.
There were definitely a lot of similarities to Curious Incident, possibly a bit too similar at times. The direction of some scenes almost felt directly lifted from Curious, but the style fit this piece well also.
The sound design and the music were outstanding. I didn’t find the musicians too distracting, and really loved it when the ensemble contributed to the vocals, real goosebump material. Some of it sounded very similar to Hide & Seek by Imogen Heap.
There were quite a lot of school groups in attendance this evening, and I could only spot a handful of empty seats. Full standing ovation at the end and a lot of sniffles.
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Post by bordeaux on Jul 13, 2018 8:43:33 GMT
What would you say is a suitable age to see this at- my youbrer brother, 12, is as big a theatre fan as me. I loved this book when I was younger, my brother is incredibly mature so I do believe that he’ll be able to cope with the subject matters within the play. Those who have seen it, what would you say? Yes, fine. I took an 11 and a 13 year old and they enjoyed it very much. |
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Post by foxa on Jul 15, 2018 19:06:45 GMT
I've hesitated to post about this because I'm still trying to figure out why it didn't resonate with me, when it clearly did for much of the audience.
First, the good news. We were in Row C third and fourth seats in from the aisle (£10 PWC seats) and theatremonkey would have been in monkey heaven. There is a row B, but only in the centre section so NO SEATS in front of us at all. Tonnes of legroom and great view, though the stage is fairly high and you do have to look up a bit, but you miss nothing. The performances are all fine - we particularly liked Selina Cadell as the grandmother and Marianne Oldham as the mother. The staging was, as Mr Foxa put it 'relentlessly inventive.' There were in the second half some touching scenes and yet and yet and yet....
I found the script clunky - especially the school scenes and the cliched standard old school bullying scenes (the headteacher's role was totally implausible.) I felt it bore a strong resemblance to lots of teenage books, but without the humour or novelty, say of Curious Incident or the magic of Skellig. I got that the 'stories' were trying to show that life is complicated and contradictory and not easily resolved, but I was never caught up or transported. Instead, I found myself thinking 'huh, that's an interesting bit of chairography - I'll mention it to my friend who is doing some devising with her students.' The monster character was a bit impossible - lots of staring out into the distance saying gnomic things.
But - an enthusiastic standing ovation from most of the audience at the end. And all the intentions, etc. are obviously excellent
So, 3* for me.
BTW:
In terms of bringing young ones - I think the guidance of 10+ is accurate, but it does deal with serious issues, so if a child might be upset by depictions of illness, for example, be forewarned.
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