2,323 posts
|
Post by theglenbucklaird on Mar 27, 2016 0:30:44 GMT
With Lesley Manville and Jeremy Irons. I really liked the last John Suchet run, but this was even better.
Very long, just under three and a half hours with fifteen minutes interval. Lesley Manville is especially good |
|
330 posts
|
Post by RedRose on Mar 27, 2016 1:06:25 GMT
With Lesley Manville and Jeremy Irons. I really liked the last John Suchet run, but this was even better.
Very long, just under three and a half hours with fifteen minutes interval. Lesley Manville is especially good You surely mean David  Aggree on Lesley Manville, but she has to be! Jeremy Irons is especially weak. Less fluffed lines than in the previous days tonight but he is so pale! Everybody else in the cast is much stronger than him! A woman in the toilet queue was particularly disappointed about the unballenced energy. The play could be even better, when you could find sympathy for the father as well. Will have a look now, if Suchet managed that in their production. |
|
660 posts
|
Post by Oleanna on Mar 27, 2016 1:20:03 GMT
Saw this last night and absolutely loved it.
Everything I have come to expect from Richard Eyre - classy direction with deep character exploration and detail.
The set is much more remarkable than first appears - a pretty good metaphor for the play as a whole. As the lines become increasingly blurred between realism and dream, so does the set, the areas behind the set increasingly visible. It's also a set which never fully reveals itself, which, in a way, leaves you uncomfortable.
It's pretty much Lesley Manville's show, and she's giving a wonderful performance. At first I was surprised at how close to surface the pains of her character seemed to be, but as the play went on (especially in the third act) it began to make perfect sense - she really was a woman nearing the end of her journey, not just in a generic state of crazy, longing or regret.
Special mention must go to Bristol Old Vic Theatre School graduate Billy Howle as Edmund - he very much stands out in the latter acts and his explosions seem so reluctant but also necessary and earnt - a great actor of the future.
This production really only has one main problem - Jeremy Irons. Struggling to remember his lines (it is still in previews and a very long play, so this is somewhat excusable), and unable to do a convincing accent of any kind, his performance is something of a black hole for the enormous amounts of energy his fellow actors are committing to the production. Frequently seeming passive (a result of trying to keep one mental eye on the script, one assumes), and with little truthful or honest reaction, his casting is the obvious weak link.
Could have done without the silly swooshy sound effects (which seem to be featured in every play production nowadays) and the BOV's horrible Pit seating, but overall a brilliant production of one of the great masterpieces of the American theatre.
|
|
2,323 posts
|
Post by theglenbucklaird on Mar 27, 2016 9:11:51 GMT
With Lesley Manville and Jeremy Irons. I really liked the last John Suchet run, but this was even better.
Very long, just under three and a half hours with fifteen minutes interval. Lesley Manville is especially good You surely mean David Aggree on Lesley Manville, but she has to be! Jeremy Irons is especially weak. Less fluffed lines than in the previous days tonight but he is so pale! Everybody else in the cast is much stronger than him! A woman in the toilet queue was particularly disappointed about the unballenced energy. The play could be even better, when you could find sympathy for the father as well. Will have a look now, if Suchet managed that in their production. He he, I came on this morning to write a review and found I had already posted. Not bad sleep posting apart from getting the wrong suchet. Was listening to classic fm yesterday on the drive down which is my only excuse.
Pretty much agree with Oleanna's review. The part is perfect for Lesley Manville to showcase her talents and I particularly enjoyed Billy Howle's performance. My wife and I were having a discussion about Jeremy Irons performance as she felt the same as Oleanna. But it didn't detract anything from the play for me. He wasn't standing on stage clicking his fingers at the stage manager for his line. A few times he forgot the line he was back on track pretty quickly. Just reminded me of normal dialect. I quite often change my tack of what I want to say in a sentence but it affected my wife's enjoyment so hopefully this will tighten up as he gets into the run.
My first visit to the Bristol Old Vic. What a delightful quaint theatre this is. To see a play like this in such an intimate space was a real pleasure.
|
|
|
|
Post by Mr Wallacio on Mar 29, 2016 9:27:04 GMT
Glad there is a thread on this.
I saw this last night, going in with absolutely no knowledge of the play at all and was kept gripped for the duration (not an easy task at 3 hours 20).
I couldn't tell if Jeremy was struggling with lines or not last night. Yes there was a bit of stammering getting lines out, but I do that myself in general conversation so to me that worked fine. Though Jeremy was definitely the weak part of the other three leads. But that's not to say I didn't enjoy his performance.
Lesley Manville was simply magnificent. And Billy Howle really impressed me.
I've fallen in love with the Bristol Old Vic (having lived here over 10 years and only making my first visit about a year ago). Keep up the great work BOV.
|
|
816 posts
|
Post by stefy69 on Mar 30, 2016 6:39:35 GMT
Excellent review for this in this morning's Times.
|
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Mar 30, 2016 7:57:31 GMT
Seeing this on Saturday-great to hear so many good things so far.
|
|
330 posts
|
Post by RedRose on Mar 30, 2016 10:04:57 GMT
I had a conversation about Jeremy Irons not being good in this. Maybe he is getting better as soon as he won't struggle with the text anymore? And the dialect! The guy is married to an Irish woman and living at least partley in Ireland, how can he not adopt an Irish Accent during the whole play?
I like Dominic Cavendish's review in the Telegraph, the others are a bit generous to Irons. |
|
|
|
Post by danb on Apr 4, 2016 8:08:45 GMT
I've been umming and ahhing over this...if it's worth it I might give it a go.
|
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Apr 4, 2016 8:14:52 GMT
I thought it was worth it-a strong production of a great plan. Lesley Manville is superb in it, so I'd say if you're nearby it's as strong a production of a 'classic' you'll see.
|
|
836 posts
|
Post by duncan on Apr 4, 2016 8:31:30 GMT
Anyone else been to see this? I thought there was a thread on it but I think actually it was on the old board (sniff)
Nope, its still on page 1 of this very subforum
|
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Apr 4, 2016 8:39:54 GMT
With apologies for my earlier starting a new thread (was on phone and not quite awake...)
I went Saturday-I confess I originally booked to see Jeremy Irons as a bit of a 'bucket list' actor-as well as seeing a classic by a strong company without London prices. Added bonus in the casting of Hadley Fraser who I seem to accidentally see in everything he does (not that I'm complaining).
I loved the production, which seems to travel at breakneck speed, and feels far shorter than it is (side note I got called a 'retard' on twitter for commenting on the running time) And the design which for want of a better description features a 'see through' set that gives the impression of the bigger house beyond.
Longer review here...http://thenerdytheatre.blogspot.co.uk/2016/04/long-days-journey-into-night-bristol.html
|
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Apr 4, 2016 11:26:17 GMT
Cheers Theatremonkey!
|
|
4,970 posts
|
Post by Phantom of London on Apr 4, 2016 12:58:26 GMT
Anyone sat in the Upper Circle, what are the views like please?
|
|
|
|
Post by Mr Wallacio on Apr 4, 2016 13:21:13 GMT
I am not a fan of anywhere in the BOV other than the pit. I feel you need to choose seats quite carefully due to the amount of pillars around the auditorium.
I only sat anywhere but the pit once and perhaps it was a bad seat choice on my part, but I couldn't relax with a pillar at the corner of my vision.
Can't really be much help, just throwing my opinion out there. Though I am one of those seat snobs :/
|
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Apr 4, 2016 14:07:14 GMT
I haven't been for years before this weekend and sat in the Pit this time. But the upper tiers are small so never far from the stage, but there are a lot of pillars so you may have to contend with one. I personally don't remember it being a major issue but as I say it's been a while.
|
|
816 posts
|
Post by stefy69 on Apr 5, 2016 9:32:41 GMT
Given the positive reviews and the combination of Irons/Manville I would have thought a dead cert for a WE transfer.
|
|
4,970 posts
|
Post by Phantom of London on Apr 5, 2016 9:44:32 GMT
I haven't been for years before this weekend and sat in the Pit this time. But the upper tiers are small so never far from the stage, but there are a lot of pillars so you may have to contend with one. I personally don't remember it being a major issue but as I say it's been a while. Thanks, wanted the pits but sold out. Think this will transfer to the West End. |
|
2,389 posts
|
Post by peggs on Apr 5, 2016 12:27:41 GMT
I came in to the end of a programme on the radio on Saturday I think, which was reviewing this and was talking about transfers and said something like 'Jeremy Irons has said he will only transfer to the national or the lincoln', I wasn't sure if I had misheard the last word as that doesn't ring a bell as a westend theatre or whether it was a broadway/New York theatre? As I say it was end of the programme and I was only half listening so I may have misunderstood.
|
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Apr 5, 2016 12:38:38 GMT
I came in to the end of a programme on the radio on Saturday I think, which was reviewing this and was talking about transfers and said something like 'Jeremy Irons has said he will only transfer to the national or the lincoln', I wasn't sure if I had misheard the last word as that doesn't ring a bell as a westend theatre or whether it was a broadway/New York theatre? As I say it was end of the programme and I was only half listening so I may have misunderstood. Ooh, get him. I imagine her means the Lincoln Theatre Royal or the Lincoln Centre (I refuse to go for the American spelling) in New York? I'm guessing the Theatre Royal. Couple of hours on the train from London. Easy to get to. Nice cathedral. They can spell "theatre". |
|
2,848 posts
Member is Online
|
Post by couldileaveyou on Apr 5, 2016 13:21:40 GMT
I doubt it will go to New York any time soon, since they're currently having their own revival with Jessica Lange.
|
|
330 posts
|
Post by RedRose on Apr 5, 2016 13:50:22 GMT
I think he said in the Telegraph Interview he doesn't want to do anything at all in the Westend. I would be very happy if they would transfer without him. He could so easily be replaced!
|
|
330 posts
|
Post by RedRose on Apr 5, 2016 13:53:03 GMT
Anyone sat in the Upper Circle, what are the views like please? Sat there in the front row and a bit further back. Loved the front row seat A25. |
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Apr 5, 2016 14:09:19 GMT
Just 'cos it's a famous play and a great cast doesn't mean a transfer is guaranteed, planned, or even wished for. Look at all the things that only ever play Sheffield.
|
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Apr 5, 2016 14:28:02 GMT
Indeed! Also the purpose of regional theatre isn't only as a 'try out' for West End. Sometimes it's an end unto itself. (but god forbid those outside the M25 be allowed their own quality theatre)
But yes, NY is unlikely as theirs opened this weekend with Lange (at 3hours 45 mins you get more for your money or are stuck there longer depending on your view)
|
|
