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Post by Mark on Apr 8, 2019 11:12:23 GMT
Got £10 Claxon tickets quite easily there! Easter Monday - £10. Quite the bargain.
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Post by jgblunners on Apr 8, 2019 23:19:26 GMT
Well if you're expecting a traditional production you may want to brace yourself - this is very different. A very stylised aesthetic (which I really liked) and some interesting choices which don't quite work in Act One (although I think it'll improve as the cast settle in and it tightens up), but the route that Rourke has gone down really comes into its own in Act Two and works very well. It's hard to explain, but I felt that it excelled during the more 'plot-driven' scenes, less so in the early scenes that are more about showing us Charity's character.
Anne Marie Duff acts her socks off. She's an OK singer - hits all the notes, but there's no finesse to it. Her dancing is similar - the moves are all there, but there's no style. So, while I thought she acted the part fantastically, the singing and dancing left a little to be desired, especially when she's doing it next to Debbie Kurup and Lizzy Connolly, who are both exceptional and real triple threats. The rest of the cast are very very good. Choreography is interesting too - definitely Fosse-esque elements in there, but there's some modern movement and even a bit of 80s throwback too. I enjoyed the dance sequences a lot. It sounded like they had new orchestrations/arrangements too, which suited the style of this production, and the band sounded great. It'll be interesting to hear how they direct the guest stars in The Rhythm of Life, as Shaq didn't play it in an attention-grabbing way, he stayed very much in the same style as the ensemble and was very convincing as a member of the group. I wonder if some of the guests may not emulate the movement style that the ensemble are using in that scene and will seem out of place as a result?
A few technical issues and a couple of line flubs, but it was only the second preview so I'll forgive it. Very glad to have seen it, and it's certainly a unique production of the show. A nice way for Josie Rourke to go out with a bang but still do something innovative.
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Post by ali973 on Apr 9, 2019 18:53:52 GMT
I saw a photo of the stage and it looked pretty amazing. Link? |
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Post by shady23 on Apr 9, 2019 19:52:07 GMT
Sorry, we are not allowed to post unofficial stage photos on this board
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Post by greenswan on Apr 9, 2019 22:44:32 GMT
Vacillates between good, great and what the ... for me. AnneMarie Duff’s acting is excellent. The singing serviceable with a few bum notes. A bit strained/raspy in places.
The concept is interesting. It manages the balancing act between naff and inspired - most of the time. With the exception of the stage design, which suffers from an excess of foil, the Coney Island dance and the American number which were on the wrong side of that fence for me.
The dancing is energetic but messy, which is particularly noticeable from the Circle. Side note: Would not recommend the outside seats of row B for this, the massive pillar is constantly blocking actors faces. Would be nice if they had mentioned restricted view when I booked.
Feedback I was hearing around me ranged from worse than am dram to great.
I would recommend it just because of the sheer joyousness of some of the numbers and also great music.
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Post by Phantom of London on Apr 9, 2019 22:51:35 GMT
He is my great uncle. No Neil Simon Play has been done since Sunshine Boys, for a playwright that plays run for years, suddenly no one wants to touch with a barge pole. Mr. Simon was quite famous for not allowing the slightest alteration to his script. Is his Estate more flexible than whe was? That is the playwrights provocative, David Mamet is no different and his work is frequently produced. |
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Post by Fleance on Apr 10, 2019 3:37:39 GMT
Mr. Simon was quite famous for not allowing the slightest alteration to his script. Is his Estate more flexible than whe was? That is the playwrights provocative, David Mamet is no different and his work is frequently produced. Yes, I've worked with many playwrights as well as estates and most are more flexible. But in Mr. Simon's case, I think it may be part of the reason for scarcity of productions. Edward Albee was famously flexible (despite his frustration) in dealing with the Lord Chamberlain, when Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf first went to London. |
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Post by theatresnob on Apr 11, 2019 23:27:36 GMT
I'm coming in from NYC and I have tickets for next Friday with a friend and our two 12 year old sons. At least one of the boys sees a good amount of theater in NYC.
How do you all think this will work for them? If not this, what?
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Post by sparky5000 on Apr 12, 2019 16:14:55 GMT
When’s the press night for this please?
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Post by stevej678 on Apr 12, 2019 16:21:19 GMT
When’s the press night for this please? Wednesday next week. |
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Post by Jon on Apr 12, 2019 22:53:08 GMT
I liked it, it's very different from previous productions and I think Josie Rourke has decided to bring out the more darker elements to the forefront. Anne-Marie Duff's Charity is more world weary and less happy go lucky than in previous versions and while she's not the best singer or dancer, she more than makes up for it with the acting side. The set works well although I can see why others wouldn't be so keen. The Rich Man's Frug was the highlight for me and prove Fosse's choreography hasn't aged much if at all. The ending is a lot more downbeat than previous productions with a reprise of There's Gotta Something Better than This. but I thought it worked. |
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Post by partytentdown on Apr 13, 2019 7:40:10 GMT
I didn't like it and I thought it looked like they'd run out of budget. The set and costumes (with all due respect to am-dram) had a very generic am-dram look about them.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 13, 2019 11:23:20 GMT
I’m seeing a number of references to Warhol, which is a fresh take on something that is, too often, glitzed up. The Factory and his Exploding Plastic Inevitable shows were exactly at that time and in that milieu.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 15, 2019 11:04:11 GMT
Just got an email to say that tonights performance has been cancelled.
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Post by dontdreamit on Apr 15, 2019 11:08:11 GMT
Just got an email to say that tonights performance has been cancelled. Did they give any reasons? Am due to see this next week! |
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Post by Deleted on Apr 15, 2019 11:14:30 GMT
Just unforseen circumstances. They say they'll be in touch about a refund or rebooking.
Honestly after reading comments about it on here, I'm slightly relieved after spending so much on it. 3 tickets were not cheap.
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Post by sparky5000 on Apr 16, 2019 11:10:01 GMT
Just unforseen circumstances. They say they'll be in touch about a refund or rebooking. Honestly after reading comments about it on here, I'm slightly relieved after spending so much on it. 3 tickets were not cheap. Saw this tweet ..... |
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Post by Mark on Apr 16, 2019 12:39:15 GMT
I know the Donmar don’t tend to have understudies, but surely you should have one for a role such as Charity?
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Post by Deleted on Apr 16, 2019 12:42:52 GMT
Loads of production photos
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Post by cmj on Apr 16, 2019 13:20:31 GMT
Cheeky asking those affected on Monday to rebook before they have their refunds!
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Post by Being Alive on Apr 16, 2019 13:20:36 GMT
I mean the productions shots are a choice....
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Post by showtoones on Apr 16, 2019 14:28:59 GMT
I mean the productions shots are a choice.... I still think this will transfer to the West end if it gets good notices |
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Post by Deleted on Apr 16, 2019 14:31:27 GMT
Anne-Marie had better be topping herself up with TCP. I'm there on Thursday.
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Post by Being Alive on Apr 16, 2019 14:33:22 GMT
Anne-Marie had better be topping herself up with TCP. I'm there on Thursday. Quite. I'm there on Friday |
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Post by Being Alive on Apr 16, 2019 14:34:24 GMT
I still think this will transfer to the West end if it gets good notices I mean, I know several people who left at the interval. I just don't see it getting good enough reviews if I'm honest... Charity needs to be able to sing, and it doesn't sound like AMD can at all... |
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