1984

[partytentdown]

Back in the west end for a THIRD time for 12 weeks from June.

[theatre-turtle]

I'm quite surprised there's the demand. I thought it was OK but nothing remarkable or unmissable

[Phantom of London]

Okay, so what theatre is this going in?

I am surprised King Charles III hasn't returned, both are from the Almedia.

[Deleted]

Apr 1, 2016 17:57:22 GMT Phantom of London said:

Okay, so what theatre is this going in?

I am surprised King Charles III hasn't returned, both are from the Almedia.

Playhouse again? Or maybe Duke of York's. 

[Jon]

I imagine it's The Playhouse again as The Duke of York's won't be free until late June. The End of Longing finishes mid May so makes sense logistic wise.

[Deleted]

Had to check whether or not this was an April fools, but now I can't really say I'm surprised. Was starting to wonder what will go into the Playhouse after The End of Longing.

As for King Charles III, I'm not sure how big the demand would be for it to return, surely more people know 1984 as it's a popular novel/concept. Maybe KCIII could return if it won big at the Tony's this year? Anyone know if it sold well in it's West End run?

[Phantom of London]

Is 1984 returning because there is such huge demand for this, or because it is the worst theatre in the West End that has the least footfall going past it and no producer wants their show to go here?

I thought King Charles III done reasonable well in the West End, now with the Olivier and Tony under its belt would be even more popular.

Lots of shows coming back to the West End to additional runs, The Father and Bad Jews spring instantly to mind.

[Phantom of London]

Also with the Hairspray tour wrapping up in May, give actors some time off and would be ideal from June.

People would come and find Hairspray as it is a strong brand, you can stunt cast this quire easily like they did with Spamalot there, he'll you could even try and get Michael Ball back, who was superb in this.

[popcultureboy]

Apr 1, 2016 19:27:52 GMT Phantom of London said:

Is 1984 returning because there is such huge demand for this, or because it is the worst theatre in the West End that has the least footfall going past it and no producer wants their show to go here?

I thought King Charles III done reasonable well in the West End, now with the Olivier and Tony under its belt would be even more popular.

Lots of shows coming back to the West End to additional runs, The Father and Bad Jews spring instantly to mind.

Actually, the Playhouse gets more footfall than you would think, given its proximity to Embankment tube, South Bank and all the tourists pouring through Whitehall Gardens. The New London and the Shaftesbury are far worse off for footfall. 

[wickedgrin]

I suppose 1984 is on the school syllabus so attracts the students. It was certainly full of them when I saw the play.

[originalconceptlive]

A five-part TV series adaptation is in the works. (I think it's of the same play discussed above?)

playbill.com/article/robert-icke-and-duncan-macmillan-working-on-1984-tv-series

[Fleance]

I can understand the demand. Many American right-wing loonies are quoting it at the moment. Although I enjoyed the production, it's my least favorite of Icke's work that I've seen.

Here's a recent news mention of Orwell and the work, relative to the soon-to-be-departing American President.

www.cnn.com/2021/01/15/opinions/trump-and-allies-invoke-george-orwell-orwellian-beers/index.html

[nick]

Jan 15, 2021 1:05:31 GMT originalconceptlive said:

A five-part TV series adaptation is in the works. (I think it's of the same play discussed above?)

playbill.com/article/robert-icke-and-duncan-macmillan-working-on-1984-tv-series

The book came out of copyright on the 1st Jan so no surprise there's a new version in the works.

[Samwise]

The Matthew Dunster version is a far superior adaptation

[wavingthroughwindow]

I wonder whether this will take inspiration from the recent Broadway production that reportedly made people faint. 

[originalconceptlive]

I believe that it's going to be an adaptation of that same one; Icke and Macmillan's version played on Broadway. Unless I'm getting versions mixed up.

[scarpia]

Feb 14, 2021 11:32:23 GMT originalconceptlive said:

I believe that it's going to be an adaptation of that same one; Icke and Macmillan's version played on Broadway. Unless I'm getting versions mixed up.

Yes, it played Broadway and it is the one that supposedly made people faint. I can't recall anything in the play in London that would do that to audiences, but I don't know to what extent the Broadway production differed from the West End one.

[Deleted]

The London show didn’t make me faint, but as someone who’s not fond of gore, I seem to remember stage blood during the torture scene made me feel a bit unwell. Mainly because it sort of looked like someone had had their fingernails pulled out...