The Da Vinci Code - UK Tour

[marob]

I’m not sure how this’ll work on stage, and I wouldn’t have travelled far to see it, but having just noticed Clywd* in the list of towns they’re visiting I shall give it a go thanks to Theatr Clwyd offering £10 tickets on the front few rows.


*Sidenote/mini-rant: the town they’re actually visiting is Mold; Clwyd (correct spelling) was the county and was split up back in the 90s. It always annoys me that there’s no end of websites where the only option for entering my address is a county that hasn't existed for 25 bloody years. Every time I see it I’m like 😡

[ronnette]

Couldn’t see a thread for this.

8-12th March
Grand Theatre, Wolverhampton

Starring Danny John-Jules and Nigel Harman.

Anyone going? I’m intrigued.

[BurlyBeaR]

Merged

[l0islane]

I'm going on Monday, I barely remember the film and never read the book, I basically just want to look at Nigel Harman for 2 hours! I'll report back.

[Mark]

I was there tonight and for a first preview thought - In terms of the acting and staging along with a really good set for a touring production, I thought it was pretty good.

The problem with it as a piece of theatre, is that if you’ve already read the book/seen the film, there’s nothing really to add from a stage version. As elements of the plot were approaching, and the clues being uncovered, it was, ah yes, I remember this one.

That said, it is a good story and having not seen the film or read the book in years I did enjoy it.

Quite snappy at just 2 hrs 10 minutes (out by 21:45 following a slight delay at the start and speech from the director).

[Deleted]

Jan 10, 2022 23:10:47 GMT Mark said:

I was there tonight and for a first preview thought - In terms of the acting and staging along with a really good set for a touring production, I thought it was pretty good.

The problem with it as a piece of theatre, is that if you’ve already read the book/seen the film, there’s nothing really to add from a stage version. As elements of the plot were approaching, and the clues being uncovered, it was, ah yes, I remember this one.

That said, it is a good story and having not seen the film or read the book in years I did enjoy it.

Quite snappy at just 2 hrs 10 minutes (out by 21:45 following a slight delay at the start and speech from the director).

I’ve not read the book nor seen the film yet, so this has made me interested in seeing it later in the year. Sounds like it could be a good show.

[l0islane]

I have to agree that the acting, staging and set were really impressive, but my goodness there was a lot of talking and exposition! It is basically the film on stage (I haven't read the book) so if you've seen the film you'll know every 'revelation' that is coming. I'm not sure if The Da Vinci Code was maybe of it's time but watching it now a lot of it seems rather silly (although yes, I know, elements of it are genuine, or allegedly genuine). It's very fast moving and you need to pay attention or you'll be lost - this is not a show to let your mind wander in! (My 78 year old mother was pretty confused by it!). It was enjoyable and you can see they've invested a lot of time and money in it, but I don't see it being a big hit.

[gmoneyoutlaw]

It's been a week now and wondering if it's worth a train ride to see this production. Has anyone else have an opinion after seeing the show this week?

[Deleted]

Jan 12, 2022 17:36:16 GMT l0islane said:

I have to agree that the acting, staging and set were really impressive, but my goodness there was a lot of talking and exposition! It is basically the film on stage (I haven't read the book) so if you've seen the film you'll know every 'revelation' that is coming. I'm not sure if The Da Vinci Code was maybe of it's time but watching it now a lot of it seems rather silly (although yes, I know, elements of it are genuine, or allegedly genuine). It's very fast moving and you need to pay attention or you'll be lost - this is not a show to let your mind wander in! (My 78 year old mother was pretty confused by it!). It was enjoyable and you can see they've invested a lot of time and money in it, but I don't see it being a big hit.

The exposition works in the novel as it feels organic, but you also get more than two hours to live with it. I was hoping they’d find a way to achieve this on stage - it’s a shame they haven’t.

[BurlyBeaR]

[BurlyBeaR]

[robertb213]

I'm reviewing it in Coventry in 3 weeks, hoping to read the book beforehand if I can squeeze it in. Always good to be 20 years behind the rest of the world 🤣

[Jon]

I'm impressed they've managed to make the play shorter than the film.

[A.Ham]

Can anyone help with a question re. casting for this please?

Is Nigel Harman appearing at all venues or just selected ones? Not that I’d allow his presence to sway me into booking of course, but this is coming to thr Mayflower in Southampton soon and although I’m sure he was originally featured in the advertising, his name isn’t mentioned anywhere in their brochure or website details for the show now. I assumed perhaps he’d pulled out of the whole tour but that doesn’t seem to be the case based on posts here. Thanks!

[BurlyBeaR]

Feb 5, 2022 16:28:21 GMT A.Ham said:

Can anyone help with a question re. casting for this please?

Is Nigel Harman appearing at all venues or just selected ones? Not that I’d allow his presence to sway me into booking of course, but this is coming to thr Mayflower in Southampton soon and although I’m sure he was originally featured in the advertising, his name isn’t mentioned anywhere in their brochure or website details for the show now. I assumed perhaps he’d pulled out of the whole tour but that doesn’t seem to be the case based on posts here. Thanks!

No not all…. He’s not doing the Mayflower. 

Nigel Harman & Danny John-Jules will be performing up to and including Newcastle. Danny John-Jules will be performing in Southampton.

Nigel Harman will commence the tour again from Leeds to Swindon. Other dates, cast to be announced.

davincicodeonstage.com

I’m quite pleased he’s not doing Salford either because im not that keen. Depending on who the other actor turns out to be of course! 

[A.Ham]

Thank you. Should’ve checked the show’s site shouldn’t I! Thanks for sharing the info.

[robertb213]

I think I saw a different show to everyone else, I thought it was dreadful! Bad acting all around apart from Harman, the script barely scratches the surface of the novel, clues are deciphered within seconds, there's no sense of threat or urgency at any point, the ending is so rushed it feels like the actors themselves can't wait to finish....really not good I'm afraid.

[marob]

I saw it last week and can’t help agreeing with robertb213. I’m a bit more easily pleased, so I wouldn’t necessarily say dreadful, just very… meh. It rushes through the plot points at such speed that there’s no real threat or feeling to any of it. There’s the odd bit of humour thrown in, which I think is supposed to break the tension, but since there isn’t any tension they just feel out of place. I remember Nigel Harman being pretty wooden in Eastenders around the time I stopped watching it, so was quite pleasantly surprised by how likeable he was here. Pretty impressive set, especially for a touring production, just a shame that that’s the best thing about it. Glad I saw it, but I’m also glad I only paid a tenner.

[BurlyBeaR]

What’s the monk like?

[marob]

The Monk’s no longer albino, presumably to avoid any controversy over casting, but still indulges in a bit of ritualistic self-harm. Had several understudies on, the monk being one of them. The one in the publicity photos looks a bit more imposing than his understudy.

There’s one bit that in retrospect made me think of this… 😬

[david]

Just had an email from the Liverpool Playhouse saying that the producers have cancelled the 2nd half of the tour. Last dates are at the Lowry.

[BurlyBeaR]

😮

barely a seat sold at the Lowry either. 

[inthenose]

Well it's come along 10 years too late. The moment has passed, Dan Brown mania is long dead. This would've been an absolute smash back in the day, nowadays it's just passé.

[david]

Copied from the email I received today -

Unfortunately, the producers of The Da Vinci Code have taken the difficult decision to cancel the second part of their tour. We don’t have much additional information but know that Covid-related cancellations have impacted the initial tour dates.

[marob]

Shame, but it was an abnormally long tour for a play, especially one that’s not much cop.