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Post by Deleted on Sept 25, 2016 19:40:52 GMT
A stage version of The Exorcist with a decent budget and cast could have been thrilling. But I fear the worst with this BK production. As someone who's been going to the Birmingham REP for the past 12 or so years, I've enjoyed most, if not all, things I've seen there so I have a bit more faith in knowing that it's a co-production with them and Kenwright. Also knowing it has a good creative team i.e. Sean Mathias and Anna Fleischle helps and I only know of Adam Garcia in the cast so I don't have any expectations from their previous performances. From what I've read from the writer John Pielmeier about the original production in Los Angeles, I think this play doesn't really rely on a ton of effects so maybe it doesn't really need a big budget anyway. Of course, that could all change in this new production so I maybe wrong. I've finally got my tickets for the first preview. It will be my first "horror" play...and theatre can sometimes scare the pants off me anyway! |
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Post by wickedgrin on Sept 25, 2016 20:20:06 GMT
Horror/thriller stage plays are the most difficult genre to pull off. This is why there are so few successful stage thrillers that thrill. Without the benefit of film editing and special effects, the stage thriller usually lacks any sort of shock. So usually they opt for the comedy/thriller option.
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Post by mallardo on Sept 26, 2016 6:42:04 GMT
Let The Right One In at the Royal Court and West End worked extremely well as a horror/thriller piece. It can be done.
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Post by Deleted on Oct 22, 2016 0:28:04 GMT
Saw the first preview tonight. Was meant to start at 7.30pm but had an email in the day saying it was moved to 8, then they didn't even open the doors until 8 so it began at 8.15. On top of all that - it had to stop for a few minutes about 5 minutes after Act 2 started!
As for the show itself, I guess I thought it was good and probably did it's job of making me scared and nervous, but I do think as a theatre piece it needs a lot of work.
Ive only seen the film and not read the book, but this felt a bit short and rushed like they could've done more with the script to make it have a bit more substance and development with the characters.
The physical production was ok but at times the set did remind me of Kenwright's Scrooge where it looked a bit dated (which clearly isn't a good thing on the first preview of it's first use!), some effects were good, others were a bit...meh (I could spoil them, but Im not going to right now, but basically just don't expect a replica of the movie).
Obviously some things may get better as the run goes on, but in terms of the story and script it just needs that bit more work so it can probably expect the same sort of response it had in LA.
Also saw Bill Kenwright in the audience! Not sure where he's planning to take this next after Birmingham but it looks like it could be easy enough to tour.
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Post by recused on Oct 22, 2016 8:52:49 GMT
I'm still really keen to see this. I enjoyed both the book and the film even if they're quite pulpy.
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Post by Deleted on Oct 22, 2016 9:11:33 GMT
And the BBC Radio dramatisation which was broadcast late at night over Hallowe'en was horribly gripping too.
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Post by recused on Oct 22, 2016 9:22:27 GMT
I saw the audiobook version of that in the Foyles Southbank bookshop the other day and almost picked it up, but wondered how good it was. I'll go back today and grab it now.
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Post by Deleted on Oct 22, 2016 9:32:13 GMT
Not sure if they're the same thing. The radio production was a full dramatisation (not an audiobook reading) in two parts, each of one hour.
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Post by recused on Oct 22, 2016 9:39:48 GMT
I'll have peek at the cast today then. I'm only round the corner.
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Post by recused on Oct 22, 2016 9:43:55 GMT
I've found a 2 hour dramatisation starring Alexandra Mathie and Robert Glenister. Is that the one?
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Post by Deleted on Oct 22, 2016 9:49:40 GMT
I loved the book but hated the film so I assume I'd be indifferent to this which is good as the BF is banning me from buying tickets for rest of the year, which is bad
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Post by Deleted on Oct 22, 2016 9:54:38 GMT
I've found a 2 hour dramatisation starring Alexandra Mathie and Robert Glenister. Is that the one? Yes. It's very real, not at all schlocky. www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b03vgxyz |
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Post by recused on Oct 22, 2016 10:00:42 GMT
Thanks HG. Downloading now!
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Post by welcometodreamland on Oct 22, 2016 13:20:15 GMT
I did see the poster whilst at Wolverhampton Station when coming back down, and immediately got excited about it. I take it doesn't live up to the hype then.
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Post by Deleted on Oct 22, 2016 13:37:38 GMT
I did see the poster whilst at Wolverhampton Station when coming back down, and immediately got excited about it. I take it doesn't live up to the hype then. It got a warm reception by the end with a few people on their feet. But maybe it's just me or the fact it was a first preview. Because as I said, it was good and did it's job by making you scared and tensed up but I and the people I went with just thought there could've been more in the script to develop the characters and story a bit. Fans of The Exorcist may enjoy seeing it performed live on stage, but even by using the phrase "performed live on stage" is a bit weird to use for a theatre piece as it merely suggests that not much has expanded. But overall I think it has potential, just needs work. Still worth booking a ticket for if it excites you! |
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Post by martin1965 on Oct 22, 2016 17:57:49 GMT
As you say it was first preview, give them a chance! Im going Friday, looking forward to it.
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Post by Deleted on Oct 23, 2016 11:08:58 GMT
As you say it was first preview, give them a chance! Im going Friday, looking forward to it. I am "giving them a chance", I'm sure that it will be a better performance by the time you see it on Friday than when I saw it. They were just my opinions of what I saw, that's all. |
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Post by Deal J on Oct 23, 2016 19:53:08 GMT
I went last night for the 2nd preview, and there were still technical issues - thankfully it started on time, but it took 3 goes to get the technical side sorted. Not a problem given it's a preview, but when a less patient member of the audience starts singing "Why are we waiting" it does lessen the impact! There was another technical issue in the second half meaning a rather pivotal scene had to be re-started, so tension was lost - but overall I found it really enjoyable and the lighting and use of projection was impressive. It's more atmospheric than it is scary, but then the same can be said of the film.
On the other end of the scale is the 15 minute "Séance" being performed in a shipping container outside the Rep theatre - utterly terrifying!
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Post by mrbarnaby on Oct 23, 2016 23:24:58 GMT
Knowing Kenwright, it probably WAS the set from Scrooge Just seen it stars Peter Bowles and Mrs Kenwright! Brilliant. When will see Jenny Seagrove star as Maria in The Sound of Music produced by Kenwright? .. Saw the first preview tonight. Was meant to start at 7.30pm but had an email in the day saying it was moved to 8, then they didn't even open the doors until 8 so it began at 8.15. On top of all that - it had to stop for a few minutes about 5 minutes after Act 2 started! As for the show itself, I guess I thought it was good and probably did it's job of making me scared and nervous, but I do think as a theatre piece it needs a lot of work. Ive only seen the film and not read the book, but this felt a bit short and rushed like they could've done more with the script to make it have a bit more substance and development with the characters. The physical production was ok but at times the set did remind me of Kenwright's Scrooge where it looked a bit dated (which clearly isn't a good thing on the first preview of it's first use!), some effects were good, others were a bit...meh (I could spoil them, but Im not going to right now, but basically just don't expect a replica of the movie). Obviously some things may get better as the run goes on, but in terms of the story and script it just needs that bit more work so it can probably expect the same sort of response it had in LA. Also saw Bill Kenwright in the audience! Not sure where he's planning to take this next after Birmingham but it looks like it could be easy enough to tour. |
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Post by Deleted on Oct 25, 2016 14:58:43 GMT
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Post by martin1965 on Oct 28, 2016 21:02:11 GMT
Just waiting for train home after seeing this. Wow! Both i and my mate loved it, faithful to the film. Clare Louise Connolly as Regan is astonishing. The effects are amazing, Apparently McKellen is the voice bit there is no programme credit. Its not often a stage effect gets its own round of applause but that happened tonight! Full house and lots of standing at the curtain. Reckon this could do well in West End, an extra scene or two to justify the interval and some cast tweaking. Recommended
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Post by d'James on Oct 28, 2016 21:22:33 GMT
Just waiting for train home after seeing this. Wow! Both i and my mate loved it, faithful to the film. Clare Louise Connolly as Regan is astonishing. The effects are amazing, Apparently McKellen is the voice bit there is no programme credit. Its not often a stage effect gets its own round of applause but that happened tonight! Full house and lots of standing at the curtain. Reckon this could do well in West End, an extra scene or two to justify the interval and some cast tweaking. Recommended I read that as 'cast twerking.' I thought I don't remember that from the film. |
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Post by boybooshka on Nov 7, 2016 11:20:59 GMT
Watched the final performance of this on Saturday and was actually pleasantly surprised. Wasn't my choice to go to Birmingham to see it but him indoors is a massive fan of the film and pretty much insisted. The cast, except for Peter Bowles who was a little wooden to say the least, were fine. As someone has previously noted Clare Louise Connolly as Regan was very good, and I was also quite taken with Jenny Seagrove's performance. It was staged well, atmospherically lit and scored, and the effects were ahem effective. Big bonus was being interviewed about our thoughts on the show on the way out by none other than Simon Lipkin! Not sure why, perhaps they are putting together a press kit for a potential tour? anyway i got a bit fan-girl tongue tied and made a open mouthed fool of myself, I suspect they wont be using any of the footage, lol. He's just so goddamn handsome though  |
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Post by Deleted on Nov 7, 2016 11:56:28 GMT
Watched the final performance of this on Saturday and was actually pleasantly surprised. Wasn't my choice to go to Birmingham to see it but him indoors is a massive fan of the film and pretty much insisted. The cast, except for Peter Bowles who was a little wooden to say the least, were fine. As someone has previously noted Clare Louise Connolly as Regan was very good, and I was also quite taken with Jenny Seagrove's performance. It was staged well, atmospherically lit and scored, and the effects were ahem effective. Big bonus was being interviewed about our thoughts on the show on the way out by none other than Simon Lipkin! Not sure why, perhaps they are putting together a press kit for a potential tour? anyway i got a bit fan-girl tongue tied and made a open mouthed fool of myself, I suspect they wont be using any of the footage, lol. He's just so goddamn handsome though Isn't Bill Kenwright involved? I have no doubt it will tour! |
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Post by martin1965 on Nov 7, 2016 16:15:00 GMT
Hope it does, it deserves a life after Birmingham😃
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