Bagdad Café OLD Vic Emma Rice

[sprampster]

Grabbed some £10 seats yesterday for the PWC previews at the OLD VIC. Really excited to see what Ms Rice does with this !

[frosty]

Me too - loved Wise Children

[Someone in a tree]

I had a bit of mare trying to book for this but the box office have responded to my email and I now have tickets. Top markies on the customer service.

I ♥️ the old Vic

[ThereWillBeSun]

I stan Emma Rice. I am delighted, so of course I’ve booked ✨

[couldileaveyou]

full cast announced

[Dave B]

We went last night. It turned out to be the first preview after a covid related delay.

The run is still distanced and seats are still in bubbles. OV asks for both track and trace on arrival and for people to wear masks and the number of people doing both was pretty high (surprisingly high to be honest). The one-way system is a bit crazy. Stalls seats go in through the side door, down the stairs, up the stairs and into the foyer... crossing over the queue for circle/Baylis. I would assume they time these differently but I had the same arrival time for stalls last night as Circle for Dumb Waiter last week (though this might explain why that queue then did not enter until well past the arrival time). Other than that, drink collection and FoH were the usual OV high standard and the new toilets have a lot less queuing (of course less capacity helps with that).

The play is about 90 minutes, we were out by 21.10.

So... the cast are uniformly superb. There isn't anyone to single out, they were all great and all work really well together.

Now, I'll go into spoiler space just in case.

SPOILER: Click to show

{Spoiler - click to view}

The staging is done really well, with the puppets being very effective (in particular at the start) and the trucks and some of the miming throughout again working really well. There are some very funny moments including with the staging and the entrances and exists of characters. However, it felt to me like the story was essentially pushed into the background as much as possible in order to make way for the spectacle. The friendship between Brenda and Jasmin is barely there, the groundwork for it and the entire relationship felt lacking and so when it does become a friendship.. it didn't feel like it meant very much. It feels to me like this version of Bagdad Cafe was much more interested in making a song and dance (and boomerang which was extremely funny I will admit) spectacle - which of course is absolutely fine and clearly appealed to many from snippets of conversation overheard as we left.

SPOILER: Click to show

{Spoiler - click to view}
In summary for myself, it was all show and no heart so I left disappointed. I am absolutely sure others will enjoy it more and equally as sure that anyone going for a spectacle will enjoy it a lot more.

[theatrefan77]

Jul 21, 2021 9:00:09 GMT Dave B said:

We went last night. It turned out to be the first preview after a covid related delay.

The run is still distanced and seats are still in bubbles. OV asks for both track and trace on arrival and for people to wear masks and the number of people doing both was pretty high (surprisingly high to be honest). The one-way system is a bit crazy. Stalls seats go in through the side door, down the stairs, up the stairs and into the foyer... crossing over the queue for circle/Baylis. I would assume they time these differently but I had the same arrival time for stalls last night as Circle for Dumb Waiter last week (though this might explain why that queue then did not enter until well past the arrival time). Other than that, drink collection and FoH were the usual OV high standard and the new toilets have a lot less queuing (of course less capacity helps with that).

The play is about 90 minutes, we were out by 21.10.

So... the cast are uniformly superb. There isn't anyone to single out, they were all great and all work really well together.

Now, I'll go into spoiler space just in case.

SPOILER: Click to show

{Spoiler - click to view}

The staging is done really well, with the puppets being very effective (in particular at the start) and the trucks and some of the miming throughout again working really well. There are some very funny moments including with the staging and the entrances and exists of characters. However, it felt to me like the story was essentially pushed into the background as much as possible in order to make way for the spectacle. The friendship between Brenda and Jasmin is barely there, the groundwork for it and the entire relationship felt lacking and so when it does become a friendship.. it didn't feel like it meant very much. It feels to me like this version of Bagdad Cafe was much more interested in making a song and dance (and boomerang which was extremely funny I will admit) spectacle - which of course is absolutely fine and clearly appealed to many from snippets of conversation overheard as we left.

SPOILER: Click to show

{Spoiler - click to view}
In summary for myself, it was all show and no heart so I left disappointed. I am absolutely sure others will enjoy it more and equally as sure that anyone going for a spectacle will enjoy it a lot more.

Thanks for your report. I’ll be there tomorrow in Dress Circle side view. I know we’ll need to lean forward. Could you please let me know if there’s a lot happening on the sides or is it mainly centre stage?

[Dave B]

Jul 21, 2021 11:53:34 GMT theatrefan77 said:

Thanks for your report. I’ll be there tomorrow in Dress Circle side view. I know we’ll need to lean forward. Could you please let me know if there’s a lot happening on the sides or is it mainly centre stage?

It uses the full stage - and a bit more. The stage has a small extension into the stalls and there are small moments of a cast member roaming the aisles. There are small, short scenes directly at the pillars both left and right of the stage and several exits via the steps at the left side pillar through the stalls and a out a stalls door but I think you'll be okay with just leaning forward for those particular moments. The vast majority otherwise is reasonably central with moving sets pretty much in and out of bang on centre stage.

There are two or three musicians who are on stage throughout but despite having good seats in the stalls (thank you PWC Previews!), we could not even see them as they are are just too far off to the right and only realised during the curtain call.

Hope you enjoy it!

[theatrefan77]

Jul 21, 2021 12:43:24 GMT Dave B said:

Jul 21, 2021 11:53:34 GMT theatrefan77 said:

Thanks for your report. I’ll be there tomorrow in Dress Circle side view. I know we’ll need to lean forward. Could you please let me know if there’s a lot happening on the sides or is it mainly centre stage?

It uses the full stage - and a bit more. The stage has a small extension into the stalls and there are small moments of a cast member roaming the aisles. There are small, short scenes directly at the pillars both left and right of the stage and several exits via the steps at the left side pillar through the stalls and a out a stalls door but I think you'll be okay with just leaning forward for those particular moments. The vast majority otherwise is reasonably central with moving sets pretty much in and out of bang on centre stage.

There are two or three musicians who are on stage throughout but despite having good seats in the stalls (thank you PWC Previews!), we could not even see them as they are are just too far off to the right and only realised during the curtain call.

Hope you enjoy it!

Very detailed description.  Thank you very much!

[edi]

I actually really liked it. It kinda grew on my slowly, by the time "harmony" was reached I was fully immersed.

I liked the way the story was developed, subtly but effectively.

The sheriff is such is fun character.

[ceebee]

I had no expectations for this production as I don't know it, but I absolutely loved it! Definitely worth going to see!

[theatrefan77]

I enjoyed this too, but I wish Emma Rice would have focus more in the relationship between both women.

At the end of the day this is the story of a friendship. Two very different women who become very close friends. Didn’t feel the play explores that in the way the film did which was so powerful and moving.

The visuals in the play were brilliant though. Rice never disappoints in that department

[Someone in a tree]

I thought the spectacle was fantastic and a very lovely warm atmosphere was created. However I wanted more depth about the relationships falling apart and forming.

[fluxcapacitor]

Saw this last night thanks to a great £10 deal from the Old Vic a few weeks ago. Really glad I did. It's not the best show: the surface of the core story is skimmed with rather large brush strokes, and everything doesn't quite hold together stylistically or narratively. But I agree with other posters that the atmosphere it creates, paired with the fantastic music arrangements and performances, carry the show. We came out in a really great mood having thoroughly enjoyed the world we'd been sucked into for 90 minutes.

If anyone is planning on seeing it soon, don't judge it by the first 10 minutes. It gets off to a rather shaky start where it gets lost in some questionable almost-mime with minimal script, and I honestly thought I was going to hate it, but that doesn't last long. The play in general just improves once it gets into its stride and you get used to some of the more stylised staging.

I really hope they make the Bagdad Cafe Choir version of "Calling You" available online. It's stunning.

[Being Alive]

I really liked this!

The definition of an Emma Rice show and I can't say I'm mad about that. Trademark magic which worked really well.
Really well cast - especially the two female leads.

A little substance over story but I was fine with that. 90 minutes zipped along and I was genuinely moved at the end.

Want to check out the film now too!

[mkb]

Was due to see this yesterday evening (Thursday) but it's been cancelled until 14 August due to a Covid-positive instance within the company.

Switched to Anything Goes and was not disappointed.

[ceebee]

Aug 6, 2021 1:46:20 GMT mkb said:

Was due to see this yesterday evening (Thursday) but it's been cancelled until 14 August due to a Covid-positive instance within the company.

Switched to Anything Goes and was not disappointed.

Do go back to Bagdad Cafe if you can though, as it is excellent.

[mkb]

Aug 7, 2021 13:28:12 GMT ceebee said:

Aug 6, 2021 1:46:20 GMT mkb said:

Was due to see this yesterday evening (Thursday) but it's been cancelled until 14 August due to a Covid-positive instance within the company.

Switched to Anything Goes and was not disappointed.

Do go back to Bagdad Cafe if you can though, as it is excellent.

Already rebooked! :-)

[QueerTheatre]

As a big Emma fan, I was looking forward to this immensely…. But I was bored stiff. All style over substance, and the substance there was, was dodgy.

I didn’t care for any of the characters, and it ended up being a bit of a white savour narrative.

Glad others enjoyed though!

[ceebee]

Aug 8, 2021 13:50:18 GMT QueerTheatre said:

As a big Emma fan, I was looking forward to this immensely…. But I was bored stiff. All style over substance, and the substance there was, was dodgy.

I didn’t care for any of the characters, and it ended up being a bit of a white savour narrative.

Glad others enjoyed though!

I get what you mean - I'd have like to see more on stage presence of le gateau chocolat, who I'd never seen before but thought was excellent. The car was a distraction.

[mkb]

Following the previous cancellation, I was pleased to see this tonight. Probably the least good of the Emma Rice productions I've seen, but still worthwhile, and a solid three-star show.

I can't quite put my finger on why it wasn't better. The narrative, the unique stylisation, the character development, the music, and the overall Rice magic...: each fell just a little short of expectations, and the sum of the whole just wasn't enough. Probably if I'd warmed to the central character of Brenda more, it would have worked, but, as written, she's difficult to like. Some back story between her and Sal in happier times, and a nippier narrative would have helped.

I'd still recommend though. Rice may not be on top form, but it is a night that you'll not forget.

One act: 19:35-21:09

[mkb]

Seeing this show has prompted me to order a blu-ray of the film, which somehow I've never managed to see.

SPOILER: Click to show

Regarding the "dodgy" aspect, are we meant to infer that Sal is in fact the father of his daughter's child?

[TallPaul]

Tickets are available to be in the theatre audience for the streamed performances. Might be quite interesting to watch how it's all done.

£10 and £20 for both the Dress and Bayliss Circles.

[sfsusan]

Aug 16, 2021 21:20:26 GMT mkb said:

I can't quite put my finger on why it wasn't better.

One thing that stood out for me is that the emotion of the story was stopped in its tracks by the songs (except for the final one). I know music can substitute for expressing emotions (like in 'Carousel'), but to me the music didn't provide the necessary, and that absence meant that those emotions weren't expressed either in speech or song. So I ended up mostly not caring.

As for the spoiler (not to go into spoiler-ish detail myself), I didn't get that inference at all. The character's behavior provides plenty of evidence for other possibilities.

[cavocado]

Aug 25, 2021 21:07:42 GMT sfsusan said:

Aug 16, 2021 21:20:26 GMT mkb said:

One thing that stood out for me is that the emotion of the story was stopped in its tracks by the songs (except for the final one). I know music can substitute for expressing emotions (like in 'Carousel'), but to me the music didn't provide the necessary, and that absence meant that those emotions weren't expressed either in speech or song. So I ended up mostly not caring.

I felt much like that about Wise Children. To me that was an exhaustingly empty spectacle which didn't capture the warmth and compassion of the book, so I was put off booking for Bagdad Cafe, in case Emma managed to squash all the warmth out of a lovely film too.

I went to WC with a group of friends and we had quite an interesting discussion afterwards where we were split along introvert/extrovert lines over whether we enjoyed the show or not. We decided Emma must be an extreme extrovert, as the introverts among us (including me) just couldn't get any sense of emotion or nuance from all the showmanship, whereas the extroverts loved it.