Dr Semmelweis - Bristol Old Vic / Harold Pinter

[bordeaux]

This has now been rescheduled for 2022, starting on Thursday 20th Jan and ending on Saturday Feb 12th.  Last year it was announced as a National co-production though that does not appear on the BOV website.  Good chance of a transfer, I would have thought.  It says it's based on an idea by Mark Rylance and developed with writer Stephen Brown and director Tom Morris.

[NeilVHughes]

Just got my rescheduled tickets e-Mailed, looks like trip to Bristol on the card early next year.

[Jon]

The BOV run is already sold out, I assume it'll have a run at the National either in the Spring or the Summer or possibly a West End run if a theatre is available.

[Rory]

Jan 18, 2022 2:09:40 GMT Jon said:

The BOV run is already sold out, I assume it'll have a run at the National either in the Spring or the Summer or possibly a West End run if a theatre is available.

Mark Rylance told Graham Norton the BOV run may extend.

[zahidf]

Jan 18, 2022 2:09:40 GMT Jon said:

The BOV run is already sold out, I assume it'll have a run at the National either in the Spring or the Summer or possibly a West End run if a theatre is available.

Would have to fit in around Jerusalem though.

[Rory]

Before it presumably.

[Jon]

I completely forgot about Jerusalem, in that case, it's more likely for Autumn 2022 or Winter 2023.

[NeilVHughes]

A play on reading the synopsis comes across as rather dry and studious.

Nothing could be further from the truth, from the moment we meet Dr Semmelweis we become entranced by his journey, a difficult man who nowadays would likely be considered autistic who dissects his subject matter joins the dots and discovers the truth but is unable to build the relationships required for the dissemination of his discovery.

Even though the play was developed pre COVID this is likely if it gets a further life to become one of the most prescient plays on the last few years, we have the discovery of a pathogen, the method of containment, the naysayers and the establishment non believers. The parallels with the last few years are scary in places.

Mark Rylance is magnificent as expected, the staging sublime with on stage musicians and dancers who become the balletic ghosts that in the end engulf the troubled mind of a prophet with no believers.

A play that deserves a second life which it hopefully will once Jerusalem completes its run.

[imstillhere]

I found there was more to admire than there was to love. Mark Rylance gives a towering performance and being able to watch him in the intimate beautiful Bristol Old Vic is such a wonderful treat. However I never found that the production got to the heart of the story. Instead the production is too busy, it distracts instead of integrates, it’s busy instead of confident, it’s abstract instead of inherently human. The subject matter still feels dry and elusive instead of visceral and passionate.

[NeilVHughes]

I found the busyness was indicative of his tormented mind and his confidence was the overpowering reason why his ideas were discarded, you had to be all in, there was no doubt in his belief, the ones who discarded his ideas were ‘murderers’ as in his final downfall and his inevitable descent to madness.

[bordeaux]

I thought this was a superb evening in the theatre: fascinating story, brilliantly told with a compelling central performance by Rylance ably supported by the rest of the cast. The dance elements all work well as does the use of Schubert's Death and the Maiden quartet (I think it is) with the musicians on or by the stage.

[cirque]

Very big Bristol Old Vic announcement tomorrow….

[cirque]

Now in public arena Tom Morris leaves after this season

[imstillhere]

 .

[theoracle]

I watched this last night and thoroughly enjoyed it. Front row seats booked back in Dec ‘19 and totally worth the wait! Sir Mark Rylance was electric throughout the evening and was supported by an exuberant cast. The movement direction was really well crafted and the script was brilliant too. The production feels very timely too - even more so in 2022 than it would’ve done in 2020 I believe.

Also, must say the Bristol audience was one of the best behaved in a long time I’ve seen. No phones, no coughing, no talking etc. everyone completely immersed in the action and in awe of the performance.

Do we reckon there’ll be a London transfer considering the NT are co-producing? The set seems to full to fit into the Olivier and the Dorfman will need to fit a revolve. I was thinking DoY too as Sonia is co-producing too but is there a revolve in there?

Anyways, really thoroughly enjoyed this and reccomend this for all those looking for a solid drama with a superlative performance from Sir Mark

[Mark]

Next up for the Pinter

[Rory]

Mar 14, 2023 10:03:48 GMT Mark said:

Next up for the Pinter

Thanks Mark, where has it been announced?

[alessia]

Can't find anything online

[londontg]

The National Theatre tweeted about it and I saw it too, but it appears to have been deleted. It was even on their website but it appears to have been taken down.

[Mark]

Oh yes, there was a tweet in my original post linked but it appears to have been deleted!

[londontg]

Odd. Well, this was the tweet. It was due to open for Members booking on Fri 17th March and I think the run started June 29th. 

[londontg]

It’s back up again! www.nationaltheatre.org.uk/productions/dr-semmelweis/

[Rory]

drsemmelweistheplay.com/

[zahidf]

Wonder if this will be on friday rush

[alessia]

Mar 14, 2023 13:58:56 GMT zahidf said:

Wonder if this will be on friday rush

I was wondering this too, or should I fork out the money for membership? I really don't want to miss out on this one