Best of Enemies - Young Vic / Noel Coward Theatre

[foxa]

I've got tickets for mid-January for one of their socially distanced performances. I am (just) old enough to slightly remember William F. Buckley and Gore Vidal, so that adds to my curiosity. Once a southern writer said wearily to Buckley, 'Why, Mister Buckley, I believe you were born for argument.'

[stevemar]

Dec 13, 2021 23:12:03 GMT Mark said:

For those who have seen this, how "forward staged" is it. Would I be looking at backs a lot from the £10/£20 seats?

As Jon says, there are monitors during the debates. But the debates are actually quite short and sharp and even then staged at an angle (not completely front on). Also, the rest of the play is staged in a way where you can always see some of the actors face-on, plus as they move into the main staging area, so if you want to save some £ definitely worth it.

[Stephen]

'noisy interludes' great...

[stevemar]

Dec 14, 2021 19:25:35 GMT Stephen said:

'noisy interludes' great...

Oh, I just meant clips of events in 1968 onwards and a couple of protests. Nothing too bad, but I guess you can always cover your ears!

[Stephen]

I see. I was imagining a la Labour of Love (In which the interludes worked well, were fantastic songs, and allowed for the set to rotate)

[stevemar]

Stephen - no songs or rotating set (I didn’t see LoL).

[Jon]

Dec 13, 2021 22:24:11 GMT bordeaux said:

I imagine it will work well on the live broadcasts, which may reduce the likelihood of a West End transfer. Unless the audience for live streams is different from that for West End transfers. Neither actor is big enough to attract a West End audience, I would have thought.

The other issue is that Charles Edwards will be unavailable for any possible transfer in early 2022 as he has filming commitments. 

[barelyathletic]

Saw this last night. It's smart and slickly done but just feels like a reconstruction, without the necessary drama to grab you and get you involved. Despite strong performances all round it's also hard to like anyone in it and it left me cold. Although the point it makes about the rise of celebrity opinion in the media is interesting it also doesn't need to take two hours to make that point. Disappointing. Three stars.

[lonlad]

Why do you have to "like" the people in it? They're not there to befriend you. As long as they engage me and draw my attention, I am more than happy. This is a thrilling evening and deserves to take the town.

[theatrelover123]

Dec 16, 2021 11:41:21 GMT barelyathletic said:

Saw this last night. It's smart and slickly done but just feels like a reconstruction, without the necessary drama to grab you and get you involved. Despite strong performances all round it's also hard to like anyone in it and it left me cold. Although the point it makes about the rise of celebrity opinion in the media is interesting it also doesn't need to take two hours to make that point. Disappointing. Three stars.

Completely agree with everything you say. I wanted the drama to kick in to justify the length. It didn’t. Well acted and staged. But not a great play. 

[n1david]

Saw this last night and was very relieved it went ahead given what's on the go...

But I wasn't wowed by it. I did enjoy it a lot, but I have high expectations of James Graham's plays and was disappointed given those expectations. In its favour, I thought it was terrifically acted and very well staged - always something going on, creative use of the spaces. However it felt a bit 2-dimensional to me; this was an interesting story but I felt that the parallels to present day were a bit heavy-handed and signalled rather than just being there for people to work out for themselves. A good night out at the theatre but not one of Graham's best; given current theatre environment, I'm not sure there will be a future life for this.

Interestingly, I didn't check beforehand how well-sold this was, but I'd say the auditorium was only about 70% full. Nearly everyone in masks though.

[stevemar]

n1david - when I looked earlier yesterday, it was around 70/80% sold, so not much further drop off in the hours before the show, I’d say.

Was the bar really busy? The main issue with the Young Vic is how crowded it is pre show and at the interval as the queues for the loos merge with the bar. The separate entrances/exits haven’t resolved that. Though having said that, during normal times, I’ve had some great nights in the Cut bar!

I’m pretty much with you in your verdict of the show.

[n1david]

Dec 17, 2021 10:13:25 GMT stevemar said:

Was the bar really busy?

No, it was very quiet and no issues getting served pre-show. Not bad at the interval. It looked like it was mostly theatre-goers without the usual passing trade/locals. I normally find it chaotic and not a very easy-to-use space, but no issues last night.

[Dave B]

Another one down, next four shows cancelled.

Fri 17 Dec, 7.30pm
Sat 18 Dec, 2.30pm
Sat 18 December, 7.30pm
Mon 20 December, 2.30pm

[Mark]

There goes my Monday matinee.

[andrew]

Aaaaand now closed completely until the third, so that's the second thing in a row I'll not see now probably at the young vic due to cancellation. Rough times!

[basi1faw1ty]

The actor playing Matt tested positive for COVID on I think that Saturday (18th). They could have found an understudy for him? Unless more of the cast/crew/YV staff got it as well?

Anyway, the rest of the run is completely sold out for its return owing to all the cancellations and the race to rebook tickets from everyone who had tix for the cancelled shows. Thank goodness for the broadcasts eh?

[budd]

Gutted that I only heard of this from the reviews and much later after they'd come out and now it's all sold. Does anyone have information about the broadcast?

[teamyali]

Jan 3, 2022 7:55:25 GMT budd said:

Gutted that I only heard of this from the reviews and much later after they'd come out and now it's all sold. Does anyone have information about the broadcast?

I live outside the UK and was able to book for the broadcast.

My friend sent me this link: www.youngvic.org/whats-on/best-of-enemies-broadcast

[budd]

Jan 3, 2022 14:23:41 GMT teamyali said:

Jan 3, 2022 7:55:25 GMT budd said:

Gutted that I only heard of this from the reviews and much later after they'd come out and now it's all sold. Does anyone have information about the broadcast?

I live outside the UK and was able to book for the broadcast.

My friend sent me this link: www.youngvic.org/whats-on/best-of-enemies-broadcast

Thanks a lot!

[Mark]

Some returns have been made available online for tomorrow.

[Mark]

So glad I was able to get a ticket for the Matinee today. Really enjoyed it, James Graham’s writing again brilliant with two very good central performances. I was in the £10 seats (E68/69) and view was fine.

[theatrefan77]

Good to know that the view is fine. Thank you. I'll be seating near those seats on Saturday matinee -D70 I think-. Was a bit worried that the view would be obstructed.

[Mark]

Jan 5, 2022 17:47:28 GMT theatrefan77 said:

Good to know that the view is fine. Thank you. I'll be seating near those seats on Saturday matinee -D70 I think-. Was a bit worried that the view would be obstructed.

It’s honestly fine, it’s a bit of an odd angle during the debates but you get used to it. Certainly didn’t detract.

[drmaplewood]