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Post by couldileaveyou on Mar 27, 2022 16:33:42 GMT
26 MAR 2022 - 30 APR 2022
UK PREMIERE
BY JEREMY O. HARRIS, DIRECTED BY DANYA TAYMOR
Running time is TBC, but it starts at 7PM so not a good sign. The cast includes Terique Jarrett, Claes Bang, Sharlene Whyte, John McCrea, Ioanna Kimbook & Jenny Rainsford. The gospel choir is played by Rebecca Bernice Amissah, Keisha Atwell and T’Shan Williams.
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Post by mattnyc on Mar 27, 2022 16:37:51 GMT
I don’t know one person who liked it here in New York, so I’m curious how this one plays in London.
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Post by nash16 on Mar 27, 2022 23:31:53 GMT
First preview cancelled on Saturday.
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Post by couldileaveyou on Mar 28, 2022 23:21:32 GMT
I saw it tonight and didn't care for it. The first act is not bad, but sadly the overlong second part is a psychodrama and not a melodrama. It's watchable and it has its enjoyable moments, but with its almost three hours it gets just too much. I spent the last 45 minutes waiting for it to end. At least Slave Play is provocative, this is just dull dull dull.
They give everyone a sticker to put on the camera but no one used it and on every seat in the front two rows there is a towel, since it's a splashing zone. The acting is fine (although they don't all seem to be acting in the same play) and I really liked the David-Hockneyesque set, but that's pretty much it.
The audience was very young and diverse and enjoyed the first act a lot but the enthusiasm was noticeably going down as the second act went on. A couple of people in the gallery knew someone in the cast and spent the show performing appreciation and enthusiasm, which at least worked as a distraction.
Claes Bang is very handsome and charming, it's very different casting from Alan Cumming and his "freaky" energy. I wonder how the difference affected the dynamics between the two protagonists, but I'd hardly want to see it twice. I'm surprised they didn't just bring Slave Play, at least they could sell tickets on the strenght of the Daily Maily's pearl-clutching denunciation of wokeness.
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Post by drmaplewood on Mar 29, 2022 7:16:02 GMT
I saw it tonight and didn't care for it. The first act is not bad, but sadly the overlong second part is a psychodrama and not a melodrama. It's watchable and it has its enjoyable moments, but with its almost three hours it gets just too much. I spent the last 45 minutes waiting for it to end. At least Slave Play is provocative, this is just dull dull dull. They give everyone a sticker to put on the camera but no one used it and on every seat in the front two rows there is a towel, since it's a splashing zone. The acting is fine (although they don't all seem to be acting in the same play) and I really liked the David-Hockneyesque set, but that's pretty much it. The audience was very young and diverse and enjoyed the first act a lot but the enthusiasm was noticeably going down as the second act went on. A couple of people in the gallery knew someone in the cast and spent the show performing appreciation and enthusiasm, which at least worked as a distraction. Claes Bang is very handsome and charming, it's very different casting from Alan Cumming and his "freaky" energy. I wonder how the difference affected the dynamics between the two protagonists, but I'd hardly want to see it twice. I'm surprised they didn't just bring Slave Play, at least they could sell tickets on the strenght of the Daily Maily's pearl-clutching denunciation of wokeness. Can I ask what time it ended please? Am going on Friday. |
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Post by couldileaveyou on Mar 29, 2022 8:00:12 GMT
9:55 I think but it didn't start on time
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Post by drmaplewood on Apr 1, 2022 23:03:20 GMT
A very mixed bag. Starts off quite promising only then to realise that it’s made it’s point quite early on and spends the length of the quite extensive second half making sure you got the message. Which we do, repeatedly. Nice set, Sharlene Whyte is great and I did enjoy some of the more surreal moments but there’s just far too much of it and nowhere near as profound as it thinks it is.
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Post by alicechallice on Apr 2, 2022 9:55:00 GMT
They give everyone a sticker to put on the camera but no one used it Do you mind explaining this, I’m not sure what you mean? |
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Post by couldileaveyou on Apr 2, 2022 9:57:23 GMT
They give everyone a sticker to put on the camera but no one used it Do you mind explaining this, I’m not sure what you mean? When you enter the auditorium the ushers hand out stickers (like in Cabaret) that you are supposed to put on your phone's camera. I assume it's to ensure nobody takes pics of the cast during the extended nudity |
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Post by alicechallice on Apr 2, 2022 12:57:09 GMT
Do you mind explaining this, I’m not sure what you mean? When you enter the auditorium the ushers hand out stickers (like in Cabaret) that you are supposed to put on your phone's camera. I assume it's to ensure nobody takes pics of the cast during the extended nudity Ooooh, I see. Surprisingly, mine’s always turned off in my pocket. I’m not planning on diverting my eyes away from the nudity for one second, so I certainly won’t be prepping my phone to take any pictures. |
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Post by frauleinsallybowles on Apr 2, 2022 20:25:39 GMT
I'm looking to book a stalls seat, but am wondering where would best to sit? Am thinking to do third row (to avoid any prospect of water) but am hoping someone could advise if there's a side of the stage more action occurs on? I've had some instances of neck craning at the Almeida due to the proximity to the stage
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Post by harry on Apr 7, 2022 12:45:29 GMT
I'm looking to book a stalls seat, but am wondering where would best to sit? Am thinking to do third row (to avoid any prospect of water) but am hoping someone could advise if there's a side of the stage more action occurs on? I've had some instances of neck craning at the Almeida due to the proximity to the stage Front centre of the Circle is best for this show. Stage is necessarily quite high due to the depth of the pool, so you would miss quite a bit of pool action from being near the front of the stalls (and the pool is beautifully lit at times which you’d miss when you can’t see down into it). I also think they’re being a bit optimistic by saying only the front two rows get wet. In particular there’s a scene towards the end of the first act where there is a lot of purposeful flinging of water at the stalls and it goes quite a long way into the crowd! |
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Post by craig on Apr 13, 2022 14:04:43 GMT
I saw a photo of the stunning set and am now dying to see this but it's very much a sellout by the looks of things. Will keep having a look for returns.
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Post by thistimetomorrow on Apr 13, 2022 14:34:32 GMT
I'm there tonight! Will post a short review when I'm out  |
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Post by dlevi on Apr 13, 2022 17:50:00 GMT
I was there this afternoon and what was most interesting was that the younger people in the audience responded strongly to the play while us older folk were, it seemed, rather bored. The entire first act could be cut and the play could simply be the second act. By cutting the first act we miss some nudity and a couple of statements about art losing its meaning. The meat of the play is in the longer ( 90 minutes) second act. However, it's just not worth it. The author, Jeremy Harris, is there to provoke us but what I took from the play was his narcissism and not much else.
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Post by thistimetomorrow on Apr 13, 2022 22:37:31 GMT
Hmm, not sure how I feel about this one. It was ok, funny at times, but I didn't really get it. I'm not sure what kind of message they wanted to get across, but it was kind of lost to me. I don't know if that's because I didn't understand half of the art references being made or what. I also thought the 2nd half (which was actually Act 2 and 3 put back to back) dragged and could maybe have benefited from being performed as separate acts? I thought the acting in general was good - especially Terique, Claes and Sharlene (although I was less keen on John and Jenny). The set was also very cool, like there was a whole waist deep pool what even??? 3 stars probably.
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Post by thistimetomorrow on Apr 13, 2022 22:39:14 GMT
Oh also, I'd definitely recommend sitting in the circle. There's 2 moments when a lot of water splashing is going on and it's definitely more than the first 2 rows that would get wet.
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Post by bgarde on Apr 19, 2022 19:44:12 GMT
Tomorrow's matinee cancelled unfortunately (Covid).
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Post by frauleinsallybowles on Apr 20, 2022 1:15:28 GMT
Tomorrow's matinee cancelled unfortunately (Covid). Does anyone know what is happening with the remainder of the performances? I have a ticket to tomorrow's evening show, but am wondering if I should be expecting understudies on, etc... |
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Post by thistimetomorrow on Apr 20, 2022 6:51:14 GMT
if I should be expecting understudies on, etc... I don't remember the program listing any understudies or swings. I feel like they'll cancel until the cast are recovered unless they can rehearse someone in last minute? |
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Post by drmaplewood on Apr 20, 2022 8:08:46 GMT
Almeida don't usually have understudies, from what I remember.
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Post by alicechallice on Apr 20, 2022 8:19:37 GMT
They could fly somebody in to cover one person if necessary though, couldn’t they? I know that’s what other theatres have done.
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Post by bgarde on Apr 20, 2022 9:22:24 GMT
I'm a bit confused. The email for my poor little matinee was sent at 7.50pm yesterday so presumably yesterday evening and other performances would be affected, not just one afternoon. Unless they do have an understudy who couldn't do today's matinee...
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Post by frauleinsallybowles on Apr 20, 2022 9:36:51 GMT
Have just received a “ We can’t wait to see you today” email for the evening show, so will be interesting to see what the situation is
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Post by bgarde on Apr 20, 2022 9:49:11 GMT
Have just received a “ We can’t wait to see you today” email for the evening show, so will be interesting to see what the situation is I received one of those too then followed up with an apology. You should be fine if nothing has been mentioned. I am curious about how Covid for a professional theatre company affects a matinee but not an evening performance a few hours later. Edit - just phoned box office who said they are scrambling to find cover for the evening performance. Maybe an understudy would have been a good idea?!!! |
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