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Post by david on Jul 23, 2022 17:35:27 GMT
Having supposed to of been at Charing Cross theatre this afternoon to watch “The Throne”, an email last week cancelling the remaining performances left me with a free afternoon show slot. After a quick look on the NT website last Friday, it threw up a £10 stalls row P rush ticket for MAAN, so what seemed like too good an offer to pass up and with KP in the show, I didn’t have any hesitation in snapping it up. Also, not having seen any productions of MAAN, it was a way of finally ticking this Shakespeare off the list.
Certainly, from this afternoons viewing I certainly had a nice time watching this, and after seeing quite a lot of serious stuff at the NT since it reopened, it was finally nice to see a comedy staged here. There were plenty of positives to take away from this production. Firstly the I really did love the hotel set design from Anna Fleischle. It really is a beautiful construction making full use of the stage. Secondly with the cast, John Heffernan as Benedick was the standout for me as. He managed to combine some really great comedy moments (the ice cream scene was a particular highlight) with some emotional depths when required. He certainly stole the scenes he was in. Also the scenes with the four security guards another real positive from the show giving the audience some real laugh out loud moments. The use of the live band was a nice touch to proceedings.
As a fan of KP’s work both on stage and screen, I wasn’t entirely won over by her portrayal of Beatrice. I have no issue with the comedic performance which was great to watch, though I did feel that there really wasn’t any emotional depth to that character. The “Kill Claudio line” seemed to be delivered to get a laugh from the audience (which it certainly did this afternoon). For me, taking this approach seriously impacted the lines straight after that one and completely changed the tone of that particular scene. Personally, I would if seen that line delivered without the comedy for a much greater emotional impact.
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4,155 posts
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Post by kathryn on Jul 23, 2022 21:05:31 GMT
I've never seen that line done and not get a laugh no matter how seriously it is done, parts of the audience seem determined to laugh. Honestly I am starting to think old Shakey intended the laugh. It’s such a release of the tension there, but then as the scene continues and it becomes clear that she really means it - Benedick really has to promise to kill his friend and comrade to win her - the tension ramps up again uncomfortably. Would it be as effective as a scene without that release of tension there? |
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Post by kathryn on Jul 23, 2022 21:12:50 GMT
The very first Much Ado I ever saw was the Simon Russell Beale/Zoe Wanamaker production at the NT, and I am afraid it spoiled me.
I enjoyed this production well enough, but I can’t help comparing it to that, and it didn’t measure up (unsurprisingly).
Not keen on the other bits of Shakespeare being added
- I can understand the rationale behind adding sonnet 29 there, because explaining the character’s willingness to go along with the plan is always tricky, but it just slows the action down.
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7,061 posts
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Post by Jon on Jul 24, 2022 0:11:49 GMT
I have to admit, I didn't even realise they had added in other bits of Shakespeare.
I'm still wondering how they did the ice cream scene because that cart did not look big enough to fit John Heffernan.
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1,471 posts
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Post by mkb on Jul 24, 2022 0:43:17 GMT
That was a fun matinée! My only previous Much Ado was the Tennant/Tate version, which left me underwhelmed, so it was a relief to find it can be done well and with panache.
The principal cast were uniformly good, save for John Heffernan who was in an altogether different league. His delivery was quite beautiful at times, every line sounding naturalistic. His switch from comedy to infatuation to the horror of promising to kill another was seamless and believable.
Several inspired directorial additions and an impressive hotel set design further enhanced this sumptuous affair.
Four stars.
Act 1: 14:20-15:30 (start due 14:15)
Act 2: 15:53-16:56
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Post by theoracle on Jul 24, 2022 20:54:43 GMT
I really enjoyed this too. John Heffernan is probably one of our finest Shakespeare thespians working today and you can see his enthusiasm for the work. I don't know if the chemistry was quite there between him and Katharine Parkinson but I thought they were all uniformly very good. I loved the set design too and thought Simon Godwin's direction was very clever. I would've preferred this in the Olivier though but the wide Lyttleton proscenium was used very cleverly. Plenty of laughs throughout Friday's performance and a sincere warmth from the cast on stage. 4.5 stars from me.
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Post by edi on Jul 25, 2022 17:23:28 GMT
For someone who is not british- is Shakespeare's language relatively easy to understand in this one?
Dreading another Under Milk Wood...
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5,694 posts
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Post by lynette on Jul 25, 2022 17:29:24 GMT
For someone who is not british- is Shakespeare's language relatively easy to understand in this one? Dreading another Under Milk Wood... You should be ok as the big moments are funny, usually done very physically. To be honest I would look up the plot before you see it. The first ten minutes often go misunderstood - the thing is that the soldiers have met the family before and know Hero and Beatrice. And of course Dogberry the clown character misuses language so don't worry too much about that but again, usually well pointed. Any other tips from them as already seen this production? |
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Post by sweets7 on Jul 26, 2022 0:47:20 GMT
For someone who is not british- is Shakespeare's language relatively easy to understand in this one? Dreading another Under Milk Wood... You should be ok as the big moments are funny, usually done very physically. To be honest I would look up the plot before you see it. The first ten minutes often go misunderstood - the thing is that the soldiers have met the family before and know Hero and Beatrice. And of course Dogberry the clown character misuses language so don't worry too much about that but again, usually well pointed. Any other tips from them as already seen this production? it’s really easy to understand. Like you wouldn’t think it was Shakespeare. Then again, I may just have seen the play way too many times. |
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Post by Being Alive on Jul 26, 2022 9:48:14 GMT
It's the clearest I've ever felt a Shakespeare is - I didn't notice it was in Shakespeare language after a few minutes it's just so fluid and clear.
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Post by alessia on Jul 26, 2022 10:35:18 GMT
It's a relief to hear this, as I struggle with Shakespeare and I'm going to see this in a couple of weeks!
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Post by dlevi on Jul 27, 2022 6:45:57 GMT
It's the clearest I've ever felt a Shakespeare is - I didn't notice it was in Shakespeare language after a few minutes it's just so fluid and clear. I had the same thought while watching the play that the actors were so damned good and the direction so clear that it was simply a fun evening. I sat there thinking maybe the National is back on form of course I realized that by bringing back Hex that was highly unlikely. |
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Post by Dave B on Jul 30, 2022 8:36:53 GMT
We saw this last night and had so much fun. Really great cast throughout and everyone looked to be having a blast.
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Post by theatremiss on Aug 6, 2022 22:55:12 GMT
Saw today’s matinee and thoroughly enjoyed it. Heffernan is one of those actors I automatically book to see and the combination of him and Shakespeare is a no brainier. I really loved the production and the set is wonderful. I thoroughly recommend this one
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2,329 posts
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Post by theglenbucklaird on Aug 7, 2022 12:55:33 GMT
Saw today’s matinee and thoroughly enjoyed it. Heffernan is one of those actors I automatically book to see and the combination of him and Shakespeare is a no brainier. I really loved the production and the set is wonderful. I thoroughly recommend this one Saw evening performance yesterday. Echo these comments. Really good evening. Took my nieces. Not big theatre goers and they loved it. The youngest, 16, identified with Beatrice and lots of her characteristics was enthralled. Apparently still not stopped talking about performance a day after. She has a trip to RSC in the autumn for Richard III and can not wait |
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Post by alessia on Aug 24, 2022 4:58:00 GMT
Finally caught up with this- how good it was! I loved it. I am not sure my friend enjoyed it as much as I did, but for me it was the first time I truly enjoyed a Shakespeare without feeling frustrated at not understanding what was happening/what was said. Beautiful costumes and set design, John Heffernan the highlight performance, so natural, funny and believable-much better than Katherine Parkinson who reminded me of her tv character in Here We Go, so all straight up comedy. I'd like to see what she can do with a more serious role.
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Post by floorshow on Aug 25, 2022 21:25:13 GMT
Running out of opportunities to see this but have grabbed a front row for the night they're filming.
I guess it's potentially going to be quite annoying potentially peering around a camera - how intrusive can they be?
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Post by stevemar on Aug 25, 2022 22:05:23 GMT
Running out of opportunities to see this but have grabbed a front row for the night they're filming. I guess it's potentially going to be quite annoying potentially peering around a camera - how intrusive can they be? I went to the filmed performance of Book of Dust at the Bridge, sitting in the second row. On that occasion there was just a remote operated camera on a track in front of me, but it was mostly moving and out of the way. Most of the cameras were further back or at the side. Obviously can’t comment on the NT, but it wasn’t an issue for me at all. |
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Post by raiseitup on Aug 26, 2022 14:38:49 GMT
Running out of opportunities to see this but have grabbed a front row for the night they're filming. I guess it's potentially going to be quite annoying potentially peering around a camera - how intrusive can they be? I did front row for the filming of one of the parts of Angels in America in the Lyttleton and all of the cameras were positioned quite a few rows behind in the mid-stalls with another one high up overhead on a crane. Didn't impact the view at all. Can't promise it'll be the same for Much Ado, but wouldn't be too concerned. |
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Post by lynette on Aug 26, 2022 16:46:42 GMT
It is a kid friendly, tourist friendly show. Funny in all the right places. I think they ditched the Dogberry stuff, replaced the word humour with slapstick. Kinda worked.
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Post by anthony on Aug 26, 2022 23:07:38 GMT
Going to see this tomorrow and I am sooo hyped. By far my favourite Shakespeare play!
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Post by anthony on Aug 28, 2022 12:09:54 GMT
Oh my God, it is just wonderful, isn't it?
This is possibly the first production I've seen where the Dogsberry scenes aren't unbearable. Just wonderful all round.
Behaviour is becoming more and more shocking, though. Person behind me opened a Peperami the moment the lights went down. The smell. Ugh. The 2 girls next to them then proceeded to talk through the entire thing. I've never understood why people insist on spending so much money to come to the theatre and then talk all the way through it? Utterly baffling. The women next to me asked them to be quiet at one point, but they said that they were explaining what was happening because her friend didn't understand the language... She might have stood a chance if the person had shut up for more than 2 seconds and let her watch.
I actually can't remember the last time I've been to the theatre and there hasn't been constant disruptions.
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Post by alessia on Aug 28, 2022 17:40:35 GMT
I'm so sorry you had to endure this behaviour. I'm someone who struggles with Shakespeare, normally- but I had zero issues following this play (for once!) and would have been mortified if my friend had done that. I absolutely cannot stand people chatting during anything.
So far I have not come across this level of bad behaviour at plays. I read that it is sadly quite common at musicals, especially the blockbuster ones...
I loved Much Ado and am thinking of seeing a recording at the cinema!
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Post by ladidah on Aug 30, 2022 10:48:14 GMT
Saw this yesterday, a big Shakespeare fan so was really looking forward to it.
I agree with everything said above, Benedict was perfectly cast and built a real rapport - Beatrice was a little off and it was often hard to hear her. Dogberry was wonderful.
Only issues for me was Don John was a bit pantomime villain in sections and some of the speeches were very rushed.
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Post by Distant Dreamer... on Sept 1, 2022 22:23:01 GMT
Benedict and Beatrice are so in love in this production it’s adorable.
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