430 posts
|
Post by alison on Jun 14, 2016 13:35:22 GMT
Agreed, I thought the actress was poor. I didn't figure out she was the baddie (but then, I didn't actually see part one, I was running off dippy's 3000 words), and judging by the gasp from the audience when she pocketed the time turner, a lot of other people didn't either. From that point on, though, she was very panto. Hopefully she'll settle in and improve with time, it was only the first preview after all.
I'm looking forward to hearing from people tonight how the second performances were.
|
|
8 posts
|
Post by SPOILER ALERT on Jun 14, 2016 14:54:02 GMT
I didn't figure out she was the baddie ... and judging by the gasp from the audience when she pocketed the time turner, a lot of other people didn't either. Obviously I can't comment on the acting because I've not seen it, but from the summaries I think the idea of her evilness being a surprise seems very like Rowling's normal work. Introduce a character or object that doesn't seem very notable or important, and then with time discover they're a lot more important than they seemed. Though I guess the sudden nature of the reveal is not as much like Rowling who normally tends to have her characters slowly figure out the truth instead of having it suddenly thrust upon them in a plot twist (which is probably what they're aiming for in this production - a very sudden unexpected twist). |
|
736 posts
|
Post by dippy on Jun 14, 2016 15:10:57 GMT
Though I guess the sudden nature of the reveal is not as much like Rowling who normally tends to have her characters slowly figure out the truth instead of having it suddenly thrust upon them in a plot twist (which is probably what they're aiming for in this production - a very sudden unexpected twist). The turning evil isn't that sudden, Scorpius is wary of her for a while but it could be seen as jealousy because she's getting attention from Albus that he isn't. However I'm pretty sure it's Scorpius that made me realise something bad was going to happen just before it did. I suppose the reveal as to who she is is very fast though since the parents don't really know much about her when they go and search her room other than that she's lied, used Amos and is tied up in the disappearance of Albus and Scorpius. Also I guess the knowledgeable and the fast thinkers/people with good memories would remember who is at Voldemort's side in the timeline where Harry is dead and figure it all out before the they see the scribbles on the walls. |
|
430 posts
|
Post by alison on Jun 14, 2016 16:38:00 GMT
{Spoiler - click to view}
Harry doesn't have the Elder wand. He places it in Dumbledore's tomb in the books, or snaps it in half in the films. He doesn't want that responsibility. But it doesn't matter if he does or doesn't have the wand on him. Using the books (because snapping the wand isn't canon, that's the film) the wand still exits with Harry as master. Harry disarmed Draco even though Draco didn't ever even touch the wand, and its allegiance still changed to Harry. So if Delphi disarms Harry, the wand will pass to her no matter what ... But then once Harry got his wand back from her (which I assume he does after she's captured, although I don't remember for certain) it would return to him, so it's a moot point. |
|
125 posts
|
Post by CBP1 on Jun 14, 2016 23:09:52 GMT
Hooray I can finally post in this thread!!
I agree with a lot of what's been said already. I liked Part one. Lots of the technical stuff was really impressive and I thought the story was good (as long as you don't think too much about time travel!). I thought the Bane scene came across oddly (lots of giggling) but wouldn't cut too much else. Except maybe some of the flashbacks. Loved the dementors.
Part two needs a lot more work. I think it's too long and needs quite a lot of dialogue cut. The effects were also less impressive on the whole (patronus and wall writing excluded). To be honest I'm still not convinced it needed to be in two parts.
I'm with the majority on Delphi.The transition just wasn't convincing. Again, she had way too much explanatory dialogue and she seemed to lose characterisation in an attempt just to get through the script. Hopefully she'll improve with time.
Scorpius was the absolute star of the show for me. Actually the Malfoys in general provided some wonderful comedy.
The rest of the cast were also strong and Hermione was perfect but I thought the female characters were chronically underused. I was disappointed that this was yet another story that focused on the male leads and had women as bit parts. The original at least had Hermione as one third of the main gang. This dropped the girl sidekick in favour of a play about two boys and their relationships with their fathers. Rose was pointless. Yes the villain was a woman. But a pretty one-dimensional one. We got long winded monologues from Dumbledore and a chance for Snape to play the hero again. Yet Bellatrix didn't feature and only got a token mention at the end for those who somehow hadn't already worked out who Delphi was meant to be. I felt leaving that there were some missed opportunities to do more with some of the characters.
On the other hand, I would happily watch a Scorpius spinoff!!!
|
|
1 posts
|
Post by stacyw on Jun 14, 2016 23:37:14 GMT
In part 1 she's the carer for Amos Diggory, pretending to be his niece. She befriend's Albus and Scorpius, claiming she was home schooled and never attended Hogwarts. Albus, Scorpius and Adelphi break into the ministry and steal with time turner prototype, which only offers 5 minute trips to the past. Albus and Scorpius travel back twice without her. After the second trip, Harry is dead and Voldemort is powerful with The Augory his right hand person. This is Adelphi. Scorpius and Snape fix time, and Albus agrees the time turner should be destroyed Adelphi agrees to help but pockets it instead. We see a tattoo on her back which looks like the snitch from the play logo. Her hair is all blonde with blue streaks - the opposite of Bellatrix's. You several times called her Adelphi. It was just a typo? Just trying to figure out if it means something or not. |
|
430 posts
|
Post by alison on Jun 15, 2016 17:06:26 GMT
On the doubling up of actors that we've been discussing in the non-spoiler thread ...
I think I've managed to figure out who plays most of the non-listed minor roles in Part Two, with the exception of Voldemort and James Potter Sr. Anyone else got any ideas?
Umbridge: Helena Lymbery (Petunia)
Snape: Paul Bentall (Vernon)
Dumbledore: Barry McCarthy (Amos)
Hagrid: Chris Jarman (Sorting Hat)
Krum: Jack North (Dudley)
Cedric: Tom Milligan (James)
Lily: Annabel Baldwin (Myrtle)
James Sr.: ?
Voldemort: ?
|
|
736 posts
|
Post by dippy on Jun 17, 2016 23:25:27 GMT
Thanks for your thoughts. Could the person who was Snape possibly also have been Voldemort? I want to say they had similar body shapes but then they are wearing robes so I could be completely wrong. Is it bad that every time there's been a part 2 performance I get excited because it means there may be new posts in here. For the 2nd and 3rd preview viewers have they put in a fake owl? The owl delivered a letter to the Potter house which was possibly the letter telling them that Albus didn't get to Hogwarts (can't think of any other letter). Harry and Ginny were sitting at/near a table and the letter dropped to the floor. Also CBP1 what was it that you thought wasn't going down as well with your audience as with the first preview? |
|
330 posts
|
Post by charliec on Jun 17, 2016 23:34:16 GMT
. For the 2nd and 3rd preview viewers have they put in a fake owl? The owl delivered a letter to the Potter house which was possibly the letter telling them that Albus didn't get to Hogwarts (can't think of any other letter). Harry and Ginny were sitting at/near a table and the letter dropped to the floor. Also CBP1 what was it that you thought wasn't going down as well with your audience as with the first preview? They project an owl flying across the back of the stage, it's a blink and you'll miss it thing. |
|
330 posts
|
Post by charliec on Jun 17, 2016 23:35:43 GMT
hello spoiler thread! I've read all the posts here and will post some thoughts tomorrow once I've had time to gather them. Just quickly though...
I bloody loved train witch and I don't get the dislike of her!
|
|
736 posts
|
Post by dippy on Jun 17, 2016 23:43:10 GMT
They project an owl flying across the back of the stage, it's a blink and you'll miss it thing. Thanks, that's a shame. I wonder if it'll stay that way. I'd hoped for an animatronic owl that flaps it's wings as it flies on a wire, guess I'm expecting a bit too much. |
|
125 posts
|
Post by CBP1 on Jun 18, 2016 10:56:48 GMT
Also CBP1 what was it that you thought wasn't going down as well with your audience as with the first preview? The Bane scene. I really expected to come on here to see people saying it needed to go. There was quite a lot of giggling from the audience which I don't think is what they were going for. I also get excited whenever there's a part 2 performance. Two show day today!! |
|
736 posts
|
Post by dippy on Jun 18, 2016 17:54:22 GMT
The Bane scene. I really expected to come on here to see people saying it needed to go. There was quite a lot of giggling from the audience which I don't think is what they were going for. I don't remember any giggling, odd, I remember an oooh (I'm rubbish with writing sounds) at the sight of him. Possibly more to do with it being Bane than how it was done. I definitely don't think the scene needs to go. Do you? I thought it was quite important because it's what causes Harry to separate Albus and Scorpius because of the dark cloud. |
|
330 posts
|
Post by charliec on Jun 18, 2016 18:20:43 GMT
This is way more than I thought I would write!
Ok! So thoughts having seen Part 1 on Thursday and part 2 on Friday.
From a staging/ technical viewpoint it's stunning, those time ripples across the stage blew my mind the first time they happen! So many moments that made me say wow. Would love a few more of those moments in Part 2.
The characters/ cast. The majority of the characters and relationships are really well written, this is totally where the strengths of the play lies. Anthony as Scorpius is fab, funny, awkward. Let's start with The Potters. Part 2 is when I realised how perfect Jamie Parker is for adult Harry. There is so much going on, so much conflict; he has all the same desire to do the good and right thing but can't run headlong into danger like before because he has something to lose which he didn't have before- family. Of course he has problems connecting to a son who he wants to keep safe more than anything. I expect Harry would consider locking Albus in a cupboard under the stairs to keep him out of harms way. Jamie Parker is properly brilliant, particularly when he stands in the middle of his friends and family watching the heartbreaking moment that defines his entire life happen in front of him, knowing he can't do anything about it.
Albus is exactly what you expect going in, a typical awkward teenager with the wait of legacy pressing hard upon him. Everyone tells him that his Dad is this incredible man but Albus just wants and needs a Dad. Sam Clemmett is sweet and plays the teenage frustration and confusion well. He's best ( and written best) in his scenes with Scorpius. Ginny is a wonderful, consistent bastion of calm. Poppy Miller plays her with the poise and thoughtfulness which I feel has always defined Ginny.
Scorpius is such a good addition to the Potter universe, I loved Anthony Boyle and thought he gave a funny, heartbreaking and heroic performance. He embodies the geeky outcast with a heart of gold just trying to do the right thing and for me he very much embodied the Harry type hero role from the books for much of the play. Adult Draco is the exact kind of complex, closed off, sad and conflicted man that messed up teenager should have become. Alex Price is a great Draco. I never thought I would come out of something Potter based loving the Malfoys!
The Granger- Weasleys! Noma Dumezweni is as others have said, perfect Hermione. I love that Hermione is minister, of course she is. Age has made her more subtle about just how much smarter than everyone else she is. More perfect casting ( and writing) when it comes to Paul Thornley as Ron. Ron hasn't really changed with age and that's ok; Paul is pitch perfect and Ron is always there to give moments of light in times of extreme darkness.
I was sad that Rose wasn't more of a feature. I see why but at times this does feel like a boys club and I desperately wanted more of a female stamp on this show.
Delphie. I loved Delphie and Esther Smith's (who is brilliant in so many things) performance in act 1, I think they have some serious character development work to do to make Delphie's progression to her reveal and subsequent actions more serious and grounded. Right now she's a little panto. We don't get a scene of her by herself or her really opening up about what a messed up life she's had in an honest way which would make her more accessible to an audience. I hope they are tinkering and will fix this in the next few weeks because Esther is a great actress but right now the writing doesn't get her to the place she needs to be to give the character the depth required.
Other randoms bits I liked...
The end of Part 1 is such a huge story thing and a stunning image to end on. When Umbridge appeared the entire audience lost their s**t! That final scene of Scorpius slowly realising what reality he has found himself in and the Dementors swooping down was breathtaking and such a great way to leave Part 1.
I love how it ties into the Triwizard Tournament. It was always a big moment with repercussions for everyone in the original series and it's a perfect choice for an anchor for this story.
So much redemption for Slytherin in this show. I love that.
As soon as changing the timeline comes into play you can feel the audience exploding with thoughts about the possibilities. I'm sure I was not alone in going into part 2 wishing for Snape. The scene where Scorpius risks everything and confronts Snape with the truth was one of my favourites, and of course Hermione is still around in that timeline. She is Hermione after all!
Overall I think act 1 is stronger in terms of staging and story, but act 2 is stronger for character and relationship development. Yes it's fan service but there's no way it can be anything else.
I hope they fix Delphie to give her enough depth and background to make her a more serious, and legitimate threat/ character. For her to really work we need to empathise with her more.
My one big disappointment was the lack of a more heroic, involved female character. I guess they were locked in by the characters created in the books and I love the Albus/ Harry conflict, but I think they had a huge opportunity here to give little girls another hero to look up to.
Ultimately it really is magical. Being one of the army of twenty somethings who grew up alongside these books; new stories in Harry's world are always going to feel special. I really feel like you have to see it in person to experience it properly because the staging lifts it so high. It has all the light and shade we expect from Potter and then some.
I'm so pleased I got to see this completely unspoiled but sad that no one else I know has seen it yet!
|
|
330 posts
|
Post by charliec on Jun 18, 2016 19:01:01 GMT
Great review Charliec! Exactly how I feel about everything really. It's not perfect, but it's probably 97% of the way there, let down by Delphi only IMO. And there is really a lot of time to get to grips with that. The casting is stunning. I'm so very happy Norma is absolutely proving how right it was that she got the job -considering the reaction, it must bey deeply satisfying for her to know every time she goes out onto that stage she is proving a large part of the world wrong. She truly is Hermione. Oh your comments just make me really really really want to go see it again! I'm sick of trying to find tickets online. Even if they extend, it's a year away... Are you based in London? I can highly recommend going to the box office in person whenever you are nearby. Quite a few of my friends have gotten tickets that way in the last few days. |
|
330 posts
|
Post by charliec on Jun 18, 2016 19:02:15 GMT
What are the reactions like to certain returning characters? Are Snape and Dumbledore still getting big entrance applause? Yes big applause and gasping. I think people are just so thrilled to see these characters in front of them. |
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Jun 19, 2016 11:29:13 GMT
On the doubling up of actors that we've been discussing in the non-spoiler thread ... I think I've managed to figure out who plays most of the non-listed minor roles in Part Two, with the exception of Voldemort and James Potter Sr. Anyone else got any ideas? Umbridge: Helena Lymbery (Petunia) Snape: Paul Bentall (Vernon) Dumbledore: Barry McCarthy (Amos) Hagrid: Chris Jarman (Sorting Hat) Krum: Jack North (Dudley) Cedric: Tom Milligan (James) Lily: Annabel Baldwin (Myrtle) James Sr.: ? Voldemort: ? Voldemort and Snape are the same person. I'm only guessing because they both aren't at the curtain call. |
|
125 posts
|
Post by CBP1 on Jun 19, 2016 22:22:54 GMT
The Bane scene. I really expected to come on here to see people saying it needed to go. There was quite a lot of giggling from the audience which I don't think is what they were going for. I don't remember any giggling, odd, I remember an oooh (I'm rubbish with writing sounds) at the sight of him. Possibly more to do with it being Bane than how it was done. I definitely don't think the scene needs to go. Do you? I thought it was quite important because it's what causes Harry to separate Albus and Scorpius because of the dark cloud. I agree it's important plotwise but I felt like it needed some sort of tweaking. I really liked the concept but it felt a little bit panto horse to me. And the acting felt a bit over the top. If the actor reined it in a bit (pun definitely intended) I think it could really work. |
|
330 posts
|
Post by charliec on Jun 22, 2016 6:12:59 GMT
Early I know, but I wonder how this will do come awards season? Would the entire production be elligible for Best New Play, or would it have to considered as 2 different plays? Do the Oliviers have rulings over the exact eligibility of each production like The Tony's do? |
|
|
|
Post by crabtree on Jun 22, 2016 17:28:44 GMT
hi, and is there any flying or wire work?
|
|
330 posts
|
Post by charliec on Jun 22, 2016 17:56:11 GMT
hi, and is there any flying or wire work? There is. Do you want details? |
|
|
|
Post by crabtree on Jun 22, 2016 20:57:06 GMT
yes....a bit of a sucker for any flying. It's still hard to beat Poppins.
|
|
736 posts
|
Post by dippy on Jun 22, 2016 21:37:18 GMT
yes....a bit of a sucker for any flying. It's still hard to beat Poppins. Wire work, well there are some pretty impressive dementors, one flies around the auditorium which from my seat was on a par with Poppins. Possibly just because I felt I could almost touch it from my seat. There are a couple of scenes with dementors in, always on wires. There's also some swimming which is very well done. Delphi does fly too but just straight up if I remember correctly. I think those are the main bits of wire work. |
|
|
|
Post by crabtree on Jun 22, 2016 21:42:52 GMT
thank you Dippy....
|
|
125 posts
|
Post by CBP1 on Jun 22, 2016 23:23:03 GMT
The Bane bit got a slight titter - it's the voice. I know he's not supposed to be human, but I can't imagine a centaur talks like a bit of a prat. Nail on head! |
|
