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Post by couldileaveyou on Oct 4, 2022 10:08:58 GMT
Writer-Director Simon Stone reimagines Seneca’s famous tragedy in this striking new play.
Janet McTeer takes the title role, with Assaad Bouab making his UK stage debut.
From 1 February in our Lyttelton Theatre. Member booking from 11 October, public booking from midday Thursday 20 October
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Post by Jon on Oct 4, 2022 10:16:26 GMT
Janet McTeer is always good although I admit the only things I've seen her in was Les Liasons Dangereuses at the Donmar.
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Post by MrBunbury on Oct 4, 2022 10:58:14 GMT
If I am not wrong, Kristin Scott-Thomas was originally planning to be in Phaedra at the National before COVID-19.
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Post by lynette on Oct 4, 2022 14:43:18 GMT
Janet McTeer is always good although I admit the only things I've seen her in was Les Liasons Dangereuses at the Donmar. She was hampered by her co star not knowing his words. |
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Post by tributary on Oct 4, 2022 14:56:37 GMT
Nice to have Simon Stone debut at the NT. I’ll certainly book. RuNo seems not to bring that sort of list in much: no Katie Mitchell since 2019, no Von Hove since 2017, no Icke since 2016, no McBurney or Deborah Warner at all.
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Post by Jan on Oct 4, 2022 15:34:09 GMT
Nice to have Simon Stone debut at the NT. I’ll certainly book. RuNo seems not to bring that sort of list in much: no Katie Mitchell since 2019, no Von Hove since 2017, no Icke since 2016, no McBurney or Deborah Warner at all. I believe he had some sort of a falling out with Stone a few years ago related to a previous proposed production. I forget the details. I agree the NT doesn’t seem to like these auteur directors, or maybe it is vice versa. At least they’re not as conservative as the RSC, when was the last time they used one of the directors on your list ? 1994 ? |
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Post by cirque on Oct 4, 2022 17:45:28 GMT
Can you imagine a stone at RSC or any of the front line directors.
Maybe new team will brave it
Whyman still in shock
Nothing particularly exciting for a few months
Tempest May begin revival
Long way to go but a little optimism
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Post by tributary on Oct 4, 2022 19:01:38 GMT
Can you imagine a stone at RSC or any of the front line directors. Maybe new team will brave it Whyman still in shock Nothing particularly exciting for a few months Tempest May begin revival Long way to go but a little optimism I can’t imagine that Director list would have any interest in Stratford, at least not now. But the RNT back in my day (showing my age: Richard Eyre was the supremo) had many visits from McBurney and Warner not to mention people like LePage. Exciting times. What it was producing thirty years ago is superior in every way bar diversity to what its producing now. |
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Post by Jan on Oct 4, 2022 19:38:33 GMT
Can you imagine a stone at RSC or any of the front line directors. Maybe new team will brave it Whyman still in shock Nothing particularly exciting for a few months Tempest May begin revival Long way to go but a little optimism I can’t imagine that Director list would have any interest in Stratford, at least not now. But the RNT back in my day (showing my age: Richard Eyre was the supremo) had many visits from McBurney and Warner not to mention people like LePage. Exciting times. What it was producing thirty years ago is superior in every way bar diversity to what its producing now. I think some of them would work at the RSC if they were invited and given a free hand, after all they are freelances and the RSC has a huge budget. I conclude they haven’t been invited, or have fallen out with the company in the past. Much of the success of the RSC in the early days was due to Peter Brook who was in that same auteur mould - it’s a pity they became so conservative later on. |
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Post by couldileaveyou on Feb 2, 2023 1:13:39 GMT
First preview cancelled
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Post by tal on Feb 2, 2023 23:29:27 GMT
This ran for about 3h15min today, if anyone is interested. Some scene changes took forever though, so it will probably be shorter in a few weeks.
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Post by andrew on Feb 3, 2023 12:48:21 GMT
This ran for about 3h15min today, if anyone is interested. Some scene changes took forever though, so it will probably be shorter in a few weeks. But is it any good? |
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Post by londontg on Feb 3, 2023 14:07:08 GMT
I'm also curious to know whether this play is any good before I buy tickets. I really want to support the NT but their productions have been so hit and miss recently.
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Post by barrowside on Feb 3, 2023 16:36:17 GMT
Janet McTeer is always good although I admit the only things I've seen her in was Les Liasons Dangereuses at the Donmar. She was hampered by her co star not knowing his words. Oh dear - he did the same thing in My Fair Lady in Sheffield which was otherwise wonderful. |
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Post by tal on Feb 3, 2023 17:21:59 GMT
I'm also curious to know whether this play is any good before I buy tickets. I really want to support the NT but their productions have been so hit and miss recently. If you're into large rotating sets inside glass boxes and waiting many minutes for each of many set changes, maybe you'll enjoy it. Many scenes were very funny, but I have the feeling that was not the intention of the production - lots of the text is overdramatic and pointless. Janet Mcteer is quite good, the rest of the cast I'm sure will get better. I don't want to be too mean as I'm sure it will improve after a few performances, and some things that bothered me will get better. But even then I do not think this is a good play. |
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Post by londontg on Feb 3, 2023 18:52:12 GMT
I'm also curious to know whether this play is any good before I buy tickets. I really want to support the NT but their productions have been so hit and miss recently. If you're into large rotating sets inside glass boxes and waiting many minutes for each of many set changes, maybe you'll enjoy it. Many scenes were very funny, but I have the feeling that was not the intention of the production - lots of the text is overdramatic and pointless. Janet Mcteer is quite good, the rest of the cast I'm sure will get better. I don't want to be too mean as I'm sure it will improve after a few performances, and some things that bothered me will get better. But even then I do not think this is a good play. Oh dear, it does not sound too promising. Thanks for your account. I have no doubt Janet will put on a great performance, but I'm not much of a fan of the original myth to begin with...even then, I still had some hope this could be an interesting production. It will be interesting to read what the critics have to say on this one. |
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Post by mrbarnaby on Feb 4, 2023 7:52:54 GMT
I'm also curious to know whether this play is any good before I buy tickets. I really want to support the NT but their productions have been so hit and miss recently. If you're into large rotating sets inside glass boxes and waiting many minutes for each of many set changes, maybe you'll enjoy it. Many scenes were very funny, but I have the feeling that was not the intention of the production - lots of the text is overdramatic and pointless. Janet Mcteer is quite good, the rest of the cast I'm sure will get better. I don't want to be too mean as I'm sure it will improve after a few performances, and some things that bothered me will get better. But even then I do not think this is a good play. What was the running time? |
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Post by bordeaux on Feb 4, 2023 10:16:03 GMT
I'm also curious to know whether this play is any good before I buy tickets. I really want to support the NT but their productions have been so hit and miss recently. Don't forget the National do have the best returns policy of any theatre. You can get a theatre credit for any future production there. The Bridge does that too, but most theatres only let you return for another date for the same production. I think - happy to be corrected. |
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Post by Fleance on Feb 4, 2023 13:23:51 GMT
I'm also curious to know whether this play is any good before I buy tickets. I really want to support the NT but their productions have been so hit and miss recently. Don't forget the National do have the best returns policy of any theatre. You can get a theatre credit for any future production there. The Bridge does that too, but most theatres only let you return for another date for the same production. I think - happy to be corrected. The Old Vic has a good policy too. In fact, based on the comments here, I just returned my Sylvia ticket. They just take £1 service charge. |
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Post by tal on Feb 4, 2023 14:08:47 GMT
If you're into large rotating sets inside glass boxes and waiting many minutes for each of many set changes, maybe you'll enjoy it. Many scenes were very funny, but I have the feeling that was not the intention of the production - lots of the text is overdramatic and pointless. Janet Mcteer is quite good, the rest of the cast I'm sure will get better. I don't want to be too mean as I'm sure it will improve after a few performances, and some things that bothered me will get better. But even then I do not think this is a good play. What was the running time? 3h15min, but I’m sure that will change. |
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Post by theatremiss on Feb 4, 2023 14:25:23 GMT
Not looking forward tbh, I booked it as I’m seeing Bake Off the musical in the evening. I may return my ticket
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Post by G on Feb 4, 2023 23:46:19 GMT
Not looking forward tbh, I booked it as I’m seeing Bake Off the musical in the evening. I may return my ticket May I suggest you don’t - everything about it blew me away - aside for some snags with changing sets and subtitles. Took me a moment to realise that the subtitles were not only being projected at the bottom of the stage (where they were difficult to read for me, due to people in front) but also at the top of the stage! |
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Post by bordeaux on Feb 5, 2023 10:09:46 GMT
Don't forget the National do have the best returns policy of any theatre. You can get a theatre credit for any future production there. The Bridge does that too, but most theatres only let you return for another date for the same production. I think - happy to be corrected. The Old Vic has a good policy too. In fact, based on the comments here, I just returned my Sylvia ticket. They just take £1 service charge. Good to know. Perhaps some theatres have softened their policy in the wake of Covid; they don't want to endanger their spectators. |
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Post by londontg on Feb 6, 2023 14:49:23 GMT
Don't forget the National do have the best returns policy of any theatre. You can get a theatre credit for any future production there. The Bridge does that too, but most theatres only let you return for another date for the same production. I think - happy to be corrected. The Old Vic has a good policy too. In fact, based on the comments here, I just returned my Sylvia ticket. They just take £1 service charge. Thank you both for the tips! That's very helpful to know. |
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Post by mrbarnaby on Feb 6, 2023 23:31:22 GMT
Janet McTeer is always good although I admit the only things I've seen her in was Les Liasons Dangereuses at the Donmar. That is one thing 🤣 |
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