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Post by cavocado on Dec 7, 2022 11:57:09 GMT
The two things are not mutually exclusive. Judging from the costumes it is set in modern times, but the text is Shakespeare's not an adaptation (apart from eventual cuts) Thanks, I didn't think of that! I really want to watch it but guess I will have to pass or find someone else who's interested! Or go on your own! |
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Post by mabey19 on Dec 7, 2022 12:21:35 GMT
Thanks, I didn't think of that! I really want to watch it but guess I will have to pass or find someone else who's interested! Or go on your own! Yes that's the last option! |
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Post by Jan on Dec 8, 2022 11:41:39 GMT
Yes that's the last option! Going on your own is a better option than having to persuade someone to go with you because if it’s no good (possible) you don’t feel guilty. I bet almost every poster here goes on their own to shows to a greater or lesser extent, it’s not at all unusual. |
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Post by alessia on Dec 8, 2022 13:02:57 GMT
Yes that's the last option! Going on your own is a better option than having to persuade someone to go with you because if it’s no good (possible) you don’t feel guilty. I bet almost every poster here goes on their own to shows to a greater or lesser extent, it’s not at all unusual. I always go on my own, I can count on one hand the times I went with a friend! |
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Post by oedipus on Dec 9, 2022 10:25:45 GMT
A friend and I grabbed last minute tix last night to a preview, and it's a lovely production: a subdued and charming As You Like It that largely glides on the charms of its cast. (As an in-the-round production, there's virtually no set: a piano, a wrestling mat, some elegiac leaves dropping from the canopy of Arden.) One intriguing aspect of the production is that the casting of a deaf principal actor--which I applaud--means that the whole thing is supertitled (sometimes cleverly, with additional calligraphic flourishes, or humorous descriptive language). (It also meant that I had to train myself *not* to look at the supertitles when I didn't need them! I swear that supertitles are like catnip.)
To me, the highlight of the evening (surprisingly) was Michael Bruce's music, which often underscored scenes or added commentary (as well as scoring the actual songs of the text, of course). My companion remarked that there was a certain panto-like sensibility to the production--particularly the second act--and I think that's about right: there *is* something gay and Christmas-y about a whackadoodle plot in which everybody has an improbable change of heart and ends up married to the right person.
I'd say the theater was about 2/3 full last night, and I wondered if having three Shakespeare productions up and running at the same time--with Henry V and Othello--might hurt sales. But I definitely preferred this subtle production to the overwrought Othello at the National. I wish it well.
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Post by nottobe on Dec 10, 2022 23:11:44 GMT
I caught this tonight and it was my first time at the Sohoplace. First of all the auditorium itself is lovely however the front of house area is quite confusing and just meh.
I have only seen 'As You Like It' once before, at at the globe last year, so it is not a play I know very well at all. First of all the music throughout the show was wonderful and loved the underscoring throughout. Visually the show was also a feast and there were some truly beautiful images.
I however found myself getting quite confused about what was actually happening in the play. I sort of just went with it but am unsure of the overall story. For me Shakespeare should be staged in a way that make it understandable for anyone, and this sadly failed at it. I personally would not suggest this to Shakespeare virgins sadly. Also I thought the use of sign language could have worked better, it just never gelled here for me. All the cast were good and the production itself had much to admire but not all of it worked.
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Post by ruperto on Dec 11, 2022 9:39:03 GMT
I caught this last night too. Overall I enjoyed it a lot. It’s really quite an impressive cast. And the live music - there is a pianist onstage throughout - really does add something. I thought Alfred Enoch and Leah Harvey were great as Orlando and Rosalind. And Rose Ayling-Ellis was impressive in her West End debut - the strong bond between her Celia and Rosalind was very touching.
My only reservation - and it’s personal taste - was that this production seemed to foreground the comedy bits - eg all the stuff with Touchstone the fool - more than previous productions I’ve seen (including the National’s a few years ago, and the one at Regents Park a couple of summers ago) - though I could be totally imagining that!
Anyway, it was a great show to see in the run-up to Xmas. Great venue too. It was pretty busy last night.
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1,442 posts
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Post by theatrefan62 on Dec 11, 2022 13:59:20 GMT
Slightly off topic but Alfred Enochs new movie This is Christmas on sky/Nov TV is that rare thing, a really good Christmas movie. I'd say its in the spirit of Live Actually (but better to me)
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Post by Dave B on Dec 18, 2022 9:13:12 GMT
Saw this last night and we thought it was great. The staging is simple but beautiful and the pianist adds a lot with the music itself and the comedy of his interactions. A really warm show which a huge amount of charm, I had a smile on my face throughout.
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141 posts
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Post by blobble84 on Dec 20, 2022 11:32:16 GMT
Both shows cancelled today (Tuesday) due to cast illness and box office advised tomorrow likely to be cancelled too.
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Post by Jan on Dec 20, 2022 12:00:58 GMT
Both shows cancelled today (Tuesday) due to cast illness and box office advised tomorrow likely to be cancelled too. Too bad. I was going this evening. |
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Post by Jan on Dec 26, 2022 15:15:16 GMT
Prices surprisingly high for this given it's a new venue and not an especially starry cast. £45-£85 except for the very back row of the second balcony £25. Can they sustain that ? I'd say they should be looking to start lower than Donmar pricing rather than aiming for standard West End. It's a commercial venue in the West End, there's no chance they'll reduce the prices to lower than the subsidised theatres. They just did for the whole of January. Via TodayTix you can now get stalls seats for £27.50, only slightly above the £25 they were charging for the very back row of the second balcony when booking originally opened. |
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Post by theatregeek2012 on Dec 27, 2022 17:35:27 GMT
I Just saw it. And Realy Liked it! I think the staging is just as simple as it is brilliant. The Music is so lovley Part of that play. Rosalind and Orlando Are awesome. I love the Wohle various Cast. And, of course touchstone and Jaques…
For Me a very Good production of that Play…
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Post by mcdowell on Dec 29, 2022 1:49:45 GMT
Was the full cast back in when you saw it? Curious if the company has recovered from all the illness they were experiencing.
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Post by theatre22 on Dec 30, 2022 23:18:21 GMT
Was the full cast back in when you saw it? Curious if the company has recovered from all the illness they were experiencing. I went this evening and there were no covers. |
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