1,081 posts
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Post by andrew on Apr 25, 2016 22:28:03 GMT
I wasn't here to publish a review when I saw it on opening night. I'm glad some people here found stuff to enjoy in it, but I truly found absolutely nothing. Not funny, not new, not interesting.
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64 posts
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Post by Squire Sullen on Apr 26, 2016 9:18:00 GMT
Anyone else totally forget this was still running?
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Post by terrylondon79 on Apr 26, 2016 11:40:16 GMT
Lots of disappointed Matthew Perry fans needn't of worried. Understudy was good, even if he was just doing a chandler impression for two hours. Has anyone seen Matthew Perry in the role, as the whole show felt like a mediocre sitcom.
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1,475 posts
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Post by Steve on Apr 26, 2016 12:29:06 GMT
Lots of disappointed Matthew Perry fans needn't of worried. Understudy was good, even if he was just doing a chandler impression for two hours. Has anyone seen Matthew Perry in the role, as the whole show felt like a mediocre sitcom. I actually think it was quite a good comedy, in that it is full of set-ups and payoffs. Perry really learned alot by being on Friends. It isn't a very good play though, because the situation part is so phony. The prostitute, in particular, is completely unbelievable, a thoroughly adjusted, charismatic, witty, maternal and likeable human being who just happens to sell herself sexually to strangers every night. It didn't ring true for me one bit, even though I loved the actress. In fact, apart from Perry's character, there wasn't much going on in the situation part of the sitcom. Perry was wonderful, I thought, for a comedy, his languorous staccato rhythm of speaking like a depressed Clint Eastwood, delivering punchlines like a man destined for the gallows. When he finally made his confession regarding his addictions (written by him, to be played by him), life and art joined for one sublime moment, where he felt so naked on stage, and so truthful in his address, I couldn't help welling up. |
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1,475 posts
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Post by Steve on Apr 26, 2016 21:08:31 GMT
The prostitute, in particular, is completely unbelievable, a thoroughly adjusted, charismatic, witty, maternal and likeable human being who just happens to sell herself sexually to strangers every night. I've not seen the play yet (that joy arrives late this week), but I think the revelation of "Belle de Jour" as a scientist, and that young Indian mathematics star who both chose that job would disprove the assertion. Going further, on the various documentaries and material read on one of my Uni courses, if someone isn't many of those qualities in what is the most "people" profession of all, I don't know they would be that successful. Theatremonkey, you think "scientists" and "mathematics stars" are "adjusted!?" I would have thought the opposite, by and large. Nonetheless, I can't wait to hear what you think of the Jennifer Mudge's character. Ask yourself if that seems like a person who regularly associates intimately with strangers, who may do unpredictable and horrible things to her. Ask yourself if there is any trace of her profession on her character whatsoever? Most people I know are at least partially shaped by their professions, in the way they behave, relate, the things they choose to talk about. I'm betting Belle de Jour has some edge to her, though zi'm probably wrong lol. |
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2,452 posts
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Post by theatremadness on May 3, 2016 14:22:18 GMT
Managed to get an unsold £15 day seat at the back of the stalls for tonight, on the ATG about 15 mins ago, a few left for anyone else interested! Nice and intimate theatre so perfectly happy being at the back of the stalls for £15! Well, £18.50 with the ATG transaction fees, grrrrrr! Very excited to see the play, but yes my main incentive was Matthew Perry. An actual living and breathing cast member of Friends. That's a big deal for teenager me. A-woo hoo!!!!
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1,475 posts
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Post by Steve on May 3, 2016 19:18:04 GMT
Nonetheless, I can't wait to hear what you think of the Jennifer Mudge's character. Ask yourself if that seems like a person who regularly associates intimately with strangers, who may do unpredictable and horrible things to her. Ask yourself if there is any trace of her profession on her character whatsoever? OK, seen it. If willing to concede that anyone on the stage has been given a "character" at all (I'll happily debate that - the cast made the best of what they were given) then yes, Mudge showed distress. The fact she didn't want her parents to know, and was willing to take on a man with that many problems just to find some stability was something. Her talk of being surprised at feeling any satisfaction after sleeping with him was also a giveaway, as was the fact she clung to Stevie for a sense of "real world." Mudge did what she could, and I certainly got the "damage" thing from her. As for the rest of it, well, I think it's a first, the invention of "stunt writer" as a change from "stunt casting." The fact this is produced by the theatre owner, and that an American sitcom star has the play premiered in London rather than Broadway I'd say was significant. I've written a lot more on my website, but that about sums it up. Cheers, Theatremonkey, I enjoyed reading that. It made me think  |
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Post by drmaplewood on May 4, 2016 9:14:48 GMT
I was there last night too and thought it was absolutely dreadful. Matthew Perry has no range whatsoever and reminded me of David Lynch in Twin Peaks whose character is deaf and therefore having to SHOUT EVERYTHING HE SAYS. When he does his monologue at the end, it has no power as it feel like he is barking at you. One or two lines made me titter but equating alcoholism with being a sex worker, the dreadful set, zero character development and an ending that could be seen from the interval were just appalling. Didn’t pay for this and would be demanding a refund if I did, the only reason I stayed past the interval (the 2nd half was mildly better but only mildly) was because I had taken a colleague along and it would have been rude to do so. This has no place in the west end.
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Post by Deleted on May 5, 2016 21:02:48 GMT
Just seen that tomorrows performance has a huge discount on TKT'S... £125 seats down to just £45.  |
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249 posts
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Post by theinvisiblegirl on May 6, 2016 10:21:21 GMT
I'm seeing this again tonight and according to Twitter Chris Moyles is in it? How random.
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Post by Deleted on May 6, 2016 16:23:56 GMT
I'm seeing this again tonight and according to Twitter Chris Moyles is in it? How random. Yes, it appears that Chris Moyles has indeed joined the cast. www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/entertainment-arts-36171412Bit weird, seeing as it is like the last couple of weeks isn't it? |
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2,452 posts
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Post by theatremadness on May 6, 2016 17:46:58 GMT
I'm seeing this again tonight and according to Twitter Chris Moyles is in it? How random. Yes, it appears that Chris Moyles has indeed joined the cast. www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/entertainment-arts-36171412Bit weird, seeing as it is like the last couple of weeks isn't it? I've taken that article (and tweets) to mean that Chris Moyles is appearing tonight only, as some sort of 'special event' in the very small, mute and practically unseen 'role' of the barman? Usually played the ASM or someone who works the technical side of the show, I think. Could be wrong! |
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Post by Jon on May 6, 2016 21:31:04 GMT
Terri Paddock have tweeted that The End of Longing is the most successful play at the Playhouse with 62,000 tickets sold. I would have assumed the musicals like Spamalot, La Cage etc as well as 1984 have sold more tickets
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2,452 posts
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Post by theatremadness on May 6, 2016 21:58:14 GMT
Terri Paddock have tweeted that The End of Longing is the most successful play at the Playhouse with 62,000 tickets sold. I would have assumed the musicals like Spamalot, La Cage etc as well as 1984 have sold more tickets Haven't seen her tweet but if she said most successful 'play' then I presume she meant play, therefore incomparable with the musicals that you mentioned. With 1984, I guess it might come down to length of the run, and therefore how many tickets it actually has to sell, but also I'd be very surprised if 1984 was more commercially popular and sold more tickets than End of Longing with Matthew Perry, even with schools maybe going to the former. |
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Post by Deleted on May 7, 2016 11:21:17 GMT
for something that probably hasn't cost much to produce That set probably cost a bob of two, though. I haven't seen this. Curious though but hope you don't mind me asking, is the set anything special? |
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7,050 posts
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Post by Jon on May 7, 2016 14:23:51 GMT
£2m seems like a lot but we don't know how much the budget is and how much it cost to run. I assume it'll have recouped by the end of the run.
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Post by Deleted on May 7, 2016 15:00:51 GMT
£2m seems like a lot but we don't know how much the budget is and how much it cost to run. I assume it'll have recouped by the end of the run. Don't forget the fee for Chris Moyles . |
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Post by Deleted on May 10, 2016 19:15:41 GMT
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Post by vickster51 on May 11, 2016 15:54:30 GMT
If anyone is curious and wants to still see this, Today Tix have a £15 offer on sale each day at 10 a.m. on the app. I'm reluctantly going with a friend who wants to see it tonight and used this, as from what I've heard, I didn't want to pay more!
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Post by Deleted on May 11, 2016 16:25:47 GMT
If anyone is curious and wants to still see this, Today Tix have a £15 offer on sale each day at 10 a.m. on the app. I'm reluctantly going with a friend who wants to see it tonight and used this, as from what I've heard, I didn't want to pay more! Ooooo where are the seats? |
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Post by vickster51 on May 12, 2016 0:29:56 GMT
If anyone is curious and wants to still see this, Today Tix have a £15 offer on sale each day at 10 a.m. on the app. I'm reluctantly going with a friend who wants to see it tonight and used this, as from what I've heard, I didn't want to pay more! Ooooo where are the seats? You don't know until you book but tonight we had row F of the dress circle which was decent. Go on the TodayTix app at 10 a.m. and it'll give you the £15 option. I expected this to be dreadful so it was better than I thought it would be. Not a great play, but I've seen much much worse. |
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Post by welcometodreamland on Oct 19, 2016 14:52:14 GMT
I know I'm digging out an old thread, but I saw this in my initial run and thought I should comment:
I thought it was good. Not amazing, but not dreadful either. Just good. The actors were solid, but I agree about Matthew Perry shouting his lines. It was pretty distracting. The other actors though were convincing enough and did well with the material.
The Playhouse Theatre is a nice one, but the bar is slightly small. Just nit picking there.
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