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Post by Jan on Jan 20, 2017 7:04:58 GMT
This has had the worst reviews I've seen for some time: The Stage 1* "bum numbing", Standard 2* "a purgatorial experience". I've seen the play before (by Maxim Gorky) and it was quite interesting so these reviews are alarming. I am seeing it soon and will report back.
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Post by showgirl on Jan 20, 2017 7:15:50 GMT
Brave of you, Jan Brock! You may be nearer but it's such a faff for me to get to and from the Arcola that I never book anything there until I've seen enough good reviews. Even then the seats aren't that comfortable so I still have to factor in the running time - and this is long...
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Post by Jan on Jan 20, 2017 7:35:03 GMT
Brave of you, Jan Brock! You may be nearer but it's such a faff for me to get to and from the Arcola that I never book anything there until I've seen enough good reviews. Even then the seats aren't that comfortable so I still have to factor in the running time - and this is long... It is not that near for me either. Running time reported to be 3+ hrs. It is part of a small season there commemorating (or celebrating I suppose they'd say) the 100th anniversary of the Russian Revolution. They are doing Cherry Orchard too. |
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Post by bee on Jan 20, 2017 7:42:04 GMT
Brave of you, Jan Brock! You may be nearer but it's such a faff for me to get to and from the Arcola that I never book anything there until I've seen enough good reviews. Even then the seats aren't that comfortable so I still have to factor in the running time - and this is long... I'm going to a matinee at the end of the month, which has a 3:00 pm start, which I usually take to mean that it's a bit shorter than normal. Fingers crossed (given what you've said about the seats). They also seem to have managed to find a few positive quotes to put on the Arcola website (Guardian and FT), so here's hoping that it won't be too turgid. |
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Post by bee on Jan 20, 2017 7:44:22 GMT
Brave of you, Jan Brock! You may be nearer but it's such a faff for me to get to and from the Arcola that I never book anything there until I've seen enough good reviews. Even then the seats aren't that comfortable so I still have to factor in the running time - and this is long... It is not that near for me either. Running time reported to be 3+ hrs. It is part of a small season there commemorating (or celebrating I suppose they'd say) the 100th anniversary of the Russian Revolution. They are doing Cherry Orchard too. Aw bugger, 3+ hours! Sounds like the "bum numbing" at least will be accurate...... |
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Post by showgirl on Jan 20, 2017 8:21:24 GMT
After iHo I've had enough of 3-hour plays for a while!
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Post by Deleted on Jan 20, 2017 9:23:55 GMT
I used my last passport ticket to book for this and then saw the review 20 mins later...! Hoping for more positive reviews here.
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Post by sondheimhats on Jan 20, 2017 11:28:48 GMT
Ok well, I didn't think it was that bad at all. I mean, it's definitely too long, definitely has sections that drag. But I think there's a lot of cool can stuff going on. I thought the acting was all very strong - almost no weak links. The design is very effective and atmospheric. The production wasn't especially creative, but I think they have a clear sense of the text and emotion behind it.
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Post by Jan on Jan 24, 2017 6:50:50 GMT
Well actually this turned out to be OK, the acting is a bit uneven in places but once you're past the first 15 minutes it goes along quite nicely and at times achieves the sort of ensemble performances the text demands. It is like the opposite side of the coin to the same writer's "Summerfolk" with a large cast and short almost impressionistic scenes and not much plot - their ambition in staging it is to be commended. An awkward staging and a freezing cold auditorium as a result but this really is the oddest shaped theatre auditorium in London, no idea why they designed it that way. I can see how a casual theatre-goer wouldn't find much to entertain them here but for members of this board there should be something. Runs 2:50.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 24, 2017 18:41:34 GMT
this really is the oddest shaped theatre auditorium in London, no idea why they designed it that way. Is it the same as for Kenny Morgan? Raked seating around a thrust stage, with more seating at the sides than the front, and a front-facing shallow gallery too? I guessed this was done on similar principles to the RST - to get everyone as close to the actors as possible in the available space, and to have no bad seats and also no ideal seat, although everyone will have their different personal preference. And the rough feel helps the audience behave as part of the event, and not just sit back behind the fourth wall and expect something to be presented to them on a platter. In short, I loved the experience of the play in this theatre. |
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Post by perfectspy on Jan 24, 2017 21:55:27 GMT
I need to renew my passport for this theatre. I'm thinking if I should see this as well. I've seen good plays here and don't want my run to end with a bad play. I'll try for a matinee as the Arcola is tucked away.
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Post by Jan on Jan 25, 2017 9:42:20 GMT
this really is the oddest shaped theatre auditorium in London, no idea why they designed it that way. Is it the same as for Kenny Morgan? Raked seating around a thrust stage, with more seating at the sides than the front, and a front-facing shallow gallery too? I guessed this was done on similar principles to the RST - to get everyone as close to the actors as possible in the available space, and to have no bad seats and also no ideal seat, although everyone will have their different personal preference. And the rough feel helps the audience behave as part of the event, and not just sit back behind the fourth wall and expect something to be presented to them on a platter. In short, I loved the experience of the play in this theatre. Yes, that configuration, it has never been anything different whenever I have been there. I find it awkward, the "main" part of the audience are in a steeply raked side section looking along the length of quite a narrow stage, it is hard for the performers to engage easily with all sections of the audience, harder than on a thrust stage with real depth. My impression is that the space must have come first and then they shoe-horned an auditorium into it. In this play the set blocked access to the other side section and to get there those audience members had to come in via a big side door opening directly onto the street (on one of the coldest nights of the year, the place was freezing cold). |
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Post by Deleted on Jan 25, 2017 11:02:01 GMT
My impression is that the space must have come first and then they shoe-horned an auditorium into it. Yes, I'd agree. Similarly, have you been to the Yard? A lovely blend of a comfy home lounge and the Olivier Theatre. (on one of the coldest nights of the year, the place was freezing cold). Quite suitable for The Lower Depths. |
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Post by Jan on Jan 25, 2017 11:32:00 GMT
My impression is that the space must have come first and then they shoe-horned an auditorium into it. Yes, I'd agree. Similarly, have you been to the Yard? A lovely blend of a comfy home lounge and the Olivier Theatre. (on one of the coldest nights of the year, the place was freezing cold). Quite suitable for The Lower Depths. Exactly. When I walked I seriously thought it was some sort of site-specific attempt to make us feel we were in a Russian doss house in the winter of 1910. Of course the Balls Pond Road had already added to that illusion. |
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Post by bee on Jan 29, 2017 12:42:01 GMT
I saw this on Saturday afternoon. I thought it was fine. It took some time to get going – there are a lot of characters to take in – but once it settled down it became absorbing. Good performances all round, and I actually thought the seats were fairly comfortable!
We did have the added excitement of a fire alarm just before the scheduled interval. Everyone had to leave and stand across the road for 20 minutes or so while they worked out what was going on, this turning into a sort of impromptu “meet the cast” session. Anyway, eventually we got back in – apparently, there had been a problem with the boiler – and carried on.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 5, 2017 21:03:36 GMT
Agree that this wasn't at all bad; one of those plays where once you accept you're in for a long haul you just go with it. All very meandering and philosophical in classic Russian style so I was right to go for a Saturday matinee - I might have had less patience if I faced trying to get home at 1030pm on a work night. But good acting overall and engaging if depressing stories and characters. Never quite gelled for me but certainly don't regret seeing it.
The fact that I really like the Arcola bar didn't hurt.
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