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Post by Rory on Jan 17, 2018 9:01:53 GMT
Any sign of Bill Kenwright bringing this Gore Vidal play with Martin Shaw and Gemma Jones to the West End? The Playhouse is free in two and a half weeks.
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3,532 posts
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Post by Rory on Jan 26, 2018 18:22:48 GMT
An online search seems to suggest that this IS in fact going to the Playhouse between 24th Feb and 12th May (for the few who may be interested!😉)
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3,532 posts
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Post by Rory on Jan 31, 2018 12:57:30 GMT
This is now booking on the ATG website. Cast is the same as the tour except that Gemma Jones is replaced in the West End by Maureen Lipman.
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Post by showgirl on Jan 31, 2018 17:13:18 GMT
Thank you, Rory - I'm certainly still interested as I'd have seen this in Richmond but for the prices. However, having checked the site, they look just as bad for the London run (no deals showing for members, not even for matinees/seniors etc), so I'll hold out in hope of day seats or discounts. |
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Post by zak97 on Jan 31, 2018 23:22:45 GMT
My main interest in seeing this is because Glynis Barber is in it, really like her as an actress. Does she have a big part in this? Also a chance to see Maureen Lipman too, and visit the Playhouse - both which will be new experiences for me.
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Post by Phantom of London on Jan 31, 2018 23:47:30 GMT
Saw this in Richmond a few weeks ago, also saw it on Broadway 4 years ago.
Hope Bill Kenwright spends a bit of money on the set, as in Richmond you had the cast carrying boards across the stage.
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3,558 posts
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Post by showgirl on Feb 1, 2018 5:16:04 GMT
Monday to Thursday far cheaper than Friday and Saturday, with the back two rows of stalls and decent side dress circle at third price £29.50 previews / £39.50 main run. Upper circle as low as £15 too. Thank you, theatremonkey.com; I supposed I'm still hankering after those mysterious ATG deals and emails others occasionally mention and also to be able to see this type of info without extensive searching to compare dates/prices/times. I did email ATG to enquire but apart from an automated acknowledgement there has been no response so far. |
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Post by lynette on Feb 2, 2018 12:42:42 GMT
Any good? Cast is competent.
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5,138 posts
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Post by TallPaul on Feb 2, 2018 13:31:18 GMT
I can already see the poster. "Cast is competent. Lynette - TheatreBoard.co.uk."
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3,558 posts
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Post by showgirl on Feb 2, 2018 14:44:40 GMT
Any good? Cast is competent. Reviews from recent Richmond run were all good so even with one cast change (if there are more, I've not seen them mentioned), it seems promising to me. |
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Post by Deleted on Feb 25, 2018 14:37:45 GMT
Well. It does all have a sniff of the "touring production" about it but it's pretty well done on the whole. Scary that the play is almost 60 years old but is still completely relevant, US politics haven't really moved on since then. It's a great tale though.
The cast is good but the standout for me is Glynis Barber. She has the biggest hair I've seen on London's glitzy West End's stage for a long time and she looks fabulous with a capital FAB-U-LOUS. I don't know which picture she has in the attic but I want it, she looks FOXY. Plus she's terrific in her role, great comic timing.
Nice of Maureen Lipman to drag out her Aunt Eller accent again for another run. Sadly (or not, depending on your view), she doesn't burst into a few bars of 'Oklahoma' mid performance. Plus don't worry if your seat is right at the back of the Upper Circle, Martin Shaw pitches the performance just for you.
And they use plastic glasses. They don't 'chink' when you put them down.
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Post by daniel on Mar 5, 2018 21:50:12 GMT
Saw this tonight. Don't think I can give a fair review on the basis that my mind was drifting through most of it. What a snooze fest! Massively dated and seriously lacking in pace. Not helped by the fact that most of the diction was shockingly bad. I was in the mid Dress Circle and could hardly understand a word, and the Playhouse isn't exactly huge.
I love me a political drama - This House and Labour of Love both recent highlights for me, though vastly different to The Best Man I'll accept - but I thought this was just a bit of a dud.
Seemed to get a good reception at the bows, maybe I'm just a grumpy young man. Oh well.
2 stars.
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Post by bellboard27 on Mar 13, 2018 10:50:51 GMT
This was interesting, but did not grip me. The cast perform it well (Jack Shepherd standing out for me). My other half, however, really liked it.
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Post by Gwendoline on Mar 22, 2018 11:37:49 GMT
Saw this last week, absolutely terrible what a waste of money. 3 people around me were snoring and I had great difficulty in staying awake as well. Martin Shaw’s American accent is awful and when he raises his voice it just cracks, completely unconvincing performance. Glynis Barber stood out for me.
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Post by Deleted on Mar 24, 2018 9:16:18 GMT
Saw this tonight. Don't think I can give a fair review on the basis that my mind was drifting through most of it. What a snooze fest! Massively dated and seriously lacking in pace. Not helped by the fact that most of the diction was shockingly bad. I was in the mid Dress Circle and could hardly understand a word, and the Playhouse isn't exactly huge. I love me a political drama - This House and Labour of Love both recent highlights for me, though vastly different to The Best Man I'll accept - but I thought this was just a bit of a dud. Seemed to get a good reception at the bows, maybe I'm just a grumpy young man. Oh well. 2 stars.[/quote When I saw it young people bailed in the interval leaving their parents and other oldies to nod off intermittently during the second act. I found it a mixed bag: a great idea for a political drama but lacking real tension. Shaw has great charisma and holds a stage by just standing there. Shepherd is good too. In fact it is a good cast but the play doesn’t serve them. |
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Post by Dr Tom on Apr 20, 2018 7:29:33 GMT
I saw this last night thanks to a TodayTix sale. Originally booked for the second row, but moved in advance to the sixth row (not my choice), which was fine, but I wouldn't have wanted to sit further back. I prefer being up close.
Plus, Maureen Lipman unfortunately tends to be hard to hear. I was straining from where I was, so I doubt they could make much out at all from the back. Apart from that, she is very good and she is only in the show for a few minutes.
I found it an interesting story with some (largely telegraphed) plot twists. Second half is better than the first half. Enough to be thought provoking with the current political climate. But not high theatre.
The theatre was also rather uncomfortable due to the heat and the narrow seats. Very glad I wasn't at a matinee with yesterday's heat, I'm sure people would pass out (other than the ones who fell asleep).
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Post by joem on Apr 27, 2018 22:06:54 GMT
Despite some good lines and a game cast, this is creaky and has dated badly. Martin Shaw sounding rather husky.
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