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Post by learfan on Jul 14, 2019 5:15:44 GMT
I thought this was just ok, not bad, just a bit meh. McArdle is of course excellent, but some parts really dragged. The musical segments are pointless and boring, apart from the wedding part. I give it 3 stars. Also there were lots of empty seats. Really don't get why the National has this ridiculous policy which stops you from buying more than two of the cheapest tickets. I understand the restrictions when the demand is high but this is not selling at all. I was trying to get three tickets and they wouldn't let me buy them. It worked out well as my friend got four excellent complimentary tickets in Stalls, they are papering it now. So once more I have to thank the National for refusing to sell me the tickets. And it's the 3rd time this happens this year, the two previous times were with Tartuffe and with Rutherford and Sons, for which I then managed to get complimentary tickets too. They obviously prefer to give away the tickets instead of allowing people to buy more than two of the cheap ones. This year the only National production I have paid for is Small Island. Can def see this happening again for the show in the autumn transferring from Kingston. |
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Post by Jan on Jul 14, 2019 9:40:20 GMT
I thought this was just ok, not bad, just a bit meh. McArdle is of course excellent, but some parts really dragged. The musical segments are pointless and boring, apart from the wedding part. I give it 3 stars. Also there were lots of empty seats. Really don't get why the National has this ridiculous policy which stops you from buying more than two of the cheapest tickets. I understand the restrictions when the demand is high but this is not selling at all. I was trying to get three tickets and they wouldn't let me buy them. It worked out well as my friend got four excellent complimentary tickets in Stalls, they are papering it now. So once more I have to thank the National for refusing to sell me the tickets. And it's the 3rd time this happens this year, the two previous times were with Tartuffe and with Rutherford and Sons, for which I then managed to get complimentary tickets too. They obviously prefer to give away the tickets instead of allowing people to buy more than two of the cheap ones. This year the only National production I have paid for is Small Island. Can def see this happening again for the show in the autumn transferring from Kingston. When was the last production of Peer Gynt that sold out ? Old Vic 1943 ? Even that 1994 RSC small-scale one didn't fill the Young Vic. Putting the play on in the Olivier was never going to be a commercial success, they should have lowered all the prices. |
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Post by Mr Crummles on Jul 14, 2019 11:24:44 GMT
I thought this was really good. Excellent acting throughout (James McArdle delivers a truly heroic performance, along with other standouts such as Guy Henry, Oliver Ford Davies. Tamsyn Carroll and Ann Louise Ross). I thought the direction was also excellent and the adaptation worked very well. It's an epic, rather than a ordinary dramatic narrative, dealing mainly with thought-provoking existentialist ideas about how Humans understand themselves and their lives. It has some interesting reflections on selfishness that are acutely relevant to our modern times.
Quite a few people left during the intervals, specially the second one (after a stunning scene closing the fourth act). It was actually the first time I noticed an audience in retreat. I thought it was quite a shame that those seats could not have been taken by a more appreciative audience. James McArdle's vibrancy and energy alone would have induced me to stay, even if this had been a less interesting play. Those who stayed, however, responded warmly to the cast's extraordinary efforts during the final curtain call.
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Post by missthelma on Jul 14, 2019 13:20:04 GMT
This was my second theatre visit yesterday. And good Lord what a mixed bag this turned out to be. On the positive it has helped me to identify that strange noise I've been hearing for a couple of weeks, which I'm now certain is the sound of Ibsen spinning in his grave. The main flaw here I think is the adaption by David Hare, whilst some of the contemporary references work, others feel bizarre and forced into the narrative. There's a difference between an adaption and writing your own version and this blurred the lines quite a lot. Was there a reason it was relocated to Scotland? And presumably to the modern age although this was used in a very haphazard and confusing way. At times the 3 hr 25 minute running time felt interminable and at others I felt I was missing huge chunks of the plot and wanted more detail. As with the recent Tartuffe, also at the NT, I want to see a traditional version now. There were some exceptional set pieces, the Troll banquet table, the action leading up to the second interval at the asylum. The musical sequences are borderline ridiculous and serve only to infantilize the production in some vague attempt at what, relevance? Dumbing down? James McArdle is as mentioned by others very impressive and a two show day must be exhausting. The whole cast works hard but it stands or falls on the lead really as he's almost constantly on stage I would like to beg the board's indulgence for a brief digression. After the first interval James McArdle returns in a lovely white suit with some grey added to his hair. He looks smoking HOT. A vision. I had to physically restrain myself from vaulting on to the stage and offering my undying devotion. Or anything else he wanted, to be fair. Thank you, digression ends, normal service will now be resumed. The story is fairly universal and relevant to today, I love the Walter Mitty reference above but while I was there I thought of Faust, Candide, Pippin, even the 'Purpose' song from Avenue Q! The circle was less than a 1/4 full, the side stalls about the same and the main stalls about 2/3 full. As noted there were departures after both intervals. It's a shame as whilst I could not unequivocally recommend this, it deserves to be doing better.
{Spoiler - click to view}
Sorry but I have to point out
Singing Cowgirls??
A chubby person in spanx, fetish gear and a pig mask?! Riding what appears to be a rickshaw?!
WTF?
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Post by lynette on Jul 14, 2019 13:26:30 GMT
Let us think a while here...putting on a LOOONG play in the summer with its promise of heat and fun on the riverbank is daft. Keep the long ones for the winter.
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Post by TallPaul on Jul 14, 2019 13:29:01 GMT
Let us think a while here...putting on a LOOONG play in the summer with its promise of heat and fun on the riverbank is daft. Keep the long ones for the winter. There you go again, lynette, with your common sense. It will never catch on! 🙂 |
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Post by learfan on Jul 14, 2019 14:14:23 GMT
Can def see this happening again for the show in the autumn transferring from Kingston. When was the last production of Peer Gynt that sold out ? Old Vic 1943 ? Even that 1994 RSC small-scale one didn't fill the Young Vic. Putting the play on in the Olivier was never going to be a commercial success, they should have lowered all the prices. Agreed, it probably wouldn't have sold out with a big star in the role. Thats the issue though isnt it? If the likes of us know that why doesnt the NT hierarchy? |
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Post by Jan on Jul 14, 2019 18:55:33 GMT
When was the last production of Peer Gynt that sold out ? Old Vic 1943 ? Even that 1994 RSC small-scale one didn't fill the Young Vic. Putting the play on in the Olivier was never going to be a commercial success, they should have lowered all the prices. Agreed, it probably wouldn't have sold out with a big star in the role. Thats the issue though isnt it? If the likes of us know that why doesnt the NT hierarchy? I suppose they know but they don't care, the critical approval of their own circle is all they want. When Trevor Nunn staged some overtly commercial musicals Sir David Hare and chums were horrified. I think the NT should be doing plays like this and Exit the King (another sure-fire commercial flop) but not in their biggest theatre. They should also have a better mix of "commercial" and non-commercial programming (as Nicholas Hytner had) - the miserablist issue-driven programming of Rufus Norris is very wearing, he should lighten up a bit. |
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Post by oxfordsimon on Jul 14, 2019 19:01:00 GMT
There are two things that most people know about Peer Gynt... the music by Grieg and the line from Educating Rita.
And that is about it.
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Post by Jan on Jul 14, 2019 19:04:14 GMT
There are two things that most people know about Peer Gynt... the music by Grieg and the line from Educating Rita. And that is about it. And most of those who *have* seen it before will be disinclined to see it again. It is interesting to me that two of the most praised productions here - Present Laughter and Rosmersholm - were really old-fashioned. You need to be as old as me to realise that but take my word for it. Maybe the tide is turning against “relevance” and issues and back towards entertainment. I doubt either of those productions would have been programmed by Norris - Three Sisters set during the Biafra civil war however ....... |
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Post by learfan on Jul 14, 2019 19:14:01 GMT
There are two things that most people know about Peer Gynt... the music by Grieg and the line from Educating Rita. And that is about it. I wouldn't be too sure about Grieg, most people only know him from Morecambe and Wise! |
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Post by oxfordsimon on Jul 14, 2019 19:24:47 GMT
There are two things that most people know about Peer Gynt... the music by Grieg and the line from Educating Rita. And that is about it. I wouldn't be too sure about Grieg, most people only know him from Morecambe and Wise! In the Hall of the Mountain King is well known as a tune - even if people don't know where it is from. Of course, those of us of a certain age know it as the theme from the ZX Spectrum classic game - Manic Miner! |
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Post by Fleance on Jul 14, 2019 19:25:04 GMT
I wouldn't be too sure about Grieg, most people only know him from Morecambe and Wise! Of course Peer Gynt achieved additional fame thanks to Master Coward's lyrics: "Don't put your daughter on the stage, Mrs. Worthington Don't put your daughter on the stage Though they said at the school of acting She was lovely as Peer Gynt I fear on the whole An ingénue role Would emphasize her squint" |
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Post by Jan on Jul 14, 2019 19:26:03 GMT
There are two things that most people know about Peer Gynt... the music by Grieg and the line from Educating Rita. And that is about it. I wouldn't be too sure about Grieg, most people only know him from Morecambe and Wise! As their last Xmas show was 36 years ago *most* people know very little about Morecambe and Wise, grandad. |
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Post by learfan on Jul 15, 2019 5:40:05 GMT
I wouldn't be too sure about Grieg, most people only know him from Morecambe and Wise! As their last Xmas show was 36 years ago *most* people know very little about Morecambe and Wise, grandad. Speak for yourself! I was trying to make a point about Simon's assumptions about Grieg. |
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Post by missthelma on Jul 15, 2019 19:13:46 GMT
putting on a LOOONG play in the summer with its promise of heat and fun on the riverbank is daft. Keep the long ones for the winter. Unless they were playing the "they'll be able to go home in the light" angle? Spot on, the Monkey, I hate travelling back late at night in the dark and this is why I nearly always plump for matinees. I chose this for an evening as it's almost acceptable at this time of year. Or at least, less awful. |
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Post by dlevi on Jul 17, 2019 7:34:01 GMT
I saw this on Monday eve and like many others I've only studied the play at University but never seen it. And I didn't find it boring nor did I find it illuminating. It seemed that the production could never find its clear footing - contemporary satire or philosophy? As a playwright David Hare is many things, but funny? Not really. For me his main calling has been creating complex characters with sharp incisive dialogue . He hasn't done that here. He uses Ibsen's broad strokes to create a sort of intellectual panto, which doesn't satisfy. Peter Gynt should be epic on all levels and this wasn't. I was disappointed by the design , and most of the performances - Mr McCardle was fine for the first hour or so but then I felt as if he were trying too hard. Only Guy Henry seemed to sparkle whenever he appeared. I also think that the Nash needs to not try and contemporize EVERYTHING to reach "new audiences" . Sometimes, a traditional straightforward production serves a "new" audience well.
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Post by xanady on Jul 31, 2019 17:21:44 GMT
Row brewing regarding Quentin Letts comments about ‘whining’ Scottish accents on BBC News web-site.
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Post by Jan on Jul 31, 2019 17:50:48 GMT
I also think that the Nash needs to not try and contemporize EVERYTHING to reach "new audiences" . Leaving aside the question of whether trying to reach “new audiences” is worthwhile, if I was going to do it I’d probably not leave it in the hands of a 72-year-old playwright and a 70-year-old director - although no doubt both they and their old audience would think the production was doing exactly that. |
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Post by londonpostie on Jul 31, 2019 18:08:46 GMT
Audiences at - the not cheap - NT production of Small Island speak for themselves in relation to new audiences. Impressive.
Fwiw, Andrew Scott got two decent laughs for his references to Peer Gynt just down the road on Monday .. I presume they're in the original Noel Coward text and it's an amusing coincidence.
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Post by ceebee on Jul 31, 2019 21:31:16 GMT
Row brewing regarding Quentin Letts comments about ‘whining’ Scottish accents on BBC News web-site. Wheesht yer noise and boil yer heid! |
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Post by dlevi on Aug 5, 2019 16:51:24 GMT
I also think that the Nash needs to not try and contemporize EVERYTHING to reach "new audiences" . Leaving aside the question of whether trying to reach “new audiences” is worthwhile, if I was going to do it I’d probably not leave it in the hands of a 72-year-old playwright and a 70-year-old director - although no doubt both they and their old audience would think the production was doing exactly that. Hahaha !!! It's true ! Cheers! |
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Post by fossil on Aug 20, 2019 12:10:07 GMT
There are £15 front row seats currently on sale for quite a few dates towards the end of the run at the moment.
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