I took the wife to see Grease about a year ago and this too veered well away from the film. A lot of the characters were unrecognisable and they left out major parts such as the car race. We were quite disappointed.
The film is based on the musical, so save your ire for John Travolta
Went to see guys and dolls at the bridge theatre last night. Amazing. A must see. We had seats in the balcony right next to the orchestra so spent so a lot of time watching the saxophonist reading a book between songs and cleaning his instruments. Fascinating. Brilliant production where some of the audience stand amongst the constantly changing stage. Am defo going to go again as there is so much to look at. Incredibly clever.
I am shocked to realise that until yesterday I hadn’t been to the Theatre since before the lockdowns, until last night. Pico of this parish and I missed the Millwall fun to go to the National Theatre to see Dear England. I recommend it, there isn’t a spoiler for it, but it is a story of redemption predicated on penalties, starting with that Southgate miss. Great to see a play, but even better it was a large cast in a big space with good creative input from all arms of the production. It had both humour and pathos and for those aware of recent history, particularly in football, there were lots of good reference points. One great aspect of the experience was the sold out audience. So mixed, with a much greater proportion of young people than you usually see at the National. Standing ovation from 50%. It might have been more sharply edited, a long show, however on the Setheatreometer I would give it eight out of ten.
We were at the same showing for that Seth, I enjoyed it a lot, Joseph Fiennes' Southgate was spot on, everything from the hands in pockets mannerisms to the way of speaking. There's a lot of caricatures of people in the play but it does contextualise that at certain points. It was funnier than I thought it would be and it drew a cleverer conclusion than I expected. Good night out.
We saw 'Dear England ' last night and thought it was very good.
I love Gina McKee who plays psychologist Dr Pippa Grange. It was a nice surprise to see her, as most of the publicity seems to be about Joseph Fiennes.
I highly recommend the play. I hope it goes on a national tour.
I went to the matinee performance yesterday and really enjoyed the show. A must see when it reappears in the West End.
I am shocked to realise that until yesterday I hadn’t been to the Theatre since before the lockdowns, until last night. Pico of this parish and I missed the Millwall fun to go to the National Theatre to see Dear England. I recommend it, there isn’t a spoiler for it, but it is a story of redemption predicated on penalties, starting with that Southgate miss. Great to see a play, but even better it was a large cast in a big space with good creative input from all arms of the production. It had both humour and pathos and for those aware of recent history, particularly in football, there were lots of good reference points. One great aspect of the experience was the sold out audience. So mixed, with a much greater proportion of young people than you usually see at the National. Standing ovation from 50%. It might have been more sharply edited, a long show, however on the Setheatreometer I would give it eight out of ten.
We were at the same showing for that Seth, I enjoyed it a lot, Joseph Fiennes' Southgate was spot on, everything from the hands in pockets mannerisms to the way of speaking. There's a lot of caricatures of people in the play but it does contextualise that at certain points. It was funnier than I thought it would be and it drew a cleverer conclusion than I expected. Good night out.
We saw 'Dear England ' last night and thought it was very good.
I love Gina McKee who plays psychologist Dr Pippa Grange. It was a nice surprise to see her, as most of the publicity seems to be about Joseph Fiennes.
I highly recommend the play. I hope it goes on a national tour.
I went to the matinee performance yesterday and really enjoyed the show. A must see when it reappears in the West End.
West End tickets went on general sale today. Great tickets from £20 widely available for all dates.
Saw The Pillowman last night. Been wanting to see it for ages. The Mrs told me to get home by 5.30 so had to leave the game early. She basically told me we were going for dinner but surprised me with tickets for the last night of the play.
It was absolutely brilliant. Scary at times, macabre, profound, emotional and above all bloody funny.
Steve Pemberton and Paul Kaye were hilarious and Lily Allen acted the fuck out of it.
I’d recommend it but it’s finished so if it resurfaces go.
Saw The Pillowman last night. Been wanting to see it for ages. The Mrs told me to get home by 5.30 so had to leave the game early. She basically told me we were going for dinner but surprised me with tickets for the last night of the play.
It was absolutely brilliant. Scary at times, macabre, profound, emotional and above all bloody funny.
Steve Pemberton and Paul Kaye were hilarious and Lily Allen acted the fuck out of it.
I’d recommend it but it’s finished so if it resurfaces go.
Saw it at the start of this run. Loved it. Properly dark. Almost made for Steve Pemberton. Shame Reece Shearsmith wasn't in it as well!
As you said Paul Kaye and Lily Allen were also very good. Can't understand the poor reviews Lily Allen was given when it first came out.
Never trust Theatre reviews. Maybe it is a personal perspective, One Man Two Governors was five star everywhere, I saw it as sub sixth form party pieces strung together with lots of predictable stuff, an indulgent James Corden, disguised as a riff on Commedia del arte which failed miserably for me. Yet the original London production of Sweeney Todd was roundly slated, but I thought it had real depth, a huge amount of production values and Shiela Hancock (yes her) was outstanding. The recent ‘Dear England’ garnered a few snooty reviews, maybe from people who see themselves as culturally elite and the work was about Football so they sneered, but I genuinely believe the play had heart and integrity.
Saw The Pillowman last night. Been wanting to see it for ages. The Mrs told me to get home by 5.30 so had to leave the game early. She basically told me we were going for dinner but surprised me with tickets for the last night of the play.
It was absolutely brilliant. Scary at times, macabre, profound, emotional and above all bloody funny.
Steve Pemberton and Paul Kaye were hilarious and Lily Allen acted the fuck out of it.
I’d recommend it but it’s finished so if it resurfaces go.
Saw it at the start of this run. Loved it. Properly dark. Almost made for Steve Pemberton. Shame Reece Shearsmith wasn't in it as well!
As you said Paul Kaye and Lily Allen were also very good. Can't understand the poor reviews Lily Allen was given when it first came out.
I agree. Some of these critics are more interested in making themselves look good or contrary than actually being honest. I thought her acting, and at times deadpan matter of fact delivery was excellent.
Went to see The Crown Jewels when we were over last month. Some real laugh out loud bits, especially when Murray engaged with the audience as King Charles II. Aiden McCardle is excellent as Captain Blood, and it's a good history lesson if you don't know the full story of the theft.
Bad news for the orchard theatre in Dartford, it’s been forced to close with immediate effect as the roof is made from the RAAC (or whatever it’s called) concrete.
Bad news for the orchard theatre in Dartford, it’s been forced to close with immediate effect as the roof is made from the RAAC (or whatever it’s called) concrete.
Bad news for the orchard theatre in Dartford, it’s been forced to close with immediate effect as the roof is made from the RAAC (or whatever it’s called) concrete.
Not Theatre, but am going to the BFI to see Dead Man's Shoes next week. Shane Meadows is doing a Q&A afterwards. Paddy Considine was due to be there as well, but has unfortunately dropped out. Looking forward to it as DMS is one of my favourite films.
Also treated myself to tickets to see the stage adaption of Irvine Welsh's Porno at The Arts Theatre - the book is pretty "lively" so god knows how it will translate to the stage!
For those of you who got tickets for the orchard in Dartford for the next few months here’s the latest update which includes news on rebates etc. been more helpful if you actually included the link, you stupid old git😀
Managed to get a couple of rare kid free afternoons recently to see two plays:
2.22 A Ghost Story - really enjoyed it, great ending. Only issue was one cast member with a terrible and unnecessary American accent, but it was still good. Would definitely recommend it.
And The Crown Jewels. Thought it was awful!! Al Murray was funny in a few audience participation bits, mainly because it's Al Murray and that's basically his stand-up routine, but the script was terrible.
Shame, because it's got a decent cast and it's actually an interesting story, but was so much less than the sum of it's parts.
Saw Dear England this evening. Opening night at the Prince Edward Theatre. Enjoyable, but ultimately a bit underwhelmed. Joseph Fiennes was very good, but not convinced by any of the other actors. Not sure it warrants the hype that has followed it around.
2.22 A Ghost Story - really enjoyed it, great ending. Only issue was one cast member with a terrible and unnecessary American accent, but it was still good. Would definitely recommend it.
I went last week, that American accent truly is awful. Enjoyed it other than that
Went to see Noises Off last night. Proper farce with a great cast who give it their all in a very physically demanding production. Matt Horne looked absolutley whacked at the end. The timing is outstanding in what is essentially a very silly play, but great fun - quite a few laugh out loud moments and lots of smiles. We got bargain tickets the day before from a site called Stagedoor, worth looking at if you are unaware of them.
Saw Dear England this evening. Opening night at the Prince Edward Theatre. Enjoyable, but ultimately a bit underwhelmed. Joseph Fiennes was very good, but not convinced by any of the other actors. Not sure it warrants the hype that has followed it around.
Not traditional theatre, but on the way home from an evening with Irvine Welsh and John Niven. Celebrating 30 years since Trainspotting was first published. Great night. Could have done with subtitles at times, but Irvine is a seriously funny/interesting guy.
Saw Cabaret at The Playhouse which is transformed into the Kit Kat Club. It was a fabulous all around experience, I loved it
Great, wasn't it !
Family going in 2 weeks' time to celebrate 2 x 50 year olds' birthdays this summer.
Interesting. Am thinking of going as it seems to be a great night out but was wondering about the cost of the tickets and what do you get for it e.g food & drink included, is it worth going near the stage or from the stalls (whichever). Basically whats the best tickets compared to the basic tickets?
Saw Cabaret at The Playhouse which is transformed into the Kit Kat Club. It was a fabulous all around experience, I loved it
Great, wasn't it !
Family going in 2 weeks' time to celebrate 2 x 50 year olds' birthdays this summer.
Interesting. Am thinking of going as it seems to be a great night out but was wondering about the cost of the tickets and what do you get for it e.g food & drink included, is it worth going near the stage or from the stalls (whichever). Basically whats the best tickets compared to the basic tickets?
Not sure of your budget but we went when it first opened and sat pretty high up at back for £30 and it was fab from back there (considering the pre show shnizz in the foyer) so whilst you won’t get those tickets for £30 now, anywhere you can afford would be great just to be in there.
I know people who had eating tables, enjoyed it but not raving about how it’s a must do. My parents went Wednesday and were one row back from the food row and enjoyed it. I doubt cheap though.
2.22 A Ghost Story - really enjoyed it, great ending. Only issue was one cast member with a terrible and unnecessary American accent, but it was still good. Would definitely recommend it.
I went last week, that American accent truly is awful. Enjoyed it other than that
Right? And so unnecessary. There's about one line about her growing up in the US (when she thinks she sees the other kid), just change that line to wherever the actress is from. Or at least tell her to soften the accent.
Saw Cabaret at The Playhouse which is transformed into the Kit Kat Club. It was a fabulous all around experience, I loved it
Great, wasn't it !
Family going in 2 weeks' time to celebrate 2 x 50 year olds' birthdays this summer.
Interesting. Am thinking of going as it seems to be a great night out but was wondering about the cost of the tickets and what do you get for it e.g food & drink included, is it worth going near the stage or from the stalls (whichever). Basically whats the best tickets compared to the basic tickets?
We went in March - a very generous birthday present from family - and sat a a "table for 2" almost on the stage. Couldn't get much closer with a perfect view of proceedings and a feeling of being involved IYKWIM.
Decided not to pre book any food as looked to be expensive for what we noted other attendees were served, and booked a table at the Bella Italia in the Strand for 5pm . This gave us ample time to eat & walk the short distance to the theatre using Villiers St. However, Mr F used the bar at the interval & paid , if I remember correctly, a glass of wine and a beer costing around £20...so be warned!
With our daughter in law & son in law both having 50th birthdays this summer, we pushed the boat out & bought 4 tickets for them in the sane area as those we had. Let's just say, the total paid was just 4 figures....But as a one off, I hope they'll agree it's worth it.
I have friends that have watched from seats "high up" and still thoroughly enjoyed the show.
Definitely a "one off" experience so worth spending a bit more than at a basic theatre show.
Comments
Maybe it is a personal perspective, One Man Two Governors was five star everywhere, I saw it as sub sixth form party pieces strung together with lots of predictable stuff, an indulgent James Corden, disguised as a riff on Commedia del arte which failed miserably for me.
Yet the original London production of Sweeney Todd was roundly slated, but I thought it had real depth, a huge amount of production values and Shiela Hancock (yes her) was outstanding.
The recent ‘Dear England’ garnered a few snooty reviews, maybe from people who see themselves as culturally elite and the work was about Football so they sneered, but I genuinely believe the play had heart and integrity.
https://www.kentonline.co.uk/dartford/news/theatre-to-close-over-concrete-fears-292880/
Also treated myself to tickets to see the stage adaption of Irvine Welsh's Porno at The Arts Theatre - the book is pretty "lively" so god knows how it will translate to the stage!
https://help.trafalgartickets.com/knowledge/orchard-theatre-closure
2.22 A Ghost Story - really enjoyed it, great ending. Only issue was one cast member with a terrible and unnecessary American accent, but it was still good. Would definitely recommend it.
And The Crown Jewels. Thought it was awful!! Al Murray was funny in a few audience participation bits, mainly because it's Al Murray and that's basically his stand-up routine, but the script was terrible.
Shame, because it's got a decent cast and it's actually an interesting story, but was so much less than the sum of it's parts.
https://help.trafalgartickets.com/knowledge/orchard-west?__hstc=102379230.bcff673132a9ab16d2b2cae00afdfda4.1697476316801.1697476316801.1697476316801.1&__hssc=102379230.1.1697476316801&__hsfp=1875961099
Family going in 2 weeks' time to celebrate 2 x 50 year olds' birthdays this summer.
the foyer) so whilst you won’t get those tickets for £30 now, anywhere you can afford would be great just to be in there.
Decided not to pre book any food as looked to be expensive for what we noted other attendees were served, and booked a table at the Bella Italia in the Strand for 5pm . This gave us ample time to eat & walk the short distance to the theatre using Villiers St. However, Mr F used the bar at the interval & paid , if I remember correctly, a glass of wine and a beer costing around £20...so be warned!
With our daughter in law & son in law both having 50th birthdays this summer, we pushed the boat out & bought 4 tickets for them in the sane area as those we had. Let's just say, the total paid was just 4 figures....But as a one off, I hope they'll agree it's worth it.
I have friends that have watched from seats "high up" and still thoroughly enjoyed the show.
Definitely a "one off" experience so worth spending a bit more than at a basic theatre show.