Last night we went to the Barbican to see The Seagull by Anton Chekhov. It was announced as Cate Blanchett’s return to the stage after six years, and I got our tickets last November so my anticipation has been high as I love Chekhov, rate Blanchett and scored my tickets early for a sold out show. Then the cast was filled out with some very notable actors such as the angrier Malcolm Tucker from the Thick of It Paul Higgins and the sublime Jason Watkins, Tom Burke from Strife and the Three Musketeers. Blanchett clearly stood out, she can act, she can do much more than being a take and re-take performer from the Television and Film stuff, and all the cast can act. It was a modern day take. My problem was with the translation, loads of swearing and references to Zelensky and Circe du Soliel and stuff, the design, indulgent extra bits like a golf cart and electric guitar playing and singing Billy Bragg stuff, and very poor ‘that’ll do’ directing. It was as if whoever decided on the production thought ‘we’ve got Blanchett, that should be enough’ which indeed it will be as the whole thing is sold out. Some parts, especially the end of both halves dragged on and on, and the actors voices (with one or two exceptions) were not good enough. Not Blanchett I would add. Chekhov wrote four full length masterpieces starting with The Seagull, which was a game changer and brought us modern drama and acting in all spheres, but it was a prelude to his three later plays, all great, Uncle Vanya, Three Sisters and best of all The Cherry Orchard. People play around with Chekhov, often well like the Cherry Orchard at the Donmar recently, but you have to get it right. I recently saw (as has @Weegie Addick of this parish) a classic ensemble Three Sisters at the Sam Wannamaker theatre which was a whole lot better than the Blanchett vehicle of last night. It is only because of Blanchett that I would give the Seagull at the Barbican a mark as high as a 6 on the Setheatreometer.
saw The Devil Wears Prada last Saturday, had never seen the film and the show was OK, but wouldn’t see again. 5/10
Then saw Hamilton on Wednesday evening (3rd time 2x London + 1xBroadway) and have to say that it has lost a bit of its shine. I think the show needs a bit of a ‘name’ for a spell. Just felt a bit flatter than the first two times I saw it - or maybe it was a one too many times watch!?! 6/10
At the weekend we went to see The Last laugh at Noel Coward theatre. Just 3 characters, Tommy Copper, Eric Morecambe and Bob Monkhouse. Its had some mixed reviews but I thought it worth the ticket money. Some very funny moments as well some quite sad ones.
I know it's early but this year's Palladium panto has just been announced as Sleeping Beauty. Catherine Tate leading the cast as the Villain with Jon Culshaw and Julian Clary
At the weekend we went to see The Last laugh at Noel Coward theatre. Just 3 characters, Tommy Copper, Eric Morecambe and Bob Monkhouse. Its had some mixed reviews but I thought it worth the ticket money. Some very funny moments as well some quite sad ones.
I went on Friday and laughed solid for the entire 80 minutes. All tickets reduced to £15 now as it ends this weekend so I'm going back to see it again on Thursday; £15 in a £100 seat. Highly recommend it if you like nostalgia and remember Eric, Bob and Tommy.
I know it's early but this year's Palladium panto has just been announced as Sleeping Beauty. Catherine Tate leading the cast as the Villain with Jon Culshaw and Julian Clary
We're away this Christmas so can't do our traditional Xmas Eve show. Managed to get front row for the evening of the 30th Dec though.
Booked tickets for the Tina Turner musical for next month. Saw it with my wife a few years ago but we're taking our daughter this time.
Went to the theatre twice when we were back. Peter James's "Picture you Dead" at Richmond and "Inside No 9" at Wyndhams.
Having seen "Wish you were Dead" at Brighton last year, and been very disappointed in the acting, we were pleasantly surprised at how much better this was - George Rainsford as Grace was very shouty and wooden in the first one, he was far better in this production, almost like a different actor. The rest of the cast were good too, particularly Gemma Stroyan as Bella Malloy.
"Inside No 9" was fantastic. I have never seen an audience so buzzing with anticipation and we were not let down. Reece and Steve are astoundingly good together, their interaction is so natural you can barely call it acting. It's clever and full of surprises.
Stephen Frayne (Dynamo) at the Underbelly in Soho tonight. He is doing a 6 week residency there. Small intimate venue. The bloke is a witch and should be burnt at the stake. Some of the stuff he pulls off is mind blowing.
Been lucky enough to see a few bits in the last month or so with family.
Oliver! was very good - does all the main big numbers very well, and Simon Lipkin as Fagin was absolutely brilliant, felt like he avoided all the Shylocky clichés and was a bit more compassionate and complicated than other takes I've seen on it.
Caught Six the Musical in the cinema - only really went as the kids wanted to, wasn't expecting much but actually really enjoyed it - the songs are really catchy, and it was a lot funnier than I thought it would be. Impressive that two Uni students wrote it.
Lastly Percy Jackson the Musical - my daughter loves the books (and I like them too - very sharp and witty), so we were really looking forward to it, but... meh. Wasn't awful but wouldn't rush back - nasally attempts at American accidents grate after a while, and it was all a bit cheap amateur/school production. Daughter enjoyed it though which is the main thing!
Off to watch Macbeth at the Globe tomorrow. It's an abridged 90 mins version aimed at secondary school kids. Saw Romeo and Juliet there last year as part of the same series, and at £10/£5 for standing tickets what's not to like. Studied it over 20 years ago so hopefully I've a clue what's going on
Off to watch Macbeth at the Globe tomorrow. It's an abridged 90 mins version aimed at secondary school kids. Saw Romeo and Juliet there last year as part of the same series, and at £10/£5 for standing tickets what's not to like. Studied it over 20 years ago so hopefully I've a clue what's going on
Is this one of those Deutsche Bank events? Been to three of them, and the actors at the Globe quickly realise that school kids are not going to quietly pay attention if they are bored and confused by the Shakespeare, the kids will be reactive a bit like the original Globe audiences used to be, and to the immense credit of the Globe company they embraced the audience and realised they had to do stuff that would grab the kids and hold their attention. I saw a Macbeth there where the play started with great noise and soldiers raining down on the stage on zip wires, the kids were engaged from the start.
Comments
It was announced as Cate Blanchett’s return to the stage after six years, and I got our tickets last November so my anticipation has been high as I love Chekhov, rate Blanchett and scored my tickets early for a sold out show.
Then the cast was filled out with some very notable actors such as the angrier Malcolm Tucker from the Thick of It Paul Higgins and the sublime Jason Watkins, Tom Burke from Strife and the Three Musketeers.
Blanchett clearly stood out, she can act, she can do much more than being a take and re-take performer from the Television and Film stuff, and all the cast can act.
It was a modern day take.
My problem was with the translation, loads of swearing and references to Zelensky and Circe du Soliel and stuff, the design, indulgent extra bits like a golf cart and electric guitar playing and singing Billy Bragg stuff, and very poor ‘that’ll do’ directing.
It was as if whoever decided on the production thought ‘we’ve got Blanchett, that should be enough’ which indeed it will be as the whole thing is sold out.
Some parts, especially the end of both halves dragged on and on, and the actors voices (with one or two exceptions) were not good enough. Not Blanchett I would add.
Chekhov wrote four full length masterpieces starting with The Seagull, which was a game changer and brought us modern drama and acting in all spheres, but it was a prelude to his three later plays, all great, Uncle Vanya, Three Sisters and best of all The Cherry Orchard. People play around with Chekhov, often well like the Cherry Orchard at the Donmar recently, but you have to get it right.
I recently saw (as has @Weegie Addick of this parish) a classic ensemble Three Sisters at the Sam Wannamaker theatre which was a whole lot better than the Blanchett vehicle of last night. It is only because of Blanchett that I would give the Seagull at the Barbican a mark as high as a 6 on the Setheatreometer.
Then saw Hamilton on Wednesday evening (3rd time 2x London + 1xBroadway) and have to say that it has lost a bit of its shine. I think the show needs a bit of a ‘name’ for a spell. Just felt a bit flatter than the first two times I saw it - or maybe it was a one too many times watch!?! 6/10
Booked tickets for the Tina Turner musical for next month. Saw it with my wife a few years ago but we're taking our daughter this time.
Very funny reimagining of the Dracula story with 5 actors playing all the roles and Dracula himself now a pansexual baker!
Having seen "Wish you were Dead" at Brighton last year, and been very disappointed in the acting, we were pleasantly surprised at how much better this was - George Rainsford as Grace was very shouty and wooden in the first one, he was far better in this production, almost like a different actor. The rest of the cast were good too, particularly Gemma Stroyan as Bella Malloy.
"Inside No 9" was fantastic. I have never seen an audience so buzzing with anticipation and we were not let down. Reece and Steve are astoundingly good together, their interaction is so natural you can barely call it acting. It's clever and full of surprises.
There are strong rumours that Steve and Reece are going to tour the show once the run at the Wyndham ends
https://www.whatsonstage.com/tours/inside-no-9-stage-fright/
Oliver! was very good - does all the main big numbers very well, and Simon Lipkin as Fagin was absolutely brilliant, felt like he avoided all the Shylocky clichés and was a bit more compassionate and complicated than other takes I've seen on it.
Caught Six the Musical in the cinema - only really went as the kids wanted to, wasn't expecting much but actually really enjoyed it - the songs are really catchy, and it was a lot funnier than I thought it would be. Impressive that two Uni students wrote it.
Lastly Percy Jackson the Musical - my daughter loves the books (and I like them too - very sharp and witty), so we were really looking forward to it, but... meh. Wasn't awful but wouldn't rush back - nasally attempts at American accidents grate after a while, and it was all a bit cheap amateur/school production. Daughter enjoyed it though which is the main thing!
I saw a Macbeth there where the play started with great noise and soldiers raining down on the stage on zip wires, the kids were engaged from the start.