December 24th, 2013
Present: Nic and Brian
It's Panto. Oh no it isn't. Oh yes it ... might be.
Panto or not this was was ingeniously crafted and brilliantly funny. It followed the tried and tested formula of The Play That Goes Wrong (see July) and rightly so - if it ain't broke don't fix it.
This was on a somewhat grander scale, however, as, where there had been collapsing shelves and missing coat hooks, now there were collapsing bunk beds, a revolving stage and flying people.
This lacked a truly hilarious running gag like the "missing / wrong prop" that kept rearing its head in the Play That Goes Wrong - the spoon/scissor gag was along these lines but didn't play on through the show - but had plenty of other gags to keep you smiling and tittering.
The incredible thing is that the cast seemed remarkably bruise free and no real injuries seemed to occur in this high-energy, physical, slapstick show.
I'd go and see anything "go wrong" for Mischief Theatre.
Sunday, 29 December 2013
Saturday, 23 November 2013
Much Ado About Nothing, The Old Vic
November 20th, 2013
Present: Nic, Brian, Pierre-Yves, Luuk, Gill, Kauser, Barbara, Ron
Ms Redgrave was "indisposed", which seems to have happened a lot. Perhaps she'd been reading the reviews?!
Penelope Beaumont was excellent as Beatrice though - which is lucky as Beatrice does have all the best lines. This Beatrice was very natural with clear diction, unlike James Earl Jones, who frequently mumbled indistinctly (yet, richly and warmly, of course). He does have a most endearing smile, however.
In short, Mark Rylance's vision wasn't a patch on Josie Rourke's (David Tennant and Catherine Tate, see 2011). The Old Vic's productions, generally, are starting to feel a bit pedestrian and uninventive although, given the whoops of delight that accompanied the curtain call, perhaps they are playing for a different audience - they certainly missed the mark with us.
Present: Nic, Brian, Pierre-Yves, Luuk, Gill, Kauser, Barbara, Ron
Ms Redgrave was "indisposed", which seems to have happened a lot. Perhaps she'd been reading the reviews?!
Penelope Beaumont was excellent as Beatrice though - which is lucky as Beatrice does have all the best lines. This Beatrice was very natural with clear diction, unlike James Earl Jones, who frequently mumbled indistinctly (yet, richly and warmly, of course). He does have a most endearing smile, however.
In short, Mark Rylance's vision wasn't a patch on Josie Rourke's (David Tennant and Catherine Tate, see 2011). The Old Vic's productions, generally, are starting to feel a bit pedestrian and uninventive although, given the whoops of delight that accompanied the curtain call, perhaps they are playing for a different audience - they certainly missed the mark with us.
Tuesday, 12 November 2013
The Phantom of the Opera, Her Majesty's Theatre
November 12, 2013
Present: Nic, Clare
A spooky, magical, huge production. There was so much opera in Phantom of the ... Opera ... oh, now I get it! The performers voices were fantastic, with particular reference to the Phantom and Christine. The wind-up monkey was beyond sinister. The only disappointment was the final moment - cringingly cheesy and I have no idea why. Leave the mask glistening in the lights and put the curtain down, please!
Present: Nic, Clare
A spooky, magical, huge production. There was so much opera in Phantom of the ... Opera ... oh, now I get it! The performers voices were fantastic, with particular reference to the Phantom and Christine. The wind-up monkey was beyond sinister. The only disappointment was the final moment - cringingly cheesy and I have no idea why. Leave the mask glistening in the lights and put the curtain down, please!
Thursday, 12 September 2013
Fences, Duchess Theatre
September 11, 2013
Present: Nic, Brian
This seemed, initially, stilted with forced, difficult to understand American accents. However, everyone warmed up and Lenny Henry imbued his difficult character with warmth and sympathy in a great performance. Sadly, the same could not be said of the portrayal of his wife, which was awkward and "actressy" throughout. At curtain, after a frankly weird funeral ending, the people seated behind us alternated whoops and screams for Lenny with muttered "she was rubbish"es. We understood the sentiment. Lenny was good but the play was so-so at best.
Present: Nic, Brian
This seemed, initially, stilted with forced, difficult to understand American accents. However, everyone warmed up and Lenny Henry imbued his difficult character with warmth and sympathy in a great performance. Sadly, the same could not be said of the portrayal of his wife, which was awkward and "actressy" throughout. At curtain, after a frankly weird funeral ending, the people seated behind us alternated whoops and screams for Lenny with muttered "she was rubbish"es. We understood the sentiment. Lenny was good but the play was so-so at best.
Friday, 30 August 2013
Cabaret (Tour), New Wimbledon Theatre
August 29, 2013
Present: Nic, Clare and Sue
This was mostly the same show that we (Nic, Brian, Adrian and David) saw in the West End in 2007, when Julian Clary was (allegedly) playing the emcee though not on the night we were there. I thoroughly enjoyed seeing it again.
Will Young was pretty small from where we were sitting but he gave a spirited and physical performance with great character. His voice was quiet and sometimes indistinct on the opening "Willkommen, Bien Venue, Welcome" and faded in and out a bit on other songs too. Perhaps this was down to the venue rather than the performer though? His "Tomorrow belongs to me" was fabulous and Siobhan Dillon was an amazing Sally Bowles, nailing Cabaret and displaying an incredible voice. This production is dirty, funny and hard-hitting; the end is chilling.
Present: Nic, Clare and Sue
This was mostly the same show that we (Nic, Brian, Adrian and David) saw in the West End in 2007, when Julian Clary was (allegedly) playing the emcee though not on the night we were there. I thoroughly enjoyed seeing it again.
Will Young was pretty small from where we were sitting but he gave a spirited and physical performance with great character. His voice was quiet and sometimes indistinct on the opening "Willkommen, Bien Venue, Welcome" and faded in and out a bit on other songs too. Perhaps this was down to the venue rather than the performer though? His "Tomorrow belongs to me" was fabulous and Siobhan Dillon was an amazing Sally Bowles, nailing Cabaret and displaying an incredible voice. This production is dirty, funny and hard-hitting; the end is chilling.
Friday, 16 August 2013
Tosca, Soho Theatre
August 15, 2013
Present: Kate, Nic J, Nic
OperaUpClose, it said, and that it exactly what we got - from the front row!
Once I overcame the fear that an actor would trip over my feet, that I'd spill my drink causing them to slip or that I'd kick over the easel, which was very close, I was drawn in to this tragic tale of love, lust and corrupt politicos.
Being so close meant we could see every fleeting expression and also the effort and sometimes seeming lack of effort required to hit some extraordinarily powerful notes. An orchestra of 3 provided the music whilst a cast of 4 (may be 5 as we thought someone might be missing from the curtain call) sang. Of course, the plot was melodramatic and a little predictable but the performances were sensual and at times tense, it was pared-back but impressive and enjoyable with overtones of Othello and The Lives of Others. As Kate said, comments please on the motif of the handkerchief as a mechanism to inspire jealousy with a view to wicked manipulation.
Present: Kate, Nic J, Nic
OperaUpClose, it said, and that it exactly what we got - from the front row!
Once I overcame the fear that an actor would trip over my feet, that I'd spill my drink causing them to slip or that I'd kick over the easel, which was very close, I was drawn in to this tragic tale of love, lust and corrupt politicos.
Being so close meant we could see every fleeting expression and also the effort and sometimes seeming lack of effort required to hit some extraordinarily powerful notes. An orchestra of 3 provided the music whilst a cast of 4 (may be 5 as we thought someone might be missing from the curtain call) sang. Of course, the plot was melodramatic and a little predictable but the performances were sensual and at times tense, it was pared-back but impressive and enjoyable with overtones of Othello and The Lives of Others. As Kate said, comments please on the motif of the handkerchief as a mechanism to inspire jealousy with a view to wicked manipulation.
Thursday, 25 July 2013
Address Unknown, Soho Theatre
July 24th, 2013
Present: Nic, Brian, Luuk, Gill, Ron, Hanneke, and, eventually (!) Pierre-Yves, Nicola DL, Barbara, and Kauser.
Dinner: Post-theatre at Bibigo, Great Marlborough Street
Those Pimco folks continue to cut it fine and put in one of their best performances tonight!
Many of us had read the novella of the same name and were interested to see it brought to life. The staging was absolutely faithful to the book; understated and charming. The performances of both actors were precise, subtle and moving, their timing and their minimal interactions perfect, their facial expressions natural. Martin's transformation from happy, loving friend to Nazi was frightening and his final appeal for a mercy he had not himself been able to provide Griselle, emotional; Max's revenge was brutal and chilling.
The novella was published in 1938. That people could know so much of the atrocities happening in pre-war Germany yet do so little for so long gives the story real potency and the audience pause for thought.
A triumphant evening: gripping and thought-provoking theatre followed by a splendid meal. One act plays and 2 hour dinners may be the way forward!
Present: Nic, Brian, Luuk, Gill, Ron, Hanneke, and, eventually (!) Pierre-Yves, Nicola DL, Barbara, and Kauser.
Dinner: Post-theatre at Bibigo, Great Marlborough Street
Those Pimco folks continue to cut it fine and put in one of their best performances tonight!
Many of us had read the novella of the same name and were interested to see it brought to life. The staging was absolutely faithful to the book; understated and charming. The performances of both actors were precise, subtle and moving, their timing and their minimal interactions perfect, their facial expressions natural. Martin's transformation from happy, loving friend to Nazi was frightening and his final appeal for a mercy he had not himself been able to provide Griselle, emotional; Max's revenge was brutal and chilling.
The novella was published in 1938. That people could know so much of the atrocities happening in pre-war Germany yet do so little for so long gives the story real potency and the audience pause for thought.
A triumphant evening: gripping and thought-provoking theatre followed by a splendid meal. One act plays and 2 hour dinners may be the way forward!
Wednesday, 24 July 2013
Introducing the Theatre Blog
It has been an amazing year of theatre-going, with friends old and new, and last year wasn't too shabby either. Recognition of that fact, coupled with a few "Do you remember ..."-type conversations where it became clear that we don't always recall what we saw, when, who was in it, or who was with us, led me to conclude that a "diary" of sorts would be a great way to keep track.
And here it is. Reviews from our assorted "theatre club" members welcome - on plays we all saw together or ones you saw with "other" friends [gasp!] - as well as comments on existing reviews. If you stumble upon this blog ... feel free to comment also!
So, from here on out, we'll try to keep track of what we see. I'll play "catch-up" a bit too by looking through old theatre ticket stubs and back-dating reviews but they're likely to be thin on detail as it is that dreadful memory of mine that's prompted this blog.
And here it is. Reviews from our assorted "theatre club" members welcome - on plays we all saw together or ones you saw with "other" friends [gasp!] - as well as comments on existing reviews. If you stumble upon this blog ... feel free to comment also!
So, from here on out, we'll try to keep track of what we see. I'll play "catch-up" a bit too by looking through old theatre ticket stubs and back-dating reviews but they're likely to be thin on detail as it is that dreadful memory of mine that's prompted this blog.
Tuesday, 16 July 2013
Jersey Boys, Prince Edward Theatre
Present: Nic, Brian, Nita
Date: July 13, 2013
Another Saturday matinee, this time with Brian's Mum. It was a hot and sunny day so, after deciding on this show at the Leicester Square ticket booth, we headed for lunch (some pretty good tapas at Bodega Negra, conveniently located for the theatre) and then we went in for the performance, hoping for air conditioning and not disappointed - phew!
Brian had no idea he knew so many Four Seasons songs and even I was surprised. The performers were very strong, with great voices. The way the story was told by each character from his own perspective was interesting and the set had some cunning moments, such as when we were blinded by the stage lights, seeing what they saw, as though on stage with the performers. But the music is the star of this show. The standing ovation appeared 100% and everyone left the theatre humming and smiling.
Date: July 13, 2013
Another Saturday matinee, this time with Brian's Mum. It was a hot and sunny day so, after deciding on this show at the Leicester Square ticket booth, we headed for lunch (some pretty good tapas at Bodega Negra, conveniently located for the theatre) and then we went in for the performance, hoping for air conditioning and not disappointed - phew!
Brian had no idea he knew so many Four Seasons songs and even I was surprised. The performers were very strong, with great voices. The way the story was told by each character from his own perspective was interesting and the set had some cunning moments, such as when we were blinded by the stage lights, seeing what they saw, as though on stage with the performers. But the music is the star of this show. The standing ovation appeared 100% and everyone left the theatre humming and smiling.
Friday, 12 July 2013
The Play That Goes Wrong, Trafalgar Studios
Present: Nic, Brian, Helen
Date: July 11, 2013
Drinks: Pre-dinner at the The Old Shades
Dinner: Post-theatre at Busaba Eathai (after abandoning the queue at Eat Tokyo)
Only when we came out did we discover this is written and performed by Mischief Theatre, a small theatre group about to take this to Edinburgh. We felt privileged to see it first. Funny even before the "start" it builds to hilarious and then keeps getting funnier until you are weak with laughter and with tears rolling down your aching cheeks. This venue is so small, I was fairly sure they could see me in the back (i.e. third) row - so they they are getting some pretty immediate and positive audience feedback with this. The play would need some work to play a larger venue (keeping the set together would otherwise be tricky for two characters) and the sense of amateurism, on which the plot relies, may be lost so I hope it is possible for the writers and cast to make money performing in venues of this size.
It seems assured of success in Edinburgh and can hopefully pick up a backer to come back to town again. In which case, I'd go see it again. Slapstick brilliance.
Date: July 11, 2013
Drinks: Pre-dinner at the The Old Shades
Dinner: Post-theatre at Busaba Eathai (after abandoning the queue at Eat Tokyo)
Only when we came out did we discover this is written and performed by Mischief Theatre, a small theatre group about to take this to Edinburgh. We felt privileged to see it first. Funny even before the "start" it builds to hilarious and then keeps getting funnier until you are weak with laughter and with tears rolling down your aching cheeks. This venue is so small, I was fairly sure they could see me in the back (i.e. third) row - so they they are getting some pretty immediate and positive audience feedback with this. The play would need some work to play a larger venue (keeping the set together would otherwise be tricky for two characters) and the sense of amateurism, on which the plot relies, may be lost so I hope it is possible for the writers and cast to make money performing in venues of this size.
It seems assured of success in Edinburgh and can hopefully pick up a backer to come back to town again. In which case, I'd go see it again. Slapstick brilliance.
Thursday, 4 July 2013
Othello, The National (The Olivier)
Present: Nic, Helen, Kate
Date: July 3, 2013
Adrian Lester and Rory Kinnear both shone in this production.
There was nothing of Mickey Bricks to see here except his ability to wear anything and make it look good. Adrian Lester's Othello was handsome, sexy, good but frightening, strong but flawed: one who indeed loved not wisely but too well.
The updated environs - East London (?) and a military barracks in Cyprus - worked well and the staging was as clever as we've come to expect at The Olivier - the malfunction in the early minutes of Act one being the first we'd experienced and the re-starting of the play after a short hiatus met with British good will and cheers.
The ending was violent. The naivete of Iago's wife, as always, is a bit of a stumbling block but then, language, not plotting was always Shakespeare's strength!
Thursday, 20 June 2013
Travels With My Aunt, Menier Chocolate Factory
June 19th, 2013
Present: Nic, Brian, Gill, Kauser, Sandra, Ron, Hanneke, Pierre-Yves, Luuk, Nicola DL, Barbara (and special guest, Kate)
Dinner: pre-theatre at Menier's restaurant
Drinks: post-theatre at Katzenjammers Bierkeller, Southwark Street
A decent meal (though the Pimco folks were running late and had to eat quickly!) and good beers after the event too (albeit in a hot house!).
The play was funny, as expected, and unexpectedly quirky, which is very much in keeping with the book. Those who had not read the book seemed to enjoy the performance as much as those who had and there was much to enjoy. A stark and simple stage provided all locations with minimal set movement - just the odd prop promoted to the foreground or withdrawn to the back occasionally - and just four actors graced the stage, each dressed in matching, sombre, retired-bank-manager, grey suits. Yet, in this garb and within this set, they played every role, in every location, in every country visited by globe-trotting Aunt Augusta and her suffering side-kick. All four played Henry, sometimes switching mid-speech, may be mid-sentence, and each also undertook one or more other roles. One (from House of Cards - the original version) played Aunt Augusta, hands fluttering under her chin and voice soaring to new heights. One played both Wordsworth and Mr Visconti. One played both young female and old male Tooley to great success. The character changes added to the sense of frivolity, chaos and charm.
We all left smiling.
Present: Nic, Brian, Gill, Kauser, Sandra, Ron, Hanneke, Pierre-Yves, Luuk, Nicola DL, Barbara (and special guest, Kate)
Dinner: pre-theatre at Menier's restaurant
Drinks: post-theatre at Katzenjammers Bierkeller, Southwark Street
A decent meal (though the Pimco folks were running late and had to eat quickly!) and good beers after the event too (albeit in a hot house!).
The play was funny, as expected, and unexpectedly quirky, which is very much in keeping with the book. Those who had not read the book seemed to enjoy the performance as much as those who had and there was much to enjoy. A stark and simple stage provided all locations with minimal set movement - just the odd prop promoted to the foreground or withdrawn to the back occasionally - and just four actors graced the stage, each dressed in matching, sombre, retired-bank-manager, grey suits. Yet, in this garb and within this set, they played every role, in every location, in every country visited by globe-trotting Aunt Augusta and her suffering side-kick. All four played Henry, sometimes switching mid-speech, may be mid-sentence, and each also undertook one or more other roles. One (from House of Cards - the original version) played Aunt Augusta, hands fluttering under her chin and voice soaring to new heights. One played both Wordsworth and Mr Visconti. One played both young female and old male Tooley to great success. The character changes added to the sense of frivolity, chaos and charm. We all left smiling.
Tuesday, 18 June 2013
The 39 Steps, Criterion Theatre
Present: Nic, Brian, Wendy
Date: June 15, 2013
Was it the cocktails and wine at Spuntino ahead of lunch or was it just that this play is really, really funny? Although I've spoken recently with someone who hated this (cannot remember who), we loved it. True, the "thrill" from the original thriller are utterly lost, replaced with jokes both physical and verbal, some acrobatics (the "dead" woman in Hannay's flat doing some splendid planking) and a host of characters portrayed only by a change of coat or hat, with the same actor at one time talking to himself as he twists and turns half-in, half-out of two coats and sometimes between accents. Gloriously funny farce. If that's what you go expecting, you won't be disappointed. More cocktails afterwards!Friday, 31 May 2013
Autobahn, The Bridewell Theatre
Date: May 30, 2013
Present: Nic, Brian, Alessandro, Jenny Mann, plus Albert and assorted SCEE staff by separate arrangement
A bit of AmDram to support Alex Hornby, who turned in a disturbing performance as a paedophile school teacher in this cycle of 2-person vignettes.
There were a couple of wobbly accents but the general standard was high.
Favourites, apart, of course, from Mr Hornby, were the girl who was being driven home from rehab by her Mum and the wife who had accidentally had a group orgy, again.
Present: Nic, Brian, Alessandro, Jenny Mann, plus Albert and assorted SCEE staff by separate arrangement
There were a couple of wobbly accents but the general standard was high.
Favourites, apart, of course, from Mr Hornby, were the girl who was being driven home from rehab by her Mum and the wife who had accidentally had a group orgy, again.
Tuesday, 14 May 2013
The Winslow Boy, The Old Vic
Present: Nic and Kate
Date: May 13, 2013
This night is memorable for two reasons. One: it was the day I gave a poor homeless man, who had asked for money for chips, a quinoa, fig, beetroot and feta salad. Two, it was the interval discussion that has led to this blog as I sought to remember the other Rattigan play "we'd" seen at the Old Vic and it transpired that "we" hadn't seen it at all: I had seen it with Helen, Nic and Brian. Time to try to out-pace the Alzheimer's by keeping a written record!
The set was charming and authentic and the acting was strong - the suffragette daughter a particular favourite; as well as the barrister seemingly inhuman but then touchingly human; and Henry Goodman was also on good form. Rattigan's skill is his ability to capture human frailties and emotions and to create "real" characters (though these are real people and events, I believe, which makes it easier). This was accomplished but old-fashioned theatre. Nothing revolutionary but a nice, period reproduction of a Rattigan (though not my favourite, which of what I've seen to date, is After the Dance).
Date: May 13, 2013
This night is memorable for two reasons. One: it was the day I gave a poor homeless man, who had asked for money for chips, a quinoa, fig, beetroot and feta salad. Two, it was the interval discussion that has led to this blog as I sought to remember the other Rattigan play "we'd" seen at the Old Vic and it transpired that "we" hadn't seen it at all: I had seen it with Helen, Nic and Brian. Time to try to out-pace the Alzheimer's by keeping a written record!
The set was charming and authentic and the acting was strong - the suffragette daughter a particular favourite; as well as the barrister seemingly inhuman but then touchingly human; and Henry Goodman was also on good form. Rattigan's skill is his ability to capture human frailties and emotions and to create "real" characters (though these are real people and events, I believe, which makes it easier). This was accomplished but old-fashioned theatre. Nothing revolutionary but a nice, period reproduction of a Rattigan (though not my favourite, which of what I've seen to date, is After the Dance).
Sunday, 12 May 2013
Doktor Glas, Wyndhams Theatre
Present: Nic, Nic J, Brian
Date: May 11, 2013
Dinner: Post-theatre at Eat Tokyo, Trafalgar Square
This was, admittedly, a wild card entry into the year's theatre going - an 85 minute, one man monologue in Swedish with subtitles. It was the last night, yet, you'll be surprised to read, it was not a full house and we were happily upgraded from the back of the gods (we hadn't wanted to gamble the cost of the expensive seats on this!) to the dress circle.
Nic and I awarded ourselves some pre-theatre prosecco for our post 15-mile walk from Hampton Court to Hammersmith - our first training walk for September's marathon. My feet were what hurt before the play but after it I could barely straighten up - only the lure of Eat Tokyo could keep me shuffling onwards.
Initially we were intrigued by where the subtitles would be shown. When the play started it was revealed they were on mounted screens but also projected onto the scenery itself, making it easy to both watch the words and the actor (Wallander: not the fat ugly guy and not KB), whose face and voice were emotional and expressive. The play had some profundities and great quotes:
"We want to be loved; failing that, admired; failing that, feared; failing that, hated and despised."
It turned out to be interesting and rewarding though sombre. It certainly made me want to read the play. The actor appeared sincerely touched at the end and received a standing ovation, lobbing red roses from the stage into the audience.
Date: May 11, 2013
Dinner: Post-theatre at Eat Tokyo, Trafalgar Square
This was, admittedly, a wild card entry into the year's theatre going - an 85 minute, one man monologue in Swedish with subtitles. It was the last night, yet, you'll be surprised to read, it was not a full house and we were happily upgraded from the back of the gods (we hadn't wanted to gamble the cost of the expensive seats on this!) to the dress circle.
Nic and I awarded ourselves some pre-theatre prosecco for our post 15-mile walk from Hampton Court to Hammersmith - our first training walk for September's marathon. My feet were what hurt before the play but after it I could barely straighten up - only the lure of Eat Tokyo could keep me shuffling onwards.Initially we were intrigued by where the subtitles would be shown. When the play started it was revealed they were on mounted screens but also projected onto the scenery itself, making it easy to both watch the words and the actor (Wallander: not the fat ugly guy and not KB), whose face and voice were emotional and expressive. The play had some profundities and great quotes:
"We want to be loved; failing that, admired; failing that, feared; failing that, hated and despised."
It turned out to be interesting and rewarding though sombre. It certainly made me want to read the play. The actor appeared sincerely touched at the end and received a standing ovation, lobbing red roses from the stage into the audience.
Saturday, 27 April 2013
Beautiful Thing, Arts Theatre
Date: April 26, 2013
Present: Nic, Pierre-Yves, Luuk, Kauser, Sandra, Carole, Nicola DL, Barbara (guesting for Gill)
Dinner: Pre-theatre at SUDA, Thai Cafe, Covent Garden
A charming, feel good play, with a happy ending that was not always foreseeable for those who hadn't seen the film or play before. Suranne Jones (Corrie fame) played the Mum with energy and clear enjoyment. However, there was something lacking, something ambiguous about her love for her son albeit they were obviously a more functional familial unit than that of her son's love interest and his unseen but violent and homophobic father (whose off stage presence created the tension felt by those unfamiliar with the story). It was the relationship and blossoming romance between the two boys that really charmed us: warm, gentle and charmingly and humorously portrayed.
We left smiling and singing Mama Cass songs, which was in stark contrast to how I left Peter and Alice on the same street the night before. And how it must have delighted the cabbie!
Friday, 26 April 2013
Peter and Alice, Noel Coward Theatre
Present: Nic, Helen, Kate
Date: April 25, 2013
With Judi Dench and Ben Whishaw starring, we had high expectations and we weren't disappointed. Some initial reviews were shaky. Yes, it was a bit of a slow grower but, once it warmed it up, it grew and grew. It was a treat to see two such accomplished actors at work. Their interactions were natural, their conversation real - sometimes interrupting or speaking over each other. They both could represent pain and joy vividly, even in their recollections. There was a sense that Alice loved being inspiration for Alice in Wonderland, whilst for Peter, being forever Peter Pan seemed to have brought nothing but heartache - I don't know how true that is. Unfamiliar with the life of Peter Llewellyn Davies, Ben Whishaw reduced me to tears (both inside the theatre and out, when Kate asked what had made me cry) as he relived his time in the trenches and we learned how his story ends. And throughout there was a sense of discomfort from what we know of the ambiguous relationships both of the writers - Carroll and Barrie - had with their young inspirations "Alice" and "Peter".
A brilliant and bargain night's theatre!
Date: April 25, 2013
With Judi Dench and Ben Whishaw starring, we had high expectations and we weren't disappointed. Some initial reviews were shaky. Yes, it was a bit of a slow grower but, once it warmed it up, it grew and grew. It was a treat to see two such accomplished actors at work. Their interactions were natural, their conversation real - sometimes interrupting or speaking over each other. They both could represent pain and joy vividly, even in their recollections. There was a sense that Alice loved being inspiration for Alice in Wonderland, whilst for Peter, being forever Peter Pan seemed to have brought nothing but heartache - I don't know how true that is. Unfamiliar with the life of Peter Llewellyn Davies, Ben Whishaw reduced me to tears (both inside the theatre and out, when Kate asked what had made me cry) as he relived his time in the trenches and we learned how his story ends. And throughout there was a sense of discomfort from what we know of the ambiguous relationships both of the writers - Carroll and Barrie - had with their young inspirations "Alice" and "Peter".
A brilliant and bargain night's theatre!
Saturday, 9 February 2013
Friday, 1 February 2013
Friday, 25 January 2013
The Odd Couple, The Bridewell Theatre
Present: SCEE L&BA
Date: January 24, 2013
This was our first outing to see Alex Hornby since last year's panto. Oh no it wasn't. Oh yes it was. He was in front of us for the whole thing - never off the stage but for a couple of minutes, while he was making drinks and Rebecca Manley was making us laugh.
Good stuff. Some great accents and acting. Lots of fun for audience and cast alike.
Thursday, 17 January 2013
The Magistrate, The National Theatre (The Olivier)
Present: Nic, Brian, Gill, Pierre-Yves, Luuk, Barbara, Nicola DL
It didn't get rave reviews in the press but we all heartily enjoyed this - a clever moving set that was repositioned around a chorus who sang "Gilbert and Sullivan"-ish songs that foretold the coming chaos on the next scene. The boy, who didn't know he was a man, was entertaining yet oddly and comedically sinister and John Lithgow struck a quite excellent upper class English accent to play the worn-down magistrate. Comic capers and entertainment for post-Christmas, blue January. And a celebrity spot off stage as Felicity Kendall was in the audience - old Rosemary scrubs up well after the gardening.
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