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.

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!