This year at the theatre....
- Thread starter belboid
- Start date
belboid
Exasperated, not angry.
Coming out of Blasted I bumped into an old mate who said he was tempted by AoW, but wasn't really convinced of the need to see a Kinnockites critique of the (then nascent) Blairism. he does, of course, have a point, but he's also quite wrong. Anyone who remembers the '92 election, when Labour were only shit, as opposed to completely and utterly shit, can't help but be compelled by the superbly written jousts and withering analysis of the shriveled arena of official 'politics' in the age of neo-liberalism. The Guardian review says they can't see any parallels with Ed Miliband, but they must be blind. There's a bit where Labour leader George Jones (a gobsmackingly good Reece Dinsdale) tries to speak unscriped, but then realises there isn't anything he can actually talk about honestly, you're not allowed to talk about what needs to be done or you'll be crucified, so you talk about, and promise, and do, vague platitudes about fairness and defending the NHS, but that's it.
It's also very funny.
It's at Sheffield for another week and is then touring right up until the election. Very, very well worth seeing.
serious question why do people bother with the theatre? All the actors shout and wave their arms around. Why not just film stuff?
QueenOfGoths
Fuck you Dave!
We went to see the tour of "Twelve Angry Men" at Windsor a couple of weeks ago. It was excellent, great play, good performances and a really simple but wonderful idea for the set.
It's touring until June or July I think and I can recommend it.
It's touring until June or July I think and I can recommend it.
QueenOfGoths
Fuck you Dave!
No they don't
belboid
Exasperated, not angry.
Intensity. A good production will grip you and draw you in in a way even the best film won't. There's also admiring just a really well done staging, and just the way they realise some of the stage directions. 'Exit pursued by a bear' is really easy to do on film, but on a stage.... There's some great creativity in making those scenes work (when they do). With musicals there's also just tht thing of being a ta liver performance, especially with big choral pieces.
Of course, when theatre's shit, it's really fucking painful, and almost impossible to turn off/walk out from.
fair enough, probably just never been to a decent one
spanglechick
High Empress of Dressing Up
Ok, so - almost all film and telly narrative performance is naturalistic. It is designed to be a more or less credible facsimile of real life, and we laud screen actors who can credibly transform into nuanced and individual characters. We could compare it to an artist who can draw or pain photorealistcally.
Theatre can't really compete on those grounds because there's this huge background awareness that you're in the same room as the actors. That the actors can see, hear, smell you. Added to that special effects are more limited, locations generally look less real and so on.
But the thing about art, whether visual art or dramatic art - is that realism isn't always what you want. The ultra-accurate pencil sketch is impressive... But it doesn't communicate with my soul like seeing a Rothko. So what theatre can do, is create abstract art. Great theatre often breaks rules. It fucks with your head. My two favourite plays of the last couple if years were Scottsboro Boys and the recent young Vic production of "A View from the Bridge". Neither if which would have worked on film.
If we acknowledge the shortcomings of theatre, it tells us where to start finding its unique strengths.
Theatre can't really compete on those grounds because there's this huge background awareness that you're in the same room as the actors. That the actors can see, hear, smell you. Added to that special effects are more limited, locations generally look less real and so on.
But the thing about art, whether visual art or dramatic art - is that realism isn't always what you want. The ultra-accurate pencil sketch is impressive... But it doesn't communicate with my soul like seeing a Rothko. So what theatre can do, is create abstract art. Great theatre often breaks rules. It fucks with your head. My two favourite plays of the last couple if years were Scottsboro Boys and the recent young Vic production of "A View from the Bridge". Neither if which would have worked on film.
If we acknowledge the shortcomings of theatre, it tells us where to start finding its unique strengths.
butchersapron
Bring back hanging
That looks good! It's at Hull Truck Theatre next month, so might well go along.
This was great last night, very funny, very angry and very energetic. Pretty good numbers too (around 120 for a non-theatre venue).
redsquirrel
This Machine Kills Progressives
Why bother with films when you've got the TV? Because it's a totally different art form, with it's own advantages and limitations. As belboid says, there's an intensity in theatre simply because it's happening right there in front of you, and you can get different things out of it.
This is totally true through, bad theatre is a millions times worse than bad cinema
The History Boys was brilliant at Hull New Theatre yesterday. Well worth seeing whilst it's touring.
Lord Camomile
Yipchaa!
Been meaning to catch it since its first run and a mate who went to see it last week is now desperate for me to see it so he can talk to me about it
Will have to see if I can pick up a cheapish ticket.
Pickman's model
Starry Wisdom
saw the changeling at the sam wanamaker playhouse a few weeks ago, very good.
Pickman's model
Starry Wisdom
next you'll doubtless be wondering why people go to see bands play live, when the studio version of songs so much better
skyscraper101
0891 50 50 50
Went to see 'My Night With Reg' the other day - not my cup of tea really but the acting was good.
next you'll doubtless be wondering why people go to see bands play live, when the studio version of songs so much better
Never experienced the roar of the greasepaint, nor the smell of the audience...
Lord Camomile
Yipchaa!
Have booked for 10 March, along with an aftershow discussion about the dark web.Been meaning to catch it since its first run and a mate who went to see it last week is now desperate for me to see it so he can talk to me about it
There are some other interesting (free) aftershows going on, and I don't think you need a ticket to that evening's performance to attend the aftershows:
- 3 March: Theatre and Technology
- 10 March: Online Policing and The Dark Web
- 17 March: Living Online
- 24 March: The Future of Theatre Design with panel led by Es Devlin
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Lord Camomile
Yipchaa!
Also going to see Fiction at the BAC in March, can't bloody wait. Like Fuel's previous production Ring, the piece will play out in complete darkness while the audience sit with headphones on listening to a binaural recording
Have also been toying going to see Kim Noble's You're Not Alone at the Soho Theatre; his last show I saw there was unlike anything else I've ever seen, though also incredibly uncomfortable so I'm being a bit of a fraidy cat about going to this one 
Have also been toying going to see Kim Noble's You're Not Alone at the Soho Theatre; his last show I saw there was unlike anything else I've ever seen, though also incredibly uncomfortable so I'm being a bit of a fraidy cat about going to this one
Mrs Miggins
Eternal
"Radiant Vermin" at the Soho Theatre in London.
Just been to see it tonight.
One of the best plays I've ever seen. It was funny. It was dark as fuck. Brilliantly written by Philip Ridley and brilliantly played by just 3 actors on a completely blank stage. The acting was awesome. Get a ticket if you can!
Just been to see it tonight.
One of the best plays I've ever seen. It was funny. It was dark as fuck. Brilliantly written by Philip Ridley and brilliantly played by just 3 actors on a completely blank stage. The acting was awesome. Get a ticket if you can!
spanglechick
High Empress of Dressing Up
Oh - I saw the new touring production of The Producers last weekend. It's pretty good. Jason Mansford surprisingly competent considering lack of MT training. Phill Jupitus milking every laugh out of the nazi... even Louis Spence manages not to be irritating, owing to camp context. Plenty of proper actors too, btw.
belboid
Exasperated, not angry.
Rasheeda Speaking
Our big theatre trip over in Yankeeland, it's a new piece about modern day racism & HR in a doctors office. It's mostly very well written, two good, sympathetic characters, and a bastard. The two women are at at loggerheads, and sometimes fight and sometimes try to come together. As office politics its very good. And there is a superb speech toward the end (which gives the play its title) which is also brilliantly done. But the denouement...left me unconvinced, it was just too sudden, 'would she really do that?' and seemingly contrived.
Very well worth seeing just for the performance of the two leads - Dianne (Hannah and her Sisters, Bullets Over Broadway) Wiest, and Tonya (lots of Broadway Tony winning stuff) Pinkins - who were absolutely enthralling. But mostly worth seeing for the audience, and just how different it was to what a British one would have been. There were as many black people in that fairly small theatre as I've seen the the last dozen plays I've been to here, I'd reckon, and moments of dialogue that would get a 'interested intake of breath' were being hooted at. The audience reaction was far more intense and almost 'you fucking DARE come down here and say that.' Quite fascinating.
Our big theatre trip over in Yankeeland, it's a new piece about modern day racism & HR in a doctors office. It's mostly very well written, two good, sympathetic characters, and a bastard. The two women are at at loggerheads, and sometimes fight and sometimes try to come together. As office politics its very good. And there is a superb speech toward the end (which gives the play its title) which is also brilliantly done. But the denouement...left me unconvinced, it was just too sudden, 'would she really do that?' and seemingly contrived.
Very well worth seeing just for the performance of the two leads - Dianne (Hannah and her Sisters, Bullets Over Broadway) Wiest, and Tonya (lots of Broadway Tony winning stuff) Pinkins - who were absolutely enthralling. But mostly worth seeing for the audience, and just how different it was to what a British one would have been. There were as many black people in that fairly small theatre as I've seen the the last dozen plays I've been to here, I'd reckon, and moments of dialogue that would get a 'interested intake of breath' were being hooted at. The audience reaction was far more intense and almost 'you fucking DARE come down here and say that.' Quite fascinating.
redsquirrel
This Machine Kills Progressives
Melbourne Theatre Company's version of Endgame by Beckett
Didn't really grab me to be honest. I don't think that's the fault of the performers but rather than I just couldn't get into the play. I saw the version of Waiting For Godot starring Ian McKellen a few years ago and quite enjoyed that but whereas in that there was a lot of energy, Endgame was just so static, I know that's the point but didn't help me to get adsorbed in the play (the fact that I was knackered and still trying to get over jet lag from a 16 hour flight probably didn't help matters).
Didn't really grab me to be honest. I don't think that's the fault of the performers but rather than I just couldn't get into the play. I saw the version of Waiting For Godot starring Ian McKellen a few years ago and quite enjoyed that but whereas in that there was a lot of energy, Endgame was just so static, I know that's the point but didn't help me to get adsorbed in the play (the fact that I was knackered and still trying to get over jet lag from a 16 hour flight probably didn't help matters).
clicker
nanook rubs it....
Just booked tickets to see Tommy opening at Greenwich Theatre soon, saw it in 1979 in the The Queens in london, as a star struck teenager with a lovely mate, it had Allan Love playing Tommy, in fact we saw it an obscene number of times and drooled considerably. Going to see this in July with the same mate who drooled over Allan with me in 1979 
We are going to recreate our youth, drink Colt 45 and wear afghans.
Wed 29 July - Sun 23 August 2015
Based on the iconic 1969 double album rock opera, The Who's Tommy is an exhilarating story of hope, healing, and the human spirit. The story of the pinball-playing, deaf, dumb and blind boy who triumphs over his adversities has inspired, amazed and puzzled audiences for more than 40 years.
This five-time TONY Award, four-time Drama Desk Award and three-time Olivier Award winning musical was translated to the stage by theatrical wizard Des McAnuff (Jersey Boys, Guys & Dolls, Jesus Christ Superstar) and Pete Townshend into a high-energy, one-of-a-kind theatrical event.
The first UK revival in 19 years will mark the 40th Anniversary of the original film and the 50th Anniversary of The Who with a brand new production with direction by Award Winning theatre Director Michael Strassen (Pacific Overtures, Billy, Assassins), Musical Direction by Kevin Oliver Jones (West End - Thriller Live, Elvis, Dancing in the Streets).
We are going to recreate our youth, drink Colt 45 and wear afghans. Wed 29 July - Sun 23 August 2015
Based on the iconic 1969 double album rock opera, The Who's Tommy is an exhilarating story of hope, healing, and the human spirit. The story of the pinball-playing, deaf, dumb and blind boy who triumphs over his adversities has inspired, amazed and puzzled audiences for more than 40 years.
This five-time TONY Award, four-time Drama Desk Award and three-time Olivier Award winning musical was translated to the stage by theatrical wizard Des McAnuff (Jersey Boys, Guys & Dolls, Jesus Christ Superstar) and Pete Townshend into a high-energy, one-of-a-kind theatrical event.
The first UK revival in 19 years will mark the 40th Anniversary of the original film and the 50th Anniversary of The Who with a brand new production with direction by Award Winning theatre Director Michael Strassen (Pacific Overtures, Billy, Assassins), Musical Direction by Kevin Oliver Jones (West End - Thriller Live, Elvis, Dancing in the Streets).
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Reno
The In Kraut
As a fan of the Stephen King novel and the 70s film since I was a kid, few weeks ago I went to see Carrie The Musical at the Southwark Playhouse. An off-West End revival of the RSC/Broadway show which has become a byword for "theatrical disaster", this was surprisingly good if you are partial to showtunes and buckets of blood. Catchy songs (in an 80s power ballad sort of way) and a fantastic cast made this bounce along nicely and this time round the show got great reviews. Much of has been rejigged since its notorious debut, some of the lesser numbers have been replaced with better songs and it really worked as a horror musical. Its finished now, but as it's had successful revivals here and in the States I hope it will come back soon.
Maurice Picarda
Actually, might as well flounce.
Tickets secured for You Me Bum Bum Train on my birthday; anyone else?
Lord Camomile
Yipchaa!
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