I went to Kings Speech with the Mrs and thought it was really good. Will be trying to see many more shows.
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Theatre 2012
- Thread starter Barry Izbak
- Start date
I went to Kings Speech with the Mrs and thought it was really good. Will be trying to see many more shows.
I have tickets to see Damon Alban's Dr Dee at the Colloseum.
CP 0 3 BHA
Well-known member
Matilda wins a record 7 Oliviers - thoroughly deserved and a fantastic show for all ages. All hail the genius Tim Minchin!
My missus' barnet looks like Tim Minchin when she has a very bad hair day.
Cheeky Monkey
Well-known member
- Jul 17, 2003
- 23,850
We're off to see Zach Braff's All New People in London neggst week. Had luke warm reviews but just seeing JD in the flesh will be enough and the tickets were only £15 for top circle.
Also booked to see the National Theatre Live's performance of Frankenstein at the Duke of Porks in June - Johnny Lee Miller appearing in our showing, Benedict Cumberbatch doing the other live screened performance.
Also booked to see the National Theatre Live's performance of Frankenstein at the Duke of Porks in June - Johnny Lee Miller appearing in our showing, Benedict Cumberbatch doing the other live screened performance.
Barry Izbak
U.T.A.
- Thread starter
- #26
I can't stand musicals, and especially not modern musicals based on a pathetic American film. So it was purely only out of a sense of "duty" that I accompanied my partner to His Majesty's Theatre, when we were in Aberdeen last week, to see Legally Blonde - The Musical.
I imagine it was like a musical stage version of Glee, which I understand is some sort of US TV programme with high pitched screeching kids talking bollocks.
I find that lowering my expectations when faced with this sort of pap is the secret to getting through the evening, but not even this prepared me for the performance of Les Dennis, singing in the role of the professor. If you thought he was awful before, you really need to see this.
On a positive note, this show has won all sorts of awards, my partner loved it, the theatre itself was superb, having been renovated in a traditional style in the 1980s, and the bar prices were half what they are at the Theatre Royal Brighton. They needed to be, because I needed regular drinks to get through this.
Accepting that this show was not aimed at the likes of me, I have increased my mark accordingly:
1/10
I imagine it was like a musical stage version of Glee, which I understand is some sort of US TV programme with high pitched screeching kids talking bollocks.
I find that lowering my expectations when faced with this sort of pap is the secret to getting through the evening, but not even this prepared me for the performance of Les Dennis, singing in the role of the professor. If you thought he was awful before, you really need to see this.
On a positive note, this show has won all sorts of awards, my partner loved it, the theatre itself was superb, having been renovated in a traditional style in the 1980s, and the bar prices were half what they are at the Theatre Royal Brighton. They needed to be, because I needed regular drinks to get through this.
Accepting that this show was not aimed at the likes of me, I have increased my mark accordingly:
1/10
Cheeky Monkey
Well-known member
- Jul 17, 2003
- 23,850
Sold out showing of Frakenstein (NTLive) at the Duke of Yorks last night - what a performance from Jonny Lee Miller.
shaolinpunk
[Insert witty title here]
I can't stand musicals, and especially not modern musicals based on a pathetic American film. So it was purely only out of a sense of "duty" that I accompanied my partner to His Majesty's Theatre, when we were in Aberdeen last week, to see Legally Blonde - The Musical.
I imagine it was like a musical stage version of Glee, which I understand is some sort of US TV programme with high pitched screeching kids talking bollocks.
I find that lowering my expectations when faced with this sort of pap is the secret to getting through the evening, but not even this prepared me for the performance of Les Dennis, singing in the role of the professor. If you thought he was awful before, you really need to see this.
On a positive note, this show has won all sorts of awards, my partner loved it, the theatre itself was superb, having been renovated in a traditional style in the 1980s, and the bar prices were half what they are at the Theatre Royal Brighton. They needed to be, because I needed regular drinks to get through this.
Accepting that this show was not aimed at the likes of me, I have increased my mark accordingly:
1/10
I saw this in London last year and thought it was chuffing brilliant...
Very different cast no doubt
Stuff coming up...
There's some really good stuff recently been announced (not least the Royal Court Season at the end of this year). Joe Penhall's 'Birthday' should be very good indeed, as should 'The River' by the legend Jez Butterworth (both at The Royal Court). Sadly, Richard Bean's adaptation of 'The Count of Monte Cristo', scheduled at The National for Christmas, has been postponed indefinitely "to allow time for further development". Given they've sold thousands of tickets for it, it must've been shaping up to be reeeally bad...
In short, go see something at The Royal Court - their programme this year is immense!
There's some really good stuff recently been announced (not least the Royal Court Season at the end of this year). Joe Penhall's 'Birthday' should be very good indeed, as should 'The River' by the legend Jez Butterworth (both at The Royal Court). Sadly, Richard Bean's adaptation of 'The Count of Monte Cristo', scheduled at The National for Christmas, has been postponed indefinitely "to allow time for further development". Given they've sold thousands of tickets for it, it must've been shaping up to be reeeally bad...
In short, go see something at The Royal Court - their programme this year is immense!
Cheeky Monkey
Well-known member
- Jul 17, 2003
- 23,850
Booked for Birthday at the Royal Court - £12 tickets - bargain! Steven Mangan - what's not to like?
sevendials
sevendials
If you are looking for great regional theatre at bargain prices try the Chichester Festival Theatre. Saw Singing in the Rain at a preview last year -- just 10 pounds a ticket for adults and £5 for kids -- for a brilliant production that ended up in the West End. It's a great summer's night out in a scenic setting in a top-notch theatre next to a park.
Followed up this year with a trip to see Kiss Me Kate directed by Trevor Nunn last Monday. Again top-notch performances for a total of 30 quid for me, my wife and the two kids. The cheap tickets are for the preview performances and only certain seats, but was amazed by the view of the stage where we were sitting.
There is Kim Catrall (!!) opening in Anthony and Cleopatra in September and they are also building a temporary theatre space for the summer season to stage Dennis Potter's Blue Remembered Hills -- that's the one where adults play the part of kids and is bound to be a good laugh.
Only downside is getting there -- a mate told that trains back to Brighton finish about 10pm so you almost have to drive, but there is a huge free car park next to the theatre. Well worth the trip.
Followed up this year with a trip to see Kiss Me Kate directed by Trevor Nunn last Monday. Again top-notch performances for a total of 30 quid for me, my wife and the two kids. The cheap tickets are for the preview performances and only certain seats, but was amazed by the view of the stage where we were sitting.
There is Kim Catrall (!!) opening in Anthony and Cleopatra in September and they are also building a temporary theatre space for the summer season to stage Dennis Potter's Blue Remembered Hills -- that's the one where adults play the part of kids and is bound to be a good laugh.
Only downside is getting there -- a mate told that trains back to Brighton finish about 10pm so you almost have to drive, but there is a huge free car park next to the theatre. Well worth the trip.
Cheeky Monkey
Well-known member
- Jul 17, 2003
- 23,850
I went to see the Damon Albarn/Richard Norris opera Dr Dee on Saturday. It has been given mixed reviews and whilst I have nothing to judge it against I found it highly enjoyable, powerful and at times mesmerising and well out of my comfort zone. Great stage sets and costumes; I loved the dancing scene in the middle when he meets his wife with Albarn singing and the slow/fast tempo changes for the dance bits. Albarn is a constant presence and performs a number of songs. Oh, and it featured live ravens flying around the theatre. I'm tempted to see another opera, any recommendations for a total novice?
On the subject of the mixed reviews I got talking to a wonderfully posh and doddery old lady opera buff sitting next to me who informed me it was "a bit different, but very good."
On the subject of the mixed reviews I got talking to a wonderfully posh and doddery old lady opera buff sitting next to me who informed me it was "a bit different, but very good."
Barry Izbak
U.T.A.
- Thread starter
- #38
We took your advice and saw Blue Remembered Hills at Chichester tonight. It was a good production of an extraordinary play, and produced in an extraordinary setting.
The poor actors who appeared from outside on to the stage got a soaking in the torrential rain.
It's very good - wouldn't say it's the best I've seen for years but it's decent. The Taming of the Shrew on the other hand is really excellent.
Trains run up to 11.00. I go to every production there and always get the train back - and it's never been the last one either.
Going tomorrow. I know Lush has been and wants to go again as it's that good. Really looking forward to it
Alex Alex Dawson oo! oo!
Primary data is fact
Looking forward to this, we're going in a few weeks; have also got tickets for Mark Rylance's production of Twelfth Night at the Globe in the autumn - bbbbrrrrrrrrr.........
Just arrived home from watching the Last of the Haussmans at the Lyttelton (NT). It's had good reviews but we were both really disappointed; Julie Waters was fine despite the occasional lapse into Mrs Overall mode but the play didn't come over to me as a really striking social commentary on the sixties, I thought it was a bit weak.
The Last of the Haussmans – review | Stage | The Guardian
Had a brill afternoon at the National Gallery though. We went on one of the 90min public tours; about 30 in the group and we only looked at four portraits during the tour. Learnt loads; the 16th century symbolism of Holbein and Velázquez, the technique of the latter and finding out that Rembrandt was crap at painting hands so normally brought on a sub from the bench. And it's all free.