Saw Well by Lisa Kron at Studio 2 at Trafalgar Studios last night.
I'd heard good things about Natalie Casey, but even despite those, I was still blown away by her. There is always that awkward cross-over when you go from TV to stage, because on stage you have to be so much bigger, in every sense. Then to have to find a middle ground in a theatre that seats less than 100 is, I imagine, very difficult. She managed it though... quite beautifully. The cast around her was strong too, but I would quite happily have loved it just as a one-woman show - I was that enthralled by her.
So yes... very pleased to have seen it and loved seeing Studio 2 so packed out. I don't doubt they'll be sold out all this week til they finish.
Tuesday, 23 September 2008
Friday, 12 September 2008
War Horse
I am ashamed to admit that this was my first ever theatrical visit to the National. Of course I'd been before, and I'd seen their productions elsewhere previously, but I'd never actually sat in one of their theatres before. Very glad that is now rectified.
Anyway, War Horse more than lived up to expectations. I remember absolutely adoring the book when I was younger and was disappointed not to have seen it last time.
It was beautiful... elegant and subtle and just lovely. I thought the cast, in general, were strong.
My only negative was that after spending the first act thinking I recognised him, I placed Patrick O'Kane (Freidrich) at the start of the second act as having been the Macbeth that I walked out of in Stratford recently. Given that this is the only time I have ever left a theatre early in my life, it gives some indication as to the strength of my feeling against his acting.
To give him his dues, he wasn't as bad as I remembered him as Macbeth, but I was so annoyed by that entire theatrical experience that it irritated me throughout the second act of War Horse.
Loved it, despite that. As ever, I am in awe of any actor with that level of physicality. Amazing.
Anyway, War Horse more than lived up to expectations. I remember absolutely adoring the book when I was younger and was disappointed not to have seen it last time.
It was beautiful... elegant and subtle and just lovely. I thought the cast, in general, were strong.
My only negative was that after spending the first act thinking I recognised him, I placed Patrick O'Kane (Freidrich) at the start of the second act as having been the Macbeth that I walked out of in Stratford recently. Given that this is the only time I have ever left a theatre early in my life, it gives some indication as to the strength of my feeling against his acting.
To give him his dues, he wasn't as bad as I remembered him as Macbeth, but I was so annoyed by that entire theatrical experience that it irritated me throughout the second act of War Horse.
Loved it, despite that. As ever, I am in awe of any actor with that level of physicality. Amazing.
Sunday, 7 September 2008
Jet Set Go
Thrilled to see Jet Set Go again at Theatre 503 during its London run. Thought its staging was stronger for being straight on to the audience (as opposed to the three sides they had in Edinburgh), though they did lose a little as a result of the stage being narrower.
Much tighter than it was when I saw it in Edinburgh (which I think was only its 3rd or 4th show). Everyone very settled into the characters and clearly having an absolute ball.
Lovely to see it still with so much momentum, even after Edinburgh.
Much tighter than it was when I saw it in Edinburgh (which I think was only its 3rd or 4th show). Everyone very settled into the characters and clearly having an absolute ball.
Lovely to see it still with so much momentum, even after Edinburgh.
Tuesday, 12 August 2008
Edinburgh Fringe 2008
My thoughts from Edinburgh 2008:
Miss Sign-On:
Music is instantly forgettable and I struggled with some of the characters, but if you work in (or just have very good knowledge of) theatre, then the jokes will ring very true and it's a good giggle.
Jet Set Go:
Hilaaaarious. Lots of room for character development but such a fun, fun, fun way to spend a couple of hours. Give the comparative inexperience of the cast, they are more than holding their own at George Square and completely deserved the 5* review in Three Weeks.
Departure Lounge:
I'll admit my bias, as not only do I know the writer, but one of my clients was also in the show, but I honestly cannot recommend it highly enough. It's funny, touching and resonates so, so well. Everyone has been one of those boys. Deserves to have life post-Edinburgh.
Only The Brave:
Completely underwhelmed. Trying too hard to be Les Mis. The 'epic love story' that they are trailing between Keith and Niamh is about as epic as an episode of The Simpsons. Some nice music - the song with the women typing the messages is lovely - but the book is dreadful as there is just no story and I am really struggling to see why there's so much hype.
Showstopper, The Improvised Musical:
Was fortunate enough to have booked for this on a night when they announced Mike McShane would be appearing. FANTASTIC. There is clearly a formula, but the humour is intelligent and very funny. We wound up with a show about remorse, featuring songs in the style of Disney, Starlight Express, Bombay Dreams, Blood Brothers and an irish folk song. Fabulous.
Sa-Choom:
The 'dancical' at George Square. I was slightly disappointed as I'd heard SUCH good things about it and it didn't quite live up to my expectations (perhaps because it wasn't a very lively audience) but still very entertaining.
A History of Scotland (in 60 minutes or less):
Great fun if you're 7. All the kids seemed to love it but the humour was very childlike.
Zanna Don't!:
So camp it hurts, but fantastic fun. Make really good use of the space, but I do wonder if it's telling that the show is completely stolen by a little blue bird...
The Jonah Boy:
Too lovely for words, and very touching. Worth the ticket price alone for a fantastic performance in the lead role. Haunting.
I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change (Take Note's production):
I don't think it's as strong as Jet Set Go, but highlighted nicely the strengths of some of the cast.
Perfect Pitch in Concert:
Again, an element of bias as I had two clients involved in this one, but really loved seeing such a strong selection of new British musicals being showcased and being so well received.
Miss Sign-On:
Music is instantly forgettable and I struggled with some of the characters, but if you work in (or just have very good knowledge of) theatre, then the jokes will ring very true and it's a good giggle.
Jet Set Go:
Hilaaaarious. Lots of room for character development but such a fun, fun, fun way to spend a couple of hours. Give the comparative inexperience of the cast, they are more than holding their own at George Square and completely deserved the 5* review in Three Weeks.
Departure Lounge:
I'll admit my bias, as not only do I know the writer, but one of my clients was also in the show, but I honestly cannot recommend it highly enough. It's funny, touching and resonates so, so well. Everyone has been one of those boys. Deserves to have life post-Edinburgh.
Only The Brave:
Completely underwhelmed. Trying too hard to be Les Mis. The 'epic love story' that they are trailing between Keith and Niamh is about as epic as an episode of The Simpsons. Some nice music - the song with the women typing the messages is lovely - but the book is dreadful as there is just no story and I am really struggling to see why there's so much hype.
Showstopper, The Improvised Musical:
Was fortunate enough to have booked for this on a night when they announced Mike McShane would be appearing. FANTASTIC. There is clearly a formula, but the humour is intelligent and very funny. We wound up with a show about remorse, featuring songs in the style of Disney, Starlight Express, Bombay Dreams, Blood Brothers and an irish folk song. Fabulous.
Sa-Choom:
The 'dancical' at George Square. I was slightly disappointed as I'd heard SUCH good things about it and it didn't quite live up to my expectations (perhaps because it wasn't a very lively audience) but still very entertaining.
A History of Scotland (in 60 minutes or less):
Great fun if you're 7. All the kids seemed to love it but the humour was very childlike.
Zanna Don't!:
So camp it hurts, but fantastic fun. Make really good use of the space, but I do wonder if it's telling that the show is completely stolen by a little blue bird...
The Jonah Boy:
Too lovely for words, and very touching. Worth the ticket price alone for a fantastic performance in the lead role. Haunting.
I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change (Take Note's production):
I don't think it's as strong as Jet Set Go, but highlighted nicely the strengths of some of the cast.
Perfect Pitch in Concert:
Again, an element of bias as I had two clients involved in this one, but really loved seeing such a strong selection of new British musicals being showcased and being so well received.
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