I saw it 10 years ago at The Acorn in New York, even though it received iffy reviews. (I loved it.) Frankly, when I saw your thumbnail, I assumed you'd hate it. My bad. I thought the writing was a stunning communication of the impossibility of communication. Stealing from the New York Times review, which quoted Flaubert: "Human speech is like a cracked kettle on which we tap crude rhythms for bears to dance to, while longing to make music that will melt the stars." I apologise for assuming I have any clue about what you will like, which is precisely what makes your reviews so valuable. You're open to anything.
I'm really intrigued where you sat in this one? I wonder if it was different from different seats? I love Kenneth Lonnergan's film writing and I was into this play in the first half, but less so in the second. I didn't totally like where it went. Also, I was sat on the back row of the stalls which I have to say is a great view as you're raised up, except you can't see the top of the stage so only when it was over did I realise you must have been able to see stars on the whole set...??? We also had a problem with the set in the second half, making the play longer as there was around a 20 min break while they fixed it. I found the play quite enjoyable until it got near the end, but did struggle a little with the fact that Matthew Broderick had a very sophorific delivery which I felt would work on film and suited the character he played, but when you're in a huge theatre it didn't really reach to me always at the back of the stalls and sometimes in fact because slightly irritating to me. I thought it was just ok I guess. Like 3 legs worth? I didn't dislike it, but it wasn't the wonder of a starry sky for me.
It's interesting. I've waited for this play for a while, however, the review on TimeOut is so low, I've decided not to go. Now, I'm interested again. Need to see what's going on in person!
Sounds like I'm in the minority, but I agree with your review. Loved the performance I went to. Wonderfully descriptive writing, and very funny, the acting was very natural, with brilliant comic timing. I felt fortunate to see this cast.
Think you should have mentioned Ferris Bueller's Day Out too for Matthew Broderick which is one of his biggest cult films. Thought it was slow but fascinating to watch such brilliant performances. Talking of slow try King Hedley II which was nearly four hours! And Death of A Salesman was hardly a quickie!
I’m so surprised that you liked this. I left in the interval. I thought the writing was awful, the acting was bad and the direction was terrible. Made no sense what so ever, to chemistry between the characters. I usually agree with you guys but I’m shocked you didn’t rip this apart!
This play seems to really divide opinion. The first play in AGES where I was really really tempted to leave at the interval. Others around me did -- and during the second act I envied them. I found it dull. There were elements I enjoyed - but it didn't come together to make anything cohesive for me. Jim Norton who was brilliant - as the dying Norman he was the most alive person on the stage! The students added humour but fundamentally I didn't care about Mark or his wife. Angela and Mark didn't seem to have any real chemistry and I didn't buy their relationship. Maybe I saw it too early - it was in previews so perhaps it has come together since then.
Also to add a very very very undeserved Break A Leggers Nomination for Rosalind Eleazar, and i doubt she’ll be nominated for an Olivier. I really hope not anyway, she was stale, underplayed her role massively and left me bored. Also had a very unbelievable relationship with Matthew “the Robot” Brodericks character (the robot cos that’s how he acted-like a robot)
5 stars??? BAL nom for best play? You must be kidding! 🤔 Somewhat surprised that you enjoyed it so much! Thought it was incredibly boring, ridiculously overlong, the subplot didn’t work - why on earth was that there? - and the thing that happened in act 2 was just thrown in and had no place in it. Stayed after Act 1 hoping that it would improve- and it didn’t. Should have left. At the end there was just polite applause. On another note Death of a Salesman is transferring to the West End! 😊
Couldn’t have disagreed more with this review. I hated this play with a passion, I was bored to death throughout and felt the pace was unbearably slow. The script was weak, with few to little laughs in this “comedy” and the acting was atrocious. They were all acting like The Simms. The piece wouldn’t end for me and I felt trapped in Matthew Broderick’s boring performance. Really hated it and would not advise people go.
Couldn’t have disagreed more with this review. I hated this play with a passion, I was bored to death throughout and felt the pace was unbearably slow. The script was weak, with few to little laughs in this “comedy” and the acting was atrocious. They were all acting like The Simms. The piece wouldn’t end for me and I felt trapped in Matthew Broderick’s boring performance. Really hated it and would not advise people go.
Couldn’t have disagreed more with this review. I hated this play with a passion, I was bored to death throughout and felt the pace was unbearably slow. The script was weak, with few to little laughs in this “comedy” and the acting was atrocious. They were all acting like The Simms. The piece wouldn’t end for me and I felt trapped in Matthew Broderick’s boring performance. Really hated it and would not advise people go.
I saw it 10 years ago at The Acorn in New York, even though it received iffy reviews. (I loved it.) Frankly, when I saw your thumbnail, I assumed you'd hate it. My bad.
I thought the writing was a stunning communication of the impossibility of communication. Stealing from the New York Times review, which quoted Flaubert: "Human speech is like a cracked kettle on which we tap crude rhythms for bears to dance to, while longing to make music that will melt the stars." I apologise for assuming I have any clue about what you will like, which is precisely what makes your reviews so valuable. You're open to anything.
I'm really intrigued where you sat in this one? I wonder if it was different from different seats? I love Kenneth Lonnergan's film writing and I was into this play in the first half, but less so in the second. I didn't totally like where it went. Also, I was sat on the back row of the stalls which I have to say is a great view as you're raised up, except you can't see the top of the stage so only when it was over did I realise you must have been able to see stars on the whole set...??? We also had a problem with the set in the second half, making the play longer as there was around a 20 min break while they fixed it. I found the play quite enjoyable until it got near the end, but did struggle a little with the fact that Matthew Broderick had a very sophorific delivery which I felt would work on film and suited the character he played, but when you're in a huge theatre it didn't really reach to me always at the back of the stalls and sometimes in fact because slightly irritating to me. I thought it was just ok I guess. Like 3 legs worth? I didn't dislike it, but it wasn't the wonder of a starry sky for me.
It's interesting. I've waited for this play for a while, however, the review on TimeOut is so low, I've decided not to go. Now, I'm interested again. Need to see what's going on in person!
Jim Norton is the best thing about this play - he is great. I want to see him in more and doing more 😊 . Overall, the play was a 3 stars for me
Sounds like I'm in the minority, but I agree with your review. Loved the performance I went to. Wonderfully descriptive writing, and very funny, the acting was very natural, with brilliant comic timing. I felt fortunate to see this cast.
Think you should have mentioned Ferris Bueller's Day Out too for Matthew Broderick which is one of his biggest cult films. Thought it was slow but fascinating to watch such brilliant performances. Talking of slow try King Hedley II which was nearly four hours! And Death of A Salesman was hardly a quickie!
But wasn't the part written for him?
I’m so surprised that you liked this. I left in the interval. I thought the writing was awful, the acting was bad and the direction was terrible. Made no sense what so ever, to chemistry between the characters. I usually agree with you guys but I’m shocked you didn’t rip this apart!
Craig Legg I thought they’d hate this too 😂 I did 😂
This play seems to really divide opinion. The first play in AGES where I was really really tempted to leave at the interval. Others around me did -- and during the second act I envied them.
I found it dull. There were elements I enjoyed - but it didn't come together to make anything cohesive for me. Jim Norton who was brilliant - as the dying Norman he was the most alive person on the stage! The students added humour but fundamentally I didn't care about Mark or his wife. Angela and Mark didn't seem to have any real chemistry and I didn't buy their relationship.
Maybe I saw it too early - it was in previews so perhaps it has come together since then.
Susan I saw it Wednesday and it was still bloody awful and I left at the interval
Also to add a very very very undeserved Break A Leggers Nomination for Rosalind Eleazar, and i doubt she’ll be nominated for an Olivier. I really hope not anyway, she was stale, underplayed her role massively and left me bored. Also had a very unbelievable relationship with Matthew “the Robot” Brodericks character (the robot cos that’s how he acted-like a robot)
5 stars??? BAL nom for best play? You must be kidding! 🤔 Somewhat surprised that you enjoyed it so much! Thought it was incredibly boring, ridiculously overlong, the subplot didn’t work - why on earth was that there? - and the thing that happened in act 2 was just thrown in and had no place in it. Stayed after Act 1 hoping that it would improve- and it didn’t. Should have left. At the end there was just polite applause. On another note Death of a Salesman is transferring to the West End! 😊
Really. I found it stuck and monotone. people coming out on the interfalo ... you guys are talking about the same play...
Couldn’t have disagreed more with this review. I hated this play with a passion, I was bored to death throughout and felt the pace was unbearably slow. The script was weak, with few to little laughs in this “comedy” and the acting was atrocious. They were all acting like The Simms. The piece wouldn’t end for me and I felt trapped in Matthew Broderick’s boring performance. Really hated it and would not advise people go.
Couldn’t have disagreed more with this review. I hated this play with a passion, I was bored to death throughout and felt the pace was unbearably slow. The script was weak, with few to little laughs in this “comedy” and the acting was atrocious. They were all acting like The Simms. The piece wouldn’t end for me and I felt trapped in Matthew Broderick’s boring performance. Really hated it and would not advise people go.
Couldn’t have disagreed more with this review. I hated this play with a passion, I was bored to death throughout and felt the pace was unbearably slow. The script was weak, with few to little laughs in this “comedy” and the acting was atrocious. They were all acting like The Simms. The piece wouldn’t end for me and I felt trapped in Matthew Broderick’s boring performance. Really hated it and would not advise people go.