66 replies to this topic

[richard2711]

I'm going to Milton Keynes to see it in a couple of weeks and am looking forward. I didn't actually see All My Sons, and booked this because I'm a fan of Laurie Metcalf. Thanks to the post above, I'm very excited about it now!

[Punk Rock]

I saw this the other night, and if you have never seen this play before you will be impressed especially after the the interval.

On a blog I read, it stated that a certain amount of 'tedious poetry' has been cut for a shorter running time.

I've never seen any other productions so I can't comment on any others etc.

[SHk]

Punk Rock, on 04 March 2012 - 06:03 AM, said:

<br />I saw this the other night, and if you have never seen this play before you will be impressed especially after the the interval.<br /><br />On a blog I read, it stated that a certain amount of 'tedious poetry' has been cut for a shorter running time.<br /><br />I've never seen any other productions so I can't comment on any others etc.<br />

<br /><br /><br /><br /><br />

Exactly. I saw this in Richmond last week, and was also impressed. I didn't even know this author exsisted (#ignorance, but English is not my own language), let alone the play. I went with no prioror knowledge of the story or anything, but sat there transfixed for 3 hours. I think that speaks for the qualities of the actors' performances.<br /><br />

Having read a post above, now I can agree that David Suchet didn't come across as a former glamour actor, but overall effect of this play was still quite powerful. If you think this play held the attention of the entire audience (total concentration in the packed Richmond Theatre), indlucing a foreigner like myself who didn't even know the sotry, for nearly three hours, that's quite something. <br /><br />

I think I will read Mr. O'Neil's biographies.

[Honoured Guest]

SHk, on 04 March 2012 - 07:20 PM, said:

<br />&amp;amp;lt;br /&amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;lt;br /&amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;lt;br /&amp;amp;gt;&amp;lt;br /&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br /&amp;gt;<br /><br />

Exactly.

...exsisted ... prioror .&amp;lt;br /&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br /&amp;gt;<br /><br />sotry, Mr. O'Neil's <br />

<br /><br /><br /> amp;gt;&amp Anna Christie amp;lt;br /&amp David Suchet br /&amp;gt;<br /><br /> Apollo Theatre.

[theatreliker]

Saw this this evening (Friday) at the Theatre Royal, Nottingham. It's a wonderful production and will no doubt do very well in London.
David Suchet is fantastic as James - another fine performance. His performance will no doubt be compared to him playing Joe Keller a couple of years ago. I'm no Michael Billington, but Suchet sparkles as the once-great actor. He builds up anger wonderfully but then swiftly changes as he realises what he's saying.
However, the performance that was most entertaining was Laurie Metcalf's as Mary. She's captivating - rocking slowly, eyes glazed over, hair slowly being messed up, falling into monologues where she babbles endlessly. The image of her in Act 4 is ghost-like/ Miss. Haversham-like.
The set in also brilliant: Wood-panelled walls and creating a sense of claustrophobia.
I haven't seen the play before but it is funny as well as tragic.
Met David Suchet afterwards and he said something like: 'you realise you've now seen two of the greatest plays ever written?' (the other being 'All My Sons').
Excellent performances from the sons, as well - but I'll leave a better review to the professionals.
Highly-recommended production. Go and see it. It's intense, but extremely worth it.

[Marius Pontmercy]

Just had a phone call from the Apollo saying that they're cancelling all Wednesday evening performances of this from May onwards, and doing a Wednesday matinee instead. They're phoning everyone with tickets for Wednesday evenings and offering replacements.

[Pharaoh's number 2]

Peed off about that. Had it all sorted- nice day seeing Chariots of Fire matinee, followed by this in the evening. Tight for dates around then, so will see if I can rearrange both. No phone call yet though. Might go in person on Saturday so that I get my exact choice of seats.

[richard2711]

I booked for Milton Keynes as I was worried about getting home after evening performances at the Apollo. Would've rather have gone there but at least I'm going. Tomorrow actually!

[shalom]

Marius Pontmercy, on 12 March 2012 - 05:31 PM, said:

<br />Just had a phone call from the Apollo saying that they're cancelling all Wednesday evening performances of this from May onwards, and doing a Wednesday matinee instead. They're phoning everyone with tickets for Wednesday evenings and offering replacements.<br />

<br /><br /><br />

I also got a call from the Apollo today, they were really nice on the phone and explained that the schedule had been changed from the beginning of May as so many people had been asking for a matinee...Seems to all make a lot of sense. They have moved me to exactly the same seats on the following day. Really looking forward to the show, heard great things from friends who saw it in Richmond...

[The Glenbuck Laird]

Saw this at MK on Saturday. Really liked this.Laurie Metcalf is simply stunning. I did like her performance.

I liked Kyle Soller from The Glass Menagerie at the Young Vic a year or so back and another good performance.

A bit worried about David Suchet, after reports on here, but I thought he had the stage presence to play James Tyrone. Perhaps playing Joe Keller was good warm up for him.

I love the interplay between father and son in Act IV. Now one of my favourite acts of a play. The words of Eugene O'Neill are very moving and then... then Laurie Metcalf finishes a very powerful play.