95 replies to this topic

[Latecomer]

Honoured Guest, on 26 October 2012 - 06:36 PM, said:

Oh, Latecomer, were Statistics and Stochastic Processes absent from your Mathematics syllabus? You should understand this with your specialist insight.

Too busy with my Orthogonal Expansions in Hilbert Space.....

[RH1234]

Any chance of it transferring?

[xanderl]

I would be amazed if it doesn't - various news stories have hinted at it.

[vickster51]

Charles Spencer in the Telegraph enjoyed it and 5*s from the Mail so far.

[Beth]

Wow, that was incredibly easy - I was all set for disappointment, but I got a ticket for tonight.

[Beth]

I'm so glad I made the effort to get to this.  And, having seen it, I can understand the desire to stage it in a small, intimate space, somewhere the audience can feel immersed, sight, sound, scent.  A quiet, lyrical play, with beautiful understated performances, particularly from Dominic West and Laura Donnelly.

Two things - if you're thinking of going, don't read the reviews.  Even the ones that say 'I can't say any more to avoid spoiling you' tend to say too much.  I'm very glad I went into it knowing nothing more than the information on the Royal Court website.  And secondly, I do love programmes that contain play scripts - well worth £3, and great for reading on the train home.

[Pharaoh's number 2]

Booked for this evening- £10 Monday as well. Not troubles online, just be quick!

I've read Spencer's review, but was warned not to read Billington's and will stay away from it 'til later this evening!

Now to make my way to London.....

[vickster51]

Hope you enjoy it!

[Pharaoh's number 2]

vickster51, on 29 October 2012 - 04:13 PM, said:

Hope you enjoy it!

Thanks

Yes, I loved it- a clever, enchanting, mysterious and haunting play, in a beautiful production. Dominic West superb, as are the ladies.  The play's construction I admired hugely- won't say anymore, but it's Pinteresque.

Definitely worth seeing. The intimacy of Upstairs is wonderful, but I see no reason why it couldn't go into, say, the Duchess. The transfer would be very easy.

One question, which I'll put in spoilers just in case:

Spoiler

Halfway through, a bottle in the wine rack by the main door quietly exploded, spirting out a load of wine (or maybe beer) onto the floor. West was alone on stage, it was silent, he went over to the sink, got a cloth to wipe it, and then Raison walked in after her shower. Was the spirting bottle deliberate? It seemed to fit in perfectly, and West was no flustered at all- it was totally natural, but speaking to others, it seems to have been a mistake. Can anyone shed any light on this?

[Beth]

Pharaoh, on 30 October 2012 - 09:58 AM, said:

Thanks

Yes, I loved it- a clever, enchanting, mysterious and haunting play, in a beautiful production. Dominic West superb, as are the ladies.  The play's construction I admired hugely- won't say anymore, but it's Pinteresque.

Definitely worth seeing. The intimacy of Upstairs is wonderful, but I see no reason why it couldn't go into, say, the Duchess. The transfer would be very easy.

One question, which I'll put in spoilers just in case:

Spoiler

Halfway through, a bottle in the wine rack by the main door quietly exploded, spirting out a load of wine (or maybe beer) onto the floor. West was alone on stage, it was silent, he went over to the sink, got a cloth to wipe it, and then Raison walked in after her shower. Was the spirting bottle deliberate? It seemed to fit in perfectly, and West was no flustered at all- it was totally natural, but speaking to others, it seems to have been a mistake. Can anyone shed any light on this?

Glad you enjoyed it - I thought it was wonderful too.  And yes, Pinteresque in the best way.

Spoiler

Re the exploding bottle, there's no mention of it in the script (the instructions just say he pulls a cork after he puts the fish in the oven), and it didn't happen on Saturday night, so I imagine it was unintentional, but nicely highlighted West's assured performance and complete immersion in the role.