58 replies to this topic

[fringefan]

Crumbs, I should have booked for a companion to nudge me when I nod off - 2 hours 40 - aargh!  Mind you, the discomfort of the cheap seats may serve the same purpose...

[AnnieInTheStalls]

I can understand this not raising much of a titter if you're not in the mood, but I thought it was a little Christmas treat. Very funny in the first half, less so in the second due to diminishing returns, but then a splendid pastiche of modern major general at the end lifted it again. Nancy Carroll was wonderful, as were John Lithgow, Jonathan Coy and Joshua Maguire (who's oddly more plausable as a 14 year old than a 19 year old), plus the set.

It's definitely worth sitting near the front for the facial expressions (particularly Nancy Carroll). And it finished at about 10.10.

One for those who liked London Assurance and She Stoops.

[Horton]

Glad to hear the music was appreciated!

[paultheatre]

Booked for this on one of the Damned by Despair dates. Good cheap seats still available!

[Poly]

Whoever said that it's like London Assurance and She Stoops To Conquer, they are right. Lots to enjoy, good uncomplicated fun. I have written more in my blog, for anyone who is interested.

[Pharaoh's number 2]

Well I loved London Assurance but was bored by She Stoops, so I wonder which side I'll come down on for this one?

[Poly]

Pharaoh, on 18 November 2012 - 10:49 PM, said:

Well I loved London Assurance but was bored by She Stoops, so I wonder which side I'll come down on for this one?

Well I loved both Structurally, The Magistrate has quite a bit in common with She Stoops, but She Stoops is not really a farce. In that sense, The Magistrate and London Assurance have more in common.

[armadillo]

Poly, on 18 November 2012 - 10:46 PM, said:

Whoever said that it's like London Assurance and She Stoops To Conquer, they are right. Lots to enjoy, good uncomplicated fun. I have written more in my blog, for anyone who is interested.

Me too and I loved The Magistrate, ridiculous songs, amusing wigs, spectular sets, outrageous over-acting and all. And I defy anyone not have a ridiculous grin on their face during the final song   I agree it's not side-splitting in the way One Man Two Givnors was but it's a great romp and just right for a Christmas show

[armadillo]

Two stars from Billington? Perhaps the NT should reinstate the cancelled performances of Damned By Despair?

[dude-1981]

Don't worry about those grouchy reviews from Spencer and Billers.  This is a fun night out.  I can't say it split my sides and yes, if the songs were shortened or lost (apart from the last one) then I wouldn't have minded, but I thought the cast was pretty uniformly great and would say this was well worth going to see.