Anyone seen this yet? Have booked for December so was wondering what it was like.
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Started by Pharaoh's number 2, Nov 12 2009 10:07 PM
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#1
Pharaoh's number 2
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Posted 12 November 2009 - 10:07 PM
#2
Pharaoh's number 2
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Posted 13 November 2009 - 08:21 AM
QUOTE(Amherstclane @ Nov 13 2009, 03:05 AM) 
Hi Dear.
I have recently join this site. I do not know much about this theatre. this is nice idea for providing us information about National Theatre. Would you mind to let us know more about this? Thanks!
This quoted message has been removed as the original was a spurious message that contained spam links to non-theatre sites - Viceroy
I have recently join this site. I do not know much about this theatre. this is nice idea for providing us information about National Theatre. Would you mind to let us know more about this? Thanks!
This quoted message has been removed as the original was a spurious message that contained spam links to non-theatre sites - Viceroy
It's the National's new family production, following the likes of |War Horse, Coram Boy and His Dark Materials. Tickets are great value (got mine for £5) so it's worth a look.
#3 Guest_Marginal_*
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Posted 13 November 2009 - 09:08 AM
I saw last night's preview and was very underwhelmed. There were good things: I liked the story and the ideas behind it, some of the production visuals were really nice, and at first I thought it was promising. But it all rapidly slipped away. Some of the movement was pretty bad, although that could be buffed up as the previews continue. Ditto the fact that many of the cast weren't projecting very well, and I was at the front.
The songs were mostly terrible - sub-Jesus Christ Superstar, if you can imagine that. I half-expected them to launch into "No you're wrong, you're very wrong". Some of the actual music was good and I reckon they should have had the live band there to play some music and lend a bit of texture but dispense with the songs, which added nothing except embarrassment.
But for me, the main problems lay with Ravenhill's adaptation. It's disjointed, underpowered and doesn't flow well. I wondered if it's going to come across better to anyone who's read the novel. Some passages which should be hugely dramatic and moving seemed oddly drained of any emotion. Ultimately I found it unengaging. It's a pity, as I said I can see there's an interesting story there, so maybe I should just pick up the novel.
I hope that some of the things that bothered me can be smoothed out before press night.
The songs were mostly terrible - sub-Jesus Christ Superstar, if you can imagine that. I half-expected them to launch into "No you're wrong, you're very wrong". Some of the actual music was good and I reckon they should have had the live band there to play some music and lend a bit of texture but dispense with the songs, which added nothing except embarrassment.
But for me, the main problems lay with Ravenhill's adaptation. It's disjointed, underpowered and doesn't flow well. I wondered if it's going to come across better to anyone who's read the novel. Some passages which should be hugely dramatic and moving seemed oddly drained of any emotion. Ultimately I found it unengaging. It's a pity, as I said I can see there's an interesting story there, so maybe I should just pick up the novel.
I hope that some of the things that bothered me can be smoothed out before press night.
#4 Guest_Patrick Grovesnor_*
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Posted 21 November 2009 - 09:30 PM
Lovely music, well performed, but not entirely engaging enough. Builds to an (expected) conclusion. If I was 10, I'd love it. The first production I've seen at the National, actually any theatre, where they've sucked off a pig...that scene and a couple of others were very "interesting". Lots of underwater scenes from Melly Still a-la-Coram-Boy. Agree with above posted about adaptation: sort of gets going, then stops, then goes on a bit too much on scenes you don't really care about. Excellent central performances and ensemble though. The nice moments weren't enough overall though. Having said all this, if you've a young family/first time theatre goers, they'll love it.
#5 Guest_peabrainmum_*
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Posted 21 November 2009 - 11:07 PM
Went to today's matinee - took our children aged 12, 10 and 8. Only the eldest had been to the National before - to see War Horse - although they have been to the Unicorn quite a bit. The oldest two (and I) have read and enjoyed the book some months ago. Have to say that all five of us were underwhelmed, although it must be said that the kids were generally more positive than their dad and I. They liked the effects and the swearing parrot (my eight year old daughter has been doing impressions of him since coming home - oh joy). Things definitely improved in the second half. Have to say that I would be reluctant to recommend it to friends on the grounds that it is so expensive (even at preview prices we had little change from £100) so I'd want to really feel that they would enjoy it.
#6
Mark_E
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Posted 21 November 2009 - 11:47 PM
I saw it on Friday and really enjoyed it.
I LOVED the parrot! And the baby puppet!!! Thought some scenes dragged but overall I really liked it. Loved the animals and underwater scenes. Very Clever.
We were in 2nd row, quite uncomfortable seats but CHEAP (£5 entry pass for me and £10 for my mum)
Nothing a good cup of tea can't put right!!!
I LOVED the parrot! And the baby puppet!!! Thought some scenes dragged but overall I really liked it. Loved the animals and underwater scenes. Very Clever.
We were in 2nd row, quite uncomfortable seats but CHEAP (£5 entry pass for me and £10 for my mum)
Nothing a good cup of tea can't put right!!!
#7 Guest_Guest_Annie_*_*
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Posted 22 November 2009 - 10:35 AM
I really liked it and was bawling for the last 10 – 15 minutes. It’s a really neat story that you need to think about – I wasn’t expecting the need too after Corum boy and Warhorse.
It does sag in parts but in the whole the drama keeps flowing. Some great scenes and movement loved the underwater stuff, the silver fish and the scene in the temple. Really well acted especially by the main two.
My issue is with the songs. They really aren’t very good and just hold up the action. 8 out of 10 and I will go and see it in the Cinema
It does sag in parts but in the whole the drama keeps flowing. Some great scenes and movement loved the underwater stuff, the silver fish and the scene in the temple. Really well acted especially by the main two.
My issue is with the songs. They really aren’t very good and just hold up the action. 8 out of 10 and I will go and see it in the Cinema
#8
Kathryn2
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Posted 23 November 2009 - 12:34 PM
Went to see this saturday, overall we enjoyed it but I must admit to being a little underwhelmed. Also felt that they left out a couple of the best moments from the book - and I can see why, but still, I missed them.
The parrot and the puppetry were probably the highlights.
The parrot and the puppetry were probably the highlights.
#9
Weez
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Posted 24 November 2009 - 01:53 PM
I'm off tomorrow evening, courtesy of a £10 ticket offer found on Facebook. If you're interested, the magic numbers are 2368, and that's put me in the stalls proper for the first time since War Horse's first foray onto stage. XD Shall report back with my thoughts as one who enjoys Pratchett but has not yet read this one. 
I like the idea of the songs being sub-Jesus Christ Superstar; Marginal, you didn't go on the wrong night and end up at Mother Courage by mistake, did you?
I like the idea of the songs being sub-Jesus Christ Superstar; Marginal, you didn't go on the wrong night and end up at Mother Courage by mistake, did you?
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#10
Laughingmonsta
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Posted 24 November 2009 - 10:25 PM
Well - what an underwhelming experience, some nice ideas, but it just fails miserably, and that song by the end got increasingly annoying! - The Parrot is this shows saving grace, but even that wont stop it being isolated on its own nation and never performed again!
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