[armadillo]

Unless the show has a mega-name (which for the NT basically means Simon Russell Beale) or is the Christmas kids' show it's fairly unusual for many performances to sell out prior to opening.

[Abby]

I may or may not be a cultist, but I've got into the habit of automatically booking for everything the National puts on, simply because I've never had a bad experience there. There are things I've liked more than others, of course, but the standard is always high and I've never walked out saying "Christ, I wish I hadn't bothered". I even found a few things to like in Attempts On Her Life, which mostly left me feeling like a dullard.
I think the physical position of the National is a great asset as well - it's a nice place to wander around, have a glass of wine and then go to see a play. And I love the building itself, but I'm aware that probably puts me in the minority.

[Abby]

Gawd, everything's going to the dogs, eh...? While I don't imagine Happy Now? will still be performed in 400 years time, I thought it was a well-acted interesting bit of new writing and an enjoyable night out. Not everything has to be titanium-plated for a lifespan of centuries and most plays aren't - nothing wrong with addressing the specific concerns and struggles of the generation you live in.

[armadillo]

I had a lovely evening there the other night watching Much Ado. And then I came out and saw a poster for a silly play called "Happy Now?"

How can I be happy when I see how far English drama has sunk?

From the sublime of the Elizabethan theatre to the 20th century's everything's-a-sop-to-some chip-on-shoulder lobby.

Pathetic.

Have you seen Happy Now? Presumably not since you seem unclear which century it was written. I thought it was like 99% of all drama - a pleasant enough way to spend an evening but unlikely to be revived. Just like most plays. It passed the time and I didn't resent paying to see some excellent performances plus the best display of cake-decorating I've seen onstage.

[foxa]

A bit like Abby above, I book for most things at the National -though with the added proviso of 'when I can get good cheap seats.' I'm going to see 'Fram' but I don't know much at all about it. I'd wanted to see 'Happy Now' - I'd heard it was good, but couldn't get tix. I even rather enjoyed the experience of the weird Handke play. I am surprised at the goodish reviews 'Never So Good' is receiving, but I guess I'm not its target audience.

I get a buzz out of the Southbank - I like wandering around before the show (love the new BFI bar and galleries) and can get home quickly from there, so, yeah I'll give 'Fram' a whirl.

[foxa]

I knew 'Happy Now' was sold out , but I went on the NT website sure I'd be able to refute your suggestion that Never So Good was sold out , but you're right....it is until end of May! It's not hard to sell out the Cottesloe, but the Lyttleton with that play - is Jeremy Irons the draw? I'm going to see 'Fram' next Friday - I don't even know enough about it to know if it's ropey (there really has been no publicity for it of which I'm aware), though rather suspect it will be, and given that, for that night at least, it doesn't seem to be doing too badly - most of the stalls seem to be sold. I think the National is smart in keeping their prices down and people are willing to have a go.