[kjb]

Hi I hope this is OK in here, as it was in the West End although I've just got back from seeing it on tour (same production though)

I've done a search and although it is mentioned in other threads, I can't seem to find a dedicated thread for it.

One of the other comments used the words 'bizarre, baffling and brilliant' I concur with the first two, but I'm not sure about the 3rd. I think I need it explained to me a bit more for me to 'get' it. If you've seen it, what did you think?

The second half hour completely dragged for me....the bit where the characters came in, before they got to the whole filming of their story bit.

I also saw a comment about the Hamlet joke....this has been updated I guess as it included a reference to the filming of Tennant's Hamlet and buying the DVD when it comes out (28 Dec and counting) and that was only announced in May. (the other references to Law's Hamlet on Broadway and Kinnear's Hamlet at the National had previously been announced I think)

And the girl in the fish tank? Carefully placed plants hiding breathing equipment, or some other trick? (I was sat quite a way back)

kjb

[Weez]

I freakin' loved this production back in Chichester, and I loved it in the West End. It made fractionally more sense the second time round, although possibly just because I was expecting to be confused so wasn't so pained by my confusion.

When I saw it in the West End, it must have been Saturday 13th September, because the line about getting tickets for Tennant's Hamlet got the most ENORMOUS laugh from the audience. I suppose they'd have to update the reference really, but it won't get any funnier than on that day. XD

As for the girl in the fishtank... well, she was floating a little sideways the first time I saw it, but was full-on face-down the second time. I assume that she has a way of twisting her head a little so she looks completely submerged, but at least a part of her mouth is above-water, only upstage so the audience can't tell.

[kjb]

I freakin' loved this production back in Chichester, and I loved it in the West End. It made fractionally more sense the second time round, although possibly just because I was expecting to be confused so wasn't so pained by my confusion.

When I saw it in the West End, it must have been Saturday 13th September, because the line about getting tickets for Tennant's Hamlet got the most ENORMOUS laugh from the audience. I suppose they'd have to update the reference really, but it won't get any funnier than on that day. XD

As for the girl in the fishtank... well, she was floating a little sideways the first time I saw it, but was full-on face-down the second time. I assume that she has a way of twisting her head a little so she looks completely submerged, but at least a part of her mouth is above-water, only upstage so the audience can't tell.

Thanks Weez. I think the "bizarre, baffling and brilliant" quote was yours actually, so it's good to read that you also found it confusing.

There were a couple of lightbulb moments, but these were quotes from others on reality (and I can't remember what they were now anyway)

I'm sure a second viewing would help, but I didn't warm to it enough to fork out the £ (nor do I have the time this week to see it again and it's only here for the week. Ticket availability wouldn't be a problem, as there were loads of empty seats)

[MrsDoyle]

Going to see this in Guildford in a couple of weeks so will avoid reading reviews then come back and post.

[MrsDoyle]

Certainly bizarre and baffling and possibly brilliant.
As someone who has regular nightmares I felt as if I was living one in the second half.
The fish tank was amazingly well done and must have involved a tube from where I was sitting.
We had a very long interval tonight. The woman playing the director started off OK but her voice went. First of all I thought it was just acting but I think she really was losing her voice by the end.
One of the youngest audiences I've seen at the Yvonne Arnaud for a long time. Thought Jack Shepherd was excellent.

[Cathryn]

Hi I hope this is OK in here, as it was in the West End although I've just got back from seeing it on tour (same production though)

I've done a search and although it is mentioned in other threads, I can't seem to find a dedicated thread for it.

One of the other comments used the words 'bizarre, baffling and brilliant' I concur with the first two, but I'm not sure about the 3rd. I think I need it explained to me a bit more for me to 'get' it. If you've seen it, what did you think?

The second half hour completely dragged for me....the bit where the characters came in, before they got to the whole filming of their story bit.

I also saw a comment about the Hamlet joke....this has been updated I guess as it included a reference to the filming of Tennant's Hamlet and buying the DVD when it comes out (28 Dec and counting) and that was only announced in May. (the other references to Law's Hamlet on Broadway and Kinnear's Hamlet at the National had previously been announced I think)

And the girl in the fish tank? Carefully placed plants hiding breathing equipment, or some other trick? (I was sat quite a way back)

kjb

I assumed the girl in the fishtank had a thin snorkel, coming out away from the audience. I don't think you'd see it if it was clear plastic.

And it sounds like they've updated the Hamlet references. None of those had been announced when I saw it last year.

[QuincyMD]

The Hamlet reference was there when I saw it last year in the West End.

[josh]

Saw it tonight after seeing it in the West End last year. This cast is significantly weaker than that cast, and as a result it drags in places and doesn't quite have the same impact. It still works as a thrilling and mind-exploding piece of theatre, but some of the punch is lost as Jack Shepherd doesn't compare to Ian McDiarmid in the same role, Catherine McCormack is good but fails to set the stage alight as Noma Dumezweni did, and the actress playing the Mother is just really really bad. Still a great few hours in the theatre, once you're in the Directors Commentary/Producer Pitch/onwards my brain is floating in crazy chaotic heaven. Only a shame to have lost the metatheatrical Les Miserables bit, someone told me they filmed in each new town and that here in Cambridge they were going to film her stumbling into the ADC (the other main theatre here) but sadly that didn't materialise in the show!