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Twelfth Night First Preview- Page 2

Twelfth Night First Preview

After Eight
#25Twelfth Night First Preview
Posted: 10/16/13 at 9:54am

A "revelatory" performance.

Indeed. Who would have thought that Shakespeare intended Olivia to be played as an alien from another planet? Any resemblance between this and any other livng (or deceased) human being is strictly coincidental.

How revealing!

Updated On: 10/16/13 at 09:54 AM

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Smaxie
#26Twelfth Night First Preview
Posted: 10/16/13 at 10:45am

While things get farcical, I think some of Rylance's biggest laughs come from recognizably awkward behavior when in the throes of love. What he does with "What is your parentage?" is alone worth the price of admission.


Begin at the beginning and go on till you come to the end: then stop.

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Kad
#27Twelfth Night First Preview
Posted: 10/16/13 at 12:34pm

"Any resemblance between this and any other livng (or deceased) human being is strictly coincidental."

That really should be your signature.


"...everyone finally shut up, and the audience could enjoy the beginning of the Anatevka Pogram in peace."

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henrikegerman
#28Twelfth Night First Preview
Posted: 10/16/13 at 1:56pm

OK, Aftereight, but did you like what he did? How entertaining an extraterrestrial was he? Did the absurdity you found in his Olivia serve the play, expose its layers of reality and artifice, resonate with the text and the rest of the production in terms of love, mourning, appearance, reality, foolishness, self-acceptance, narcissism, loss? Does Rylance capture Olivia's isolation, self-dramatization, self-indulgence, fickleness, and her vulnerability and heartsick appetite when the spirit of love excessively receiveth as the sea and she falls into abatement and low price?





Updated On: 10/16/13 at 01:56 PM

willep
#29Twelfth Night First Preview
Posted: 10/16/13 at 2:01pm

Going to try the rush next Wednesday and hope they let me buy a ticket to both shows. Can't wait!

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themysteriousgrowl
#30Twelfth Night First Preview
Posted: 10/16/13 at 2:10pm


henrik, you're asking the wrong questions. You have to see theater from After Eight's perspective, his full weltanschauung. Theater is a two-step process.

1. Text is put onto a page.
2. Actors deliver that text the correct way.

You're overcomplicating things, superimposing your newfangled "psychology" onto it, looking for meaning where there is none, and that's where all the trouble we have in this sewer-mouthed world comes from.


CHURCH DOOR TOUCAN GAY MARKETING PUPPIES MUSICAL THEATER STAPLES PERIOD OIL BITCHY SNARK HOLES

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henrikegerman
#31Twelfth Night First Preview
Posted: 10/16/13 at 2:44pm

I just couldn't help myself, mysterious.

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The Glenbuck Laird
#32Twelfth Night First Preview
Posted: 10/16/13 at 4:14pm

Best poster on 'ere After Eight, bar none

Updated On: 10/16/13 at 04:14 PM

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miminy
#33Twelfth Night First Preview
Posted: 10/16/13 at 5:38pm

Wonderfully funny and a very entertaining night at the theater.
Last night there was a moment in Act II when Malvolio is
locked in the "dark house" and the trapdoor did not descend
straight away. Sebastian on stage was trying not to laugh. I'd like
to know if it was a tech malfunction or part of the schtick.
Very funny moment either way. Please report if you see it.

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pennydreadful
#34Twelfth Night First Preview
Posted: 10/17/13 at 12:52am

Hey mysteriousgrowl - I went tonight, and was in the front upper tier stage seating, which is Row C. It was great! Row D sat behind us - avoid Row D, the railing and our heads obstructed their view. I was seat 1, which was furthest upstage - I could see in the wings, which was a lot of fun, but if I'd known, I would have picked C9 or 11 or thereabouts. Being further downstage would have enabled me to see more facial expressions. However, I don't feel like I missed much - the actors move all over the place, and I got to see plenty that people sitting in the house couldn't. I want to go back and sit in the lower onstage tier, though - the show was just that great. And being onstage is magical!

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themysteriousgrowl
#35Twelfth Night First Preview
Posted: 10/17/13 at 7:53am

Oh, wow, thanks, pennydreadful!

Perhaps I’ve just been looking to have my fears confirmed, but this is very helpful. On Telecharge mobile, they don’t give you any indication of which rows are where. I had assumed, by deduction, that only row “D” was at the top, as those are the only $25 seats turning up. It sounds like maybe those aren’t worth the savings. Thank you very, very much.

And I’m glad you loved the show! I’m really looking forward to it!



CHURCH DOOR TOUCAN GAY MARKETING PUPPIES MUSICAL THEATER STAPLES PERIOD OIL BITCHY SNARK HOLES
Updated On: 10/17/13 at 07:53 AM

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pennydreadful
#36Twelfth Night First Preview
Posted: 10/17/13 at 11:06am

themysteriousgrowl, try using the "old" Telecharge site, at www2.telecharge.com. It's much easier to use than the new one! And for those of you are in the upper tier stage seating, you get to go backstage in order to ascend your staircase! Mark Rylance, already in Olivia mode, swept by me in his grand underskirts on his way onstage as I was walking through the wings to be seated - and when I caught his eyes (no doubt grinning like a lunatic) he dropped his demurely and did a delicate, fancy lady hand motion. It was just so cool!!

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Kad
#37Twelfth Night First Preview
Posted: 10/17/13 at 11:23am

I stopped by the theatre at around 11 and got two rush tickets- row B of the onstage section, 12 and 14. Not at all a bad deal, considering the seats are $137 full-price. Looking forward to this immensely.


"...everyone finally shut up, and the audience could enjoy the beginning of the Anatevka Pogram in peace."

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pennydreadful
#38Twelfth Night First Preview
Posted: 10/17/13 at 11:28am

I'm gonna try to rush tomorrow, and see if I can get on the bottom tier/a box. Kad, the second row of the bottom tier seemed to have fine views, but can you report back tonight, please? :) Edited to add: I just rushed, myself, and got a lower level box seat for $27! Partial view, but I'm not worried about missing much.

Updated On: 10/17/13 at 11:28 AM

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E.Davis
#39Twelfth Night First Preview
Posted: 10/17/13 at 10:40pm

Spoiler******








Does Maria still pour the wax onto Malvolio? I lost it at that point.


"I think lying to children is really important, it sets them off on the right track" -Sherie Rene Scott-

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Kad
#40Twelfth Night First Preview
Posted: 10/17/13 at 11:39pm

So my boyfriend and I were in the second row of the SL lower tier, as far downstage as you could go. My boyfriend was the furthest downstage, and it seemed as though the wood beam was obstructing his view as he had to lean a bit- he said he didn't mind. Honestly, I wouldn't trade our spots for any seat in the front orchestra. Amazing vantage point- before the show and after. And the show is staged as a true thrust production (action played to 3 sides)- so there is literally no seating location that won't have an actor's back to them or blocking some action. Which is good! Usually productions have some unconventional seating and then stage the show for a proscenium anyway.

Yes, Maria does that bit. A truly hilarious performance.

As a whole, I loved the production. This is what theatre is all about, for me. The power of imagination of performer and audience working together to create a world you get to revel in for a while.

This isn't the quickest Twelfth Night around- and it's completely uncut. So yes, the first act is pretty much entirely exposition. But then the show takes off in the second in an amazing way. I would say that the leisurely pacing would lose us, but it's so well-performed and stage. The audience response at the end was amazing.

Rylance's Olivia may become one of my favorite stage performances. It's so delicious and unexpected, silly but truthful in its emotions. He gets a laugh simply by crossing the stage- or floating, more accurately. And god, there is a moment in the second act that is so ridiculous and unexpected that had me in stitches. Rylance does intentionally embellish the text with stutters and repetition, but it just works (and is actually supported BY the text!).

The rest of the cast is just superb. The stage is gorgeous. And sitting onstage gives you a terrific view of the entirety of the Belasco- probably the most lovely Broadway house.

Truly worth seeing and worth seeing up-close. Those costumes- wow!


"...everyone finally shut up, and the audience could enjoy the beginning of the Anatevka Pogram in peace."
Updated On: 10/17/13 at 11:39 PM

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miminy
#41Twelfth Night First Preview
Posted: 10/17/13 at 11:39pm

Yes!

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E.Davis
#42Twelfth Night First Preview
Posted: 10/18/13 at 12:52am

The line delivery on "Most Wonderful" is almost worth the admission itself.


"I think lying to children is really important, it sets them off on the right track" -Sherie Rene Scott-

oasisjeff
#43Twelfth Night First Preview
Posted: 10/18/13 at 1:25am

Did anyone stage door for Stephen Fry? Did he sign a lot? Big crowd?

What time did the show let out?

I can't even believe I'm typing such a thing, but I adore him and plan to get him to sign one of his books during this run... Twelfth Night First Preview


Now t/d/b/a haterobics on here.

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pennydreadful
#44Twelfth Night First Preview
Posted: 10/18/13 at 2:08am

I went two nights in a row - Fry signed a lot and took lots of photos, he was very gracious, but there was a big crowd and he couldn't get to everybody. So if you want him to sign your book, hightail it outta the theater asap and position yourself by the stage door. Display your book prominently, he took an interest in people holding his books.

oasisjeff
#45Twelfth Night First Preview
Posted: 10/18/13 at 3:25am

Thanks. Since I'm onstage, I'll probably just go down and get the book signed some other night...


Now t/d/b/a haterobics on here.

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frogs_fan85
#46Twelfth Night First Preview
Posted: 10/18/13 at 10:24am

I was on stage for the first preview and had no issue in getting Stephen Frey's signature. There were maybe 30 people there waiting and oddly the crowd thinned out considerably once he left, which was a few minutes before Mark Rylance appeared.

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macnyc
#47Twelfth Night First Preview
Posted: 10/18/13 at 12:36pm

On a whim, I just bought $25 seats for tonight's performance using the old Telecharge. I have no idea where I'll be sitting! It says "Upper right box F, Row F, Seat 1." Is this on stage? (Also, with various fees, it came to $38.25.) Can anyone let me know? If I'm going to be on the stage, I'll leave my tote bag at the office. Thanks!

Edited to add: I just looked at the printout, and it says: These boxes contain movable chairs located on the mezzanine level at the extreme sides of the theater and may have partial views missing approximately 20% of the stage.

So I guess I'm in a box, not on stage? Updated On: 10/18/13 at 12:36 PM

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Patash
#48Twelfth Night First Preview
Posted: 10/18/13 at 12:49pm

"Did the absurdity you found in his Olivia serve the play, expose its layers of reality and artifice, resonate with the text and the rest of the production in terms of love, mourning, appearance, reality, foolishness, self-acceptance, narcissism, loss? Does Rylance capture Olivia's isolation, self-dramatization, self-indulgence, fickleness, and her vulnerability and heartsick appetite when the spirit of love excessively receiveth as the sea and she falls into abatement and low price?"

ROTFLMAO

Who cares? Do you honestly think that's what the audiences in Shakespeare's time were supposed to get from the performance? Or were they to regard it as a really fun and funny comedy. I vote for the latter. And yes, I'm guessing Rylance's performance perfectly accomplishes Shakespeare's original intent.

rjm516
#49Twelfth Night First Preview
Posted: 10/19/13 at 4:52pm

I was there Tuesday, and it was magical. It really was just an extraordinary and exceedingly well-done production. I would love to see it again, really. I think everything, every single line, every movement, was perfectly executed to be as funny as possible while still being true to the text and as if we were a audience in the 1500s. Just brilliant! Rylance is a genius, he really is.


Oh as for stage dooring - Fry was super nice. I came from London and we talked about how QI is the greatest show there ever was. But he was quickly overwhelmed because stage dooring doesn't really happen in London. I have a feeling he will continue to cut down his time spent there because he was like 'what on earth is happening!' Rylance is so nice and such a gentle person, and I hate how some tourists were treating him. I said how marvelous he was, asked for a signature, and asked if he was taking pictures, and he said he doesn't like to take pictures. And I thanked him and said I hoped to see it again. Then a few young tourists who didn't really speak much English pushed me aside clamoring for a picture with him, and I said to them that he doesn't take pictures. One girl put her camera IN MY HAND, saying take picture take picture, and I said again that he doesn't take pictures and to be more respectful of him (she was kind of pulling his arm towards her?? wtf!). She said 'But he smiled at me! He touched me! He will take!' What on earth...so ridiculous. I just gave her camera back, said again 'You have to respect that these are people, not your props!' and left. Yikes! Updated On: 10/19/13 at 04:52 PM