Quick London Question: Player Kings (Ian McKellen) or London Tide

[Play Esq.]

Posted: 3/29/24 at 6:26pm

I currently have tickets for London Tide (mostly because of PJ Harvey) but just realizing that Ian McKellen is doing Falstaff (!!!!) in a new version of Shakespeare's Henry IV (Player Kings) while I'm in London.  I was very fortunate to see the brilliant Jack O'Brian production of Henry IV in 2003 and consider it one of my all time favorite theatergoing experiences.  I would need to bail on London Tide to see Player Kings.

I know London Tide is an unknown property, but anyone have thoughts on Player Kings?  Or if anyone has any early insight on London Tide, I'd also appreciate it!

Thanks so much in advance!

[two ladies tickets]

Posted: 3/29/24 at 6:38pm

I am very excited about seeing London Tide in mid May. Something you may want to factor in is that Player Kings is about three hours and 45 minutes long. And even though the seats in the Lyttelton at The National are very uncomfortable, I think London Tide would have a much shorter running time.

Updated On: 3/29/24 at 06:38 PM

[Play Esq.]

Posted: 3/29/24 at 7:02pm

Two Ladies: Thank you for this!  You actually bring up another issue that I've been considering: I could buy a seat for Player Kings and go after London Tide.  (London Tide starts at 1 and PK at 230.). Presuming of course that London TIde doesn't run 3 hours :-P

Just curious, what makes you so excited about London Tide?  I've been a fan of PJ Harvey since my collage years and Norris is incredibly reliable, so when I knew I was going to London, it was a no-brainer.  I'm interested in what drew you to this piece.

[two ladies tickets]

Posted: 3/29/24 at 7:10pm

PJ Harvey definitely drew me to this piece as did the story by Dickens that they're using as source material. I wish they were doing it in the Dorfman, I like that space much better.
Since London Tide doesn't start previews for a couple of weeks, we don't know the running time yet so even if London Tide is 90 minutes you'd still be cutting it really close to run across Waterloo bridge into the West End to the Noel Coward. 

Updated On: 3/30/24 at 07:10 PM

[Play Esq.]

Posted: 3/29/24 at 8:03pm

Thank you again: I knew it was Dickens, but not that it was a short story. I’ll read it overly this leisurely Easter weekend, thanks to you! 

Ive seen Henry IV before and have also read the plays, so if I miss the first act, I wouldn’t be devastated (and maybe the house might let me in sooner if I chose a seat near the isle and door). 

[Harriet Craig]

Posted: 3/30/24 at 10:39am

“Short story”? The National Theatre’s website says London Tide is based on Our Mutual Friend. That’s a full-length novel (my copy is more than 800 pages long).

[Play Esq.]

Posted: 3/30/24 at 11:23am

I took the previous comment to mean it was on the shorter side. My bad. Guess I’m going to wait until previews start before making a decision 🤷🏽‍♂️

[lilpunkin]

Posted: 4/8/24 at 4:26pm

London Tide provisional running time is about 3 hours 15 minutes. (It’s a huge book!)

[Jarethan]

Posted: 4/8/24 at 10:09pm

How many more times are you going to have the opportunity to see Ian McKellen live on stage, and in a play that you like?  That would be a serious consideration for me.

[Play Esq.]

Posted: 4/9/24 at 8:26am

Ugh I know!  Waiting to hear early word on London Tide when it begins previews this week before I make my decision, but leaning towards Player Kings. 

[Play Esq.]

Posted: 4/18/24 at 1:58pm

Eek...these reviews (and I linked one of the nicer ones)!  Player Kings it is. Anyone want a matinee seat for London Tide for Wednesday at 1?

 

[blaxx]

Posted: 4/19/24 at 10:18pm

Play Esq. said: "Eek...these reviews(and I linked one of the nicer ones)! Player Kings it is. Anyone want a matinee seat for London Tide for Wednesday at 1?

"

London Tide is the laziest thing I've ever seen.