FARINELLI AND THE KING Reviews

[dramamama611]

It's opening night, let's post the official reviews as they come in!

[dramamama611]

Nevermind

[wonkit]

Guardian is a review of the London production.

[220Basswood]

dramamama611 said: "Guardian is mixed"

That review is two years old.

[BroadwayConcierge]

Hollywood Reporter is mixed, leaning positive.

amNY gives 3 of 4 stars.

[BroadwayConcierge]

Deadline is positive.

[dramamama611]

oops.....as i brought up the next one, I realized I hadn't checked!

[poisonivy2]

NYTimes is positive.

[wonkit]

I have to say that I hope the play is better than the clip that accompanies the TIMES review as that was self conscious and unfunny.

[WayTooBroadway]

Brantley gave it a Critic’s Pick stamp.

[A Director]

A thoughtful review.

http://www.vulture.com/2017/12/two-critics-review-one-show-farinelli-and-the-king.html

[CT2NYC]

Looks like Telecharge is now selling the extreme side orchestra seats through row H as partial view for $32, and they've lowered the price of the upper level front row stage seating to $119.

[macnyc]

That's a step in the right direction, but the upper level front row (I assume you're talking about the on-stage seating) should be even less than that. 

[CT2NYC]

macnyc said: "That's a step in the right direction, but the upper level front row (I assume you're talking about the on-stage seating) should be even less than that."

Yeah, I meant the on-stage seating. I edited to clarify, and I've heard that they're overpriced, as well. 

[macnyc]

The lower level (the two rows down there) on-stage seating is quite good. Of course you're seeing everything from the side, but you're very close, and the actors occasionally interact. 

[CT2NYC]

macnyc said: "The lower level (the tworows down there)on-stage seating is quite good. Of course you're seeing everything from the side, but you're very close, and the actors occasionally interact."

I'm in upper rear seat 15 when I see the show next month, and, with all the pics I've seen and the feedback I've read, I know better what to expect. 

[macnyc]

I sat up there on the other side, and I was happy with the view for $32. 

[Wee Thomas2]

Saw this from the second row, front section, of the on stage seats this past weekend.  That row has a great view, but the seats are not comfortable.  Not deep enough to get your whole butt on, and the seat closest to the audience doesn't have a full floor under it (there's a step up to the row).  I switched with a short woman who had that seat as her legs didn't reach the floor and I sat sort of sideways for Act II.

 

Great show, great job by the crew, especially Rylance.  He did shake hands with the folks in the front row of our box, and if you're down front in the crowd you may become a small part of the show.

 

Prior to the start of Act 1, some of the actors and musicians do interact with the audience on stage, but not in character.  We had a nice chat with the violin player.

[raddersons]

I think the Vulture review really nails it.

Went last night, and while some parts are wonderful, honestly I left feeling dissatisfied. The character of the king is thin, and scenes without Rylance drag. The actor/opera singer split for Farrinelli is a little awkward as well, and when Farrinelli is singing, not much is happening -- you just sit and listen and everyone on stage kinda does the same, which is kinda nice at first (puts focus on the singing) but is also very awkward to watch. I'd also like to add -- the play's first act is enjoyable because it seems to be leading somewhere, but the second act kinda falls apart a bit. There are some additional plot points that overtake the story and don't have clean conclusions. The fourth-wall breaking made me cringe -- and I usually don't mind it.

If you like classical music and opera, I trust you'll enjoy it more than I did. I really didn't hate it but the two act were really disjointed together.

Seatingwise, I was in the upper level on-stage seats, stage left, closer to the front of the stage. If you're in the four upstage seats (closer to the rear of the stage), the seats are very partial view, and you stare at the backs and tops of people's heads, some seats with a column in the way. The downstage seats are much better. The difference between front/second row doesn't make much of a difference (I was able to sit in both due to some people leaving during intermission). For $32 I certainly didn't mind the view. I also actually gasped when I noticed the chandeliers hanging in front of me used real candles. Very nice visual touch.

[bwayphreak234]

WOW. What a truly awful play. Poorly written, elementary, anachronistic, and padded beyond belief. The writing is so unbelievably poor and all over the place with no consistency at all. The jokes are so insanely cheap and unfunny that it’s embarrassing. I can’t count how many times I rolled my eyes. The performances, including Rylance’s, left no impression on me. The design elements were the only saving grace.

[JBroadway]

bwayphreak234 said: "The design elements were the only saving grace."

Ha! That's ironic considering they really can't even take credit for the design. The set and lighting are modeled after London's Sam Wanamaker Playhouse - the indoor theatre at the Globe where the show premiered. 

I saw the show last night, and I agree with most of your criticisms, though they did not bother me as much as they did you. And I did find Rylance's performance to be exquisite and memorable, though less so than his past performances. Overall I found the play messy and forgettable, with Rylance was the primary saving grace for me. 

 

[bwayphreak234]

JBroadway said: "bwayphreak234 said: "Ha! That's ironic considering they really can't eventake credit for the design. The set and lighting are modeled after London'sSam Wanamaker Playhouse- the indoor theatre at the Globe where the show premiered."

I was wondering why there was no scenic designer specified! This explains that! Well, the one thing I praised was not even unique to the production!

[macnyc]

I saw Farinelli for the second time yesterday, the matinee. I was surprised that the ending of Act 1 was changed. 

 

Click Here To Toggle Spoiler Content

I was waiting for Farinelli to drop out of the ceiling on wires, singing, but it didn't happen. I could hear his voice coming from the ceiling, but the trap door didn't open.  And, a bit awkwardly, Sam Crane was left on stage by himself.

Afterward, an usher told me they had technical difficulties and had to cut that stunt.

Another difference I noticed is that when the king throws the goldfish bowl water at his wife, no water comes out. The first time I saw it, there was actual water that splashed on the actress and had to be wiped up off the floor.

[Dancingthrulife2]

The onstage seats are atrocious. Extremely uncomfortable cushioned bench with very little legroom. The show is also directed WITHOUT the onstage audience in mind, save for a few interactions. More than half the show you only have backs to stare at, especially during most emotional moments where you desperately want to see the faces. 

[JBroadway]

macnyc said: "Another difference I noticed is that when theking throws the goldfish bowl water at his wife, no water comes out. The first time I saw it, there was actual water that splashed on the actress and had to be wiped up off the floor."

 

There was actual water when I saw the show on Friday (the day before yesterday)! Probably another mishap of some sort.