National Theatre
National Theatre
#1National Theatre
Posted: 5/11/08 at 6:41pm
Having only seen an handful of NT productions prior to 2008 (and only one of those actually *at* the National), I'm finding myself spending a lot of time there this year. Also I'd like to read more about plays and less about Mackintosh and Nunn's latest shenanigans. So uh... well, here's a quick rundown of what I've seen this year, and my brief thoughts on each one. ^_^
'Much Ado About Nothing' - what a great production! Every nice thing you heard about it was true. This production led me to resolving to see everything Simon Russell Beale ever does in London for as long as possible. Simply superb.
'War Horse' - I had to get up ridiculously early in the morning to get a dayseat for this massively sold-out show, and it was worth every freezing cold hour sat on the concrete floor of the south bank, and every freezing cold hour trying to regain normal body temperature with endless cups of coffee afterwards. You'll never see a finer puppet show. I hear it'll be back at Christmas; as soon as it rears up (hoho) again, you MUST book tickets!
'Major Barbara' - quite wordy, but a fine fine performance from Simon Russell Beale. I'm less spaffy about this one, but it was still good.
'Fram' - just saw it last night. WOW. I don't mind telling you the only reason I went is because the playwright's called Tony Harrison ("this is an outrage!"), and when I paid a little more attention and found out it was all in rhyme and about Arctic exploration and starvation, my brain went "oh s***, you're DOOMED". But it was great! I was sincerely entertained from beginning to end; the first act made me laugh, the second act left me genuinely disturbed. I don't think I'll have a chance to see it again, which is a shame, so you guys will have to go see it for me. :P (Okay, my view could be slightly skewed 'cos I saw 'Gone With The Wind' immediately beforehand, but damn 'Fram' was great. 
)
I also have tickets booked for 'A Slight Ache' and 'Never So Good', and I'm fully intending to get 'The Year Of Magical Thinking' and 'The Revenger's Tragedy' too. And there's a production of 'Oedipus Rex' coming much later in the year; roll that on an' all!
#2re: National Theatre
Posted: 5/11/08 at 6:42pm
In fact, it's official!
http://www.nationaltheatre.org.uk/warhorse
It's coming back! HOW EXCITED AM I?!
#2re: National Theatre
Posted: 5/11/08 at 6:50pm
I Look forward to hearing your views on 'Magical Thinking'! I saw it last year on a last minute whim and was was totally blown away! Its a chilling play that haunts you for some time after and Ms Redgrave is simply astounding! Im a little confused as to why its had not to good a time with the critics here. I can only agree with them that the Lyttelton stage would maybe swamp the non excistent set and it being a one performer work. The Booth in NY was perfect -about the size of London's Comedy.
'War Horse' does indeed return later this year and bookings will open in the next few months. One of my top 3 favorite plays of the last year.
A young actress with Noel coward after a dreadful opening night performance said to him 'Well, i knew my lines backwards this morning!''
Noels fast reply was ''Yes dear, and thats exactly how you said them tonight'!'
#3re: National Theatre
Posted: 5/11/08 at 6:50pm
haha Just saw your last post.
Saddle up!
A young actress with Noel coward after a dreadful opening night performance said to him 'Well, i knew my lines backwards this morning!''
Noels fast reply was ''Yes dear, and thats exactly how you said them tonight'!'
Updated On: 5/11/08 at 06:50 PM
#4re: National Theatre
Posted: 5/11/08 at 6:52pm
I hear Harper Regan is also excellent.
Set up a tent on the South Bank!
#5re: National Theatre
Posted: 5/11/08 at 6:58pmIts a shame the Aldwych is blocked up with such rubbish as so many National Theatre productions used to transfer there on a regular basis- they always seemed to sit there really well.
A young actress with Noel coward after a dreadful opening night performance said to him 'Well, i knew my lines backwards this morning!''
Noels fast reply was ''Yes dear, and thats exactly how you said them tonight'!'
#6re: National Theatre
Posted: 5/12/08 at 3:35pm
I've had some of my best experiences in an auditorium at the National. The anticipation of entering the building and attending a performance is, for me, the intellectual equivalent of pre-cu*.
Even something such as Never So Good that is average by the National's standards is excellent by most other standards.
And talking of Never So Good I saw it a couple of weeks ago. It's a posthumous pat-on-the-back for 1950s/60s primeminister Harold McMillan, dividing his life into four significant chapters. Jeremy Irons, as the older HM steps tentatively through his memories of service in WWI and then his younger self stalks Irons through the future. Anna Chancellor (Duckface: Four Weddings)does Mrs McMillan as a supportive adulteress and is tolerated by her bemused workaholic husband in a similar way to the couple in Pinter's The Lover. There were some needless but spectacular pyrotechnics that nearly blew the National's typical matinee audience of retired City types back to Kingston. There were also superb supporting performances from the actors playing Churchill, Eisenhower, Eden and HM's mother. Definitely worth checking out if the history interests you or if you enjoy great character acting. I would never accuse the National's actors of chewing the scenery but they were definitely masticating it.
