Because I don’t partake in adult activities any more, weekend’s theatre trip was to Leicester Square Theatre to see Tiddler & Other Tales, a compendium of Stickman/Room On The Broom/Gruffalo author Julia Donaldson stories - in addition to Tiddler we got Monkey Puzzle, The Smartest Giant In Town and A Squash And A Squeeze.
Was expecting the four stories to be told separately but instead they were presented as something of a mashup which was refreshing. Three actors managed to do all the parts and music which was super impressive - the props were pleasingly lo-fi and the performances super physical. Both the offspring (four and almost two) were absolutely entranced throughout. I thought it was deece too tbh tbf
Heads up for those that are interested: pre-sale tickets for the NT’s production of Network went on sale today, and general tickets tomorrow:
We managed to get some returned tickets for Mosquitoes too.
Ferryman: I liked it - but it wasn’t quite as powerful as I was hoping it would be, and the very final scene was just silly. There were other issues too with the heavy-handed exposition, the casting of the IRA boss and the way that the kids were expected to act that didn’t ring true either.
I saw Mosquitoes on Wednesday – it was only 2nd preview so naturally time to tighten things up but it was quite flabby and confused plus the science bits felt shoehorned in rather than adding anything to the narrative. Olivia Colman and Williams were both excellent though.
So Angels in America Pt1 a couple of weeks ago was amazing - great acting and amazing production puts it up there as the best thing we’ve seen this year. Pt 2 next week - can’t wait, although quite stressed at the idea of work getting in the way.
Didn’t mention The Resistible Rise of Arturo Ui which we saw last month- good fun to see it in the round at the Donmar, although a bit heavy handed with the Trump comparisons. I got to play the part of the guy that was falsely accused of the warehouse fire which made it fairly memorable (it’s not everyday you get put on trial for a crime you didn’t commit and then shot in front of hundreds of strangers).
Saw The Tempest at the Barbican last night - really enjoyed it - the digital projection stuff and lighting really added to the sense of otherworldly magic in the play.
been a right bastard lately- plays on the last 5 Saturdays.
loved the murderer, based on luke Kennard’s poem. really enjoyed mr mineshaft, death of a salesman and common. out of order was acceptable
had a little scan of the criticisms and reckon they’re off the mark. ‘couldn’t understand the protagonist’s motivations’. seemed very deliberate and worked. people like it when men are slippery like that in fiction.
I really liked dc moore’s ‘not safe for work’ too and that didn’t do very well either.
I saw Gloria at the Hampstead and it was proper ace. Starts off as a bitey comedy and then has a dramatic turn at the end of Act 1 and turns into something very different indeed.
I thought it was a mess, frankly, with a smug and sneery attitude in the first half, and it was dull in the second when the boring sub-plot involving the son became the main focus.
Angels In America Pt 2: Longer scenes and not quite as pacey dialogue, but once again, just so far ahead of everything else. And once again, I did think that they were showing off a bit with the sets that were only used for single scenes…
