Bloody, bold and resolute!

[WillsBabe]

I'm lucky enough to be off to seeing Patrick in Macbeth at the Gielgud in a month or so. I wonder if anyone here has been to see what's supposed to be a stellar production and corking peformance.

Here are some stills to whet your appetite if you are off to see the production, and to give you a hint of what you are in store for when the production moves to New York after its run in the West End.

 

[Whoa Nellie]

WillsBabe said:
I'm lucky enough to be off to seeing Patrick in Macbeth at the Gielgud in a month or so.

As my son would say, "Sweet!" You'll have to let me know if the production is as awesome as it sound like it will be. Have a great time!

Warmest Wishes,
Whoa Nellie

 

[Scatta]

Oh choosing what to travel for... (NYC is now only a little over 5 hours from me)

I think since I just saw him last summer, I'll have to pass on this one. I do look forward to anything you 'd care to share after you see it, though.

 

[WillsBabe]

^ Be happy to.

I don't know if that top shot is a posed still or a moment caught by the camera, either way, it looks utterly convincing. Looking forward to seeing Patrick again doing his stuff on stage.

 

[Forbin]

Corking? Is winemaking involved?

 

[Amelie]

I'd love to go but one ticket costs a small fortune... it's disgusting how much they are charging for something that is not getting particularly good reviews.

 

[WillsBabe]

^ All the reviews I've read are raves. The Daily Mail describes Kate Fleetwood's performance as "career defining", the London Sstandard calls it, "The Macbeth of a lifetime", Guardian Unlimited says, "A traditionally difficult play is magnificently realised", and The Daily Mail says, "Patrick Stewart's brilliant, bloodthirsty Macbeth is going to slice up the Big Apple (in a nice way) next year."

They seem like good notices to me. OTOH, the tickets are expensive, but that's West End, or pretty much any other end, productions for you.

 

[Whoa Nellie]

WillsBabe said:
OTOH, the tickets are expensive, but that's West End, or pretty much any other end, productions for you.

Absolutely. No matter where you are, if you want to see a high-end production you're going to pay for it. A few years back my hubby and I took our daughter to see the traveling production of Webber's 'Phantom of the Opera' when it came to town. It was one hell of a pretty penny but it was a phenomenal show. The hubby and I had already seen Phantom once but watching my daughter take it in was priceless. Of course, now whenever I want to listen to my soundtrack I have to go dig it out of her room.

Enjoy the show and let us know all about it.

Warmest Wishes,
Whoa Nellie

 

[cultcross]

It's bloody brilliant, seriously, you'll love it.

Watch out for the 'underground train' scene. I won't say more cos it'll ruin it, but its a great example of the serious thought and genius stagecraft that went into this production.
A very, very good performance with a cast strong enough that they are not upstaged by their 'big name'.

 

[WillsBabe]

cultcross said:
serious thought and genius stagecraft that went into this production.

I've really got into stage production of late. I've seen some really great use of lighting lately, and it's one of the things that I'm looking forward to in this production. The way good stagecraft can create so much atmosphere and setting from a stark stage is more amazing to me than any cgi.

Thanks for the review cultcross, I'm even more exicted now!

Nellie, I will report back.

 

[Amelie]

WillsBabe said:
^ All the reviews I've read are raves.

Oh really?

Go to the theatre website itself: http://www.gielgud-theatre.com/ and read the reviews from people who have seen it. GRanted there are several 5 star rating but equally as many 1 star or no star reviews. Alot of people said it was boring.

The Times only gave it 3 stars:
http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/tol/arts_and_entertainment/stage/theatre/article2544720.ece

As for the prices: yes the West End is expensive but MAcbeth is beyond a joke. I could buy a weekend in Paris for the price of two tickets to see one play. It's daylight robbery.

 

[WillsBabe]

Amelie said:

WillsBabe said:
^ All the reviews I've read are raves.

Oh really?

Yes. I've only seen good reviews. I wasn't lying when I said that.

 

[Amelie]

WillsBabe said:

Amelie said:

WillsBabe said:
^ All the reviews I've read are raves.

Oh really?

Yes. I've only seen good reviews. I wasn't lying when I said that.

I don't recall calling you a liar.... touchy aren't we?

I was just suprised when i said oh really as I have read plenty of lukewarm or bad reviews.

 

[Whoa Nellie]

cultcross said:
It's bloody brilliant, seriously, you'll love it.

Watch out for the 'underground train' scene. I won't say more cos it'll ruin it, but its a great example of the serious thought and genius stagecraft that went into this production.
A very, very good performance with a cast strong enough that they are not upstaged by their 'big name'.

From what cultcross, who I take it has actually seen the production, posted it looks like you're in for one phenomenal show! :thumbsup: Enjoy it and then report back.

Warmest Wishes,
Whoa Nellie

 

[WillsBabe]

Whoa Nellie said:
Enjoy it and then report back.

I'll take your advice and do just that. Thanks.

 

[mon capitaine]

I can't get down to London to see this production so I'm relying on you WillsBabe for the juicy inside view. There's always Hamlet next year I suppose, but I could really do with Patrick Stewart doing another season at the West Yorkshire Playhouse. That would be far more convienient.

 

[WillsBabe]

^ Is the West Yorkshire Playhouse where he did The Master Builder? Did you see that production? I haven't heard much about it.

I'm off to see him Hamlet next year, but for that I'm having to wait a whole 12 months since my tickets are for October 18th 2008!

 

[mon capitaine]

I didn't fancy the Master Builder, that was West End too. WYP had and old (and whacky even for him) J.B. Priestly - 'Johnson Over Jordan'.

I see the awards are starting to roll in so Someone must have liked it.

 

[WillsBabe]

^ Good news on the award.

A couple of friends went to see Johnson Over Jordon. I think they described it as "whacky".

 

[cultcross]

Whoa Nellie said:

cultcross said:
It's bloody brilliant, seriously, you'll love it.

Watch out for the 'underground train' scene. I won't say more cos it'll ruin it, but its a great example of the serious thought and genius stagecraft that went into this production.
A very, very good performance with a cast strong enough that they are not upstaged by their 'big name'.

From what cultcross, who I take it has actually seen the production, posted it looks like you're in for one phenomenal show! :thumbsup: Enjoy it and then report back.

Warmest Wishes,
Whoa Nellie

I did indeed see it - in fact I saw one of the preview nights (birthday present from my father, he's been in amateur dramatics long enough to know a lot of people in the professional business) - so I'd actually love to know what if anything they changed for the final thing - it was 99% seamless but there were one or two bits I'm sure will have been tightened.
My father saw his 'Twelfth Night' up in Chichester as well, said it was even better than Macbeth. jealous
Hope you have a fantastic time, someone mentioned Hamlet - is that something we have to look forward to next year?