Last 10 Things Seen in the Theatre Meme #5

Time to take stock via that ol' meme.

List the last 10 things you saw at the theatre in order:


1. Filumena (Almeida)
2. The Duchess of Malfi Old Vic)
3. The Taming of the Shrew (RSC, Richmond)
4. Sweeney Todd (Adelphi)
5. The Lady From the Sea (Rose, Kingston)
6. Play House/Definitely the Bahamas (Orange Tree Theatre)
7. Hay Fever (Noel Coward Theatre)
8. The King’s Speech (Richmond)
9. Star Quality (Richmond)
10. Long Day’s Journey Into Night (Richmond)


Who was the best performer in number one (Filumena)?
I enjoyed both Clive Wood’s and Samantha Spiro’s performances, and it was a pleasure to see Sheila Reid on stage again. (Despite my slight disappointment that she wasn’t, as in Benidorm, in a mobility scooter and telling people to “frig off.”)


Why did you go to see number two (The Duchess of Malfi)?
To see The Best, primarily. Although about halfway through I remembered: “Oh yeah. I really like this play.”


Can you remember a line/lyric from number three (The Taming of the Shrew) that you liked?
For some reason I like: “To me she’s married, not unto my clothes.”


What would you give number four (Sweeney Todd) out of 10?
8.


Was there someone hot in number five (The Lady From the Sea)?
Let’s just say that when certain Redgraves and Richardsons speak, it does things to me.


What was number six (Play House/Definitely the Bahamas) about?
Topless handstands and cleaning a mucky fridge. Coupledom, in other words. (Oh, and “budgie-smugglers” (@ShentonStage).)


Who was your favourite actor in number seven (Hay Fever)?
Unlike a lot of people, I enjoyed all of the actors in this. Top marks to Jeremy Northam, though. And to Freddie Fox for some seriously good lounging.


What was your favourite bit in number eight (The King’s Speech)?
Quoth Victoria Wood: “There was a good bit where it all sort of stopped and I had an ice cream.”


Would you see number nine (Star Quality) again?
I quite liked it, but once was enough.


What was the worst thing about number ten (Long Day’s Journey into Night)?
A few first-performance issues but nothing major, really. It’s a play that’s very dear to me, and a really strong production, so what’s not to like?


Which was best?
Long Day’s Journey Into Night and The Lady From The Sea. And I enjoyed Hay Fever and Definitely the Bahamas a good deal.


Which was worst?
Well, The King’s Speech was perhaps even duller than I’d imagined. And I really disliked this production of The Taming of the Shrew by the end.


Did any make you cry?
The Lady From The Sea and Long Day’s Journey into Night.


Did any make you laugh?
Actually, I think all of this set did, at some point.


Which roles would you like to play in any of them?
Consumptive would-be poets rule! So Edmund in Long Day’s Journey into Night will do fine.


Which one did you have the best seats for?
Filumena and Play House/Definitely the Bahamas. And I do have a strange soft spot for the pit cushion area at the Rose. (Especially when sitting next to @3rdspearcarrier and @mzendle, of course.)
 
 

Last 10 Things Seen In the Theatre Meme #4

List the last 10 things you saw at the theatre in order:

1. Earthquakes in London (Richmond Theatre)

2. How To Be Happy (Orange Tree Theatre)
3. The Importance of Being Earnest (Rose Theatre, Kingston)
4. Farewell To The Theatre (Rose Theatre, Kingston)
5. Othello (Sheffield Crucible)
6. South Downs/The Browning Version (Minerva, Chichester)
7. Street Scene (Young Vic)
8. Grief (National Theatre, Cottesloe)
9. Dr. Marigold and Mr. Chops (Richmond Theatre)
10. Boys Plays (Above the Stag)


Who was the best performer in number one (Earthquakes in London)?
Toss-up between Tracey-Ann Oberman and Paul Shelley.


Why did you go to see number two (How To Be Happy)?
Reviewing assignment.


Can you remember a line/lyric from number three (The Importance of Being Earnest) that you liked?

Even people who’ve never seen this play can remember lines from it! Stick a pin in the text and you’ll find a memorable epigram. I think my favourite is Gwendolen’s "I am pleased to say that I have never seen a spade."

What would you give number four (Farewell To The Theatre) out of 10?
A charitable 4.



Was there someone hot in number five (Othello)?
Ahem! West! Gilbreath! Shame on Shakespeare for not giving them a happy ending, though.



What was number six (South Downs/The Browning Version) about?
Oh, lots of things. Mainly, perhaps, what unexpected acts of kindness can do.



Who was your favourite actor in number seven (Street Scene)?
A strong ensemble but I suppose  Elena Ferrari just takes it.



What was your favourite bit in number eight (Grief)?

The scene in which Marion Bailey’s Gertrude finds Lesley Manville’s Dorothy in distress and the characters almost - but don’t quite - break through to honest communication touched me a lot. Classic Leigh, brilliantly done.

Would you see number nine (Dr. Marigold and Mr. Chops) again?
Could do.


What was the worst thing about number ten (Boys Plays)?
The first play in the double-bill was fairly lacklustre.



Which was best?
Not a fashionable view, but I thought Grief was absolutely wonderful.



Which was worst?
Farewell To The Theatre. All too aptly titled, I’m afraid.



Did any make you cry?
In approximate order of amount of tears shed: Grief, The Browning Version, Street Scene, Othello.



Did any make you laugh?
Earthquakes in London, How To Be Happy, The Importance of Being Earnest, Othello, Grief, Dr. Marigold and Mr. Chops.



Which roles would you like to play in any of them?
Judging by two of the locations in which it ended up in this production, Desdemona’s handkerchief looked to be having a rather jolly time. Alternatively, Sam in Street Scene so I get to sing “Lonely House.”



Which one did you have the best seats for?
How To Be Happy and Grief. Go small theatres!