Tonight, I saw Showtune - an evening of Jerry Herman music - at the Union Theatre. By 'eck, I could walk there again from the office! Mind you, I left later than intended, so it was quite a brisk walk. And it was just as well I skipped going to the loo on the way out - though I wanted to go.. I was only just in time. Turns out I was there before (years ago), but I have no memory of it at all.. anyway, I might have been the very first person to book for tonight (as he told me, checking my name off the list), but I was the very last in the door. Practically sold out, from what I could see. Seating is unassigned - I managed a seat on the aisle, and was pretty high up, but it's a small place, so nowhere is far from the stage. Damn stuffy though - I thought I saw a cooler by the door, but it didn't achieve much.
The stage is scattered with bits and pieces of costume, calling to mind the dressing room of a stage star. Several outfit changes throughout the evening are performed behind screens on stage - they're short on space, after all! And this is simply a medley of the man's music. Honestly, I wasn't familiar with most of it - but I bet everyone knows Hello, Dolly! and I Am What I Am. And perhaps Look What Happened to Mabel.
With music of that calibre, it doesn't really matter if you've heard it before - it's all good. And the performances are generally top-notch.. a few weak voices. But the choreography is good, and the use of space - it fits together seamlessly, with a guy to the side on piano providing musical accompaniment. Basically a terrific night out for those of us who love, well, showtunes! Recommended - runs till Saturday, booking recommended. And as always when I watch something like this.. I do wonder how the Man with the Hat is doing. Of all the people I've met, this world reminds me of him more than anyone.
Slightly too far to walk home, but I was just in time for a bus - which fairly flew me there!
Tomorrow, I'm still looking at a film - but of course, my choice kept changing! Now, top of the list is a preview of Pain & Glory, the latest by Almodóvar, starring a very grey Antonio Banderas as an ageing filmmaker, looking back over his life, and Penélope Cruz as his mother, in flashback. Tomorrow, previewing at the Curzon Soho. I kept an eye on it, and this evening, finally more than half the seats were booked - so I grabbed my chance, and booked one while I still could.
I'm back in Ireland for the bank holiday weekend - Ryanair seems to be drafting in pilots to cover those who are striking, and assures me that all flights on Friday are going ahead as scheduled.
On Tuesday, The Embers Collective is back - at Dalston Eastern Curve Garden this time. There'll be storytelling, there'll be music - and hopefully food. And we're making that the occasion of this month's social from my last company! Be great to see everyone again. And at least I don't have to depend on the Tube this time - unlike last Thursday!
Next Wednesday, London Science Events is off to a Science Museum Late. Just remembered today to book a ticket - although they're free, you do need to book. Ironically, it was also today that London Literary Walks finally advertised another walk - for that day! Much more interesting, so I'm going on that instead. It's The Hampstead Walk. I'm rather relieved - it took him ages to arrange this, and I was afraid he'd given up!
And on the 29th and 30th, finally back with Up in the Cheap Seats - first time in three weeks! On the 29th, it's HMS Pinafore at Wilton's.
And on the 30th, we're at Treemonisha, by Scott Joplin, at the Arcola. Part of the Grimeborn Opera Festival.
Showing posts with label Union Theatre. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Union Theatre. Show all posts
Wednesday, 21 August 2019
Thursday, 22 January 2015
Play of Thrones
Shakespeare's Henry VI, in the style of Game of Thrones. Well now, I have zero interest in Game of Thrones, and I'd never seen Henry VI before. But I am fascinated by that period in history, so this was a no-brainer. Despite the review in a recent Evening Standard, that while praising some aspects of the production, did think the performances were patchy. Anyway, looking at the website, I could see there was limited availability, so I booked.
I'm not sure, but I think I was at Union Theatre once before. Anyway, it's an easy one - Tube to Southwark and a short walk. I was feeling a bit fluey, but headed out anyway, in good time. As usual, the District Line was clunky and prone to delays. It was interesting to watch the platform indicator at Earl's Court.. when we pulled in, there was a train at the next platform, which was slated to go first - but you can't take the risk, it isn't always accurate. It was on this occasion. When the next train replaced it, that train was also slated to go first. It didn't. Goes to show.. It was a relief to get onto the zippy Jubilee Line.
I don't get off here often, but it turns not to be too hard. Two exits are signposted as you leave the platforms - the train station, and everywhere else. Take the exit not for the train station. Sundry roads are signposted - just leave the station and head straight ahead, past the large office building across the road. Continue under the railway arch - the entrance to the theatre is just on the other side of the arch, on the left.
I passed through a kind of cafe area, with a guy at a table that looked as though he might be selling tickets. But I had already booked mine, and printed the receipt - and a sign behind him said to continue to the box office if that were the case. So I did, through a double door into a tiny bar. Gave them my receipt and got a card with a number on it. I'd read this in the play information, but he told me again in case I didn't know - we'd be sent in in groups of 10, by number. I was 37.. When I got in, I saw the two seats in front row centre were free - so I took one.
Seating is unassigned, and tiered. Quite comfortable - luckily, because this runs to three hours, including interval. It was about five minutes before the performance started. And I loved it. Well, they'd have had to do something serious to make me hate it. So, you have Shakespeare's beautiful texts.. and for a Game of Thrones-type twist, dramatic background music, more female characters (notably, the Duke of York is now the Duchess - but also, Joan of Arc's mother, rather than her father, appears), and characters that glare at each other periodically, just to remind you that they're not best of friends. And a plot voiceover - as someone remarked at the interval, this was much clearer than the RSC production of it she'd seen. Duh!
As I mentioned, the Evening Standard was taxed by some of the performances. For my part, the production itself was so dramatic that I don't think anyone would notice whether someone's performance was a bit off. The set is sparse, the only props being a chair that acts as a throne, and a few ladders, used extensively throughout - as walls, as bookcases, as things to stand on to get a vantage point, and during the battle scenes, the actors pick them up and thrust them at each other. Quite noisy, that. I liked the clever mock red and white roses the Duchess of York and Duke of Lancaster wore - made of bits of appropriately coloured paper, sandwiched between the plastic covers that the queue numbers come in. (BTW, the "Duke of Lancaster" should be the Duke of Somerset - there was no Duke of Lancaster at the time, but I guess they wanted to emphasise the Lancastrian connection.
They bookend the play with bits from plays set before and after - the "Once more unto the breach" speech from Henry V, and the first line from the "Now is the winter of our discontent" speech from the beginning of Richard III. Speaking of whom, Richard gets a look-in here, of course, and the Evening Standard praised his performance highly. They were right to - he was perfectly cast, and presents a sinister figure at the end of the play.
The only fault I had to find was that the place was freezing. They had heat on when we came in, but seemed to turn it off soon after the start. They chucked us out at the interval - the hall outside was even colder, with the outside door open, so I made my way into the bar - and made a dash for the open stove, where I remained for the duration of the interval. Someone apparently asked the barman whether they sold hot drinks and was told they didn't - fools, they'd have made a fortune!
Highly recommended - but maybe bring a blanket. Runs until Saturday - decent availability for tonight, sold out tomorrow night, and only one ticket left for Saturday. So get a move on if you're interested! The event did nothing for my flu, and I shivered all the way home and was too sick to write the blog last night. I had a debate on cyber security booked for tonight, but frankly, I'm going to run home to bed and stay there. Anyway, it was free. (Gee, this is becoming a habit, booking free debates and cancelling because I have the flu!) Looking around for what's on tomorrow, my primary impression is that pretty much everything is sold out. But there is a show called Shaw's Women, at the Tristan Bates Theatre, that seems to have good availability - and there is also some comedy. If it isn't sold out too! But I'll wait and see what happens with my flu..
I'm not sure, but I think I was at Union Theatre once before. Anyway, it's an easy one - Tube to Southwark and a short walk. I was feeling a bit fluey, but headed out anyway, in good time. As usual, the District Line was clunky and prone to delays. It was interesting to watch the platform indicator at Earl's Court.. when we pulled in, there was a train at the next platform, which was slated to go first - but you can't take the risk, it isn't always accurate. It was on this occasion. When the next train replaced it, that train was also slated to go first. It didn't. Goes to show.. It was a relief to get onto the zippy Jubilee Line.
I don't get off here often, but it turns not to be too hard. Two exits are signposted as you leave the platforms - the train station, and everywhere else. Take the exit not for the train station. Sundry roads are signposted - just leave the station and head straight ahead, past the large office building across the road. Continue under the railway arch - the entrance to the theatre is just on the other side of the arch, on the left.
I passed through a kind of cafe area, with a guy at a table that looked as though he might be selling tickets. But I had already booked mine, and printed the receipt - and a sign behind him said to continue to the box office if that were the case. So I did, through a double door into a tiny bar. Gave them my receipt and got a card with a number on it. I'd read this in the play information, but he told me again in case I didn't know - we'd be sent in in groups of 10, by number. I was 37.. When I got in, I saw the two seats in front row centre were free - so I took one.
Seating is unassigned, and tiered. Quite comfortable - luckily, because this runs to three hours, including interval. It was about five minutes before the performance started. And I loved it. Well, they'd have had to do something serious to make me hate it. So, you have Shakespeare's beautiful texts.. and for a Game of Thrones-type twist, dramatic background music, more female characters (notably, the Duke of York is now the Duchess - but also, Joan of Arc's mother, rather than her father, appears), and characters that glare at each other periodically, just to remind you that they're not best of friends. And a plot voiceover - as someone remarked at the interval, this was much clearer than the RSC production of it she'd seen. Duh!
As I mentioned, the Evening Standard was taxed by some of the performances. For my part, the production itself was so dramatic that I don't think anyone would notice whether someone's performance was a bit off. The set is sparse, the only props being a chair that acts as a throne, and a few ladders, used extensively throughout - as walls, as bookcases, as things to stand on to get a vantage point, and during the battle scenes, the actors pick them up and thrust them at each other. Quite noisy, that. I liked the clever mock red and white roses the Duchess of York and Duke of Lancaster wore - made of bits of appropriately coloured paper, sandwiched between the plastic covers that the queue numbers come in. (BTW, the "Duke of Lancaster" should be the Duke of Somerset - there was no Duke of Lancaster at the time, but I guess they wanted to emphasise the Lancastrian connection.
They bookend the play with bits from plays set before and after - the "Once more unto the breach" speech from Henry V, and the first line from the "Now is the winter of our discontent" speech from the beginning of Richard III. Speaking of whom, Richard gets a look-in here, of course, and the Evening Standard praised his performance highly. They were right to - he was perfectly cast, and presents a sinister figure at the end of the play.
The only fault I had to find was that the place was freezing. They had heat on when we came in, but seemed to turn it off soon after the start. They chucked us out at the interval - the hall outside was even colder, with the outside door open, so I made my way into the bar - and made a dash for the open stove, where I remained for the duration of the interval. Someone apparently asked the barman whether they sold hot drinks and was told they didn't - fools, they'd have made a fortune!
Highly recommended - but maybe bring a blanket. Runs until Saturday - decent availability for tonight, sold out tomorrow night, and only one ticket left for Saturday. So get a move on if you're interested! The event did nothing for my flu, and I shivered all the way home and was too sick to write the blog last night. I had a debate on cyber security booked for tonight, but frankly, I'm going to run home to bed and stay there. Anyway, it was free. (Gee, this is becoming a habit, booking free debates and cancelling because I have the flu!) Looking around for what's on tomorrow, my primary impression is that pretty much everything is sold out. But there is a show called Shaw's Women, at the Tristan Bates Theatre, that seems to have good availability - and there is also some comedy. If it isn't sold out too! But I'll wait and see what happens with my flu..
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