The first was a matinee of England People Very Nice, a play by Richard Bean, at the National Theatre (Olivier Theatre).
Piet and I got £10 tickets - a special offer at the National - and although we sat right at the very far left of the theatre, we still could see and hear easily.
A riotous journey through four waves of immigration from the 17th century to today. As the French Huguenots, the Irish, the Jews and the Bangladeshis in turn enter the chaotic world of Bethnal Green, each new influx provokes a surge of violent protest over housing, jobs, religion and culture. And the emerging pattern shows that white flight and anxiety over integration is anything but new.
Characters were very large. I read a review that criticised this saying they didn't get further than stereotypes, but in my opinion the characters needed to be clear and they needed to be theatrical. The show needed this energy and pace to take us on the long historical journey.
There were a few actors who I particularly loved and those were the ones that were clearly enjoying themselves. One character always started her scenes, in whatever era the scene was in, with "Fucking [Insert racist nickname here]. The audience learnt this pattern quickly, and the actress playing the role began to play with us and our expectation. We both in on her game of pretending.
All of the actors had great vocal projection. I had no troubles hearing anybody at all. However one particular actor tended to push his voice too much. Not in a harmful way, just in an annoying you're-constantly-shouting kind of way. I wanted him to shut up. He needed to be more sensitive with us.
The set was brilliant! Basically a set of big flat boxes with numerous doors on numerous levels, but otherwise very plain. What I thought was incredibly clever was that the front of the wall was used as a projection screen, and animations (really good ones!) would create where the scene was set. E.g. An animation of red wallpaper being rolled onto the wall, and then a photo of the Taj Mahal being hung up, quickly took us to an Indian restaurant...In a fun way!
Although I didn't understand a lot of the jokes and references in this play (I think you really need to live in London to fully understand) I still really enjoyed it's energy and fun. Its style reminded me of what I imagine The Caucasian Chalk Circle - our graduation production this year - could be like. i.e. Lots of big characters, fast storytelling, witty songs, and fun transitions.
In between shows I went to my new local - The Swan Bar - and had a drink whilst Michael Trigg did silly things with his Coke gun. Then went and got Fish'n'Chips for tea.
Not as good as New Zealand's...
I got great seats for The Lion King too! £20.50 for second row from the front of the Grand Circle. It was good being up one floor because I got a great wide-angle view of the whole stage - and this show is a visual extravaganza!
I got teary eyes again as soon the show began, when Rafiki sang 'The Circle Of Life' whilst the stage was slowly filled by these incredible human/puppets of African animals.
The costumes were the standout feature of this production for me. They were beautiful. They suggest an animal whilst not hiding the fact that a human is playing the role. I think the whole design of the show works so well because it suggests something that we then have to create for ourselves with our imaginations.
Thinking about what Christian was saying about how when an actor works with a puppet on stage we as an audience see the actor working a character, as well as a character being alive on stage. I looked for this tonight. Timon was a great example of this (see below right). We can see the actor playing Timon with his body and voice. As well as the actor controlling a puppet. And we can see the puppet come to life and perform itself.
I had forgotten that The Lion King was a kids Disney movie (don't ask me why) and so at first I was slightly disappointed with the production because it felt like kids theatre, especially with the young actors (about 10yrs old?) playing Simba and Nala. However the actors playing Scar, Zazu, Timon and Pumba, and older Simba and Nala, were class acts!
These two (above and below) were my favourites.
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