32 replies to this topic

[Cardinal Pirelli]

The Suburbanite, on 25 March 2012 - 12:10 PM, said:

Sinead Matthews.

Whoops, just been catching up with season 3 of Being Human, wrong Sinead in my brain.

This, along with 'Tis Pity She's a Whore', is my highlight of this year so far.

[Reich]

One of the many books I never got round to reading and now I’m not sure I will as the Complicite version is just so good. I need the excitement of last nights performance to die down but this may be one of the best things I’ve seen.

Paul Rhys & Sinead Matthews were stunning and I wonder if I’ll see stronger performances this year. I was incredibly impressed with SM’s command of the stage considering what she was wearing “Delighted”

I agree with Billington about the busyness of it but the second half really came into it’s stride (literally!) and totally knocked me for six. Towards the end, I got such a sense of peace, calm and tranquillity from the narrative*. Its excellent. Go and see it.

*Sorry if it sounds all a bit trust exercise with Legs Akimbo ;-)

[Theatresquirrel]

ABSOLUTELY LOVED IT.

Never in all my days did I imagine anyone would be able to adapt such a complex, fabulist, epic book, but it's all here. Truly jawdropping. Paul Rhys was indeed astonishing, but a big shout out for his retinue too, particular the cat who it was a joy to see come to life after loving him on the page. I also loved the way it mixed hi-tech and lo-tech magic, so equally breathtaking was the coup de theatre when Margarita leaps out of the window (calling up the absolute cutting edge of digital technology) and the scene where she tries to keep the room together, which simply involves cast members lifting up furniture. Spellbinding. If we see anything better this year, we'll be very lucky people indeed.

[vickster51]

I agree with all the praise here as I saw today's matinee and thought it was stunning. It was a unique experience and left me with so mch to think about afterwards. Very few productions have ended and made me want to go wow, but this certainly did and is my new favourite of the year so far.I have not read the book so wasn't sure what to expect but Complicite's involvement was enough to get me interested and I certainly wasn't disappointed. Great performances all round, sperbly staged, directed and lit. I agree that the use of the backdrops is very clever indeed and adds another dimension to the production.Lovely to see high tech graphics combined with more simple effects (people simply holding up chairs to represent trees for example).I did think the first half was a little too long (maybe by 10 minutes or so) but other than that the entire 3 hrs 20 minutes zipped by.Go and see this if you can. I may even consider trying to see it again, even if this means trying for returns.

[Latecomer]

I was there too at Saturday matinee! Clever, well acted and quite simply another world. Loved Paul Rhys and Sinead Matthews and agree with previous posters that retinue was fantastic, although I wasn't entirely convinced by the cat! I enjoyed the use of projections and thought the production had just the right mixture of hi and low tech solutions...liked the chairs horse for example and the booth as a tram. Now have to go and read the book.... Lovely to meet Beth from the forum who had my other ticket. Sorry I didn't spot you Vickster51 and say hello!

[Whenindisgrace]

Fingers crossed they bring it back then as I haven't got a ticket.  Most of their stuff comes round a second time, doesn't it?

[xanderl]

Yes, I think most of their recent shows have been revived at the Barbican. I would expect to see it back after the international tour.

[Beth]

Latecomer, on 01 April 2012 - 04:23 PM, said:

I was there too at Saturday matinee! Clever, well acted and quite simply another world. Loved Paul Rhys and Sinead Matthews and agree with previous posters that retinue was fantastic, although I wasn't entirely convinced by the cat! I enjoyed the use of projections and thought the production had just the right mixture of hi and low tech solutions...liked the chairs horse for example and the booth as a tram. Now have to go and read the book.... Lovely to meet Beth from the forum who had my other ticket. Sorry I didn't spot you Vickster51 and say hello!

It was great to meet you too, Latecomer.  A fabulous production, and good company!

[xanderl]

It's coming back!

From 14 Dec to 19 Jan at the Barbican - forget panto, treat the kids to a Very Complicite Christmas instead

Public booking opens on Tuesday

[Latecomer]

Hurrah! Not many matinees...it will be my between Xmas and New Year treat with daughter!