The multi-Olivier Award winner Rebecca Frechnall directs Academy Award-nominated Michael Shannon and Gold Globe-winner Ruth Wilson in this 'scorching play about the eternal American theme of reality and illusion' (The Guardian).
Tickets from £20. Tonight is one of the few days left that still have good availability. Many nights are sold out or limited availability. So book early to secure your ticket. To book, click here
According to Almeida website, if you are over 65, you can book at a discount rate (please contact the box office).
A Whatsapp group for this event will be set up near the time. If you wish to be on it, please email swcsocialATgmailDOTcom.
Pre-theatre F&B will be at 5:30pm at Nem Nem Vietnamese Restaurant, 279 Upper Street, 2 mins walk from Almeida Theatre. If you wish to join for dinner, you need to pre-book your seat at the table by email swcsocialATgmailDOTcom by 10 August latest. I have provisionally booked a table for 8. Alternatively, you can book your own table here. Loads of vegetarian or vegan options, to view the menu, please click here
3 comments:
Several have booked, some in Circle row AA and B, some in Stall row J
Six came to the Vietnamese restaurant for pre-theatre F&B. It was early at 5:30pm, so not everyone could make it. The food was delicious and price reasonable. One snag though – cash only. Thanks to one walker who spotted it on Google and warned everyone so most of us came with plenty of dash. Back to good old days…
We met two others at Almeida before the play, so N=8. Not bad, given the play was sold out not long after it was posted.
We met again at interval and at the end to share our thoughts. All agreed, the first half was a bit too slow for our liking but it picked up in the second half and was ‘more engaging though tortuous’ as one walker puts it. Another thought ‘sub-titles might have been good for some of the American Irish dialogue …’
Overall, the play was very interesting and thought provoking. But what made this evening most enjoyable and intellectually engaging was our discussions and individual's take on the play.
Critiques from SWC are published in the next comments as it is too long in one comment.
Part 2 - Critiques from SWC walkers
‘I enjoyed the play and the rawness of the portrayals. Our discussion on the pavement afterwards showed they had moved us, not least in our disappointment that they were unable in the end to overcome the habits formed by their pasts.’
‘Another of those intense, angst-ridden, verbally dense mid twentieth century American plays. Fabulously acted, with complex characters and atmospheric staging, but it took more effort of concentration than we can easily summon in this Instagram era, and all the emotional intensity and psychological plot twists got a bit wearing at times. Still, we found lots to talk about on the pavement after the show, so definitely a worthwhile evening.’
‘The bare set reflected the poverty of life both materially and emotionally. Alcohol was the vehicle for releasing emotions but also a barrier to engagement. Despite the characters saying they loved each other I felt there was no sense of passion or chemistry between them. The actors did well to sustain the narrative but it seemed to drag out too long. Maybe a reflection of life at the time.’
‘I enjoyed it. It was very thought provoking. You could easily get lost in those plot twists. The characters weren't that likeable but it was well acted. It was a new thing to write plays about ordinary people and the period when it was set was a time of contrast and had its dark side of social unrest leading to the great depression. But it does give an insight into life at that time especially for the impoverished. O'Neil had a lot issues himself so probably difficult for him to write uplifting plays with a happy ending. At least you know what you are getting if you go and see one. Long Days Journey... is the one usually on a prequel.’
‘The first half was long, hard to engage/like the characters. The second half addressed this somewhat, where we got to witness their interior landscape and for me was more interesting. Reading a bit about O'Neil's early life highlighted the biographical nature of the play, (alcoholism, abandonment, belonging, guilt). Despite the plot twists (some of us had grown weary of), the introduction of minor pointless characters, because it's ultimately about the human condition and was well acted made the play worthwhile and thought provoking.’
‘Jim seemed to be suffering from the classic Oedipus complex, which may explain why he hated his father and wished him dead when he was alive, while everyone else thought his father was a fine and delightful man...Since he wouldn't actually consummate his feelings for his mother, despite loving her immoderately, he couldn't bring himself to consummate his relationship with Josie either - preferring just to rest his head on her motherly breasts. His understanding that Josie was a virgin may also have made it easy for him to love her because her inexperience and attitudes meant that her consummating her relationship with him was unlikely and that too enabled him to see in her his mother.’
‘Very interesting play. I feel optimistic for Josie’s character, I think she went through a learning curve. Even though she didn’t get the happy-ever-after moment of a marriage, I’d like to think that she has better chances for the future.’
‘I always feel culturally enhanced by having gone to them (i.e. plays). London is so full of culture and mostly I barely dip a toe into it. So it is good to be stretched! I always enjoy the company of the other theatre goers in the group too, and their stimulating observations.’
UNTIL NEXT TIME…..
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