Went to see it last night. Always hard to leave my kid for the evening and a bit of a hassle and expense to get out, but I try to see a play at least once a month (before the kid it was at least once a week) I think it's essential to see what's out there and to remember what it's like to be in an audience. Mary Stuart was just fantastic. A beautiful, tightly crafted plot, every character believably and absorbingly multifaceted. The more plays I see in London the more I respect the light designers - they are geniuses. But the play itself was an absolute inspiration.
I'll bear your review in mind Swan... which brings me to a minor complaint...
I go to the Theatre in Liverpool - which is great - there are 6 main ones in the L1 area... (I imagine that might come as a shock to Southerners...) However; of late, there have been a scarcity of 'quality plays' when I have gone, I have tended to go see the usual touring Operas; because out of the choices available they have just stood out. For example, This week at the Empire there is Carmen; and then there is Greese, a musical version of 'two-pence to cross the Mersey' and 'Saturday night fever'...
The smaller theatres like the Neptune and stuff put on some semi am-dram (I can't think of another way to describe it) - and of course we have LIPA here too...
It is therefore possible to see something new and fantastic... OR, equally, find yourself with that sinking feeling when the lights go down to a lone chair next to a window frame...
And I think it's really having an impact on theatre going...
The Everyman has actually spotted this 'problem' and has recently been flogging the fact that it's going to be all about 'new writers'...
I'm therefore hoping I'll be enthusing to you all about new plays I've seen in the near future!
Interesting report from Liverpool, our lovely Minxstress. I have something to add. One of the people I went to see this play with was an Everyman who - may I carefully say here, with no prompting from me said that the pirating of DVD will lead to the downfall of big movie producers which he hoped would lead to a tremendous groudswell of neighbourhood theatres putting on new plays.
Mary Stuart's had rave reviews. I'd like to go and see it, but I plan these things, but mostly I don't follow through. It's finding some one to go with!
Perhaps I really should place my ad in LRB? "Rodent obsessed part-time fruitgrower seeks f, with sense of hunour and degree in psychiatry" or perhaps the literary touch? "Mr Pooter, tired of Cummings and Gowing, seeks Carrie. Please, no Lupins!"
The more plays I see in London the more I respect the light designers - they are geniuses
Swan,
My Daughter will be delighted to hear you say this - she is currenly studying stage technology at LIPA with the aim of becoming a lighting designer. She has always said that the "Techies" don't get enough recognition.
Originally posted by Lewes: Mary Stuart's had rave reviews. I'd like to go and see it, but I plan these things, but mostly I don't follow through. It's finding some one to go with!
Lewes, go by yourself. It's a cool way to meet people and you don't have to worry whether the people you go with like it. I know it seems awkward to go alone - or it did to me when I first tried it - but then I really liked it. I could concentrate on the play more - I even have gone to the Edinburgh Festival by myself. Yo
Hi there yes saw it last year with different cast although jamie clark(e) is still in it and she is quite delightful. What a lovely voice. What can I say an enjoyable evening - pleasant songs, good performances - not Andrew Lloyd webber if you like that - the story was a bit weak I thought. Never read book but she never crosses the mersey! If it didn't have the local flavour I doubt it would be on again but as I say a pleasant entertainment.
Twopence to Cross the Mersey. The audience really liked it. The lady next to me said she had been before and this 'version' is the best. It looks as though the show may have evolved from a parochial phenomenon now because I really enjoyed it and I am not from Liverpool. The songs are lovely and well sung, the dark side of the Mother is lifted like a veil only when she sings and shows her inner feelings - we see her pain as well as the ill treated daughter Helen Forrester. Yes, it was good.
