m_kingdom2

For those of you in London up until the end (or thereabouts) of next month, it is worth going to see What The Butler Saw. The venue - The Criterion Theatre - is a perfect example of how London theatres suffer from the "if it ain't broke don't fix it" ethos. The entire interior needed a complete revamp a couple of decades ago.

However, one doesn't see a play to observe interiors. The play itself by the marvellous Joe Orton is a masterpiece, but sadly this cast are amateurs compared to those in the many other productions I've seen. The whole play was acted far too much in the "English Farce" manner, and had been a little too sanitised for my tastes. Despite all of this it was an amusing couple of hour's entertainment.

Tickets are priced 25GBP for the best stalls so it's cheap rb London theatre prices, and you get to see a play by one of my favourite writers too.

m_kingdom2

I've just gone to the trouble of looking up the actual closing date, and it is 22/10/2005 so there are just under a couple of months left until it closes.

starspinners

"What the Butler Saw" is among the plays/musicals that a friend has already bought tickets for us to see in October.
I shall plan to be amused for a couple of hours.

Patrick

I recently recommended this play to another poster. What the Butler Saw has been a favorite of mine since I played the lead (Dr. Prentice) many years ago in summer repertory for the University of Georgia. It was a bit shocking to the residents of Athens in the early 70's! Probably would be much less so today.

I'm unsure how the play can be played "too much in the English farce manner" as that is exactly what it is and normally should be played as broadly as possible!

m_kingdom2

It felt a little too light-hearted, and the set wasn't quite there e.g. when they are all locked in the room remains the same, I much preferred the version where a cage descends so they are all forced together in an even closer proximity.

The acting felt just a little too amateur, it lacked polish. I'm sure that it probably reminds you of your own amateur dramatics.

It's very tame these days I'm afraid.

PatrickLondon

I remember its shock value when I saw it in Cambridge in 1969.. "She'll go to her grave in a Y-shaped coffin.."

Brahmama

Ok, I'm piggybacking here, hoping you will both come back and respond.

We'll be in London in October. We definitely want tickets to the Producers for a matinee - going with friends who already HAVE their tickets. Paid full price (plus UK ticketmaster) but have 3rd row aisle tickets too.

I guess it's not going to be discounted by October -Usually we just go to the theatre to get our tickets; that's worked well for us - as we need an aisle too.

So if we have to pay full price (argh) for that, we will have to pull in our horns for another one. I've been wondering what to see - and this sounds like fun and I love the ticket price too. (very impt in London so that we can EAT too)

Is there another play that will be on then - worth the money (read discounted nicely) that's worth our time too? Only 3 nights - cramming all in that's possible before going to Bologna.

We've seen the old chestnuts already - haven't seen Chicago or Fame. Wanted to see Joseph - missed that years ago, but it will close before we get there.

What about Woman in White?

Any help will be appreciated!

Carol

cmcfong

ttt

MaureenGP

"The Producers" was available half-price when we were in London in late July/early August, but you can never depend on it, so if you are meeting people at a specific performance, I imagine you would have to buy the tickets in advance.
That will be a shame if they are half-price, but I did the same thing with "Les Miz." It was the only show my daughter wanted to see on our recent trip, so I ordered tickets in advance, and of course they are available every day at Leicester Square. I just didn't want her disappointed...
We saw "Chicago," which was well-done, but in a concert style (orchestra onstage throughout). Brooke Shields had just left the show, and Frances Ruffelle (the original Eponine in Les Miz) was playing Roxie Hart. We liked it.
We also saw "The Woman in White," which is more problematic. I enjoyed seeing it because it was new to me, unlike Les Miz and Chicago, but while I enjoyed it in the theatre, I found it forgettable once it was over. I did not like the computer-generated sets at all, although other people might find them interesting. I don't know if I recommend it or not. If you can the tickets half-price like we did, then I guess it's worth seeing, certainly not at full price.
Don't know if any of that actually helps you or not!