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Original poster

A Little Life

115 replies

NooNakedJacuzziness · 07/01/2023 09:40

I watched Graham Norton last night and one of the guests was James Norton. He said he is appearing in a play of A Little Life soon in London. Apparently it's over 3 hours long. Having read the book (thanks to hearing about it on here) over a few weeks I'm not sure I could cope with such an onslaught of misery in one go, you'd come out needing a very stiff drink!

Anyone planning on seeing it? I'm fascinated by how they'd do it so might try and get tickets.

OP posts:
Original poster
NooNakedJacuzziness · 08/01/2023 19:37

Yes @illiterato - I was the same, it was a case of thinking 'well nothing else bad can happen surely' but oh yes it could!

OP posts:
illiterato · 08/01/2023 15:47

Don't want to add spoilers but I felt that there came a point in the book where the author should have wrapped it up after that particular event. After that it almost became comically tragic, as though the author was almost trolling the reader. Basically it was about 33% too long.

MrsVeryTired · 08/01/2023 15:44

Agree James Norton more of a Willem, hunky and fit.

MrsVeryTired · 08/01/2023 15:43

I think Ezra Miller or Robert Sheehan would be good as Jude, not mixed race but both unusual looks.

mamaduckbone · 08/01/2023 14:32

Also, James Norton is far too robust looking to be Jude, but not sure who I'd have instead.

mamaduckbone · 08/01/2023 14:29

I really struggled with the book - I know lots of people think it's a masterpiece but the misery porn was just too much for me, although I did finish it eventually. There's no way I could sit through 3 hours of it in the theatre.

AnuSTart · 08/01/2023 11:35

Jude's definitely mixed race in the book!

I hated hated hated this book - although I did read it all - kudos to me.
I find it hard to imagine how they'll do the breadth of it justice on the stage. Even I would consider going despite my view of the book.

Original poster
NooNakedJacuzziness · 08/01/2023 09:48

£70 a ticket?? Maybe not then!

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BetterCallMe · 07/01/2023 22:14

I have read and love the book. Norton is not the image of Jude that I have in my head - I know he's supposed to actually be stunning and gorgeous (from others' perspectives) and James Norton just doesn't do that for the character, for me. Norton just looks too healthy and buff!

I'm tempted to see the show, but middling-priced seats are over £70 and I'm not sure I want to see it that much.

There's the Dutch version on YouTube apparently, if anyone's interested....

Rabbitsandhabits · 07/01/2023 20:06

Wow I liked the book although agree I can’t see how it would fair as a play

JN is def not how I imagined Jude and it makes me think they are trying to ‘sex’ Jude up a bit.

TotheletterofthelawTHELETTER · 07/01/2023 20:03

I’d love to see how they do it but not sure I could handle the emotional torment.
I love James Norton but can’t imagine him as Jude, I think he’d make a good Willem though.

MrsVeryTired · 07/01/2023 19:54

He plays tormented very well, so will do that part with ease.

MrsVeryTired · 07/01/2023 19:53

Looked it up and James Norton plays Jude apparently, not what I would have expected. I saw Jude as a physically weak, slightly androgynous and mixed race character! I know JN is a good actor but that's a stretch tbh

PotteringAlonggotkickedoutandhadtoreregister · 07/01/2023 19:49

I’ve read it, and absolutely loved it. I’m in 2 minds about the show…!

StColumbofNavron · 07/01/2023 19:48

I have tickets for the lots show in June. I haven’t read it, though I’m aware of the misery and will read it before I go. The people I’m going with have read it and loved it. I, love James Norton.

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