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Frankenstein at the National

35 replies

Jacquix · 11/02/2011 13:50

So ...
Anyone going? Anyone got any views on who will be better in which role? Anything else to add? I'm just throwing the floor open really. I'm going on two nights, seeing each lead in each role, and can't tell you how excited I am. Very lukewarm on Lee Miller but am fairly rabid about Benedict since Sherlock, and saw him on stage as part of the Children's Monologues at the Young Vic last year. It was a brief appearance and not the most stretching of roles, but he was ace and I think he'll be mind-blowingly good as both the Creature and Frankenstein.

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Jacquix · 15/02/2011 10:05

Bump. Anyone got anything to say? Anyone?!

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FriedSpamButty · 23/02/2011 23:54

Yes, yes! Me!

We saw Jonny as the Creature and Benedict as Victor and both were brilliant. I can't imagine it the other way round but we've booked to see the National Theatre Live showing at the local cinema when the roles will be reversed.

Seriously, Jonny was an excellent creature. Don't pre-judge!

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Jacquix · 24/02/2011 10:42

You're right, I should give JLM the benefit of the doubt. Going on Saturday so I will report back!

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FluffyMummy123 · 24/02/2011 10:45

apparejntly very good
mate went last night

megcleary · 25/02/2011 17:41

Does anyone know who will be playing who at each National Theatre Live cinema showing?
The one on the 17th is sold out here, I am breast feeding dd 2 weeks old but contemplating expressing to bee able to go to the cinema on the 24th!

wintera · 25/02/2011 20:24

Husband gave me tickets for my Christmas gift, and am embarressed to say that I knew nothing about the production until he presented me with them on Christmas day. Was overjoyed when he told me all about it though, and am getting more and more excited as the days go by! We are going to the Saturday 16th April Matinee performance. Have been reading some of the reviews today, it sounds fabulous!

FriedSpamButty · 26/02/2011 19:44

megcleary

Taken from the NT Live webpage:

17 March: Benedict Cumberbatch (Creature), Jonny Lee Miller (Victor)

24 March: Jonny Lee Miller (Creature), Benedict Cumberbatch (Victor)

Do check the venue tho as some cinemas are showing both performances twice.

Do try and go. It is fab and and worth seeing which ever way round! And take tissues. My DS is in his early 20s and even I got a bit moist eyed at watching the child like creature learn to interact with birds, the sun, rain etc thinking he needed a mother!! Sounds bonkers I know....

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Jacquix · 27/02/2011 18:34

So, I went last night and on the door as we went in was a teeny A4 printout announcing that 'due to the indisposition of Benedict Cumberbatch, Naomie Harris ...' and two other cast members, there were some changes in the cast. Gutted doesn't even come close. Jonny played the Creature and the guy who normally plays a servant was Victor. It was great to see JLM and he made a good job of the Creature, but it wasn't what I went for! Anyway, it's awful that so many people were ill (according to a staff member other plays at the National were affected too; the poor place seems to be having some sort of plague!) and I feel terrible for them. I can't help feeling sorry for myself though. Maybe this should be in the 'Am I being Unreasonable?' string :-)
'Indisposition' aside, the cast were mainly good although those playing the 'lower orders' were required to say some pretty simplistic lines and act a bit broad. There are some genuinely shocking and moving/frightening setpieces. The stage machinery and lighting are terrific and the score excellent ? thought it might be a bit 'Underworld! In your face!' but it was subtle and atmospheric. Recommended.

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FriedSpamButty · 28/02/2011 19:42

Oh no, I would've been beyond gutted too! You've every right to feel sorry for yourself.

Glad you enjoyed it though. Will you go to see Benedict in the cinema?

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Jacquix · 01/03/2011 08:16

Well, here's the thing ... I bought two lots of tickets, one to see Benedict as the Creature and one for Jonny as the Creature. SO I've still got my tickets for 11 March when Benedict will be Victor. BUT I'm considering trying to buy new tickets for the extended run when they come out, so I get to see Benedict's monster (if you'll pardon the expression). The dilemma is whether to sell my 11 March tickets, thus funding/justifying the new ones, or hang on to them and go three times so I get to see the leads in all configurations ...

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FriedSpamButty · 01/03/2011 21:56

Benedict's monster! Indeed!! Snigger...

Hmmm not sure what I'd do. Probably buy more tickets and go overdrawn cos I'm daft. Then again, as good as it was I'm not sure I would want to see it three times. If you're not that bothered about seeing Benedict's Victor then I'd try and get the NT to swap your tickets for another night and see the other configuration at the cinema.

Ask the box office. We did this with some ROH tickets recently. Something came up meaning we couldn't go to London as planned so I rang the box office and asked if they could re-sell/treat them as returns. They said no as it wasn't a sell out but that we could just swap them for another night or show and it was dead easy to do.

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Jacquix · 02/03/2011 12:08

Not sure I fancy seeing it at the cinema (and I can't quite face looking but suspect all London cinemas might be sold out). I think I'm going to hang it all and go three times. The way I see it, then I get to see both leads in both parts, which was the original aim, and the worst that can happen is that I'll be a bit bored! I actually have a spare ticket for 11 March, which I can try to sell to partially offset the cost. And I know I sound like a Benedict obsessive ? OK, I probably am a bit ? but it's actually DP (male) who's more keen to see him as Victor as well as the Creature ... But I'll be very happy to indulge him!

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TooTiredtoGoogle · 02/03/2011 13:18

I'm going to try and queue for day tickets this Saturday. Not bothered who plays which role, but would be gutted if we didn't get both Benedict and JLM.
Not sure I fancy watching a filmed play at cinema ... Isn't it a bit odd?

Also, can't see anything on National website about extended run - can anyone point me in the right direction please?

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Jacquix · 02/03/2011 13:36

Tootired, it's here: ticketing.nationaltheatre.org.uk/production.aspx?performanceNumber=16570

Tickets for 19 April onwards go on general sale next Thursday (10th) but on sale to people with advance membership (£15 a year) tomorrow morning.

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TooTiredtoGoogle · 03/03/2011 14:54

Jacquix, thanks.
Makes complete sense to me now Smile

FriedSpamButty · 03/03/2011 19:43

Enjoy Jacquix. If I were closer to London I might do the same!!

TooTiredtoGoogle · 03/03/2011 20:45

Is anyone a NT member and can see if there are many tickets left?
I won't be able to queue for returns now and wonder if it wouldn't all be sold out by the time joe public can buy tickets.

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Jacquix · 04/03/2011 09:57

Thanks SpamButty! TooTired, I'm a member and there are only tickets for Saturday 30 April. About 40 seats in the circle at £38. This might not mean the rest are all sold out though, it might mean (surely it means?) that they're holding some back for next Thursday when public booking opens.

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TooTiredtoGoogle · 04/03/2011 10:01

Oh dear. Doesn't sound hopeful as I'm sure they wouldn't hold back tickets to Jo Public.
I am currently on the phone trying to get through to box office to ask them, but it's been constantly engaged for past 15 minutes Shock

danglingmodifiersmakemesad · 04/03/2011 10:26

When I booked for the first run I wasn't a member, so was only able to book on Joe Public Day, and I got two lots of tickets ...
Admittedly it's a shorter run this time with fewer tickets up for grabs, but you never know
Do you know anyone who's a member?

TooTiredtoGoogle · 04/03/2011 10:58

Finally got through to box office (after 45 minutes) and decided to become a member and just get the tickets Grin
Box office did tell me that there weren't many tickets left.

Incidentally, as I'm a member now, some friends want me to get tickets for them - will I be able to do that, even if I'm not going to the show with them?

danglingmodifiersmakemesad · 04/03/2011 11:17

Don't see why not ? they don't ask when you book who the tickets are for, and I don't think they care who's going to which shows. I was just wasting time doing important stuff on Twitter and saw a tweet from the National saying that tix are available for 17 March: ticketing.nationaltheatre.org.uk/reserve.aspx?performanceNumber=17361&productionNumber=17081

There seem to be loads.

danglingmodifiersmakemesad · 04/03/2011 11:24

By the way, it's still me. I just changed my screen name because it was so dull.

TooTiredtoGoogle · 04/03/2011 14:34

Thanks, thing with 17 March is that it's for 1pm performance

danglingmodifiersmakemesad · 04/03/2011 16:54

I know, just thought it worth mentioning. Which date did you get tickets for? Horrid things on Twitter at the moment saying B is off again with gastric flu. I'm going next Friday to see him as Victor. I haven't spent ages this afternoon Googling 'how long does gastric flu last?' or anything though :-)

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