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Original poster

A little life - anyone seen it?

56 replies

Lemursandions · 19/03/2023 19:31

I saw this at Richmond in a seat very close to
the front.

Just wondering if anyone else had at all. I had quite a few issues with the play itself but thought James Norton’s performance was incredible and so intense.

The play has really stayed with me - and keeps
popping into my head. The violence and the vulnerability. I’m finding it very hard to shake off.

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Original poster
Lemursandions · 30/04/2023 12:09

I agree his performance is incredible - I think the performances generally carry what isn’t a particularly well written play tbh.

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XelaM · 30/04/2023 12:25

Lemursandions · 30/04/2023 12:09

I agree his performance is incredible - I think the performances generally carry what isn’t a particularly well written play tbh.

Yes definitely. The play would have been insufferable if not for the brilliant acting. It has to be the dictionary definition of "misery porn" (quite literally) to the point where it actually got ridiculous. But then I was there to see James Norton naked 🤣

Shedoesasshepleases · 14/05/2023 19:24

Just seen it - wow!!
I'd read the book ages ago, just remember I thought it was great. The play is immense and reminded me of events I'd forgotten. I think I might be conditioned through work but didn't find it too gory. I had a front row seat on the stage and it was like being in their room. Got a lovely smile from James Norton as he left stage after the second standing ovation. I did worry it would be too long but the seats were comfortable. They do make you put phones/cameras in sealed bags so no snaps of the nudity.

PhoebeMcPeePee · 14/05/2023 19:48

@Shedoesasshepleases so pleased to hear something positive from someone with stage seating - I can't wait but was a bit nervous reading some of these comments Shock As another poster said, I am quite robust with no connection IRL to MH, self harm etc so expect it to be emotionally draining but not triggering or unbearable.

XelaM · 14/05/2023 20:18

SPOILER ALERT Those of you who red and liked the book - what did you like about it? It's the most "in your face"-almost ridiculous misery upon misery upon this one character who of course is a genius who ended up going to Yale and MIT whilst being a child prostitute for the first 16 years of his life and then becoming severely disabled as well? Oh, and he also is a genius musician. And of course he was found in a box next to a rubbish bin as a baby. And that one doctor who treats him for everything and also performs surgery on him. But never actually thought to send him to get help with his MH. I mean it couldn't be less realistic and "in your face" nonsense.

XelaM · 14/05/2023 20:18

read*

XelaM · 14/05/2023 20:27

Shedoesasshepleases · 14/05/2023 19:24

Just seen it - wow!!
I'd read the book ages ago, just remember I thought it was great. The play is immense and reminded me of events I'd forgotten. I think I might be conditioned through work but didn't find it too gory. I had a front row seat on the stage and it was like being in their room. Got a lovely smile from James Norton as he left stage after the second standing ovation. I did worry it would be too long but the seats were comfortable. They do make you put phones/cameras in sealed bags so no snaps of the nudity.

I can believe that you enjoyed watching James Norton up close 😂 (very jealous). He must be the most talented young actor. I have seen him in so many different roles and he's absolutely incredible in everything. (And very very handsome of course)

Original poster
Lemursandions · 14/05/2023 21:22

@PhoebeMcPeePee - I also didn’t find it too much in terms of what happens physically and blood etc so wouldn’t worry about that. I did find JN’s vulnerability really affecting and that’s what stayed with me and played on my mind.

Is agree he is a brilliant actor and I find him really affecting on stage ( don’t know go anyone else saw him years ago in the play Bugs?).

@XelaM - I haven’t read the book but wondered if the story is meant to be hyper real - so almost like a Greek tragedy/passion play ( and they do sort of carry Jude almost Christ like onto the table etc)?

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Shedoesasshepleases · 15/05/2023 19:07

So the 'how was your weekend? conversations at work today resulted in me blurting out/enthusing about the play. I work with victims of crime, rape, child abuse, violence. Thoughts of some of those people remain with me. I think that is why this play is having a similar effect. I loved the stage. In a way having so much happening away from the main action took the exposure away from the stage seating. Does anyone know what the song Willem was leaping around to was?
I've sold my other ticket for face value hopefully to someone who wants to see the play not to a tout who will sell on at an inflated price.

XelaM · 15/05/2023 21:00

Shedoesasshepleases · 15/05/2023 19:07

So the 'how was your weekend? conversations at work today resulted in me blurting out/enthusing about the play. I work with victims of crime, rape, child abuse, violence. Thoughts of some of those people remain with me. I think that is why this play is having a similar effect. I loved the stage. In a way having so much happening away from the main action took the exposure away from the stage seating. Does anyone know what the song Willem was leaping around to was?
I've sold my other ticket for face value hopefully to someone who wants to see the play not to a tout who will sell on at an inflated price.

What do they think of the book/play? I guess people deal with things differently. My best friend is a victim and would never ever go and watch that. She thinks the book is utter trash.

Somanycats · 15/05/2023 21:03

Haven't seen it and never will, but I love James Norton and am so glad for him that he has made this work by all accounts. Bloody hated the book though.

Comefromaway · 15/05/2023 21:06

I have no idea how they are going to staff the theatre at such a large venue as The Savoy, it was difficult enough at the Phoenix due to some people being for want of a better word, triggered. You can hear everything even in the bar areas apparently.

also how will it translate to such a large venue.

Somanycats · 15/05/2023 21:09

'What do they think of the book/play? I guess people deal with things differently. My best friend is a victim and would never ever go and watch that. She thinks the book is utter trash'
This exactly. I think Jude is such an outlier in his response to hideous abuse as to render the book almost useless and more or less misery porn. Likewise the freindship group tbh. So many colluders in one group.

Original poster
Lemursandions · 16/05/2023 14:37

I have to admit I also struggled with the friendship group in the play - perhaps it’s better in the book? But to me it actually seemed like they all ( except Malcolm?) wanted something from Jude - so JB paints him without his permission to fuel his artistic ambitions, Harold it turns out had a lost a child previously and then Willem ends up wanting a romantic/sexual relationship? I just didn’t get from the play how this was about selfless friendship ( in particular why did the Willem/Jude relationship need to end up sexual, doesn’t that diminish the whole ‘friendships are so important/as important as to native relationships)?

I also find all the associated merchandise on sale really odd as well tbh.

Im glad I saw it because I do think JN ( and LT) performances are really great and it did challenge me ( although I don’t think the script is great tbh) but I sold my on stage seat for later in the run as I really didn’t want to see it again.

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Original poster
Lemursandions · 16/05/2023 14:37

*romantic not native!

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Original poster
Lemursandions · 16/05/2023 14:39

I just saw Dancing at Lughnasa by contrast ( obv very different play) but that was so layered, subtle and quietly devastating. Beautiful production that is highly recommend

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Original poster
Lemursandions · 16/05/2023 14:46

@Shedoesasshepleases - the song was one by Arctic Fire I think. Which is a bit of an odd choice as the frontman of that band has been accused of sexual misconduct by multiple women …

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Ragwort · 16/05/2023 14:53

I'm not sure I would want to see the play having read the book. We read the book at my book club and opinions really varied on it ... very few of us finished it. I thought it one of the most amazing books I have read in the last ten years ... so intense and interesting to read about 'male experiences' which I usually don't really care about. An amazing read ... yes, very painful and tragic at the same time but beautifully written.

Shedoesasshepleases · 16/05/2023 19:25

Thank you @Lemursandions someone on Twitter said Wake Up by Arcade Fire too. BTW I have nearly finished To Paradise. Glad I wasn't put off by the story set in the future. It's my favorite period of the 3 part book. Anyone else read Hanya's latest book?

Original poster
Lemursandions · 16/05/2023 19:38

That dancing moment was actually one of my favourite bits of the play

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Epli · 25/05/2023 18:19

I’ve just seen it and did not like it that much. I had read the book and I think that the playscript just did not work that well. It is hard to believe in the strenght of the friendship between four guys, especially with JB. It is also not clear why everyone keeps on making sacrifices to help Jude -in play he is reduced to his suffering. I think part if it is that the book works as a kind of parabole, like a take on Job story, and as soon as one tries to put it in real life it it just difficult to believe.

Acting wise Luke Thompson was a stand out for me. I had on stage seat and I loved how his body language changed as his character got older, posture, mannerisms etc. (also good package lol).

I did not like the actor who played Harold. I also thought actors where given a lot of pointless stuff to do, like Harold who cooks most of time.

chopc · 25/05/2023 18:33

Oh I was regretting not getting a ticket on stage itself . Brilliantly acted. I would have found it difficult to follow had I not read the book

Epli · 25/05/2023 20:40

I think it was ‘Wake Up’ by Arcade Fire ( they also used their cover of ‘My body is a cage’).

Epli · 25/05/2023 20:53

Epli · 25/05/2023 20:40

I think it was ‘Wake Up’ by Arcade Fire ( they also used their cover of ‘My body is a cage’).

Sorry for some reason quoting did not work - I meant the song Willem was dancing to.

Original poster
Lemursandions · 26/05/2023 16:48

I agree re Luke Thompson - he was a real revelation to me, and completely agree it was about how he moved etc on stage. I would definitely look forward to seeing him again in something ( as I was watching I also suddenly realised I’d seen him in some Shakespeare where he was also really good - for some reason hadn’t joined the dots previously).

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