General Chat

I think, its fantastic that they still have travelling troups, Lucy. It is an age old tradition and when I was small it was the highlight of our year when the travellers would come to town to entertain us....so romantic.... BC

I saw Miss Saigon at Southampton, also Chicago, and on the 14th I'm off there again to see Starlight Express - can't wait. Wowed at We will rock you in London too! But the funniest play I ever ever ever saw was Having a Ball by Alan Bleasdale - hilarious - tears rolling down my face!! Its set in a waiting room of a vasectomy clinic and one of the patints wives is an out and out drunk - if you ever get the chance to see this play - miss it at your peril!!! Locally, we have a travelling troupe called the forest forge theatre company, they bring theatre to village halls and community centres. They are fantastic - one that sticks in my mind is John Buchans 39 steps - they only had for props - 1 x stepladder, 3 other ladders, an armchair a broom and a clothes horse, but they managed to re-create the forth bridge, a railway carriage and a bedsit type room - excellent excellent excellent!!! Blimey - that was a long winded post - sorry!! Lucy x

We try to go up there at least once a year BC - we stay in a very reasonable but nice hotel. If you ever want the details let me know. Chrissie xx

Sounds good Chrissie....if I lived nearer I would love to see the new Ayckbourne play. XX BC

In case anyone is interested - I have just come back from Scarborough after having seen 2 plays at the Stephen Joseph theatre. The first one was 'Unless' by Carol Shields and Sarah Cassidy. Myself, hubby and two friends all agreed that a better title would have been 'Useless':)) It's about a woman who has what appears to be the perfect life - loving partner, three bright daughters, good friends and a successful career as a writer. But her comfortable life is shattered when her eldest daughter quits university and goes to sit on a street corner in a busy city. The rest of the play is about everyone trying to work out why. The concept sounds fine but it was very wierdly done. The second one was Alan Ayckbourns 'Private Fears in Public Places'. It was VERY enjoyable, mainly due to the fact that Alan directed it himself and he always has the perfect cast and of course knows exactly how he wants it done. The story is really just a study of 6 different people whose lives are linked through circumstance but it was very funny. If anyone is interested, we are going again in June to see the latest John Godber play 'Going Dutch', which John will also direct and the new Alan Ayckbourn play 'Improbable Fiction' which Alan will direct. Cheers - Chrissie x

Ive heard that sharon & har daughter have flown home to the states, & pulled out of the show due to her daughter needing medical attention. Elaine x

Hoping to take my mum to see 'The Vagina Monologues' soon for her birthday. I've read many positive reviews and hope to see Sharon Osbourne narrating. Has anyone seen it? becx

Funny innit - this is the 2nd of Lynda's threads to be 'phantom' nudged in 2 days. Apparently this thread was added to at 23.13 - nothing there now! BUT - its a great thread!! We treated my in-laws to tickets for Mamma Mia for Xmas and they went last week. They said it was FANTASTIC - so now I am trying to book up for hubby's birthday. Maz. XX

I just came back from London. I saw the Lion King on Friday night. Amazing Costumes...BRILLIANT!! :-D Lucia

That was a shame Karen, still at least you went, hope the rest of the night was good though. Lynda

hi just got back well if you now the story its fine but nothing like the film very sparse with the props didnt change the scenery at all and they kept cracking jokes through it which spoiled it for me as its not that sort of play,we thought nigel havers was a weak maxim but maureen beattie who played mrs danvers was excellent,sorry but was a bit dissapointed. karen

nudge for Karen in the New Forest, to see if she is home from seeing Rebecca yet and can tell us all about it :))

not sure if you would term this theatre or not - my son and d i l are going to Cirque de Soleil in March - I am so jealous - they did offer to get me a ticket to see the show with them but the fares were a bit pricey lol

That would be great Karen, Look forward to it, Thanks Chrissie I keep forgetting to switch, as Mabel is so nice to have around, she talks the same as I do :)) Lynda

Hi Lynda/Mabel? Thank you - we will look forward to it:)) Chrissie

im going to see rebecca at the mayflower in southampton tomorrow night starring nigel havers ,we get to see it before it goes to london,will let you now if its any good. karen

Hi Chrissie I will write my report when I have seen it :)))) Hi Margaret Our theatre does cheap nights and stanby tickets, can often get in a quarter of the price if you're lucky, perhaps it would be worth asking i your theatre does that., worth a try :) Lynda

We have a nice theatre in Coventry (The Belgrade) dont go a lot as it is very expensive.

That's great Mags I hope you enjoy, whichever one you choose to got to. We belong to the friends of the theartre we use, and get concessionsons on shows, and if you go on certain night you meet the cast and have drinks with them, met quite a few now, have alays been very friendly. Lynda

Lynda - forgot to tell you. I rang the Old Vic in Bristol the other day - I have a load of material that I thought might come in useful for costumes (they have their own costume department) - I offered it to them and they were pleased to have it.....BUT - guess what!...I get two free passes to any production they are putting on!!! - The brochure thingy arrived Friday....What to choose?...What to choose!......Either The Turning of The Screw...or The Importance of Being Earnest - I haven't watched either as a stage play....but my son could do 'A HAND -BAAAAG???? when he was about two years old! LOL....Or there's The Odyssey....loads of stuff...the theatre school too...I am spoiled for choice. Magsxx