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First date is now
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theatreguys.co.uk presents
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Welcome to our Theatre Group website where we hope you will find all the information you need.
This is a not-for-profit UK theatre-going group for our friends and colleagues and their own extended group of friends. It costs nothing to join us but must be by personal introduction from another member of the group. We provide theatre tickets (and coach transport from Southend, if required) for theatres in the West End. We do not sell tickets to the public.
Organisers: Fredo & Mike
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>Latest Bookings:
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>Next Theatre Visits:
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ABOUT THE ADVERTISEMENTS:
Theatre links and show ads are chosen by us for their relevance to our interests and those of the Group.
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>News and Information:
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Venice Footnotes
+ photos
2009
2010
2011
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A Guide to New York
for first-time visitors -
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No theatrical awards generate as much interest on their home territory as the Tony Awards on Broadway. They are the ones that count, both in prestige and future value at the box-office. In that harsh commercial world, it's not uncommon for a show that doesn't win or even get nominated to announce its closing date at once. This happened this year with a critically acclaimed play called Seminar: the nominations were revealed on Monday morning, without reference to this play, and its closure was announced on Monday afternoon.
I always say let the best man and woman win, but I also like to note how British exports fare. This year, there are two British contenders in the main awards: One Man, Two Guvnors has 7 nominations,including James Corden as Best Actor, and Tracie Bennett is in the running for Best Actress for End of the Rainbow. They face stiff competition, as it's been an exceptional year on Broadway. I feared that both might find some resistance: comedy often doesn't travel well in either direction across the Atlantic, and One Man draws heavily on quintessential British comedy conventions. Ms Bennett was taking a risk in her portrayal of Judy Garland, a much-loved and well-remembered Broadway icon, often impersonated in New York. Here's how they both reacted:
Tracie Bennett, Best Leading Actress in a Play (playing "Judy Garland"), End Of The Rainbow: To be honest, I'm a bit emotional today. It's taken me 50 years to get to New York, and I feel like I'm living the dream. To me, just getting to play this role is a giant gift, so it's quite unbelievable that they give you honours on top of that. The nomination also belongs to the incredible company of actors I am so privileged to work with, because I simply couldn't perform this role without them. Every night I try to convince myself that I'm doing the show in a little pub somewhere, because the idea of stepping onto a Broadway stage is totally overwhelming. But I know shows in pubs don't get Tony nominations, so it's getting harder and harder to pretend.
James Corden, Best Leading Actor in a Play (playing manservant "Francis Henshall"), One Man, Two Guvnors: I watched the nomination broadcast on the TV… I have a one-year-old son, so it actually doesn't feel earlier anymore. [Laughs.] You know what I mean? I'm sure, for most actors, 8:30 in the morning is a time when they're asleep, but in our house, you've already been playing with some cars and crayons for a solid hour. It's kind of overwhelming to see…the list of other actors. You just go, "Oh my God!" Kind of crazy! It's such a special thing. If you grow up in a small suburb outside of London like I did, these things are so remote. [That] you would even work here — let alone work here and be recognized for your work here…it's terrific. I mean, especially to see four incredible, special actors [in the same category]. You would go as far as to say legends, I think. It's incredibly humbling.
I'll be keeping my fingers crossed for them, but of several other British nominations in American shows, I'll be placing my bet on Andrew Garfield as Best Supporting Actor in Death of a Salesman.
Fredo 07/05/12
  
Tracie Bennett James Corden Andrew Garfield
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Audiences - where would we be without them? Better off, if they are over 50 and Broadway audiences, thinks Tim Teeman in his Times report from New York. We come within that age category ourselves and hope we are well behaved, but we do moan often about the bad behaviour of some audience members here - those who rustle bags, clink ice-cubes, or stage whisper a running commentary, etc, etc. I'm sure you can add to the list. But here in the West End we are virtuous indeed compared to our Broadway cousins. Tim reports -
The next person to complain about feckless youth should be frogmarched into a New York theatre where the middle-aged and elderly are truly misbehaving. In a week of Broadway theatregoing, what lingers? The songs, virtuosic acting, sumptuous sets? No, the snoring of the over-50s; the ringing of their mobiles as they ignore the request to turn them off; their endless chuntering throughout: “Oh, it’s him!” Even, at the wonderful Peter Pan prequel Peter and the Starcatcher, “Shall we have ham tonight?”. Please confiscate every bag of toffees or mini pretzels anyone over 50 is grasping; at the play’s most emotional moment you can guarantee a rustle, then the volcanically loud sound of chewing and biting.
Oh dear, and we thought 'the show's the thing'. We do remember an evening in a Broadway theater when someone used their cellphone to phone for a cab...five minutes before the end of a show. And my pet hate of drinking in an auditorium (can't people forgo a glass in their hand for just an hour or so?) is actually being encouraged at Rock Of Ages where staff patrol the aisles selling bottled beer during the show, here and I guess on Broadway too. Do call me a snob, but The Only Way Is Essex is NOT my way. Southenders, I know you are not like that.
Mike 27/04/12
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PLAYING TONIGHT
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