"What the Dickens?" ⭐⭐ PJ Harvey Musical 'London Tide' Review National Theatre | April 2024, London
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- čas přidán 22. 04. 2024
- Review of London Tide - an adaptation of Charles Dickens' Our Mutual Friend, written by Ben Power, with music by PJ Harvey.
Seen at the National Theatre in London in April 2024.
The naming of London Tide attempts to put the city, specifically the river running through it, at the heart of this adaptation. But with exposition-heavy speeches, leaden performances and a soundtrack that may appeal to fans of PJ Harvey but possibly bore others, it is less a lament to London, more a dire and depressing dirge.
CHAPTERS
00:00: Overview: The Standing Ovation
01:43: Forced & Contrived: The Plot
03:50: Meanwhile: Even More Plot
06:06: Masterclass in (over) Acting: The Cast
08:25: Dire and Depressing: The Staging
09:35: Beaten to Submission: The Music
12:07: The Last Nai
13:35: Star Rating
This production of London Tide plays the National Theatre's Lyttelton stage until 22 June 2024. I was invited to attend press night on 17 April 2024.
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This video in its entirety is an original production that includes excerpts from material published on CZcams. I do not own the rights to any of the source videos for the clips used, nor do I make any assertion as to these rights. All rights reserved to the respective copyright owners as highlighted throughout the film. The use of these materials are here protected by the Fair Use guidelines of Section 107 of the Copyright Act. - Zábava
Me and my daughter loved the performance. I’m a fan of PJ. Given that you don’t know her body of work you picked an odd video ref. She has an eclectic range (including as a novelist - she recently wrote a book in Dorset dialect). I wouldn’t call anyone who wasn’t into her music ‘unintelligent’ but maybe it’s not yr style - that’s fine. I thought the actors did a terrific job and the live onstage music contributed to the atmosphere. What a multi- talented bunch! Am reading the book to judge the translation (bought the playtext) so holding off on that but 3 hours flew by, we loved it and gave a standing ovation! Wish we could get the soundtrack!
I'm genuinely pleased that you and your daughter loved the show, as I suggested fans of Harvey would. No album yet, but CZcams has a demo of her singing Eugene Alone from the show. Re: video ref - her eclectic style makes it hard to find something fitting. The clip is from the period my colleague (a Harvey fan) thought similar to London Tide. Thanks for watching and I really appreciate you taking the time to comment. Maybe our opinions will be similar on a future show SX
I have never met a human being who doesn't like PJ Harvey music. The majority people I know never heard about her, and a minority likes very much. Concerning the play, I didn't watch because I live very far away from London, so, I can't have an opinion. But PJ Harvey discography from 1992 to 2023 is wonderful.
Thanks so much for your comment. As I hope I made clear in my review, fans of Harvey may well like this show. I do find it astonishing that you have "never met a human being who doesn't like her music". On this show alone, google finds The Independent and The Spectator calling it "dirge-like" , whilst The Standard said it was "ceaselessly repetitive, deadeningly slow and stolidly unchanging." The world would be much poorer if we only knew people who shared our view on the arts :-) SX
Isn’t it Hexham, not Haxham?
If I put that down to my accent, do you think I might get away with the slip @nicolabaker551 lol?! Good spot. My head is hanging with shame. I would offer you a priz but I have been informed it's actually Hexam (no h) and rules is rules tee hee. Thanks for watching and appreciate you taking the time to comment. Take Care SX
I watched the play last night and while not quite as negative as you overall I also absolutely hated the songs. Just awful dirges. I've never been a PJ Harvey fan and this made me extra baffled by her appeal.
Thanks for watching @rachael1918 . I appreciate you taking the time to comment. SX
I am neutral on PJ Harvey but thought her style of music was excellent in this context. Good acting, good set, but predictable plot.
I could definitely see it as being appropriate for this production. Thanks for watching and for taking the time to comment. SX