1984 Previews- Page 4

[hork]

Posted: 6/18/17 at 11:32am

Lot666 said: "hork said: ""Avoid at all costs" is extremely common review rhetoric. When did it suddenly become offensive?"

Who said it was offensive?

 

The people who took offense to it.

 

[Dancingthrulife2]

Posted: 6/18/17 at 12:17pm

3NU said: "

 


•  The book club sub-plot (if you can even call it that) felt quite unnecessary, unless...

 

 

Click Here To Toggle Spoiler Content

...the point of the sub-plot was to show that even if the Party collapsed and a new, "better" society resulted from it, Party ideas still perpetuated to the extent that the book club did not recognize Winston as a real person but rather as a character out of someone's imagination (and thus history/memory was successfully erased and forgotten).  That's all I got.  Perhaps I'm missing something here.

 

 

 

"

That is indeed their intention. They put an article about the concepts of this production in their London program along with some interesting interviews.

[BroadwayBeebe]

Posted: 6/18/17 at 1:24pm

Saw the matinee yesterday and can't add much to what people have already said. I counted six people walk out in the middle from the Orchestra section alone. This is also the first time in recent memory that I can't remember that not only was there no standing ovation at the end, but half the audience was leaving during curtain call. My girlfriend liked it and I have a friend who really enjoyed it, but personally I was really counting who was leaving. 

[Lot666]

Posted: 6/18/17 at 3:17pm

hork said: "Lot666 said: "hork said: ""Avoid at all costs" is extremely common review rhetoric. When did it suddenly become offensive?"

Who said it was offensive?

The people who took offense to it."

I've just reread all of the posts that came after the original "Avoid at all costs" post by soneil, and no one said that this statement was offensive.

[hork]

Posted: 6/18/17 at 3:53pm

Lot666 said: "hork said: "Lot666 said: "hork said: ""Avoid at all costs" is extremely common review rhetoric. When did it suddenly become offensive?"

Who said it was offensive?

The people who took offense to it."

I've just reread all of the posts that came after the original "Avoid at all costs" post by soneil, and no one said that this statement was offensive.

 

But they took offense to it. Do I really need to explain the meaning of the word "offensive"?

 

[Lot666]

Posted: 6/19/17 at 9:52am

hork said: "Lot666 said: "hork said: "Lot666 said: "hork said: ""Avoid at all costs" is extremely common review rhetoric. When did it suddenly become offensive?"

Who said it was offensive?

The people who took offense to it."

I've just reread all of the posts that came after the original "Avoid at all costs" post by soneil, and no one said that this statement was offensive.

But they took offense to it. Do I really need to explain the meaning of the word "offensive"?"

I am the "they" whom you're referring to (I'm the one who actually cited the "Avoid at all costs" comment in my post), and I did not mention that comment because I found it offensive. Please do not presume to tell me what I take offense at.

Updated On: 6/19/17 at 09:52 AM

[hork]

Posted: 6/19/17 at 11:07am

Lot666 said: 
I am the "they" whom you're referring to (I'm the one who actually cited the "Avoid at all costs" comment in my post), and I did not mention that comment because I found it offensive. Please do not presume to tell me what I take offense at.

 

Actually, it was dramamama who first brought it up. And then you admitted to being defensive and said you were okay until you got to that line. THAT'S WHAT "OFFENSIVE" MEANS!!! Granted, you took it back, but nobody else did.

 

Updated On: 6/19/17 at 11:07 AM

[Dysquith13]

Posted: 6/19/17 at 11:11am

I feel so sorry for the cast and crew of this if they have to hear those shrill noises 8 times a week. If it's any consolation, they might just be numb to it at this point, or they can anticipate the moments and plug their ears.

As someone easily spooked by loud noises in theater, this production sounds like one I'll be steering clear of.

[Lot666]

Posted: 6/19/17 at 12:32pm

hork said: "Lot666 said: 
I am the "they" whom you're referring to (I'm the one who actually cited the "Avoid at all costs" comment in my post), and I did not mention that comment because I found it offensive. Please do not presume to tell me what I take offense at. 

Actually, it was dramamama who first brought it up. And then you admitted to being defensive and said you were okay until you got to that line. THAT'S WHAT "OFFENSIVE" MEANS!!! Granted, you took it back, but nobody else did."

Again, don't presume to tell me what I take offense at. I admitted to defending the show; that's not the same thing as being "offended" by soneil's words. You're using the word "offense" as if you were talking about a football game. 

[hork]

Posted: 6/19/17 at 2:24pm

No, I'm using "offensive" the way it means: annoying or irritating. But fine, whatever, you didn't find it offensive, but other people clearly did. 

[coreman009]

Posted: 6/20/17 at 2:21pm

For anyone who's seen this, I need some advisory. I've got general anxiety coupled with the occasional panic attack. No precise triggers (like strobes, gunshots, etc.), but sometimes can just feel completely overwhelmed, trapped, and panicky.

I already have tickets to this show and I'd like to see it (my girlfriend loved the book). So does anyone have advice on how to handle this play to avoid a panic attack? Just try to stay removed from the plot and remember I'm only watching a play? Any tips?

[Lot666]

Posted: 6/20/17 at 2:37pm

coreman009 said: "For anyone who's seen this, I need some advisory. I've got general anxiety coupled with the occasional panic attack. No precise triggers (like strobes, gunshots, etc.), but sometimes can just feel completely overwhelmed, trapped, and panicky.

I already have tickets to this show and I'd like to see it (my girlfriend loved the book). So does anyone have advice on how to handle this play to avoid a panic attack? Just try to stay removed from the plot and remember I'm only watching a play? Any tips?"

How do you respond when you watch a TV show or movie in which characters find themselves in extremely disquieting situations? Do you envision yourself, consciously or not, in the character's position, and if so, are you likely to become very anxious and panicky? If you have such reactions to movies and television, then I expect you will find 1984 extremely troublesome. I am generally indifferent to such scenes on film because my mind perceives the characters and their situations as unreal, but my response to the character of Winston Smith undergoing reprogramming in Room 101 when he was a live person just 15 feet in front of me was profoundly different. I wasn't particularly bothered by the flashing lights and loud noises throughout the show, but the torture scene was excruciating to me. Based on your own self-description, you may well be compelled to leave the theater when the (lengthy) final scene begins.

Updated On: 6/20/17 at 02:37 PM

[coreman009]

Posted: 6/20/17 at 2:53pm

In movies and TV I'm always fine. Like you, it's easy to distinguish that it's fiction, though I doubt it'll be that easy when they're right in front of me.

Approximately how long is the scene and is it the very end of the play? Is there a scene just before it to prepare? Just kind of looking for a heads up so I can ready myself for the gruesomeness of it. Good to know the lights and sounds weren't too bad, if it's too intense it can sometimes cause an uptick in anxiety.

I sincerely thank you for all your help!!

[phan24]

Posted: 6/20/17 at 3:02pm

coreman009 said: "In movies and TV I'm always fine. Like you, it's easy to distinguish that it's fiction, though I doubt it'll be that easy when they're right in front of me.

Approximately how long is the scene and is it the very end of the play? Is there a scene just before it to prepare? Just kind of looking for a heads up so I can ready myself for the gruesomeness of it. Good to know the lights and sounds weren't too bad, if it's too intense it can sometimes cause an uptick in anxiety.

I sincerely thank you for all your help!!"

 

I would definitely not underplay the loudness of the sounds, I was not and am not squeamish towards the actual storyline/gore, but the loud sounds were unbearable and made me disassociate from the play,and they happen around 10 times throughout the ending. All I can say is good luck.

[hush234]

Posted: 6/20/17 at 3:04pm

I was really looking forward to this show.  I'm a fan of the book and movie, and I don't really have a problem with gore / violence / disturbing scenarios.  But I really hated this... like I hated this so much, I felt the need to create an account and post about it hahaha.  The first 60 minutes were a pretentious bore spliced with jarring noises and lights, which just seemed to be there to keep your mind from wondering.  The last 30 minutes were torture porn, with a COUPLE brief moments of "hmm that's a smart critique of world."  But overall this play seemed to be patting itself on the back for being "edgy."  Really it was just an assault on the senses.  At the end, a handful of people jumped to their feet to give a standing ovation, but the majority of the theater stayed in their seats or ran to the exit once the bows starts.  Also a good chunk of people walked out about an hour in.  The actors were all very good though!  It was definitely more an issue with the directing.  And the script. 

[MrJNLong]

Posted: 6/20/17 at 4:30pm

I'm taking a group of high school students to this in August. Can someone do a spoiler post and tell me what sorts of things happen in the torture scene, as well as in the earlier video scenes that I may need to warn parents about? I saw this in London two years ago but I apparently do not remember the details.  People keep mentioning on this thread the highly graphic nature of the final scene (and some times the earlier love scenes on the screens). And for what ever reason, I can't picture what they're talking about. It weirdly didnt stick with me. Can someone describe them in a spoiler post below?

Much appreciated.

[dramamama611]

Posted: 6/21/17 at 7:42am

 

Click Here To Toggle Spoiler Content

MOST of the torture isn't actually seen, but heard and executed during a brief blackout. These include cutting his fingertips off and pulling some of his teeth out.  

What you DO see is some electrocution and (nearly) his nightmare of being attacked by rats. (But that happens in an enclosed "box" so you don't actually SEE it.)

 

I took my high school son, and it was pretty intense, but he handled it just fine.

 

I don't think the video scenes are terribly explicit.   Some aggressive kissing, not sure how else to say it, but nothing to feel uncomfortable about sitting next to a student. (IMO)

Let me know if I can be of more assistance!

[LxGstv]

Posted: 6/21/17 at 8:23am

 

Click Here To Toggle Spoiler Content

Also, earlier in the show, way before the torture scene, you do see someone getting shot in the head, it's happens on video projections, but it's pretty graphic...

 Edit; now in the spoiler toggle!

Updated On: 6/21/17 at 08:23 AM

[Lot666]

Posted: 6/21/17 at 10:17am

coreman009 said: "Approximately how long is the scene and is it the very end of the play? Is there a scene just before it to prepare? Just kind of looking for a heads up so I can ready myself for the gruesomeness of it."

I saw the show during the first week of previews, so I'm having a bit of difficulty remembering exactly. The Room 101 sequence is basically the last real scene and it seemed fairly long to me, maybe about the last 20 minutes or so (I'm sorry that I'm not particularly good at approximating things like this). Of course, the general nature of this scene might have contributed to my perception that it was lengthy.

In any event, you'll definitely know when it's coming because...

 

Click Here To Toggle Spoiler Content

...the small, nondescript set that's been on view throughout the whole show will begin to come apart and move out, back, and upwards. Shortly after, the towering white walls will descend and that's when the real unpleasantness begins.

[3NU]

Posted: 6/21/17 at 10:47am

To add to what dramamama611, LxGstv, and Lot666 already said...

 

Click Here To Toggle Spoiler Content

•  The Room 101 (i.e., torture) scene infers more than it shows, but what it does show is still pretty graphic, particularly in terms of (fake) blood.  Winston "bleeds" quite a bit throughout the scene, including spouting blood out of his mouth after his teeth are pulled.  And you can't escape the blood, even if you're sitting far away.  This is because, in the spirit of Big Brother, much of the play is live-filmed in close-ups and projected on the screen over the main set.  So, as blood drools out of Winston's mouth for the 20 minutes or so that the scene lasts (it does really feel that long), you won't be able to escape a blown-up bloodied face. Moreover, Room 101 is completely white, so the contrast of dark red blood with the white floor is quite stark.

•  I? ?w?i?s?h? ?L?x?G?s?t?v? ?h?a?d? ?p?u?t? ?t?h?e?i?r? ?c?o?m?m?e?n?t? ?i?n? ?a? ?s?p?o?i?l?e?r? ?t?o?g?g?l?e?,? ?b?u?t?  (Thanks for the fix, LxGstv!) yes, towards the beginning of the play someone is shown to be shot in the back of the head on film, and it is not subtle.  It takes place during the Two Minutes of Hate segment, in which the loud spewing of hate language from people lined up downstage may also be bothersome to people.

•  The kissing scene implies rough sex, but nothing is really shown.  Compared to other parts of the play, this scene is downright mild.

If plays were to follow the same ratings system as movies do, I would place 1984 squarely in R territory.  If you're bringing high school students to this show, I would be wary.  Sure, today's high schoolers are likely exposed to a lot of violence in the media they consume, but I would be absolutely upfront about potential triggers, including strobe lights, loud noises, jump scares, high-pitched frequency ringing, gunshots, blood, and torture.  (A friend who saw the play with me, who served in the military previously, was triggered at least once during the course of the play.)

And remember -- the closer you sit to the stage, the more intense the play will be.  As I mentioned before, I was in the back of the balcony and the play was still incredibly difficult to sit through.

 

Updated On: 6/21/17 at 10:47 AM

[Lot666]

Posted: 6/21/17 at 11:09am

3NU said: "And remember -- the closer you sit to the stage, the more intense the play will be.  As I mentioned before, I was in the back of the balcony and the play was still incredibly difficult to sit through."

I was smack in the center of orchestra F (6th row) and I think that contributed to the "inescapable" feeling I got during the Room 101 scene. When you're that close, you can see the actor's face really well and see him breathing, and it's rough.

[LxGstv]

Posted: 6/21/17 at 11:28am

3NU said: "To add to what dramamama611, LxGstv, and Lot666 already said...

 

 

Click Here To Toggle Spoiler Content

•  The Room 101 (i.e., torture) scene infers more than it shows, but what it does show is still pretty graphic, particularly in terms of (fake) blood.  Winston "bleeds" quite a bit throughout the scene, including spouting blood out of his mouth after his teeth are pulled.  And you can't escape the blood, even if you're sitting far away.  This is because, in the spirit of Big Brother, much of the play is live-filmed in close-ups and projected on the screen over the main set.  So, as blood drools out of Winston's mouth for the 20 minutes or so that the scene lasts (it does really feel that long), you won't be able to escape a blown-up bloodied face. Moreover, Room 101 is completely white, so the contrast of dark red blood with the white floor is quite stark.

•  I wish LxGstv had put their comment in a spoiler toggle, but yes, towards the beginning of the play someone is shown to be shot in the back of the head on film, and it is not subtle.  It takes place during the Two Minutes of Hate segment, in which the loud spewing of hate language from people lined up downstage may also be bothersome to people.

•  The kissing scene implies rough sex, but nothing is really shown.  Compared to other parts of the play, this scene is downright mild.

 

If plays were to follow the same ratings system as movies do, I would place 1984 squarely in R territory.  If you're bringing high school students to this show, I would be wary.  Sure, today's high schoolers are likely exposed to a lot of violence in the media they consume, but I would be absolutely upfront about potential triggers, including strobe lights, loud noises, jump scares, high-pitched frequency ringing, gunshots, blood, and torture.  (A friend who saw the play with me, who served in the military previously, was triggered at least once during the course of the play.)

And remember -- the closer you sit to the stage, the more intense the play will be.  As I mentioned before, I was in the back of the balcony and the play was still incredibly difficult to sit through.

 

 

"

Good call on the spoiler toggle, sorry about that... it's fixed!

On a side note, I feel that the further away the more intense the strobe effects are... everyone was complaining about the lights, I was on the first row and I wasn't bothered by it at all...

[3NU]

Posted: 6/21/17 at 11:54am

LxGstv said: "On a side note, I feel that the further away the more intense the strobe effects are... everyone was complaining about the lights, I was on the first row and I wasn't bothered by it at all..."

Yes, definitely a valid point!  The strobe lights are on the proscenium arch, so the further back you are, the more likely you'll get hit with them all.

[henrikegerman]

Posted: 6/21/17 at 12:03pm

Matt Rogers said: "Also, they make Olivia Wilde look like a frump. I'm not a fan or a non-fan (and I'm also gay and don't care) but if you decide to cast someone like this, please do not parade her around in a shapeless house dress."

She's playing a woman in a staunchly anti-sexual society in which women parade around in shapeless clothing.

Are you suggesting that sexy actresses like Ms. Wilde shouldn't play such women?  That they should only play glamorous or overtly sexy women?

[uncageg]

Posted: 7/12/17 at 2:19pm

Dysquith13 said: "I feel so sorry for the cast and crew of this if they have to hear those shrill noises 8 times a week. If it's any consolation, they might just be numb to it at this point, or they can anticipate the moments and plug their ears.

As someone easily spooked by loud noises in theater, this production sounds like one I'll be steering clear of.

 

The cast was on Charlie Rose last night and were quite excited about the sound design and staging.