The National Theatre’s Olivier-award winning (Best Revival) production of Cyrano de Bergerac, directed by Jamie Lloyd and starring James McAvoy, is coming to BAM in April-May 2022. Looks very interesting. Anyone see this in London?
Saw it in London and loved it. Maybe that was because I came off two very lackluster Cyranos (the abysmal musical and boring Bernhardt/Hamlet) which made it seem better. I wasn't a huge fan of Lloyd after seeing Betrayal but this was so much more effective. McAvoy was amazing in this and LOVED the staging. Sadly going to miss it on the West End but can't wait to return again at BAM.
"Pardon my prior Mcfee slip. I know how to spell her name. I just don't know how to type it." -Talulah
Can anyone give some advice about seatings at the Harvey theatre in BAM ? Which areas are the best? Should any areas be avoided (first free rows, sides etc..)?
The mezzanine at the Harvey has a reputation for being especially bad, but for my money I never thought it was as bad as everyone said. I always like to sit in the far left or far right in the front row of the mezzanine. Good bang for your buck IMO, but some feel it's too steep and high up. Legroom isn't great, but I can manage and I'm 5'10". I prefer it to the rear orchestra, where you can get swallowed up in the overhang and the pillars. Obviously if you CAN get the front section of the orchestra, that's the best.
I saw this show in London - I thought it was really smart, but didn't totally land for me. I like my Cyrano retellings with a little more warmth. The pacing was a little weird for me too, but I also found it a little bit difficult to fully engage with it since I had an obstructed view. I felt pretty detached from the whole thing, and it's like 3 hours long.
Still recommend it to people though. It's a cool take on Cyrano, and McAvoy is great.
I just bought my ticket on the American Express pre-sale, and I came here to say, be prepared for some steep ticket prices. Most seats in the center orchestra are $225. I ended up going for a seat in Row O of the “Upper Orchestra” for $95 (plus $8.50 in fees).
The prices don't seem steep to me, at all. Every seat in the side front orchestra sections is $105-125, and most of the balcony is $45-65. The only seats more than $125 are in the center front orchestra, and, other than those, I think they're pretty reasonable.
I couldn't get the Amex Preferred tickets to open up for me, so I ended up just going with front row side orchestra on the aisle. I've never been to this theater before, but hopefully it's not too awkward to be that close. It looks like they don't usually have a high stage, is that right?
Yes, the prices are very reasonable. Got a front row side orchestra seat for the final performance on May 22 for $125. The prices are comparable to what they charged in the West End (roughly £76.00 for stall seats) when I saw this back in January of 2020. I think they would be charging more if this was on Broadway instead of at BAM.
sm33 said: "It looks like they don't usually have a high stage, is that right?"
That's right. The stage is usually flat on the ground, at the same level with the front row. Plus, depending on the way the staging is adapted, there might be a gap between the front row and the stage. The shape of the seating allows for a small thrust, which not all productions make use of.
FYI, tickets are now on sale to the general public. I usually go for the cheaper(est) options, but $105 for front row orchestra on the side was too tempting.
I saw it London in December 2019 and then again last month. It had become a little over the top in the meanwhile, but I still enjoyed it a lot. The first act in particular is really really strong and McAvoy delivers a hell of a performance.
So, it looks like the $10 TodayTix rush seats are the freestanding chairs in front of row A center. Great deal, but pretty rude to put them directly in front of people who paid premium prices expecting to have no one sitting in front of them:
TaffyDavenport said: "So, it looks like the $10 TodayTix rush seats are the freestanding chairs in front of row A center. Great deal, but pretty rude to put them directly in front of people who paid premium prices expecting to have no one sitting in front of them:
"
If this is true, I would be pissed. I bought row A ticket to the final performance on May 22. The reason I bought row A is because I wasn’t expecting anyone to be in front blocking my view. Can I get a refund?
imeldasturn said: "I saw it London in December 2019 and then again last month. It had become a little over the top in the meanwhile, but I still enjoyed it a lot. The first act in particular is really really strong and McAvoy delivers a hell of a performance."
His performance is amazing but he's way smokin' hot for Cyrano. If I was Roxane, I would go at him immediately.
Listen, I don't take my clothes off for anyone, even if it is "artistic". - JANICE
I was able to secure rush tickets yesterday and honestly they were everything. Yes, they're cushions on the floor but there are backs so you can lounge and I was comfortable until maybe the last 20 mins of Act 1. It really feels like a private performance because you're so close to the action. I don't know if I was impeding anyone's view but I really didn't care.
As for the show itself, it's TERRIFIC. I saw maybe the 4th performance in London in 2019 and it's much stronger now. McAvoy is perfect with all of the accents and changes that he has to make throughout as well as the physicality of the performance. I believe the majority of the principals were the same except for Roxanne but I think this one might have been better. My main problem when I saw the show initially was the way the kiss (IYKYK, no spoilers) was handled. In London it was played off more as a joke but now it seemed more purposeful with passion behind it.
I would highly recommend seeing the show and trying to rush it.
"Pardon my prior Mcfee slip. I know how to spell her name. I just don't know how to type it." -Talulah
I feel conflicted about these rush tickets. Would I love a chance to sit this close to the actors for just $10? You bet! Is it a good idea to give everyone, regardless of their means, an opportunity to secure the best seats in the house? Yes! Do I think it's unfair to put another row of seats, even if they are cushions, in front of those who paid a pretty penny to have an unobstructed view of the stage? That's also a "yes." BTW, I saw a photo in which there was a tall person wearing a hat in one of those onstage seats. I am certain he blocked the view of the person behind him. So I am happy for those who get to enjoy this incredible deal but also a bit sad for anyone who bought Row A center tickets.