Let The Right One In

[rosscoe(au)]

Posted: 7/2/14 at 9:52am

Saw this on a recent trip to London, and was one of the most visually stunning productions I have seen in years. Never having seen either movie went in not knowing too much about it, it was powerful, shocking, heartbreaking, funny, dark and brilliant. The cast was perfect, Rebecca Benson as Eli was, well I don't think there are enough superlatives!

Hope this finds life outside of London, and if a transfer ever takes place hope this cast an travel with it. This is everything theatre should be.

[Adair Haywind]

Posted: 7/2/14 at 10:16am

PRAYING this transfers!!

[tazber]

Posted: 7/2/14 at 10:46am

I love both movies. I've been hoping for a transfer since this was announced.

[rosscoe(au)]

Posted: 7/2/14 at 1:02pm

When you think that Ghost, the talked about transfers of Charlie and Bodyguard look set to come over and those three are really awful shows. This brilliant production should be a shoe in.

[IndyTheatreGeek]

Posted: 7/2/14 at 9:25pm

I saw it in London in May. Loved it. The cast is awesome, staging a perfect example of Less is More which helps keep you focused on the story and performances. I'd love to see the show and cast transfer.

[sylvesterbird]

Posted: 7/3/14 at 1:52am

I also had the opportunity to see it in London, and, not expecting too much going in, was blown away by it (in fact, I went back to see it again the next week). Both Martin Quinn and Rebecca Benson are PHENOMENAL, and I'll be interested to see what they do next. It's a gorgeous, creepy, magical production, and I am now solidly in the John Tiffany camp!

[Brywal88]

Posted: 7/8/14 at 1:52am

I saw this show in May...add me to the list of people who LOVED this show. I thought it was stunning and beautiful...possibly my favorite of the shows I saw in London.

Apparently Brantley liked it too...does this increase the chances of a transfer?
http://www.nytimes.com/2014/07/08/theater/let-the-right-one-in-a-stage-version-of-a-vampire-novel.html?_r=0

[ukpuppetboy]

Posted: 7/8/14 at 2:21am

Saw this on Saturday and it was fantastic. The perfect marriage of stunning direction, beautiful modern choreography, gorgeous evocative design and chilling yet engaging performances all round but especially from Rebecca Benson and Martin Quinn. I've been a fan of the Tiffany/Hoggett partnership since Black Watch, but I think this is the highligh of their work so far. It's been quite heavily discounted at the moment and finishing earlier than expected at the end of August, so if you get the chance go now..

Other fans included Michael Arden and Andy Mientus when they were here...


On a separate note - In what was a largely young audience everyone was perfectly behaved. Not a phone glare or sweet rapper or incessant chatterer to be found all evening.

Michael Arden's verdict Updated On: 7/8/14 at 02:21 AM

[rosscoe(au)]

Posted: 7/8/14 at 3:10am

Too add further to that, UK audiences are wonderful to see shows with, they sit back and enjoy whats happening on stage. Have never seen a sweet eaten, phone lit up in the last three years I have been doing a UK trip.

I was heading back later in the year to catch Evita and was hoping this might have still been playing. Any one thinking of doing a New York trip in the next couple of months, skip that idea and head to London to see this stunning piece of theatre.

[tazber]

Posted: 7/8/14 at 8:13am

I'm surprised that it's drawing young audiences. If it's anything like the films it's not really for children. I guess people see that it stars two kids and think it's appropriate for younger audiences.

[mikey2573]

Posted: 7/8/14 at 8:58am

Anyone who has seen it know what Brantley is talking about here?

"The production also contains the single most terrifying coup de théâtre I’ve witnessed"

Would love to see it as I am a big fan of the novel and the two film versions. But I live on the wrong side of the Atlantic. Maybe one of those National Theater Live cinema events?

[neonlightsxo]

Posted: 7/8/14 at 9:00am

^ As it's not a National Theatre production I don't see that happening...

Would love for a New York transfer!

[DeNada]

Posted: 7/8/14 at 9:09am

Thank you for reminding me that this transferred! I'm in London on Thursday so I've just booked to see the matinee - £35 Royal Court tickets for good stalls seats can't be sniffed at.

I love the book and the Swedish film (not seen Let Me In so can't comment there). Can't wait to see this - and I suspect that if the coup de theatre Brantley refers to is what I think it is I will be very, very excited.

[ukpuppetboy]

Posted: 7/8/14 at 10:54am

potential spoiler alert ***

Mikey - Without actually spoiling anything I assume he means the dramatic climax where Oskar is bullied as a revenge for standing up to himself. It's quite the physical accomplishment on behalf of the actor involved.

And by young audience I was refering to 18-30s of all demographics; alot in couples. More than I've ever really noticed in a play before.

[ggersten]

Posted: 7/8/14 at 12:28pm

i'm sure Ukpuppetboy is correct about what Brantley likely is referring to. It is a stunning theatrical accomplishment. I saw this from a day seat - front row - and it was magical from that vantage point. The blood flows are quite dramatic that close! This is a show that sticks with you long after the final bow. I do keep thinking about the staging and the acting by Ms. Benson and Mr. Quinn. The halting nature of Ms. Benson's characterization so conveys the inner torment of Eli - you can see it, you can feel it. And, it's something that is not in the script - so it's from a union of actor and director. And Mr. Quinn demonstrates his character's innocence and what a person is like who is the recipient of constant bullying. The other actors are all excellent as well. Simply staged but gripping.

[ajh]

Posted: 7/8/14 at 12:36pm

I wonder if the "terrifying coup de theatre" referred to here is the bit in the second act that caused me to drop my M&Ms. I don't part with food easily. It was a stunning moment. The whole show was actually. I really hope this travels.

[rosscoe(au)]

Posted: 7/8/14 at 5:50pm

DeNada, I also booked the royal court 35 pound seats, three rows from the front. Great value

[LightsOut90]

Posted: 7/8/14 at 6:38pm

Saw this tonight, i mostly enjoyed it but felt John & Steven went alittle to heavy on the physical theater (the movement sequence with Oskar and his mom in bed needs to be cut, it felt very weird) However ultimately its a very haunting and beautiful piece. Speaking with one of the actors after upon mentioning a broadway transfer he mentioned there were discussions occurring about potentially October or February but that its not 100% yet.

[mikey2573]

Posted: 7/10/14 at 12:59am

I am assuming since it is "staged simply" that the climax in the swimming pool is dispensed with? Can't imagine who they would stage that.

[ggersten]

Posted: 7/10/14 at 8:21am

mikey2573 - never make assumptions about what can and cannot be done on a stage. PM me if you really want to know more.

Updated On: 7/10/14 at 08:21 AM