#2
Posted: 7/15/18 at 6:34pm
It doesn't start in NY until Tuesday, but there is at least one review from its run in Avignon a couple of years ago: https://www.theguardian.com/stage/2016/jul/10/the-damned-ivo-van-hove-avignon-festival
#3
Posted: 7/17/18 at 11:25pm
Was at the first performance tonight. Truly speechless. In both a perplexed and an impressed way. I went in knowing little to nothing about it and having never seen the film. The story is fascinating and compelling but oh my gosh those subtitles. If you have a hard time reading small text on a projector or a screen, bring glasss or binoculars or splurge and buy a seat down front. The subtitles of all the actors dialogue moves incredibly fast and it’s hard to catch most of it. Very difficult to read.
That being said, the physical production and the direction elements are absolutely incredible. The Armory is so perfect for this production and Ivo utilizes the facility perfectly. I’m finding it hard to put into words exactly how haunting and genius and harrowing the physicality of this production is.
Amazing performances from a lot of the actors.
However, extremely rude audience members. Blatantly on their phones and snapping pictures during the show. All in all, really enjoyed it. Only 10 shows remain, go go go!
That being said, the physical production and the direction elements are absolutely incredible. The Armory is so perfect for this production and Ivo utilizes the facility perfectly. I’m finding it hard to put into words exactly how haunting and genius and harrowing the physicality of this production is.
Amazing performances from a lot of the actors.
However, extremely rude audience members. Blatantly on their phones and snapping pictures during the show. All in all, really enjoyed it. Only 10 shows remain, go go go!
#4
Posted: 7/18/18 at 12:38am
Are there any of the cheap sides tickets left? I saw "The Hair Ape" here last summer and I was BLOWN away by the Armory and the sure size of the production and space and would love to go back. So sad I missed Verma earlier in the season.
#5
Posted: 7/18/18 at 8:22am
I actually have two of the cheapest tickets for this Thursday at 7:30 that I'm sad I won't be able to use. If anyone wants them, let me know. I'm selling for face value--$35 for the ticket plus $5 service fee. So $80 for the pair. I can email them. They're Row L seats 55 and 56.
#6
Posted: 7/18/18 at 9:09am
The production is incredible, as well as incredibly intense and incredibly bleak.
Based on the Visconti film about a wealthy industrial family at the rise of the Nazi party, it focuses on the evil in nearly every character. Therefore, it makes for a intense and bleak evening. That may also be why it didn't happen to be my favorite Ivo show. But the performances are stellar and the production full of shocking memorable images, like you'd expect from Ivo.
(Side note: watching this with the information in mind he's tackling WEST SIDE, I noticed just how effective his austerity and intensity are when the writing is sentimental. Although this subject is bleak there are moments of good characters trying to find a way out of this evil. He pushes against the sentimentality and that makes it somehow even more moving, like emotion squeezing through a vice of a cruel world. And it got me quite excited.)
#7
Posted: 7/18/18 at 9:23am
Oh boy. I went for last row, dead center instead of halfway up on the sides. I don't have the greatest vision, so I'm nervous about the subtitles now, but still very excited for the performance. Will be there tomorrow evening.
#8
Posted: 7/18/18 at 9:39am
I'm looking forward to this. Visconti's 1969 film is one of my all time favorites.
#9
Posted: 7/18/18 at 7:08pm
Rave and Critic's Pick from Brantley.
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/07/18/theater/the-damned-review-ivo-van-hove-review.html#commentsContainer
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/07/18/theater/the-damned-review-ivo-van-hove-review.html#commentsContainer
#10
Posted: 7/19/18 at 12:39pm
on the off chance someone has $35 tickets (1 or 2) for tonight or next week, let me know
#12
Posted: 7/19/18 at 2:40pm
Sorry--just jumping in to mention that I did sell the tickets I mentioned before. I'll be sad to miss it--reviews sound fascinating!
#13
Posted: 7/20/18 at 9:50am
Saw this last evening. Ivo was there. What an amazing use of space. While it was not my favorite thing I've ever seen, I'm really glad I caught it. The supertitles were easier to read than I had prepared myself for. They did fly by quickly and I found myself beginning to get frustrated that I had missed something. I had to choose in the moment to be ok with missing the ends of a few lines and trust that the sentiment would not be lost.
Just really wonderful staging. Very uncomfortable at times, as intended.
Just really wonderful staging. Very uncomfortable at times, as intended.
#14
Posted: 7/20/18 at 8:54pm
Bought my ticket to this ages ago and completely forgot about it til the reminder email I got and now I have a conflict... 
if anybody wants my ticket, selling it for what I bought it for ($95) (or will accept a trade for next week(end) too!!). Tomorrow night (Saturday 21st) Row C, seat 41 on the center aisle (which is now listed as a $225 zone). PM me!
if anybody wants my ticket, selling it for what I bought it for ($95) (or will accept a trade for next week(end) too!!). Tomorrow night (Saturday 21st) Row C, seat 41 on the center aisle (which is now listed as a $225 zone). PM me!
Updated On: 7/20/18 at 08:54 PM
#15
Posted: 7/20/18 at 10:33pm
Briansb, Not sure if my message to you went through--I'd be interested in the ticket if it's still available since I sadly had to sell my tickets to last night's show earlier in this thread. :)
#16
Posted: 7/20/18 at 11:59pm
Saw it tonight. I thought it was just ok. This was the 8th Van Hove production I've seen, and I think he does better with material written for the theatre. I enjoyed View From the Bridge, The Crucible, Lazarus, Hedda Gabler, and Shakespeare's Roman Tragedies. But I thought Fountainhead, Scenes From A Marriage, and The Damned - all of which were adapted from films or books - fairly uninspired.
I was able to follow the story fine (having read the synopsis), but I just couldn't bring myself to care about it. Yes, there were some creative moments, but it was all pulled right out of the classic Ivo bag of tricks. I like his bag of tricks just fine, but only when they're being used to add atmosphere and depth to a story I'm invested in.
On an unrelated note: Steven Pasquale and Phillipa Soo were there tonight, and Mr. Pasquale was sporting a neck-brace. Hope he's ok!
#17
Posted: 7/21/18 at 10:57pm
This was my favorite van Hove production to date and - as someone above me noted - it makes me incredibly excited to see how he explores West Side Story.
The way he uses theatrical and cinematic techniques to highlight the violent, selfish, dark impulses of the world of this piece is endlessly inventive and illuminating. I didn’t even need to read the subtitles most of the time, the storytelling is so clear. It is all about the mood and atmosphere. The remarkable group of actors and film crew will take care of the rest.
Also, I was in the dead last row in the center and I honestly cannot imagine there is a bad seat in the house.
The way he uses theatrical and cinematic techniques to highlight the violent, selfish, dark impulses of the world of this piece is endlessly inventive and illuminating. I didn’t even need to read the subtitles most of the time, the storytelling is so clear. It is all about the mood and atmosphere. The remarkable group of actors and film crew will take care of the rest.
Also, I was in the dead last row in the center and I honestly cannot imagine there is a bad seat in the house.
#18
Posted: 7/22/18 at 9:52pm
bump because I'm still in the market for a single $35 for Monday, Tuesday, or Thursday
#20
Posted: 7/23/18 at 3:03pm
bump incase someone has a conflict and cat use their cheap ticket for tonight!!!!
#21
Posted: 7/25/18 at 10:05pm
bump for Thursday nights performance! Please help if you can!
#22
Posted: 7/26/18 at 4:51am
Apparently the French production was filmed. Anyone know where to watch it online?
#23
Posted: 1/5/19 at 11:27am
For Londoners, this is finally playing here at the Barbican in June x
https://www.barbican.org.uk/whats-on/2019/event/comedie-francaise-the-damned
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