Wolf Hall Previews

[Phillypinto]

Posted: 3/21/15 at 1:00am

Anyone go tonight? What did you think?

[pennydreadful]

Posted: 3/21/15 at 1:21am

I loved the books, and thought it was a solid adaptation. It was pretty much what I expected - good performances and a ton of exposition. I got tickets through TDF for parts one and two, and tonight I lucked out and got row A in the orchestra. The woman sitting next to me, who had paid three times what I did for her seat, hated it so much she bailed at intermission. There was a partial standing ovation at the end.

[little_sally]

Posted: 3/21/15 at 12:18pm

I love the books, and I am admittedly a Tudor history enthusiast, and I loved part 1 last night. I think they did a great job of adapting the first book, and I suspect it will be easy to follow even if you're not familiar with the plot/history. I was also surprised at how funny it was! For me, it didn't drag at all, and didn't feel like three hours. Great performances all around, especially from Ben Miles and Nathaniel Parker.

Very much looking forward to part 2 tonight!

[pennydreadful]

Posted: 3/22/15 at 12:07am

Tonight I sat center orchestra, row F, and Hilary Mantel sat behind me! I fangirled all over her, as did the four other librarians in our rows, and she couldn't have been lovelier. TDF really came through with the tickets!! Tonight was very good, full standing ovation at the end.

[iluvtheatertrash]

Posted: 3/22/15 at 10:32am

So glad I spent 250$ on two rear orchestra seats (they said that's all that was available WEEKS ago) while TDF members get front row seats....

Pretty annoyed, I'm not going to lie.... I understand they release last minute seats to TDF members. But it's ridiculous that those seats were not offered up to ticket buyers last month.

[little_sally]

Posted: 3/22/15 at 10:57am

Not much more to say about part 2 other than I really loved it as well. The three hours just flew by. Ben Miles, who barely leaves the stage, is giving a terrific performance. It's been a strong year for leading actors in plays this season.

[hachot]

Posted: 3/22/15 at 10:03pm

Just one word after seeing the Marathon: WOW!

[pennydreadful]

Posted: 3/22/15 at 11:32pm

Sorry, theatertrash, I didn't mean to gloat. I'd be pissed off, too. :/

[Jonwo]

Posted: 3/22/15 at 11:45pm

I saw the shows when they transferred to the West End and enjoyed it, I'm wondering how the show is like at the Winter Garden since that is a bigger theatre than both the Aldwych and the Swan theatre,

[RippedMan]

Posted: 3/23/15 at 2:16am

How does it play in the theater? Is the design/set big? It seems pretty simple from pictures.

[little_sally]

Posted: 3/23/15 at 10:06am

The design is big but it is pretty simple. They've created a thrust stage that extends past the Winter Garden's actual stage. It seems they've removed seats from the first few rows as well.

[nasty_khakis]

Posted: 3/23/15 at 12:14pm

I was with TDF as well and got the last row of the orchestra for both show. Unfair!

[pennydreadful]

Posted: 3/23/15 at 4:06pm

TDF, the Magic 8 ball of theater tickets.

[frogs_fan85]

Posted: 3/23/15 at 4:21pm

I was in Row E mezzanine center and Row M orchestra house right via TDF, so it's a giant crapshoot.

[iluvtheatertrash]

Posted: 3/23/15 at 4:31pm

It's not TDF That frustrates me and I don't think you were gloating. It's the way producers choose to release tickets. It's as if they want to reward their early buyers with lousy seats.

[pennydreadful]

Posted: 3/23/15 at 4:47pm

Were those seats available at premium prices when you bought, or were they just not available at all? The second night I went, everyone in my row (that I talked to) was TDF, and the folks sitting behind me (next to Ms. Mantel) were TDF.

Updated On: 3/23/15 at 04:47 PM

[WhizzerMarvin]

Posted: 3/25/15 at 11:39pm

I saw part one tonight and after the second act my heart was racing! How can I wait till part two comes? How could I sleep, couldn't sleep if I tried, Where can I run, but to Anne Boleyn's side? How can I wait till part two-ooh comes!

I have instantly become obsessed with Lydia Leonard, the brilliant actress playing Anne Boleyn with such vitality and strength. Her ousting of Katherine of Aragon and subsequent ascent to the throne was so much fun I might as well have been watching the election rigging arc on Scandal.

Nathaniel Parker is a very human Henry VIII, not the stock bullheaded virile man we have come to associate with the historical figure. I'm no Tudor expert, but this portrayal felt fleshing and more real than some of the more cartoon-like representations of the king.

Ben Miles (Tom from the Norman Conquests revival!!) essential never leaves the stage as Thomas Cromwell. Just as Cromwell was a cunning lawyer and political maneuverer, Miles gives a sly, often subtle performance that creeps up on you. Just as you're saying, wait! How did this guy get all this power, the same can be said of his performance and the careful layering he applied to his character. It just sneaks up on you.

The lighting is so good that's it's a character unto itself. I also loved all the transitional music.

The direction by Jeremy Herrin is first-rate.

I was stupid and should have seen these back to back on a weekend.

[hachot]

Posted: 3/25/15 at 11:43pm

This is truly event theatre-- and as I noted earlier the Marathon is definitely the way to go.
A once in a lifetime experience.

[WhizzerMarvin]

Posted: 3/25/15 at 11:49pm

Yes, it all feels very grand and epic. The history nerd in me was in heaven. Between this and The Audience I feel ready for any Jeopardy British history category ha.

[Roscoe]

Posted: 3/26/15 at 8:44am

Sat through WOLF HALL last night. The actors knew their lines, and delivered them as if they knew what they meant, and they moved around the stage as if they knew what they were doing. The lights went on and off. The most rock-bottom basic mechanics of Putting On A Play seem to have been mastered by all concerned. Congratulations to all!

[rosscoe(au)]

Posted: 3/26/15 at 10:38am

Can't wait seeing both Parts one and two Sunday week

[Mr Roxy]

Posted: 3/26/15 at 10:58am

The magic 8 ball line is great

Have absolutely no desire to see this. To those of you who do, enjoy.

[Reginald Tresilian]

Posted: 3/26/15 at 11:04am

I'm very much looking forward to seeing both parts on Saturday. Apparently, the text is quite a bit different from what was seen in the UK, and I gather it's very much still a work in progress.

[eperkins]

Posted: 3/26/15 at 11:35am

Several future dates up on TDF today.

[Roscoe]

Posted: 3/27/15 at 8:40am

Sat through WOLF HALL Part II: BRING UP THE BODIES last night. The actors knew their lines, and delivered them as if they knew what they meant, and they moved around the stage as if they knew what they were doing. The lights went on and off. The most rock-bottom basic mechanics of Putting On A Play seem to have been mastered by all concerned. Congratulations to all, especially to Ben Miles for having learned so very many lines, so very very many lines, and actually going to the trouble of getting them in the right order.

Updated On: 3/27/15 at 08:40 AM