LLL Review! Apologies For The Spam....
This is Emma's post from OG, *NOT MINE*, copied here for those who are not members. No pics of DT yet that I could find, but there is one of the stage.
From OG:
Having never read Love's Labour's Lost I wasn't sure what to expect tonight would it be funny?, would it be sad? or even more would I be able to understand it? My verdict is it is a fantastic laugh a minute production that doesn't disappoint.
I apologise now as this won't be in the correct order of scenes as my brain is still processing it all.
When I got my seat we were greated with a massive tree at the back of the stage, pic is linked in case some don't want to see http://i236.photobucket.com/albums/ff153/emmas_dtfolder/Loves%20Labours%20Lost/DSC00722.jpg
The set was stunning and I really loved the effect of the pieces of coloured perspect hanging from the roof. The play starts with each of the 4 lead males walking onto the stage seperately and silently taking position (DT lying down with a straw hat to cover his face). The play begins with all 4 making an oath to study and only study, which sets up the rest of the play nicely. Yes DT is using his Scottish accent, I could listen to that voice all day long and it would never get tiring.
The introduction of the Princess and her companions is really good and the reactions by all 4 men are perfect, particulary Ed Bennett who plays the King (although his wig doesn't look right to me, maybe that is because I've been use to the short hair). The chemistry between each of the pairings was brilliant and very believable. I think it helped that Nina Sosanya was playing Rosaline and her and DT have a good chemistry together.
When the guys each try to find out the name of their intended they each appear from different parts of the theatre (not the walk ways the actually gaps in the aisles) Sam Alexander appeared stage right, Tom Davey down the middle and DT from stage left. I was sat a few seats in and something caught my eye and when I turned to look I had DT stood at the end of the row waiting his turn.
During one of Berowne's solitary moments on stage, DT took to involving the audience, this included mirandamayhem's hubby being pointed out for having folded arms (it was relevant to what was being said) and also a woman in the audience was pointed out and was flirted with a bit. This was also the scene where he and the others revealed how they would woo their intended, unaware that another was listening. Anyway DT was up first and as the King was coming on stage to hide his letter he screwed it up and threw it into the audience and well that piece of paper is now right next to me.
Another great part of the production was Costard mixing up the letters one intended for Rosaline the other for Jacquenetta. With the confusion finally solved and Berowne being found out, DT tries to eat the letter to hide it. So funny to watch.
The second half was just as good as the first with the play within the play being acted out fantastically and the final scenes of the groups departing was touching and leaves you wanting more. With the guys under oath to not woo a woman for 3 years the men decide to disguise themselves, as Russians!! Complete with dancing and accents, although they all sound as if they took Russian lessons from Borat! Oh and the bear, that was just bizarre.
The entire cast has fantastic singing voices as was demonstrated in the final play when the main cast join in with the players to sing the song about an owl and a cuckoo.
Right onto the downside of the play, the majority of it was easy however I personally really struggled whenever Oliver Ford Davis was on stage, I just couldn't follow anything that he was saying and because of that zoned out a couple of times ( I really tried not too though) I think the problem is that he plays Holofernes in a similar way that he played Polonius in Hamlet.
Onto the costumes each and every one was gorgeous especially the dresses you couldn't help but admire them. DT was wearing a blue crushed velvet type material (Ive no idea what it is exactly) the doublet has little slashes down in on each side. Then the trousers were a knickerbocker type design although they were fairly short and the rest were trouser like to the knee, were the tights took over. The shirt under the doublet was like a pull over cream shirt that was tied at the top in a bow, which he undone! He is in this costume for the majority of the play with exception to the Russian disguise, which is your typical Russian outfit complete with dodgy beard and furry hat. The other guys were in similar outfits but all in cream. This was the same with the woman all in cream with exception to Rosaline who had a blue floral design, I assume to match that of Berowne. (There were a lot of photos taken during the applause so there might be some pics sufacing soon, but not by me)
So onto details that you all probably want there was stubble, not much but just the right amount and the hair had a look of Peter Carlisle about it however with a bit of a fringe.
I take back my worries about him looking too thin as he looked really well tonight. And yes as DM said the word to best describe how he looked is shaggable, you honestly would not turn him down for anything he wanted. Well I wouldn't!
I really enjoyed the production tonight and a lot of scenes ended in applause, which is something I've not really seen before. The audience laughed throughout the whole play, with exception to the final few scenes were the mood was no longer so jovial.
I have to say now though that two actors (besides DT) really stood out tonight and that was Joe Dixon and Ricky Champ (the latter I will openly admit to having a crush on now). They really shone as Don Adriano De Armado and Costard respectively. They got a lot of laughs and played their parts perfectly. I honestly believe that Ricky Champ has a great career ahead of him and is definately one to watch.
There were a couple of seats near me that were empty, not sure why so keep trying for returns as I honestly think everyone should go and watch this given the chance as it won't disappoint. Just read some background information first.
That was longer than I thought and Ive probably missed a load out for which I apologise.
WHY CAN I NOT HAS?!?
