You Wanted the Input of a Seasoned Theater Goer…

I saw this in the very recent stream of tweets from The Crucible performance this evening in London. When I got over to Bryan Thomas’s profile, I was curious about his background with theater. It didn’t take long to find out this is someone who has seen a lot, and if you want to know what, he’s listed the performances he’s seen since 1972. There are performances other than theater listed, but read the list and you will know Bryan knows whereof he speaks when he made that tweet.

I would love to hear more from Bryan!

edit: Well, I’ve now spent a couple of hours at Bryan’s site, which has been registered since 1999. He’s not only a theater lover, but a helluva photographer. There’s a story with him, and if by some freak chance he comes over to look at this crazy fan’s site, I really would love to talk to him.

June 23, 2014
Categories: Stage Productions . Tags: , , , , , , , , . Author: RAFrenzy . Comments: 22 Comments

And Now Meg’s Take on The Crucible

The Old Vic by Meg Siobhan

Guest post by Meg Siobhan:

So, this evening (well, last night as I’m writing this on the last train home, surrounded by many a loud drunk…) I went to see The Crucible, with our favourite tall, dark and handsome chap, Richard Armitage.

This was my first time seeing anything at The Old Vic Theatre, so I was very excited – even more excited to be seeing Richard, in theatre, the evening before my birthday.

So when my dad and I got there, we collected the tickets, made our way to the floor, and the door we needed to go in, in order to be seated.

Supposedly the set design meant that the seats we were originally going to have would have decreased in value and have restricted view. The seats we got in place of these were still great, in the main dress circle. From where we were sat, our original seats didn’t look affected at all, so don’t know what was going on there…

Anyway, on to the play.

Now, I’m a sucker for good lighting, and I felt this show had absolutely beautiful lighting. Its simplicity was what made it so striking.

I won’t divulge major details about the play if you are yet to see it, but if you’ve been on social networks, you will know that Richard is shirtless for part of a scene. Yes, I was swooning.

It was beautifully staged, and the entire cast was fantastic.

There was one moment I loved in the encore when we were all applauding. They came out once, and bowed – vanished and returned, as per any usual encore. But the second time, Richard let everyone else leave the stage, and as they did, he just smiled to the entire audience, taking in the applause.

I think he was happy with how this opening night went, just like many of us who absolutely adored it. It was good to see this side of him!

If I could, I would give them all a big splat on the back for a job well done.

I think, a brilliant return to the theatre for Richard and I would happily watch the play many times.

You can find Meg at Twitter, Instagram and her blog.

Photo Courtesy of Meg Siobhan

[edit: Meg gives a fuller account at her blog]

June 22, 2014
Categories: Fandom, Stage Productions . Tags: , , , , , , , , , . Author: RAFrenzy . Comments: 13 Comments

What Sophie Saw: The Crucible

Ditto what Velvet said. :D

June 21, 2014
Categories: Fandom, Stage Productions . Tags: , , , , . Author: RAFrenzy . Comments: Leave a comment

A Fair Night of Rippling

Richard Armitage as John Proctor

Yep, I’d say this ranks up there as one of the best nights for Richard Armitage rippling. I know I had fun. Feeling a little drunk right now, but that’s what usually happens when we go into a full-throttle ripple. Meaning almost non-stop.

Dear Mr. Spacey and The Old Vic Company,

Thank you for a wonderful night!

Signed,
A once crazy fan who has now been vindicated

Speaking of which:

Oh yeah! I had to do that again.

Dear John,

I’m so glad my first dear John letter breaks from the traditional and is something upbeat.

You will never know what your words mean to so many fans who have long seen what you were privy to last evening.

We really, really appreciate it.

A Friend

P.S. You’re right. I can be a follower and a fan too. :)

June 21, 2014
Categories: Fandom, Stage Productions . Tags: , , , , , , , . Author: RAFrenzy . Comments: 2 Comments

Best Tweet of the Night

Yep, that’s right, I’m doing this one again. It deserves at least two posts if not many, many more.

June 21, 2014
Categories: Fandom, Stage Productions . Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , . Author: RAFrenzy . Comments: 3 Comments

I Want to Kiss Someone, and It’s Not Richard Armitage

The best tweet of the night!

I don’t know about the rest of you, but I’m feeling quite vindicated in my obsession right about now!

June 21, 2014
Categories: Fandom, Stage Productions . Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , . Author: RAFrenzy . Comments: 4 Comments

Something About Meg

imageSome of you may remember Meg whom I mentioned will be attending The Crucible this evening. I’m tickled for her, and it couldn’t happen to a cooler kid. Yes, I said kid. She’s the same age as one of my kids, or about to be. It’s her birthday this weekend, and she will turn 23. She’s currently in school training for a career in tv production.

When I read that on her bio, I wondered what she really had. I was not disappointed. She has countless photos that elevate the mundane to something which can make you stop and really look and find it thought provoking as well as pleasing. I can’t quite put my finger on what it is, but she’s definitely got a great eye and feel for what the viewer will ultimately perceive. I think it’s a gift, and one that may well be wrought in part by her being set apart with something which most people often think of as disability. Meg has dyslexia. For the last several years, I’ve been coming to think of this condition as just another way of learning and possibly a way that supersedes the norm. There is speculation and some studies floating around that support the idea people with dyslexia see a much richer view of the world. If Meg is any indication, I believe it. More on this later!

All the best tonight, Meg, and how cool that your father is going with you!

Carry on.

Oh, wait! Don’t forget a website has been created to share The Crucible experience. I will definitely be pinging the site with Meg’s review. :D

June 21, 2014
Categories: Fandom, Stage Productions . Tags: , , , , , , , , , . Author: RAFrenzy . Comments: 2 Comments

Yep, I am Insane. It’s Official

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I think I have gone insane for real, but I’ve done this for SO. I swear. He’s a Kevin Spacey fan. Actually, the whole family are fans especially second oldest daughter. She had a massive crush on Spacey when she was a teen. I told her, “You do realize he’s older than I am?” She said, “I don’t care. He has a beautiful mind.” This may explain why her current boyfriend is 12 years older. Oy. No, seriously, I like her boyfriend and SO does too.

But where was I?

Oh yeah, talking about something I did that’s nuts. I entered the drawing for The House of Cards. When SO was sick and could barely do anything, he watched a lot of shows on Netflix, and that was one of them. He’s loved Spacey since The Usual Suspects.

That means if by some freak chance I win this contest, SO is going to love it. Touring the set of the show, eating barbeque with Kevin Spacey. Yep, that’s why I’ve done this. The BBQ is the perfect capper.

Freddy's BBQ Joint
SO is a major barbeque fan. Yeah, that’s what this is about and not because I’m caught up in the hysteria of this fan odyssey and just can’t stop spending money. I’m a tightwad, people!

Dear Mr. Spacey.

See, even a tightwad will spend money on fan shtuff. Hope you’re thinking about that video for The Crucible. Oh you don’t know what I’m talking about? I explain it here. And just so you know, there are lots of us who will push the video on our sites.

Signed,
Richard’s Crazy Fan, a fan whose purse strings have been irrevocably loosened by the man who played the tall, dark, handsome, cotton-mill owner

Actually, I am celebrating. I just finished two huge projects, and I’m about to get a serious paycheck. This also means that friends who have been waiting on me to help them finish their projects will now have my time more freely beginning Monday of next week — at least until the first part of July.

June 19, 2014
Categories: Fandom, SO, Stage Productions . Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , . Author: RAFrenzy . Comments: 6 Comments

Old Vic Logistics

I’ve had some questions from readers about the seat placement for The Old Vic’s theatre in the round? Even if I hadn’t received those questions, I was questioning it as I was planning to purchase tickets.

Theatre Monkey has a pretty good rendering (some may need to scroll down) of the setup for The Old Vic Theatre’s in-the-round arrangement. Please note there are two seating plans. One from June 24th to July 8th and one from July 9th on.

And here’s a video below which shows how the transformation from the traditional seating arrangement to the round arrangement occurred. I think it gives a more realistic depth perception than the photos have done due to the wide angle lense necessary to photograph the theatre.

My only question is what is the seating arrangement pre-June 24th? If anyone knows, please tell me!

Thank you to ArmitageBesotted for her ferreting skills. :D

June 17, 2014
Categories: Stage Productions . Tags: , , , , , , , , , . Author: RAFrenzy . Comments: 2 Comments

Please Sir, Can We Have Some More?

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Dear Mr. Spacey

Yeah, I know I’m not one of your favorite people, but this letter is not only about me. I’m presumptuously speaking for quite a few others. I’m confident I can do that because well, there are lots of Richard Armitage fans who cannot make it to London yet are dying (or almost dying; it feels like dying) to see Richard in The Crucible, so I come with a suggestion, which you may have already heard.

Many of us have been looking at the promotional materials for The Crucible, and I’ll admit most of us have our tongues hanging out. I like to think this is a very overt manifestation of the consumer mentality. Make of that what you will, but what I’m making of it is we would like to see The Crucible without coming across the pond.

Do you think you could see your way clear to make a video that the rest of us will happily buy and maybe even for a hefty fee of oh, say, $50.00? Yes, the control freak in me is thinking for you. Sorry about that; I can’t help it sometimes — like when I really want something to happen. Or maybe you could do it like PBS. Let us donate a certain amount to The Old Vic and then we get a thank you gift. For a $50.00 gift, a video. For a $100.00 gift, a video and a couple of posters, er, signed posters (by you know who). Maybe $300 gets the video, all the posters signed and maybe a surprise gift that we don’t know anything about but we’ll love. Wait. Go right on up to a $1,000 or better, ’cause a signficant number of those “middle-aged, quite well-educated, Radio 4 listeners” have a healthy disposable income, and I’m sure they would like to dispose of it at The Old Vic. Yep, I’d bet money on that. Oh, and maybe throw in a few future shows at The Old Vic with that really good donation?

Yes, my control freak is really getting carried away, so I’ll top. I think you get the idea.

So what do you say?

Signed,
Richard’s Crazy Fan, uh Crazy Fan with money, money to spend on stuff from The Old Vic :D

P.S. Forgive my crassness in speaking of money, but I know it takes money to run The Old Vic, and I would love to help AND get a thank you gift. LOL! Okay, I laughed there. but I’m serious, man. And no, I’m not normally pushy. I make an exception on Tuesdays.

Graphic courtesy of Brian Clift on flickr

June 17, 2014
Categories: Fandom, Stage Productions . Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , . Author: RAFrenzy . Comments: 16 Comments

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