This House at the NT

[theatrepaul]

Wow, This House at the NT Cottesloe is one of the best new plays I've ever seen. A brilliant, enthralling political drama. The staging is quite outstanding. I love the way the Cottesloe has been transformed into the gladitorial House of Commons. The acting is strong throughout, led the two deputy chief whips played superbly by Philip Glenister and Charles Edwards.

The writing is outstanding, capturing brilliantly what must be one of the most turbulent periods in our political history.

It was so compelling, I could have stayed and watched it all again. When it transfers to the Olivier do yourselves a favour a get a ticket. This has to be the hottest ticket in town and deservedly so.

[Phantom of London]

I am more than interested in seeing this. I think the run at the Cottesloe is a sell out.

Must be up there for best new play at next years Oliviers?

[theatrepaul]

The Cottesloe run is sold out but its transferring into the Olivier Theatre in January.

[SoonerOrLater]

Very excited to hear that! All the tickets were snapped up before I got a chance.

[theatrepaul]

Often the way with successful Cottesloe productions. Good thing that its getting an Olivier run.

[SoonerOrLater]

Have the NT announced it anywhere or given any indication of when tickets are on sale (need to be ready to pounce this time )

[theatrepaul]

It's mentioned on their website that it will be transferring.

I made a mistake saying in an earlier post that it transfers in Janruary, it's February. Tickets on sale to members from 7 November and public booking opens 23 Nov.

http://www.nationaltheatre.org.uk/shows/this-house

[theatrepaul]

Having seen and loved This House during its Cottesloe run, I wondered if it could work in the much bigger Olivier space.

Part of what made the show work in the Cottesloe was, for me, the intimacy of the space, creating a claustrophobic House of Commons look and feel. The new set for the Olivier is inspired. With some audience seated on the stage, it is necessarily a bigger, bolder production. Every aspect of the play has grown from the sets to the music, the choreography and the performances. Yet nothing has been lost and it remains an exceptional piece of theatre, delivered by an outstanding ensemble of actors.

The chance to sit on the Olivier stage on specially created benches gives a whole new experience of the theatre. I felt as though as I was properly part of the production as the seats moved around the stage as different scenes required, actors dotted among us. We even had use of our own special on stage bar which also served as part of the set. A wonderful evening.

[Phantom of London]

Wow, you managed to get seats on the stage, I would of died for one of those, were they expensive? I was at the back of the circle and felt too far from the action.

[Scripps2]

Seeing this as part of NT Live.

[theatrepaul]

Phantom, seats on stage are a bit cheaper than best stalls seats and meant sone of the action had actors with their backs to us, so not always ideal, but the chance to be on stage and close to it all made it an extra special and unique experience.

A friend of mine also sat in the Circle and felt too removed from it all. It is a play the needs to be seen up close I think.

[SoonerOrLater]

I saw this a couple of weeks back. Really enjoyed it, enough that I'm planning on seeing the NT live broadcast as well. But I'm a bit of a politics nerd.

I agree that in the Olivier it feels a bit far removed from the action, I'd have loved to have seen it in the Cottesloe. Stage seats still a nice idea though. Not a weak link in the cast I thought... Well except for 2 very questionable Welsh accents!

Interestingly I saw it with two younger friends (both 25) one Scottish and less nerdy about politics and history than I and one Italian whose knowledge of British political history is obviously limited, both loved the play and we had fantastic conversations after. A sign of a well written piece I think!

[Phantom of London]

'Phantom, seats on stage are a bit cheaper than best stalls seats and meant sone of the action had actors with their backs to us, so not always ideal, but the chance to be on stage and close to it all made it an extra special and unique experience.

A friend of mine also sat in the Circle and felt too removed from it all. It is a play the needs to be seen up close I think.'

100% and being so far really spolit the show for me, I love being as close as possible, as I love observing the little nuances of acting and facial expressions, which you don't get if you are far back.

[theatrepaul]

Sooner or Later, I agree. When I last saw it, I got chatting to some people who weren't from the UK & had little knowledge of the period but loved the play.

Even for those of us who do know something of the history, I learnt so much, especially how the business of government works.

A very fine play indeed.

[hotjohn]

I had so much fun at This House especially because I was sitting on the opposition front bench. I wore a pin striped suit so everyone thought I was one of the actors! I was surprised at how small the Olivier auditorium looks from the stage.

[theatrepaul]

Yes, a very different perspective when you're sitting in the on stage seats & great to feel you're really part of the whole production, I loved it too