How the Other Half Loves

Sun, 9 Mar 2008, 11:45 am

Norma20 posts in thread

This is not a 'review' in the usually accepted sense! just some comments on a very funny play, very well done!

If you can, go and see Harbour Theatre's production of How the Other Half Loves an Alan Ayckbourn play, directed by Pat Barton, currently showing until the end of next week at Fremantle.

It's one of the most entertaining two and a half hours at the theatre that you will see this year!. No underlying messages, just sheer entertainment from a very energetic cast which had the opening night full house engaged from the opening minutes!

The couples, Bev Lawence & Kim Taylor, Jason Dohle & Emma Kenyon and Robert Whyte & Susannah Devenish kept up the hectic pace for the whole time. (And didn't the audience applaud when Jason's character got his come-uppance from his wife (Emma)!!

The joint dinner pary scene, staged simultaneously on the same set at two separate locations is an absolute joy (to see how they did it. get a ticket!)

A 'fish-and-chips' at Clancy's next door to start with and you're in for a thoroughly enjoyable night out!

Thread (20 posts)

Threaded Flat

NormaSun, 9 Mar 2008, 11:45 am

This is not a 'review' in the usually accepted sense! just some comments on a very funny play, very well done!

If you can, go and see Harbour Theatre's production of How the Other Half Loves an Alan Ayckbourn play, directed by Pat Barton, currently showing until the end of next week at Fremantle.

The joint dinner pary scene, staged simultaneously on the same set at two separate locations is an absolute joy (to see how they did it. get a ticket!)

A 'fish-and-chips' at Clancy's next door to start with and you're in for a thoroughly enjoyable night out!

Walter PlingeMon, 10 Mar 2008, 12:07 am

No good

I went along to see 'How the other half loves' and couldn't understand why on earth anybody would stay beyond the interval. I found the play dull, the characters unbelievable and diconnected. The actors were completely forced and fishing for lines. I was totally disappointed with the whole evenings entertainment. Even the food from next door was tasteless. Lets just say that will be the last time I go to that theatre. On another note I went to see 'The sum of us' at the old mill in South Perth and again the event was mis-directed, under-acted and totally out of place. The main character played by P Barnett was completely out of his range.. to direct and play a character of depth was a little too brave. Unless you have the experience and confidence to carry off such a venture, I would leave it alone. Extremely disappointed theatre goer... J. Raynor

NormaMon, 10 Mar 2008, 12:29 pm

No good!

Poor Jonathon - It must be terrible to suffer from dyspepsia, it does tend to sour the disposition. I recommend a good dose of antacids, or alternatively a cup of tea and a good lie down!

Walter PlingeMon, 10 Mar 2008, 03:20 pm

Who is Johnathan Rayner?

Walter PlingeMon, 10 Mar 2008, 06:13 pm

It's Raynor. I am an active

It's Raynor. I am an active theatre goer.. Nothing more and nothing less. I just love good theatre. The recent posting was merely my opinion. I wasn't at all saying don't go and see them. I was merely voicing my views. Which one is entitled to. J. Raynor

Walter PlingeMon, 10 Mar 2008, 06:51 pm

How Now Brown Owl

I say again, who???? You have never posted on here before so one wonders why you are suddenly bothering to post on here. Whats your background, casual observer or seasoned veteran, and surely there must have been something you enjoyed to make you stay past interval? I say again, who????

Walter PlingeMon, 10 Mar 2008, 10:48 pm

426662639

Walter PlingeTue, 11 Mar 2008, 02:57 am

Ah I see! A nobody!

LogosTue, 11 Mar 2008, 08:00 am

An audience member

Walter, it would seem that Mr Raynor is a member of your audience. That of course means that he is of no importance at all. And I'm sure someone will be along shortly to threaten to sue him. And this is why there has been no discussion of any matter of import on this site for a long time. We either get swamped with pathetic twelve year old wannabees who don't have the energy or intelligence to actually do a bit of research of their own or by people who simply want to crow about getting into a course. If someone (other than Gordon, God bless him.) attempts to write something other than a sycophantic paean of praise they get accused of defaming someone or of having an axe to grind and get moderated out of existence. Don't get me wrong I have no time for people like Ripper and the moderation of his comments is probably the best way to go despite the fact that it really doesn't sit well with me. Anyway, I think I'd better shut up before I say something I'll regret. So sue me. Is that all there is? Well if that's all there is my friend, then let's keep dancing. www.tonymoore.id.au

NormaTue, 11 Mar 2008, 02:05 pm

An audience member

I wish I'd never started this!! all I mean to do was to comment on how much I personally had enjoyed the show - along with the rest of the first night audience.

Construtive critism is one thing and accepted well, but childish comments are quite another. I wasn't attempting a "crit" of the play as I made quite clear.

Whether I like a particular play or not, if I post a comment my own name goes on it and -silly me- I expect everyone else to do the same.

Wonder when Jonathan (or Jonathon) went- presumably Saturday evening, as I didn't see anyone leave on the two days I was there ( FOH second time)

Hope he's found the antacids by now.

Walter PlingeTue, 11 Mar 2008, 11:35 pm

Raynor. What planet are you on.

Mr Raynor I can't comment on the Show at 'Harbour Theatre'.. Most of the shows I have seen there have been good. But 'The Sum of Us' produced by the old Mill, was exceptional. Are you completely sure you actually went to the right theatre, were you in the same state/country as the rest of the us. The show was wonderful. And to complain about the food.. you misrable Sod. It's ashame you didn't choke on a clancey's fish bone. We can only wish. As much as I hate the WALTER people of this forum..And I bloody well do. Most of them are the same bloody person anyway. I agree with him. (No, I am not hiding behind a mask... My name is Ripper.. and no I'm not a blue heeler... I wouldn't sink so low though as to call you a nobody Mr Raynor.. And thanks Logos.. Love you too... What have I bloody done to you now. xx The Ripper 'He'll rip ya'

Micheal1Wed, 12 Mar 2008, 11:28 am

Excellent Show

Jonathon, you eed to get out more, My partner and I saw How the Other Half Loves on Monday and a packed audience loved every minute of it. The direction was tight and on such a small stage it was amazing they where able to pull it off. Micheal

Walter PlingeWed, 12 Mar 2008, 02:10 pm

My Rights

Poor Tony Moore continues to make somewhat snide remarks about my threat to take action against the anonymous "Sting".(Refer to The Wizard of Oz thread) In an attempt to further explain things to you Tony I wasn't all that concerned about what was said about me as I have ben in this game longer than you and have developed an immunity to the kind of diatribe offered up by Sting. I can however see at first hand the damage done by this persons vitriol to young and enthusiastic beginners in the wonderful world of theatre. From you detatched position in SA you cannot possibly see the hurt in the eyes of those subjected to these outbursts and I will always do whatever is necessary to protect the vulnerable in what I see as my role as mentor to the young cast members. Unfortunately the site moderator claims he cannot identify the source of these posts (despite the fact that an email address is provided with each post) and the cost of pursuit through the courts to force this issue becomes prohibitive. Free speech is a fine right but it also comes with a responsibility to not abuse the privilege. Mr Sting should be aware of this and that his future posts are being watched. If things get out of hand I will bite the bullet and spend whatever is necessary to stop him and those like him from the considerable damage they are doing to the relevance of the Theatre Australia site that we enjoy. I continue dancing and have no intention of stopping!

LogosWed, 12 Mar 2008, 03:51 pm

Mr Pratt, It is possible

Mr Pratt, It is possible that you have been in this business longer than I, however it is unlikely given that I started in 1965. Not a typo. I have been reviewed many times in terms at least as vitriolic as you were and I too have seen the faces crumble on young people as poor reviews have been read. I still believe and always will that threats to sue are inappropriate and extremely unlikely to succeed. If you think my living in SA detaches me from this situation you are wrong. I said then and I repeat, your actions were those of a schoolyard bully. So sue me. Edit: (Two days later.) I have just noticed that you do not seem to be a registered member of this site. Very interesting. Is that all there is? Well if that's all there is my friend, then let's keep dancing. www.tonymoore.id.au

Walter PlingeWed, 12 Mar 2008, 03:51 pm

Breaking news! Old Man

Breaking news! Old Man Detached From Reality Sues Anonymous Prankster for Bad Review On Internet! Amateur Actors Shed Tears Through Hastily Constructed Constumes! Footage at eleven! Amateur theatre is serious business!

HarbourSat, 15 Mar 2008, 08:59 am

You Can't Please Everyone...

While I'm an active member of Harbour Theatre I'm not going to comment on J Raynor's review - due to other commitments I've not actually seen the play so can't comment - those are his thoughts and he is entitled to them. But to judge a whole theatre company based on just one performance ("Lets just say that will be the last time I go to that theatre") is very puerile. Every theatre, every play/musical/performance will be different. There are too many variables. Each play has a different director, cast, crew, FOH and a different audience and just because you didn't like ONE show you condemn Harbour and never what to see anything there again? How can you possibly extrapolate that one experience to generalise about the theatre. Over the years I've seen my fair share of bad plays in a lot of different venues, but that doesn't stop me from going back to those theatres, because I know that companies can have good days and bad days. Sometimes what sounded like a good idea didn't quite come off in the execution. Or one of the actors was off colour and not able to give their best performance on the night. Or a CD got stuck and the sound effect was a couple of seconds late. Or the coffee was too hot/cold at interval. Or any number of things that can, and do, go wrong from time to time. And this occurs in both 'community' and 'professional' theatre. Would you condemn the whole of the West End if you saw ONE bad performance? Or even two, three? I'm not saying that we are of the calibre of the West End, but Harbour Theatre has been around for 45 years, and if we where putting on consistently bad plays then our audience (or lack of) would have let us know and we would have folded a long time ago. I hope, J Raynor, that we'll see you back at Harbour again sometime. Hopefully you'll have a better experience. Maybe the food will be better at Clancy's (BTW we have absolutely no control over that!). But if not, no worries - you can't please everyone all the time. And some people you can't please any time...

Walter PlingeWed, 19 Mar 2008, 10:56 pm

Holy cow, guys. J. Raynor

Holy cow, guys. J. Raynor left a bad review, but it's one of the few bad reviews I've seen on this website that didn't personally attack someone, was brought on because of a personal vendetta, or contain so many spelling errors it was incoherent. It may not have been very constructive, but it wasn't unintelligent or unconsidered by any means. He didn't like the play, big screaming deal. Everyone around here is way too sensitive, sitting around on this site waiting for someone to post a bad review so they can get all righteous about it. Bad news, guys: Raynor hasn't done anything wrong. He just didn't like your show. That's not a crime, nor the end of the world. If it's the end of your world, maybe you need to find a new hobby.

Arts HubThu, 20 Mar 2008, 10:01 am

Thank you Robtag and Smiley

Thank you Robtag and Smiley - the two most worthwhile comments on this entire thread. Theatre is entertainment - if you are an actor/writer/playwright, and you read a bad review and that destroys you, then perhaps you should choose another industry... People will always have their opinions on a show, whether good or bad. Wouldn't it be worse if you were a performer and had nothing but people inflating your ego and telling you how wonderful it was?? When perhaps there genuinely were some failures and faults in your performance?? I've been around the performing arts long enough to know that sometimes, on some days, it just doesn't work. Everyone has off-days, thats the way it is. And fair enough, Jonathon presented quite a scathing review of the show - but as a paying member of the audience, he had a right to. And perhaps, from the sounds of other people who have seen the show and commented on this thread, maybe he did just see one of the worse shows put on during this particular show run. Big deal. Good on you Jonathon, for speaking your mind and writing a clearly-written, albeit unhappy, review of the show. Forums like this, and of course the entire theatre/performing arts industry in general, need less cliquey 'yes-men' and more people willing to tell it like it is. David Dalton Digital Media Coordinator Arts Hub Australia dave@artshub.com.au Visit the Arts Hub Forums for discussion and commentary on all things going on in the Australian Arts scene

Grant MalcolmThu, 20 Mar 2008, 12:05 pm

Unfortunate claims

Malcolm Pratt wrote:

> Unfortunately the site moderator claims he cannot identify the source of these posts
> (despite the fact that an email address is provided with each post) and the cost of
> pursuit through the courts to force this issue becomes prohibitive.

As noted elsewhere, there is no "site moderator".

Your tone suggests that you doubt my statement that I cannot identify the source of these posts and you continue with vague threats of possible court action. This does nothing to counter views that you remain stubbornly opposed in the face of evidence and solid argument and that your actions mark you as something of a bully; the type of behaviour you decry in others.

Your contributions on this site are welcome, I find myself agreeing with much that you have to say, but your ill-conceived threats are not welcome.

Regards
Grant

--
Director, actor and administrator of this website

Walter PlingeTue, 25 Mar 2008, 09:57 am

MY Rights

Far from being a mentor to the young Mr Pratt, I witnessed first hand your treatment of young people in two productions. One young lad you screamed at and threatened to hit as he was getting up your nose at rehearsals, you also took it upon yourself to give lectures to all the cast, and direct them behind the director and choreoghraphers back, you were a pain to work with and upset a lot of folks with your arrogant and egotistical manners.I for one would never work with you again!

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