20th performance of Love's Labour's Lost (my 12th)
I bought this seat when a load of front and second row ones for tonight went on sale a few months ago. I opted for second row as I'm more comfortable there than first row (and now that I've seen Love's Labour's Lost a few times its just as well as David Tennant doesn't pick the German woman from the second row!).
I worked in the morning and had an easy enough drive up (although the traffic was heavier than last week when it was half term). I checked into my motel at 4.15pm and had a late lunch. I parked in my usual spot and got to the theatre by 7.00pm.
It was lovely being able to see the whites of their eyes tonight but I did notice that more of the play is spoken facing the front compare to Hamlet. The majority of Amado's speeches for example are spoken to the end of the stage, whereas in Hamlet the actors seem to face the sides more.
Tonight the performance just seemed to fly by - I can't believe that it was 3 hours!
When David Tennant walked on stage tonight, he had a good look around before lying down. He then yawned VERY loudly! As he was level with me, it was fascinating watching his breathing pattern! He breathes from very deep (his diaphragm).
There was a slight problem bear me as two people had tickets for the same seat in the front row. An usher came over to sort it out and she didn't seem surprised that a seat had been sold twice! The solution seemed to be that the second person who arrived for the seat would be sat in the usher's seat.
As I was so close I could see how heavy David's head bangs on the stage when Navarre pulls the cushion away. I'm surprised that he doesn't end up with a headache each night! Although I did notice that he raises his head as the cushion is pulled away so he is responsible for the velocity that it hits the stage.
He didn't tree the hat but his face afterwards received a massive laugh!
I discovered tonight that the reason that Amado's side of the stage always claps more than Moth's is because he really encouraged us to clap by telling us to and clapping directly at us. Moth just walks along her side of the stage.
I did notice that when David walked off stage after saying "Adieu" to Boyet, he wanders leisurely along all the stage in character right to the end but once he's out of sight of the audience, he goes back to his usual fast speed of walking!
DT seemed to pick several people in the front row on stage left for the folded arms part (I wonder if they knew?) and they all unfolded their arms quickly. The codpiece guy was an older guy and he obviously found that part hilarious!
David Tennant chose the "German woman" in front of me (I guessed it was her that he would choose!) and a couple of seats up so as he was talking to her, it gave me a wonderful chance to have a good look at his face!
Another chance was as Berowne did the speech about why the 4 of them should break their vows as he stood near me for quite a while (quite a bit of chest hair was showing too at that point!).
I really like watching the way David Tennant holds and uses his hands on stage. He's very expressive with his hands and even when he's not suing them, he holds them very still in a nice position.
When Amado is talking centre stage to Holofnos, I noticed that from where I was sitting, I could hear Moth and Costard talking together quietly. I'd often wondered if people who were supposed to be talking together, actually did and that pair certainly did. I don't think that David Tennant and Mariah Gale did (but from when I've seen her off-stage she seems a bit stand-offish to me).
I do like the way David taps his chest as he say his "sweeter fool" line.
Tonight as DT went to throw his poem into the audience, he dropped it on the stage so he went back and picked it up before throwing it properly.
As DT said his "I who am honest!" line tonight he banged his chest in time with the words.
There was no song tonight after the interval. That may be because it seemed to running slightly late as it didn't finish until 10.18pm tonight.
When David is in his Russian outfit (he had to retie his belt at one point) I noticed tonight that he still has his white shirt underneath as the cuffs were visible at the end of his sleeves.
David Tennant was in direct line with me when he was sitting on stage watching the Worthies and it's fascinating watching his expressions - he really acts the whole time which is so impressive!
The guy who plays the forester and bear has a really strong voice I noticed tonight as I could hear him singing quite clearly!
I have noticed that, other than once, there are rarely any standing ovations for Love's Labour's Lost. At the end of Hamlet there are usually lots of people standing. I don't believe that that is the only indication of whether you've enjoyed a performance or not so I don't feel it necessary to feel that you have to stand but it's interesting that standing ovations are so rare for this production.
Afterwards I went to the stage door and it wasn't too manic as the schools are back. The security guard (the older one) was inside and jokingly started to lower the blind! David Tennant came running out and signed for about 2 minutes as usual. I couldn't hear all that he said but he did say a couple of times that he couldn't sign certain things. It then appeared that someone wanted a photo taken with him so he said that he would if it was quick and the camera was ready. He then went back to that person but had to ask which camera he was supposed to be looking at! He also said his "Are you alright down there" to one child. With a "thank you all for coming" he then ran back inside!
It was lovely to only have to return to my motel after a really great evening. The only downside was that I didn't sleep too well as I was still buzzy!
I worked in the morning and had an easy enough drive up (although the traffic was heavier than last week when it was half term). I checked into my motel at 4.15pm and had a late lunch. I parked in my usual spot and got to the theatre by 7.00pm.
It was lovely being able to see the whites of their eyes tonight but I did notice that more of the play is spoken facing the front compare to Hamlet. The majority of Amado's speeches for example are spoken to the end of the stage, whereas in Hamlet the actors seem to face the sides more.
Tonight the performance just seemed to fly by - I can't believe that it was 3 hours!
When David Tennant walked on stage tonight, he had a good look around before lying down. He then yawned VERY loudly! As he was level with me, it was fascinating watching his breathing pattern! He breathes from very deep (his diaphragm).
There was a slight problem bear me as two people had tickets for the same seat in the front row. An usher came over to sort it out and she didn't seem surprised that a seat had been sold twice! The solution seemed to be that the second person who arrived for the seat would be sat in the usher's seat.
As I was so close I could see how heavy David's head bangs on the stage when Navarre pulls the cushion away. I'm surprised that he doesn't end up with a headache each night! Although I did notice that he raises his head as the cushion is pulled away so he is responsible for the velocity that it hits the stage.
He didn't tree the hat but his face afterwards received a massive laugh!
I discovered tonight that the reason that Amado's side of the stage always claps more than Moth's is because he really encouraged us to clap by telling us to and clapping directly at us. Moth just walks along her side of the stage.
I did notice that when David walked off stage after saying "Adieu" to Boyet, he wanders leisurely along all the stage in character right to the end but once he's out of sight of the audience, he goes back to his usual fast speed of walking!
DT seemed to pick several people in the front row on stage left for the folded arms part (I wonder if they knew?) and they all unfolded their arms quickly. The codpiece guy was an older guy and he obviously found that part hilarious!
David Tennant chose the "German woman" in front of me (I guessed it was her that he would choose!) and a couple of seats up so as he was talking to her, it gave me a wonderful chance to have a good look at his face!
Another chance was as Berowne did the speech about why the 4 of them should break their vows as he stood near me for quite a while (quite a bit of chest hair was showing too at that point!).
I really like watching the way David Tennant holds and uses his hands on stage. He's very expressive with his hands and even when he's not suing them, he holds them very still in a nice position.
When Amado is talking centre stage to Holofnos, I noticed that from where I was sitting, I could hear Moth and Costard talking together quietly. I'd often wondered if people who were supposed to be talking together, actually did and that pair certainly did. I don't think that David Tennant and Mariah Gale did (but from when I've seen her off-stage she seems a bit stand-offish to me).
I do like the way David taps his chest as he say his "sweeter fool" line.
Tonight as DT went to throw his poem into the audience, he dropped it on the stage so he went back and picked it up before throwing it properly.
As DT said his "I who am honest!" line tonight he banged his chest in time with the words.
There was no song tonight after the interval. That may be because it seemed to running slightly late as it didn't finish until 10.18pm tonight.
When David is in his Russian outfit (he had to retie his belt at one point) I noticed tonight that he still has his white shirt underneath as the cuffs were visible at the end of his sleeves.
David Tennant was in direct line with me when he was sitting on stage watching the Worthies and it's fascinating watching his expressions - he really acts the whole time which is so impressive!
The guy who plays the forester and bear has a really strong voice I noticed tonight as I could hear him singing quite clearly!
I have noticed that, other than once, there are rarely any standing ovations for Love's Labour's Lost. At the end of Hamlet there are usually lots of people standing. I don't believe that that is the only indication of whether you've enjoyed a performance or not so I don't feel it necessary to feel that you have to stand but it's interesting that standing ovations are so rare for this production.
Afterwards I went to the stage door and it wasn't too manic as the schools are back. The security guard (the older one) was inside and jokingly started to lower the blind! David Tennant came running out and signed for about 2 minutes as usual. I couldn't hear all that he said but he did say a couple of times that he couldn't sign certain things. It then appeared that someone wanted a photo taken with him so he said that he would if it was quick and the camera was ready. He then went back to that person but had to ask which camera he was supposed to be looking at! He also said his "Are you alright down there" to one child. With a "thank you all for coming" he then ran back inside!
It was lovely to only have to return to my motel after a really great evening. The only downside was that I didn't sleep too well as I was still buzzy!
Next performance for me: Love's Labour's Lost tomorrow (6th)
