Here we are, post 2 on the More Than Just a Building Series. Despite the last post being emotional to write, I did enjoy doing it so here we are doing another one! If you missed week one, The Colab Factory, you can find read it here. Also just as a full disclosure, these theatres and posts are in no particular order, they are just in the order that I saved the photos off from google drive onto my computer…
This week I am talking about the wonderful place that is the National Theatre. A huge venue with 3 (I think) theatres in one, I actually never had been here until the one and only time I saw Hadestown, a show I didn’t realise I would love so much and become so
popular. I then didn’t re-enter this theatre again until I saw two plays there this year. One of which again, I didn’t realise I would love so much – Ocean at The End of The Lane, and the other, an incredible and powerful show – Three Sisters.
This beautiful theatre…I truly think as a theatre fan, this is an incredible venue to open your eyes to some true hidden gems of shows. I have seen outstanding shows telling incredible stories here, shows that I may never have thought of going to see before but for some reason, I took a chance and as a consequence had utterly fantastic theatrical experiences.
First up: Hadestown. I knew nothing about this show, and went to see it purely because I saw the words Greek Myth Story and I knew Eva Nobelzada was in it. My ancient history nerd heart was in its element, and Eva Nobleazada is a phenomenal performer who I adore, so I spontaneously bought a ticket having no clue what to expect. My biggest regret is only going to see the show once, as now it is no longer running in London, it went to Broadway and there is no sign of a west end return (yet…a girl can dream, right?). A musical unlike any other I had seen, and I’ve never seen anything like it again, I was entranced by how this beautiful story was being told. Needless to say, I am still as obsessed with the show now and am very grateful I saw it once but wish wish WISH I had seen it more. With not much of a set, props or scenery…the show proved that sometimes for something incredible, all you need is a beautiful story with songs and a cast and band to match. Despite only seeing it once, it is still one of my favourite musicals I have seen to date.
Ocean at The End of The Lane. Another show I had absolutely no idea what to expect from it. I went in knowing Samuel Blenkin was in it. I came out knowing I needed to see the play again (a running theme with me, I’m noticing)…A magical show with stunning puppetry, about keeping our minds wide open – to imagination, to endless possibilities, to magic, with a running theme of the importance of family. It was the most special play with a huge heart and deserved all the love it got and I cannot wait to see the west end transfer, whenever that may be. Again – this play was unlike anything I had ever seen, and I’ve not seen anything like it since and similarly to Hadestown, remains to be one of my favourite theatrical experiences.
Finally, Three Sisters. Once again, I didn’t know what to expect (I seem to do that a lot…) and went in knowing nothing and ended up watching one of the most emotional plays I’ve ever seen. Chekov’s play re-imagined and set within the Nigerian Biafran war, it was eye-opening and harrowing and just completely remarkable. How the cast could put themselves through that emotional turmoil on stage, again and again, I will never know, but they were all phenomenal and have my utmost respect.
The National Theatre to me has a running theme with the 3 shows I have seen here. All of them I’ve gone into having no idea what to expect and come out being amazed. The National Theatre tells incredible, beautiful and powerful stories. It serves as a reminder of just what theatre can do, it can open minds and imaginations, it can educate, it can tell stories in new and exciting and creative ways. It makes theatre accessible with affordable ways of getting tickets, National Theatre Live and even gives backstage tours. It doesn’t make theatre elitist, it is a venue that uses theatre as a medium to tell important, relevant and impactful stories…and it uses theatre to inspire. It is places like the National Theatre that keeps the magic and passion of theatre alive. It really is the venue that keeps on giving and has such a warm, familiar and comforting feeling to me when I visit. That is why, to me, the National Theatre is far more than just a building.
One Show at a Time 