Where are you going tonight?

[William the White]

To the Royal Exchange theatre to see a new play - Mogadishu. Looking forward to it.

[William the White]

To the Royal Exchange theatre to see a new play - Mogadishu. Looking forward to it.

This play is seriously good, and the production is outstanding. I really, really recommend - may well be the best new play of the entire year in the region - and it's only January!

In brief - England. A working class, mixed race, secondary school in a big city. A liberal and committed teacher is falsely accused of physical and racial abuse of a 16 year old black student.

His friends have to decide whether they'll help him go along with the lie.

The authorities have procedures to follow, inexorably, which might in the end lead to the teacher's sacking, and worse - losing her own daughter, and a criminal charge...

I'm trying to avoid spoilers here - but this is a play where the dialogue really bubbles, which is funny, where the characters seem utterly authentic, where the structure builds tension, where there is laughter, and power, and passion - and sadness.

This is great work all round - some totally outstanding young actors delivering performances of integrity, truth and emotional force way beyond their years... Only putstanding directing delivers that - so big congrats to Matthew Dunster...

Might go to see it again...

Really, the theatre lovers on this forum should get it in the diary...

And next Friday is the press night of David Thacker's production of Romeo and Juliet at the Octagon... I suspect another outstanding night looms... will report...

[clapton is god]

To the Royal Exchange theatre to see a new play - Mogadishu. Looking forward to it.

This play is seriously good.......

Really, the theatre lovers on this forum should get it in the diary...

And next Friday is the press night of David Thacker's production of Romeo and Juliet at the Octagon... I suspect another outstanding night looms... will report...

Thanks for the heads-up WtW.

I'll see if I can interest Mrs Clapton in that but I have no doubt at all she will want to go

We're at the Octagon 24hrs after you on Saturday evening.

[Bruce Rioja]

To the Royal Exchange theatre to see a new play - Mogadishu. Looking forward to it.

This play is seriously good, and the production is outstanding. I really, really recommend - may well be the best new play of the entire year in the region - and it's only January!

In brief.............

Cheers, William. Given the title I thought that this was paid on to be a heat-rending tale about struggling Somalians.

Sounds very good - I'll mention it to theatre buddy.

Also, Romeo and Juliet. Is this a modern adaptation as per Midsummer Night's Dream?

One for your diary, by the way, if you enjoy this sort of thing, Yes, Prime Minister is touring and will be at The Lowry for a week mid-May.

[William the White]

To the Royal Exchange theatre to see a new play - Mogadishu. Looking forward to it.

This play is seriously good, and the production is outstanding. I really, really recommend - may well be the best new play of the entire year in the region - and it's only January!

In brief.............

Cheers, William. Given the title I thought that this was paid on to be a heat-rending tale about struggling Somalians.

Sounds very good - I'll mention it to theatre buddy.

Also, Romeo and Juliet. Is this a modern adaptation as per Midsummer Night's Dream?

One for your diary, by the way, if you enjoy this sort of thing, Yes, Prime Minister is touring and will be at The Lowry for a week mid-May.

I'd be surprised if it wasn't, that's David Thacker's normal way. But I don't know for sure - I've had nothing to do with this production... But I'm sure it will be very good... I'll check out the Lowry - you've just prompted me to get on with booking the tour of 'Hamlet' there - it's had absolute rave reviews.

[Lofthouse Lower]

To the Royal Exchange theatre to see a new play - Mogadishu. Looking forward to it.

This play is seriously good, and the production is outstanding. I really, really recommend - may well be the best new play of the entire year in the region - and it's only January!

In brief.............

Cheers, William. Given the title I thought that this was paid on to be a heat-rending tale about struggling Somalians.

Sounds very good - I'll mention it to theatre buddy.

Also, Romeo and Juliet. Is this a modern adaptation as per Midsummer Night's Dream?

One for your diary, by the way, if you enjoy this sort of thing, Yes, Prime Minister is touring and will be at The Lowry for a week mid-May.

I'd be surprised if it wasn't, that's David Thacker's normal way. But I don't know for sure - I've had nothing to do with this production... But I'm sure it will be very good... I'll check out the Lowry - you've just prompted me to get on with booking the tour of 'Hamlet' there - it's had absolute rave reviews.

Review of Mogadishu - http://www.manchesterconfidential.co.uk ... _16851.asp" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

The play’s downfall is that too many characters “say the same thing” and snap back rabbit-fashion dialogue, rather than adding to the mix.

ACTING HEAD, CHRIS: I know this is difficult
AMANDA: Do you?
CHRIS: I do

A few seconds later:
CHRIS: That’s not fair
AMANDA: Isn’t it?

Or:
AMANDA: I don’t feel like me anymore, I don’t feel like myself, I don’t feel like I know who I am.

And on and on it goes. If there was an award for overused words in a play, Mogadishu would win bronze for ‘why’; silver for ‘what’; and gold for ‘I don’t know’.

I was not upset by the so-called offensive elements: caustic language, self-harm, despair, or even suicide. I was, however, left with an overwhelming sense that pure motivation and storytelling had been sacrificed in favour of set pieces. The plot was overcrowded. The dramatic reveals were painfully drawn out. I wanted to love Mogadishu but when Amanda said “I don’t know” yet again in the final furlong I wanted to stand up and scream, "I don’t fecking know either".

Mogadishu packs in every social problem going, whilst saying little. It could say so much more, if only it tried to do less. Get a ticket because there’s value seeing these emerging actors, and this new work — just don’t be surprised if you leave feeling irritated and a little angry.

Maybe that’s the point.

[William the White]

One person's veggie curry, another's poison?

You seen the show yourself LL? What did you think?

[2399]

Someone in Charlotte, NC is going to The Filmore.

[William the White]

Octagon. Romeo and Juliet.

[Lofthouse Lower]

Must be running out of ways to say the same old shit by now William

[thebish]

Must be running out of ways to say the same old shit by now William

you're still going strong!!

[Lofthouse Lower]

I was referring to interpretations of Shakespeare, in fairness

[thebish]

I was referring to interpretations of Shakespeare, in fairness

I know... (in fairness)

[Lofthouse Lower]

Just clarifying, for the sake of clarification.

As for tonight I'm planning on going to the off licence and then to the sofa, where I shall remain

[thebish]

i'm off to ye pub to watch giant-screen six nations...

[Worthy4England]

i'm off to ye pub to watch giant-screen six nations...

I'm off to the pub to watch it on one of 6, less than giant screens.

[thebish]

Must be running out of ways to say the same old shit by now William

it has often been said that there are only 6 or 7 stories (in terms of basic plot) in the whole history of storytelling - endlessly repeated with different voice and style and imagination...

I'll list them if you are interested...

originality is not in the story itself - but in the way you tell it...

[Lord Kangana]

Isn't that the original songs myth?

[General Mannerheim]

dinner party! as she calls it, or going round my mates for tea as i prefer!

how awfully civilised! never been to a dinner party before, have seen em on the tele n'that and they look a bit gay to me? his Doris is a bit flash n'all. taking a bottle of Jagermeister i got for crimbo anyway incase its shit!

[Lofthouse Lower]

Good work.

Don't forget to rifle through their drawers and make sarcastic comments behind their back before then finally marking them with a 6 in the car/taxi home Come-Dine-With-Me style