saw this show in October 2011 and it was absolutely fantastic!!!! James Corden was amazing and hilarious!!!! i loved it and would recommend this play to anyone!!!! =D xxx
Jizz Fudgsickle Interesting. (and well done on your casting in what is a tremendously fun part, in one of the funniest plays every written by someone who isn't Alan Bennet!!!) I also went as over the top as I could, I played him as if he felt every word he said was his 'big chance'! I played him smart though. Not super clever but, certainly not a buffoon. It was hard work giving that amount of energy so, one of the best bits of advice I can give you is, have access to lots of water! I would also suggest you take a moment before tell Stubbers/Pubsign that it was "nice to meet him" (act 1 scene 2) take a second as if you're considering Stanley's explanation of his bogus name, then give the audience a look and a small 'fair enough' shrug. That little move got some of my biggest laughs! While it goes against everything I stand for as an actor, if you don't feel like you're too over the top or, you don't feel like a bit of a tit, you're probably not going hard enough! I spent weeks asking our director if I was "too big" and he just kept saying "No! More! As much 'more' as you can give it!" Let the rest of the cast bring realism to their characters, you as Alan get to just go mad and have fun with yours. Lastly and most importantly, as the show is largely played to the audience using asides and direct interaction it becomes fairly obvious that the characters are aware they're in a play. I think Alan should live in a bubble that, while he realises he's being played by you, he still is firmly portraying a "real" person. So, it's almost as if Alan is playing Alan. I tied to make it clear that when Alan was outside of 'Alanland' he was taking it all very seriously. It's kind of hard to explain that. Our production had all of us doing lots of dancing and (after negotiations) I convinced our choreographer that I should be the only one not smiling because, to Alan, it is a performance and therefore to be taken seriously! Last thing, have fun. It's such a fun role because you're not actually in it that much so, it's low pressure but, everything you get to say is gold! Oh... Act 2 scene 1. The "buses" thing... Try mispronouncing your 3rd "destiny" I went with "Des-TINNY" and then followed that with a look of confusion. I didn't know how that would go over with an audience but, it seemed to get a good response! Have a brilliant time, enjoy watching Francis do all the hard work, go nuts and mod break a leg. Good luck for your production. (where is it by the way?)
Really? Why? I just saw it in Melbourne and I loved it! I think Stanley was a better pick personally and Owain Arthur was fantastic as Francis. What was disappointing for you?
recently played both alan and pauline in a production of this show. what a fun, fun pair of characters to play!
saw this show in October 2011 and it was absolutely fantastic!!!! James Corden was amazing and hilarious!!!! i loved it and would recommend this play to anyone!!!! =D xxx
Went to see this for GCSE drama, it was brilliant, funniest thing I've seen!
Just been to see this in Leicester, absolutely amazing! Cried with laughter. Well worth a watch.
I'm watching it in drama and it's the best
Worked round the corner from The Cricketers for fifteen years . Nice pub
this is going to be a classic.
James Corden is brilliant.
Just finished playing Alan in a run of this wonderful play.
Easily one of the funniest scripts I've ever read!
Any tips for playing Alan? I'm gonna go as over the top as I can, and be almost as dense as bricks as Pauline
Jizz Fudgsickle Interesting. (and well done on your casting in what is a tremendously fun part, in one of the funniest plays every written by someone who isn't Alan Bennet!!!)
I also went as over the top as I could, I played him as if he felt every word he said was his 'big chance'! I played him smart though. Not super clever but, certainly not a buffoon.
It was hard work giving that amount of energy so, one of the best bits of advice I can give you is, have access to lots of water!
I would also suggest you take a moment before tell Stubbers/Pubsign that it was "nice to meet him" (act 1 scene 2) take a second as if you're considering Stanley's explanation of his bogus name, then give the audience a look and a small 'fair enough' shrug. That little move got some of my biggest laughs!
While it goes against everything I stand for as an actor, if you don't feel like you're too over the top or, you don't feel like a bit of a tit, you're probably not going hard enough! I spent weeks asking our director if I was "too big" and he just kept saying "No! More! As much 'more' as you can give it!"
Let the rest of the cast bring realism to their characters, you as Alan get to just go mad and have fun with yours.
Lastly and most importantly, as the show is largely played to the audience using asides and direct interaction it becomes fairly obvious that the characters are aware they're in a play. I think Alan should live in a bubble that, while he realises he's being played by you, he still is firmly portraying a "real" person. So, it's almost as if Alan is playing Alan. I tied to make it clear that when Alan was outside of 'Alanland' he was taking it all very seriously. It's kind of hard to explain that. Our production had all of us doing lots of dancing and (after negotiations) I convinced our choreographer that I should be the only one not smiling because, to Alan, it is a performance and therefore to be taken seriously!
Last thing, have fun. It's such a fun role because you're not actually in it that much so, it's low pressure but, everything you get to say is gold!
Oh... Act 2 scene 1. The "buses" thing... Try mispronouncing your 3rd "destiny" I went with "Des-TINNY" and then followed that with a look of confusion. I didn't know how that would go over with an audience but, it seemed to get a good response!
Have a brilliant time, enjoy watching Francis do all the hard work, go nuts and mod break a leg.
Good luck for your production. (where is it by the way?)
This is such a helpful response. I'm thinking of putting the play on myself and your tips really resonate. I'll nab a few if that's ok with you!
I realize Im kinda randomly asking but does anyone know of a good site to watch new series online?
@Trenton Lyle Flixportal :P
i love this show.
How about the member of the audience who was in the restaurant scene? Real funny she was.
I'm playing Rachel at the Wilde Theatre in a few weeks from now!! Super excited 😁☺️
I'm year 8, and they give main roles to year nine and tens, but I got cast as Alfie ;), my understudy is a year nine!
Favourite line remains: What do you fancy my lovely? Two week trip to Majorca or a DIRTY weekend in Margate’ 😝😂
How can I watch it at home?
Really? Why? I just saw it in Melbourne and I loved it! I think Stanley was a better pick personally and Owain Arthur was fantastic as Francis. What was disappointing for you?
James Corden lost weight.
Id love to go out and perform in front of people, or even watch one, but I'm year 9, socially awkward, and have major anxiety.
.
watched the australian version live. Lets just say that i was disappointed
Just back from seeing it in London... Well I actually left after 30 mins, what a load of tosh
You're a brave lad ain't ya?