A Man for All Seasons (2019 Staging)

I got a week(night) promo to this latest production of A Man for All Seasons to see if I could understand it better as a 30-something than I did when I first saw it 15 years ago as a 20-something. Because of the duration, I went with the night before the state holiday, because. 

(The lady at the box office wasn't kidding when she said that sales speed up closer to the run, cos apparently the night's show was sold out. But doesn't really explain the empty seats once inside?)

I also picked the night before the state holiday to go watch this KNOWING that it's 3 hours long (with 15 minute intermission), and they've been hammering in the word (online) that the play starts AT 8 P.M.. PUKUL LAPAN MALAM.

In my rush, I realised en route that I forgot my wallet and was hoping that I wouldn't get pulled over (made it back ok). But I did not forget my ticket. 

Because I forgot my wallet, I couldn't really get anything to drink to keep me alert for the play. But I did have my water, some mints and gum. I also didn't sleep too well the night before, so I was fucked from the get-go. 

Despite my rushing over after dinner, I made it to my seat with less than 5 minutes to go before doors were closed. Kam Raslan was in line behind me as we were getting seated (but he was seated at the back with his wife). Of course Joe and Faridah were also present (not in the front row). 

At least they were not kidding about how latecomers are only allowed in during breaks in the performance - ushers were letting latecomers in whenever the lights went down, which was basically in between scenes? Which is great for everyone else who was there ON TIME (I always found it annoying when people loudly stomp in late when the show is underway, not even attempting to be discreet). In the row behind me, there was a kid (older, but under-12? Probably the youngest person by any measure) there with his parents, whom I thought was well behaved, all things considered, so props to everyone involved. 

I was wondering what the RM20 difference between ticket prices were, and I think it was this....? 

Mentang-mentang THREE HOURS long kan... 

I have to admit, some of the Bible references went over my head (cos some people knowingly laughed whenever a passage was quoted). And I don't think it's a coincidence that the odd table slam throughout was designed to wake people up? 

Much as I was excited to see some of the old faces back in this production (Reza Zainal Abidin reprising Chapuys and Patrick Teoh now in the plum Cromwell role), but some of the other cast members did okay for themselves, too. 

I was so out of it, I rushed home, cleaned up, took a couple of Panadol (might've caught someone's flu? I hope not la) and went to bed. 

I think I still got it watching this again as a 30 something like I did in my 20s, it was just that I (literally) wasn't in the headspace for it this time. 

NB. 

• I didn't know St Thomas More (yup, canonised) was the patron saint of politicians. Kinda makes sense to me. 
• No idea if Na'a was playing it (kinda) straight as the King, but could've hammed it up a little more? I mean, the King had ONE scene. 
• Dunno whether to laugh or cry when I saw an usher letting an older couple in pretty close (or after) intermission. At that point, you might as well don't bother to come lah.
• Cushions did jack shit for me- I fidgeted so much more, hoping not to slide off the seat. But my row was pretty empty save for another person on the other end, so I only annoyed at least one other person....?