Review: The Family Reunion at the Donmar Warehouse

One of the many differences between the Whingers is that Andrew doesn’t really “do” parties whereas Phil will seize on any event as an excuse to hold a party – a general election, the Eurovision Song Contest, the arrival of his water bill and so on.

But with one voice they can agree that the birthday party around which T.S. Eliot pegs The Family Reunion is one they would find any excuse to miss.

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Review – Creditors by Strindberg, Donmar Warehouse

Take two Whingers. Take two Strindberg virgins.

Of course they’re one and the same. Or two and the same.

Incredible isn’t it that the Whingers had never ever seen a play by August Strindberg considering he’s one of those playwrights like Shakespeare, Ibsen, Chekhov and err… Pinter where the Christian name is utterly redundant.

Particularly incredible since Andrew and Strindberg have something in common, both being named after a month of the year. Andrew was originally given the name”June”, but dropped that notable moniker a few years ago as it didn’t suit him.

Anyway, off the Whingers trudged to Creditors at the Donmar Warehouse with their usual open minds but not sure quite what to expect.

And clearly they weren’t the only ones who felt a bit out of their depth because – unusually for a Monday night – the Donmar Warehouse wasn’t packed to the rafters.

Review – Piaf with Elena Roger at the Donmar Warehouse

The Whingers waited for what seemed like eons for a mesmerising diva from the Americas to come along only to find themselves treated to two in the same week. And, no, we didn’t make Elaine Stritch this time round.

Who would have thought the Whingers would be swept up by a second stunning star performance within just a few days and – on this occasion – moved to ovate?

How to Upgrade to Wigs

Yet another fussing letter the other day from from Michael Grandage and Kate Mitchell at the Donmar Warehouse.

It is one of the benefits of friendship.

Regular readers may recall that the Donmar’s friendship programme comes in levels of friendship: Props, Lights, Costumes and Scenery and that the West End Whingers have hitherto always opted for the lowest level of friendship (much as they do in real life).

Anyway, the letter announces that although the price of the Props membership level will remain at a minimum donation of £30 a year, these friends will now only be able to purchase up to two tickets per production as opposed to the four.

But in a masterstroke of marketing aimed squarely at the West End Whingers a new membership level has been introduced which offers four tickets per production. It is called “Wigs”.

The cost of this new friendship would be £50.

We have to say that we’re almost tempted…

Review – The Chalk Garden, Donmar Warehouse

Now, let us think a minute… When was the last time the Whingers left a play yearning to get their hands on a copy of the “text”? Oh yes, we remember now… That’s right – never.

Until last night when the Whingers tripped happily out of the revival of Enid Bagnold’s The Chalk Garden at the Donmar Warehouse.

Review – The Man Who Had All The Luck, Donmar Warehouse

Do the Whingers believe in “luck”?

Well after some of their recent theatrical sorties, not much: Phil felt blessed by his inability to attend Marilyn and Ella with Andrew last week, then kicked himself when he realised what a stinker he’d missed.

On the other hand, letting Andrew persuade him to see Legal Fictions was a very bad decision on Phil’s part.

Certainly people do have some control over their fortunes: chess master Garry Kasparov certainly believes Dimitry Medvedev created his own good fortune in the Russian Election.

But to get back to the more crucial top of the Whingers – do they create their own misfortunes simply by making poor choices? Are they creators of their own destinies? Or are they just plain “unlucky”? Must their few pieces of good fortune ultimately be paid for?

These questions and more prompted much chin stroking after seeing Arthur Miller’s The Man Who Had All the Luck at the Donmar last night.

Review – Othello, Donmar Warehouse. With Ewan McGregor

Well, it’s all go at the Donmar. Signs outside the door saying that bags will be searched (they weren’t) and people with headsets busying around the auditorium telling you to switch off your mobile phones (not everyone did).

Yesterday saw the last preview of Othello at the Donmar Warehouse and the Whingers – being “friends” of the Donmar Warehouse – were rewarded for their friendship by being seated once again in the side rows while luminaries such as former Home Secretary Kenneth Baker (Baron Baker of Dorking), Michael Billington, Mark Lawson and the Whingers’ über stalker Baz Bamigboye were in the seats which faced the action, so presumably they got to see Othello’s big speech and death (sorry – should have said earlier: plot spoilers in here).

We’re rich I tell you! Rich! Rich! Rich! Othello at the Donmar

According to the London Evening Standard tickets to see Ewan McGregor in Othello at the Donmar Warehouse are changing hands for more than a grand.

This presents the Whingers with something of a dilemma.

Review – Parade, Donmar Warehouse

A tragedy surrounding a young girl? A grieving parent? A suspect damned by circumstantial evidence created by police anxious for a conviction in a high profile case? A woman crusading for justice? The media whipping up public opinion to a frenzy of hatred? No, the Whingers weren’t flicking through one of this mornings tabloids, (they are all tabloids aren’t they these days?) but sitting watching a musical: Parade at the Donmar Warehouse.

Review – Absurdia, Donmar Warehouse

What is the absurd? It’s difficult for the Whingers to say exactly.

Andrew knows that Phil must have quite a well-tuned sense of it judging by the choices he makes vis a vis his wardrobe; Phil believes Andrew must too on the basis of his oxymoronic “trendy beard”. But neither of them can pin it down more than that really.

So the opportunity to see Absurdia (a triple-bill of short British absurdist comedies) at The Donmar Warehouse presented an ideal opportunity to gen up.

Elephants for everyone! (except the Whingers and other “friends”)

Regular readers will know that although the Whingers are technically “friends” of the Donmar Warehouse, it’s a friendship pretty much in name only.

Now another row is brewing to test their relationship – and this time it’s a disagreement over elephants.