Girl from the North Country Review Noel Coward Theatre West End London

[@karinablacktie]

How can you not know Bob Dylan's songs? Now, I can understand not knowing the ones in this play, but I can't believe that anyone in the UK would not have heard some of his classics.

[@TheBreakALeggers]

Hi Karina. We certainly know more Bob Dylan now!

[@karinablacktie]

I do hope you've listened to some of his youtube videos. Listen to the whole albums, especially "The Freewheeling Bob Dylan," "Blonde on Blonde," "Another Side of Bob Dylan," and "Highway 61 Revisited." Oh, let's add "Blood on the Tracks." Listen to Freewheeling first; there are a couple classics which I am SURE you have heard even if it was just a cover.

[@karinablacktie]

And I want to hear what you think.

[@TheBreakALeggers]

We'll be sure to put some in on the car on our next long journey. Thank you so much for sharing your recommendations!

[@jacobjinglehymer8789]

They're Gay. They like Judy Garland and Barbara Streisand. Totally oblivious to Bob Dylan.

[@myelixir]

Aww, I adore Girl from the North Country! I'm a little sad you didn't enjoy it more, but we all love different things. :) I don't know much Bob Dylan either (to be honest, I can't stand his voice, sorry Bob) but this play also allowed me to discover the beauty in his songs lyrically and musically. Most of all though, I felt the play incredibly deeply: that yearning pull of love and lives and hope against hope. :) I sobbed and sobbed. I haven't seen it in it's new home in the West end though. I think Shirley Henderson is especially incredible in the play too - couldn't take my eyes off her. :). It is my favourite new play of 2017 (saying something, as Ink was amazing too.)

[@TheBreakALeggers]

Thanks for the comment, Elixir! So glad you enjoyed it. It's lovely reading you passionate thoughts!

[@sergiotea]

great review guys, I'm seeing it tonight here in Los Angeles at the Pantages Theater May 28, 2024

[@ParadiseStreet]

Omg I saw this 6 years ago in London, for me it was amazing!

[@flannerymonaghan-morris1317]

Hey! I love this show! Not for everyone, because it is more of a play with music that isn’t uplifting or happy go lucky in any way. Not that a play with music can be bad, and also art is a subjective thing. I cannot wait for it to come to broadway (with an actually American cast mainly from the public, Mare Winningham is playing Elizabeth). I love Conor McPherson too. But good god, this show is very Eugene O’Neill or Arthur Miller esque. Many of the cast members have said that they felt emotionally drained by the end-I mean, the role of Elizabeth-Christ almighty, that’s got to be extremely emotionally draining. And also, the show’s lack of solutions is actually quite brilliant-McPherson is saying that because these people were in this board house and wandering around in the Great Depression, life did not give them easy answers. Also, a lot of the Bob Dylan music was newer material. I am a big pop/rock fan. Maybe you guys aren’t as familiar with it because you grew up listening probably to more cast albums than you did pop/rock music.

[@flannerymonaghan-morris1317]

Also I don’t like Sam Reid’s voice. It’s kind of too harsh sounding for my tastes (He’s a great actor, but still). Also, the character was born and raised in Minnesota, so therefore he should have a midwestern accent, NOT a Deep South one. I am American, so I know accents better when I hear them. Though it could be he finds that accent a lot easier to do than midwestern....

[@elfboy29]

You only recognized the 'Adele song'. Facepalm.

[@vforvendettaMA]

Six years later…just saw it. Wish I had seen your review beforehand. You two are going way too easy on this abysmally depressing and boring musical. The characters ARE shallow, the music has NOTHING to do with the action, what little there is, and you are quite right to point out that the music alone is much better. A better time would be had by all if we just had a revue where the actors just sing the songs. No story which is superfluous.

[@uniquetq4716]

Agreed! The way the script was written I could not understand what tf was going on. Very poorly written

[@shortallcatherine]

I adored it when I saw it last June. But I can see how it isn't for everyone especially since it is a play with music rather than a musical, like you said. I think a lot of the music was adapted from less popular Dylan music from the 80s. They completely reworked "Tight Connection to my Heart". The Dylan version is so different. I would recommend comparing the two - it is quite funny! Thanks for your review. I love your channel.

[@TheBreakALeggers]

Hi Mrs Cronall! Thanks for leaving a comment and the kind words about our channel :) Interesting to hear your view especially as you know the original music of Bob Dylan as this is something we were discussing in the review. Let us know about any other shows you've seen that we have reviewed. We love to hear from all our theatre Leggers!

[@shortallcatherine]

The Break A Leggers I just binged on lots of your videos. 😊 Totally agreed with your choices of "Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?" and "The Ferryman" for the top picks of 2017 - both were incredible! I live in Zurich so we try to visit London 2 or 3 times a year for theatre and to see friends. Very excited to see "Hamilton" and "The Birthday Party" in April. Thanks for sharing your reviews - I love your energy, enthusiasm and honesty 😊

[@TheBreakALeggers]

Wow, do keep us posted as to what you thought of Hamilton and The Birthday Party. Two very different shows. Sure you'll have a great trip! x

[@tomoe330]

I felt the same for 'the grinning man'. Maybe better if it was a straight play or more like the play with some music. I wasn't sure if I should see this production or 'the birthday party' the other day. I chose 'the birthday party', maybe it was a better choice!

[@TheBreakALeggers]

Hi Tomoe. If you can see both, absolutely do so! GFTNC has standing spaces for just £10 so you can see the show without breaking the bank. They seemed to get released a few days before each performance so keep an eye on the DelfontMackintosh site.

[@wilhelmscream3813]

I saw this recently, and I liked it. My favourite character was Elizabeth Lane, she was funny.

[@marquise8970]

Great review! Masterful dissection as always. Saved myself some time and a few quid.

[@TheBreakALeggers]

Thanks as ever Marquise! Good to hear from you. However don't take our word as Gospel! It is just our opinion, we encourage all our Leggers like yourself to pass judgement yourselves. You may love it! :D though there are other pieces we'd recommend you spend your well earned quids on!

[@marquise8970]

Yeah, 3 legs + I know literally zero of Bob Dylan's music = no go for me :) But I did get a ticket for the Grinning Man, so we'll see how that goes.

[@user-ph6nc3yy5n]

Hmmmm. It got like 10 5 star reviews this morning from all the critics. So I wouldn’t not go just cos these 2 weren’t bothered.

[@TheBreakALeggers]

Hi Time Crashers. Thank you so much for your comment - great to hear from you! Some critics certainly did seem to love it, and others found it perhaps a bit "middle of the road". Us, we didn't *love* it but it was certainly an interesting afternoon out and 3-Legs from us certainly isn't a bad score. When are you going to see the show? We love to hear what you think! x

[@marquise8970]

Time Crashers We all know that critics think it's great. Their reviews are readily available, however I'm here because I want to know what "normal people" think about it. Moreover - normal people with taste like mine. So far I've agreed with the leggers on almost everything we've seen, which means we have similar taste. That's why I trust their opinion, not because I think it's good or bad.

[@Neil_Rice]

Pair of knobs must have been watching a different play than the one I saw.

[@TheBreakALeggers]

Thank for watching, Neil. We don't know of any other plays called "Girl From The North Country" but we certainly know more music from Bob Dylan than we did going in. Some fantastic performances and we're so glad you seemingly enjoyed them too! Hit subscribe for more of our reviews :)

[@hollypayne2780]

I watched this it is OK