#LONDON 1812

[ask-de-writer]

I would like to thank Eager Reader

@furislupus for READING and LIKING

LONDON, 1812 part of an alternate history of the War of 1812.

[lesmiserabelles]

chumisa dornford-may as natasha and jamie muscato as anatole (x)

[ashleyslorens]

NATASHA, PIERRE & THE GREAT COMET OF 1812 Donmar Warehouse

[edgarallennope]

IF I WERE NOT MYSELF, BUT THE BRIGHTEST, HANDSOMEST, BEST MAN ON EARTH, AND IF I WERE FREE, I WOULD GET DOWN ON MY KNEES THIS MINUTE AND ASK YOU FOR YOUR HAND AND FOR YOUR LOVE!!!!

[landlessbud]

everyone say thank you tim sheader

[laguerreetlapaix]

Just saw Great Comet in London. My first time ever seeing the show live since being obsessed when I was 17.

I didn’t know if I was going to cry, plot twist, I very much did.

[clarasteam]

Opening night Donmar Great Comet video from WhatsOnStage

[asexualmusicalnerd]

Managed to see Great Comet for the second time yesterday and my gods, it was just as stunning even from back of the circle!

Saved posting anything after the first watch (which was the last weekend of previews from the stalls) as didn't know if my reaction was purely "oh my God I'm actually watching my favourite show live for the first time" but nope, 100% this show is the most beautiful thing ever

Just a few thoughts under a read more in case, you know, spoilers

We had a cover for Natasha (read somewhere that may be due to an injury?) But actually I think the cover was just as good, if not BETTER than last time. She was more innocent rather than just headstrong, but bith actresses knocked it out of the park

Also Jamie has a cold and he did struggle with a couple of the high notes and was coughing up a storm, but he played it off well and still hit the note with "Petersburg!"

Sonya Alone broke everyone. The old guy next to me actually murmured "That was beautiful" under his breath, real testimant to the talent of this cast

Marya just straight up pulling a gun on Anatol still cracks me up. Plus audience was great and everyone was laughing at the right parts and clapping along in the club scenes.

Set is modern, like a nightclub feel, but speaking to a Russian fan who said it felt very much like Russia at the moment, so do with that what you will. Found the costumes a bit odd first watch having been so in love with the Broadway production however second time I was all in and went you know what, this works. (Although Broadway costume design my beloved!)

The comet at the end... I do not cry in theatres but both watches, tears were gathering as the voices swell beneath that circular glow. Now that scene I need injected direct into my veins...

Declan Bennets Pierre is gorgeous. Raw, powerful and broken, your heart bleeds. When people say he seems dull I am seriously confused about what show they're watching. He absolutely smashes the role. Honestly think he's my new favourite Pierre.

Wish I could get one more ticket but sadly, I believe that will be my last time seeing this... for now... Let us hope for a proshoot or transfer!

[some-brave-apollo]

Donmar Comet had its first previews and oh my it looks very snazzy indeed. Spoilers gleamed from first reactions under the cut

Easily the most modern set design I've seen for the show

Everyone's in contemporary alt garb, mostly black with hints of muted colour

The giant light up "M SCOW" sign in the back

What I assume is the comet is like, a big ol halo above the stage

In the corner there are these "Bride" and "Groom" masked characters. Unclear if these are actors or just dolls but they are weird in the best way

Apparently the bears from the rehearsal photos make sense in context

I have also heard that there is at least one (1) new Danatole kiss.

I really wonder if this increased anachronisms will be reflected in the arrangements but I'm still to hear anything besides that prologue clip

This production looks like it fucks severely I'm afraid

[rapgamelilybart]

chumisa dornford-may as countess natasha rostova on 35mm, backstage at the donmar warehouse’s natasha, pierre & the great comet of 1812 (photo by maimuna memon)

[toocabaret]

only took half a decade of obsessing over it to finally see great comet on stage and i’m reviewing it this all worked out well

[ask-de-writer]

I would like to thank Delightfully

EAGER BINGE READER

@furislupus​ for READING and LIKING

LONDON 1812

Science Fiction, Alternate History

[clove-pinks]

A gilded ship on the cover of The Square-rigged Cruiser, or Lorrain's Sea-sermons by Alfred M. Lorrain. This is the same War of 1812 veteran whose autobiography The Helm, the Sword, and the Cross describes his time at Fort Meigs.

Lorrain is clearly drawing on the "helm" portion of his experiences for his sermons, and an introduction to the book mentions the near-universal appeal of "every thing belonging to the watery world." I couldn't find anything in the text directly referencing his time as a soldier [ETA: there is a brief mention], but he made an interesting choice on the title page:

"Free grace and sailors' rights"??

"Free grace" is a reference to the Christian theology of God's blessings and salvation being a free gift, but more to the point it's an obvious riff on the American slogan Free Trade and Sailors' Rights that was a pro-war rallying cry during the War of 1812.

Lorrain's autobiography was written 10 years after The Square-rigged Cruiser, at the end of his life. Maybe he was still trying to make sense of his war experiences in 1853; it's obvious that he was traumatized by what happened at Fort Meigs. There's a shadow of war even in his book of sermons.

I can't help but compare Lorrain to another War of 1812 veteran whose trauma seeps into his writing: Captain Frederick Marryat. Some of the best parts of Diary in America are Marryat revisiting "the late war."

[eva-eyre]

thank you @mistressaccost for the tag! 💙

here’s the first ten songs that came on when i shuffled my spotify ‘on repeat’ playlist

1. Dust and Ashes — The Great Comet of 1812

2. Dance Macabre — Ghost

3. The Ballad of Sweeney Todd — Sweeney Todd

4. Cirice — Ghost

5. Spirit — Ghost

6. Lovesong — The Cure

7. Overture — Phantom of The Opera (alw musical)

8. Deus in Absentia — Ghost

9. Sacrifice — London after Midnight

10. Kiss the Go-Goat — Ghost

I tag @kissing-the-abyss @unamazing-sheep21 @brontes @burningvelvet @danielkahndyke

[monkeyssalad-blog]

n262_w1150 by Biodiversity Heritage Library Via Flickr: A companion to Mr. Bullock's London Museum and Pantherion [London] :Printed for the proprietor,1812. biodiversitylibrary.org/page/28995358

[sneepsnoopboopideeboop]

GREAT COMET COMING TO LONDON?!?!