Oh, why I'm never in London when such events take place? 

For those who don't want to venture afield, here's the video of Benedict reading one of Alan Turing's letters: 

More from Letters Live: The Telegraph has a video of Benedict reading a letter from the young Alan Turing to Christopher Morcom's mother after Christopher's death.

Last edited by REReader (March 25, 2015 7:30 pm)

Did no one from this board go to Letters Live?

I have been tracking it online since it started and it seems to have done really well (except for the performance that was cancelled by the electrical street fire of course).  Every night so far (with one night to go) has been a sellout and there aren't many tickets left for the final night either.

The majority of the tweets have been very, very positive and comments have been tremendously glowing of Ben, Loo and everyone involved.  I was very pleased that Sophie was also involved in the readings and there were some lovely remarks about her letters that she read. 

Anyone else have comments about it or personal experiences to reveal?

I'm all ears! (having no capacity to actually fly over and see it for myself)

-Val

I just checked the website and the last performance is sold out too. 

Hope you have a great time.  Do hope you will post some feedback for us!

Almost unanimously positive reviews and comments.  From the Ticketmaster's site (scroll down to the comments/reviews section):
http://www.ticketmaster.co.uk/Letters-Live-tickets/artist/2096475?tm_link=edp_Artist_Image

It has a perfect 5/5 with nine written reviews.  And many, many tweets have been glowing.

-Val


 

I can unreservedly say that Letters Live was a resounding success!  Reviews seem unanimously positive from people who attended (both patrons and press).  Every night was performance to a packed house even with the large size of the venue.  The only slight downer was the cancellation of one of the nights (totally understandable with the electrical fire under the street where the hall was located - safety first always!).  But I have a feeling that if that incident hadn't happened all the 5 nights would have sold out (the night that was cancelled was already a sellout before the fire happened).  There also is much talk of this event happening next year as well and many comments have included remarks that indicate that many people are enthusiastic about going to Letters Live again in the future. 

I hope sunnyMarch does put out something in video/film form . It probably will be very well received (like the actual performances were).  I know I would love to see even snippets from the performances.

Here's a very positive reveiw from The Londonist - http://londonist.com/2015/04/letters-live-epistolary-joy-at-freemasons-hall.php 

And another very detailed one from a blogger - https://vickster51corner.wordpress.com/2015/04/04/letters-live-at-the-freemasons-hall-friday-3rd-april-2015/ 

A fan's review of the Friday night performance - http://meetmeatthebookshop.blogspot.co.uk/2015/04/letters-live-fri-3-april-2015.html 

And another from a fan called Olga (I think she was there tonight) - https://olgaivannikova.wordpress.com/2015/04/04/on-letters-live/ 

And a final short one that includes a picture of the finale when they came out on stage after the readings - https://www.polaroidblipfoto.com/entry/2031171467328094394 

There are some lovely group photos of the people who participated in tonight's final readings (including Ben, Sophie and Tom H. among many others) on someone's twitter site who goes by the name AnythingCumberbatch - https://twitter.com/Anythingbatch


 -Val    

Here are some wonderful stills and a short video of the group after the final performance (from benophie daily site) - 

http://benophiedaily.tumblr.com/

Ben and Sophie look absolutely adorable together here (Sophie is just beaming and Ben is so affectionate) and everyone looks like they had a cracker of a time!  I love how they are insisting that everyone get in on the group shot! 


I hope this isn't too bold but I just read a lovely post on IMBD from a person listed as jshoaf that I just have to share here.  The first part is a quote from the intro to the Letters Live programme from Ben and the second part is the poster's thoughts on that quote...

“Letters Live makes us pause and imagine the lives behind the letters read and the circumstances of their origin. The relationship between the audience, reader and writer helps deepen our understanding of these inspiring artefacts of the human condition."

This reminds me why it is so rewarding to be a BC fan. He is such an unrepentant, unqualified humanist in his approach to his art.

*****************************************************
All I can add is... ITA!!


I am so happy that this whole endeavour was so successful - for Ben and the folks involved with SunnyMarch, the Letters Live group, the Letters of Note and To the Letter people and the three literacy charities that this entire thing will benefit.

-Val