Monday, August 25, 2008
Alias Godot
Ever wonder why Godot didn't come? This play has the answer and a wonderful parody of the original play to boot.
The Little Foxes
Lillian Hellman knew some very nasty people and had a very warped view of family relations!
But this is a very interesting play, with an excellent cast to bring it to life. Regina Giddings is definitely a bitch, but equally definitely not a push over!
Great cast - no one out of place.
But this is a very interesting play, with an excellent cast to bring it to life. Regina Giddings is definitely a bitch, but equally definitely not a push over!
Great cast - no one out of place.
Wonderful Town
I have fond memories of My Sister Eileen, and I enjoyed this production. It is silly and slight, but has a great cast, a good set and good singing.
Getting Married
A fun opportunity for Shaw to present his views on the institution of marriage and to take several points of view at once. I liked the play and the production, although the seance is too weird and distracting. However, it did give Laurie Patton a cahnce to show off, so maybe it was worth having after all.
An Inspector Calls
A morality play and rather heavy handed in making the points.
Peter Hutt played himself, as usual. Otherwise, a good cast, as one expects from the Shaw company.
I missed the ghost wandering around on the balcony - Keith missed the stage moving. God knows what else we missed, but probably not much since the moral message was pounded in by the author.
Peter Hutt played himself, as usual. Otherwise, a good cast, as one expects from the Shaw company.
I missed the ghost wandering around on the balcony - Keith missed the stage moving. God knows what else we missed, but probably not much since the moral message was pounded in by the author.
Dirty Dancing
The movie is better, but this was still fun. Not a great play, but then it isn't a great movie either.
The most amazing thing about this production was the set, which moved in all directions and always showed up in the right place at the right time.
Good dancing, good singing and a good time.
The most amazing thing about this production was the set, which moved in all directions and always showed up in the right place at the right time.
Good dancing, good singing and a good time.
Nicholas Nickleby
It's hard to know how to describe this marathon production. Six hours, with a break for dinner. But it was fascinating and fun. The cast were excellent - and the writers did an amazing job of bringing the whole story together, with Dickensian levels of detail, while still managing to keep the action moving.
My one complaint was the decision to have Nicholas return to Dotheboys hall near the end - it was out of place and broke the rythmn of the whole story. Should have just been left out - the plot didn't need it and neither did the rest of us.
My one complaint was the decision to have Nicholas return to Dotheboys hall near the end - it was out of place and broke the rythmn of the whole story. Should have just been left out - the plot didn't need it and neither did the rest of us.
Macbeth
We had to see this production, even if that meant flying to New York and staying in an over priced hotel.
It had received great reviews at the donmar in London; then great reviews when it transferred to Brooklyn (but it was sold out) so when it moved to Broadway, we bit the bullet and bought the tickets.
It was worth the expense - a fantastic production. Modern dress, but not fully - more a generic military era. Great staging - especially the opening scene and the ghost scene when Banquo appears at the dinner table. Repeating the scene to start the scond half was initially jarring, until you realised that it was from a different point of view. It worked really well.
The cast was uniformly excellent and Patrick Stewart is still sexy and powerful.
It had received great reviews at the donmar in London; then great reviews when it transferred to Brooklyn (but it was sold out) so when it moved to Broadway, we bit the bullet and bought the tickets.
It was worth the expense - a fantastic production. Modern dress, but not fully - more a generic military era. Great staging - especially the opening scene and the ghost scene when Banquo appears at the dinner table. Repeating the scene to start the scond half was initially jarring, until you realised that it was from a different point of view. It worked really well.
The cast was uniformly excellent and Patrick Stewart is still sexy and powerful.
All's Well That Ends Well
One of the problem plays from my perspective. Why does Helena want to marry this man who so clearly does not want to marry her?
But, this performance triggered a new thought - was Shakespeare actually considering the whole issue of arranged marriage from the woman's point of view? No one is upset when women are handed over to men that they don't want to marry, so what would happen if the tables were turned? Given this screen, the play makes a lot more sense to me, especially when you consider the pressure that Elizabeth I was under all her life to marry for political benefits.
Good performances all around. Especially liked Tom Rooney.
But, this performance triggered a new thought - was Shakespeare actually considering the whole issue of arranged marriage from the woman's point of view? No one is upset when women are handed over to men that they don't want to marry, so what would happen if the tables were turned? Given this screen, the play makes a lot more sense to me, especially when you consider the pressure that Elizabeth I was under all her life to marry for political benefits.
Good performances all around. Especially liked Tom Rooney.
There Reigns Love
We have been fans of Simon Callow since we saw his one man Dickens performance in London many years ago.
This performance works surprisingly well and leaves you feeling a need to read the sonnets.
He lectures, performs and convinces as he presents the sonnets as the solution to the mystery - who was the Dark Lady? who were the sonnets dedicated to? and ultimately, what do they tell us about Shakespeare himself.
This performance works surprisingly well and leaves you feeling a need to read the sonnets.
He lectures, performs and convinces as he presents the sonnets as the solution to the mystery - who was the Dark Lady? who were the sonnets dedicated to? and ultimately, what do they tell us about Shakespeare himself.
Uncle Vanya
Keith did not want to go, as he hates Chekov in general. I should have listened. the production was good, the acting was good, and we still left at half time. It was either leave or embarass ourselves by screaming at the characters to get on with life and stop whining about it. Move to Moscow. Kill yourself. Just do something!
Black Watch
A brilliant commentary on war and soldiers and how we like to ignore them when they come home.
The Varsity arena is an odd place for a play, but it was perfect for this one, as it provided enough room for the battles and marching. Apparently there was originally a plan to do the performance at Moss Park Armoury, which would have been even better, but it was an excellent theatrical event.
The Varsity arena is an odd place for a play, but it was perfect for this one, as it provided enough room for the battles and marching. Apparently there was originally a plan to do the performance at Moss Park Armoury, which would have been even better, but it was an excellent theatrical event.
Midsummer Night's Dream
This was an unusual production, given that it was performed in six languages, including English, Tamil, Hindi and others from the east Asian area.
But it was a beautiful production and easy to follow, maybe because we already know the story, but probably because the languages were mixed carefully enough to let at least the English speakers keep track of the action.
Colourful and acrobatic are the two adjectives that spring to mind - gorgeous is another.
This company has apparently been touring for over two years, but the production seems fresh and exciting.
But it was a beautiful production and easy to follow, maybe because we already know the story, but probably because the languages were mixed carefully enough to let at least the English speakers keep track of the action.
Colourful and acrobatic are the two adjectives that spring to mind - gorgeous is another.
This company has apparently been touring for over two years, but the production seems fresh and exciting.
Cabaret
Wow! What a great production! Everything was beautiful - in a dark and bleak way. I have always loved the music, know the words to most of the songs and think the movie is great.
But this production was spectacular - great cast, great setting and fabulous performances. Nora McLellan and Bruce Dow were particularly good.
But really, I just loved the whole thing.
But this production was spectacular - great cast, great setting and fabulous performances. Nora McLellan and Bruce Dow were particularly good.
But really, I just loved the whole thing.
The Music Man
Jonathan Goad is great as Professor Harold Hill. But this musical is not really to my taste - too formulaic and the tunes are limited in appeal with the exception of 76 Trombones.
The production got great reviews and the audience loved it, but for me it was not worth the drive to Stratford. (This may have been the problem, as we made a special trip just for this. )
But I actually fell asleep during the first act - something that is quite hard to do in a musical!
The production got great reviews and the audience loved it, but for me it was not worth the drive to Stratford. (This may have been the problem, as we made a special trip just for this. )
But I actually fell asleep during the first act - something that is quite hard to do in a musical!
The Way of the World
Soulpepper managed a very good production - set in the thirties and very elegant. Caroline Cave's black dress was fantastic. MikeSharra is still a favourite.
The play is fun and the cast did a good job of bringing it together.
The play is fun and the cast did a good job of bringing it together.
Medieval Mystery Play
We happened to be in Lincoln Cathedral the day of the preview performance of the Medieval Mystery plays, which we had read about but never thought we would see.
It was a lovely, but cool evening. The audience was largely family and friends of the cast. The Dean and his wife were there.
The plays are fascinating to watch - each guild brings its banner, and announces themselves at the beginning or their play. The stories are the bible stories, but with humour, occasionaly very broad humour at that.
The cast appeared to be local amateurs, but were a quite talented group.
Great fun and amazing to think these plays have been done for centuries.
It was a lovely, but cool evening. The audience was largely family and friends of the cast. The Dean and his wife were there.
The plays are fascinating to watch - each guild brings its banner, and announces themselves at the beginning or their play. The stories are the bible stories, but with humour, occasionaly very broad humour at that.
The cast appeared to be local amateurs, but were a quite talented group.
Great fun and amazing to think these plays have been done for centuries.
Hughie, Krapp's Last Tape
Brian Dennehy was great in both, but you have to wonder why he bothered. I'd rather see him in a full length play, rather than an actor's exercise.
Hughie is interesting as a portrayal of a type of man, from a particular time and place in America. Sad, but ultimately not someone you are interested in knowing.
Krapp's Last Tape confirmed my suspicion that Beckett is an auther with no clothes. I'm not waiting for Godot any more and I don't want to hear any of Krapp's tapes.
Hughie is interesting as a portrayal of a type of man, from a particular time and place in America. Sad, but ultimately not someone you are interested in knowing.
Krapp's Last Tape confirmed my suspicion that Beckett is an auther with no clothes. I'm not waiting for Godot any more and I don't want to hear any of Krapp's tapes.
Romeo and Juliet
The Globe touring company did an outdoor performance at Herstmonceux Castle, using a VW bus as the main set.
The cast of 8 played all the parts and created a very raunchy, fast paced production that was lots of fun.
The small audience, which included lots of kids, the CSAO group and miscellaneous locals and tourists had a great time. Even the ducks and geese seemed to be having a good time.
The cast of 8 played all the parts and created a very raunchy, fast paced production that was lots of fun.
The small audience, which included lots of kids, the CSAO group and miscellaneous locals and tourists had a great time. Even the ducks and geese seemed to be having a good time.
The Real Inspector Hound, Black Comedy
Soulpepper managed to find the right cast and director for these two one act plays. Mike Sharra is fantastic in Black Comedy, but then so is Oliver Dennis and Caroline Cave.
Laugh out loud funny.
The shots taken at reviewers and pretentious writing were hilarious in the Real Inspector Hound.
The physical comedy was brilliant in Black Comedy.
Laugh out loud funny.
The shots taken at reviewers and pretentious writing were hilarious in the Real Inspector Hound.
The physical comedy was brilliant in Black Comedy.
Avenue Q
Managed to get tickets for the same evening. Fun but light production, and probably a lot more appealing to a younger crowd - the ones who grew up on Sesame Street, instead of being the parents of those kids.
The Chalk Garden
We have been dying to see something in this theatre for ages, since so many great productions seem to originate there. This did not disappoint.
It is a very small theatre and not all that well designed - you get a railing across your view if you have front row balcony seats. But you were on the edge of your seat anyway, so it was not a big problem.
Great cast of actors - Margaret Tyzack was wonderful, as was Penelope Wilton. A very interesting play - one that we think probably fits into the Shaw mandate and that we would love to see done there.
It is a very small theatre and not all that well designed - you get a railing across your view if you have front row balcony seats. But you were on the edge of your seat anyway, so it was not a big problem.
Great cast of actors - Margaret Tyzack was wonderful, as was Penelope Wilton. A very interesting play - one that we think probably fits into the Shaw mandate and that we would love to see done there.
The Revengers Tragedy
Fantastic performance. Given that we were too cheap to pay the extortionate price for a program, I have no idea who was in the cast or even who directed. But what a marvellous production - fast, focused, coulourful, energetic and totally rivetting. A sold out house on a Monday evening, in the Olivier Theatre, which seems to hold about 3000 people.
Definitely want to see more revenge tragedies and Shakespeare contemporaries.
Definitely want to see more revenge tragedies and Shakespeare contemporaries.
Monday, August 18, 2008
Romeo and Juliet
This production got weak reviews early in the season and has suffered weak audiences as a result. But an early August performance was excellent and showed the value of waiting until later in the run when the cast has a chance to develop the performance.
Romeo and Juliet were young and enthusisatic and silly teenagers - what you need to make the tragedy real.
The only jarring note was the odd change of costume, from modern to Elilzabethan and then back again at the end. I assume it was to underscore the ageless nature of the story, but it was annoying and unnecessary. Pick a period (either one would have been fine) and stick with it!
Romeo and Juliet were young and enthusisatic and silly teenagers - what you need to make the tragedy real.
The only jarring note was the odd change of costume, from modern to Elilzabethan and then back again at the end. I assume it was to underscore the ageless nature of the story, but it was annoying and unnecessary. Pick a period (either one would have been fine) and stick with it!
The Taming of the Shrew
A risky play in these times, but a production that manages the balance between the words and the sentiments very carefully. Evan Buliung is a strong Petrucchio and has great chemistry with Kate. He suffered with her, thereby reducing the brutality.
The limp was unnecessary and interfered with the feeling of the play.
The limp was unnecessary and interfered with the feeling of the play.
Love's Labours Lost
A silly play with a silly premise, but it can be a lot of fun, and this production definitely fits the bill.
The students in the conservatory do a great job of bringing to to life. The boys rolling on the ground laughing was so real and so much fun.
Peter Donaldson is great as is his young assistant. They had great chemistry last year in To Kill a Mocking bird and it continues.
The students in the conservatory do a great job of bringing to to life. The boys rolling on the ground laughing was so real and so much fun.
Peter Donaldson is great as is his young assistant. They had great chemistry last year in To Kill a Mocking bird and it continues.
The Trojan Women
Martha Henry is fantastic. Kelly Fox as Cassandra is fabulously mad. Seanna McKenna sobs for all mothers hearing that her son is to die. It is heartbreaking and stunning, and her interaction with her son is so powerful, you absolutely believe that this poor boy will be killed.
The staging reminds me why I love the Patterson - you are so close you think you are in the play.
I can't believe that I lived so long without coming to Greek tragedy - it is amazing and the Stratford productions over the last couple of years have been great.
The staging reminds me why I love the Patterson - you are so close you think you are in the play.
I can't believe that I lived so long without coming to Greek tragedy - it is amazing and the Stratford productions over the last couple of years have been great.
Monday, August 11, 2008
Hamlet
Everyone has been saying that the Ben Carlson Hamlet was going to be a great one, and for once they were right. His performance was consistently excellent - clear, coherent and full of humanity.
Geraint Wynn Davies made Pollonius come to life - without a doubt the best Pollonius I have ever seen. He was funny and fatherly at the same time. Yuo could see and understand the relationship he had with his children, and you could see why he was a valued counsellor tot he King.
The staging was interesting, but the pool table was a conceit that did not work. Sitting in front row centre, the view was definitely obstructed! And how often can you say that about great seats?
Geraint Wynn Davies made Pollonius come to life - without a doubt the best Pollonius I have ever seen. He was funny and fatherly at the same time. Yuo could see and understand the relationship he had with his children, and you could see why he was a valued counsellor tot he King.
The staging was interesting, but the pool table was a conceit that did not work. Sitting in front row centre, the view was definitely obstructed! And how often can you say that about great seats?
Fuente Ovejuna
This is a fascinating production, largely becuase we have never seen any Spanish golden age theatre before. Keith and I had different reactions to this play - he did not like it and found the translation "like speaking cardboard" (to quote Seanna McKenna). This was the over riding factor for him so his vote overall is NO.
I liked the overall production and was much less bothered by the occasionally stilted language. My problem was with the performance of Scott Wentworth, who seemed to be in a diffeerent play. He was doing melodrama and doing it well, as he does. But the rest of the cast were doing a straight drama, so his performance was jarring and did not contribute to the theme of the play - when does the community have the right/obligation to rise up against evil? When is it necessary to take a stand and say no more? Important questions that were not served well by Wentworth's melodrama. He could have shown us a really evil Guzman, that would have been much more effective. But overall, my vote is YES.
I liked the overall production and was much less bothered by the occasionally stilted language. My problem was with the performance of Scott Wentworth, who seemed to be in a diffeerent play. He was doing melodrama and doing it well, as he does. But the rest of the cast were doing a straight drama, so his performance was jarring and did not contribute to the theme of the play - when does the community have the right/obligation to rise up against evil? When is it necessary to take a stand and say no more? Important questions that were not served well by Wentworth's melodrama. He could have shown us a really evil Guzman, that would have been much more effective. But overall, my vote is YES.
Friday, August 8, 2008
Standing Ovations
To establish a baseline for our comments, here are the shows we have given standing ovations - real ones, not just standing up because the people in front did and you want to see what is going on:
HOSANNA (Michel Tremblay) Tarragon 1974, Richard Monette as Hosanna
HOSANNA (Michel Tremblay) Tarragon 1974, Richard Monette as Hosanna
The recent death of Richard reminded me that this was our first real standing ovation. It was a great performance by the then very young Richard Monette. We were very young then too, so we saw him as a contemporary of ours. I imagine the play seen today would not have the same impact on us now that we are older. But any actor playing Hosanna has a long way to go to do better than Richard Monette playing Elizabeth Taylor playing Cleopatra!
RICHARD III Stratford Ont. 1977, Brian Bedford as Richard
THE HOUSE OF BERNARDA ALBA (Frederic Garcia Lorca) Shaw 2002
JOURNEY'S END (R.C. Sherriff) Shaw 2005
THE MAGIC FIRE (Lillian Groag) Shaw 2006
THE BLONDE, THE BRUNETTE AND THE VENGEFUL
REDHEAD (Robert Hewett) Stratford Ont. 2006, Lucy Peacock
SCORCHED (Wajdi Mouawad) Tarragon 2007
MACBETH Lyceum New York 2008, Patrick Stewart as Macbeth
HAMLET Stratford Ont. 2008, Ben Carlson as Hamlet
Introduction
This site is to help Keith and me record our thoughts about shows we see - mostly for our own benefit but also to share "reviews" with friends, and to keep track of what we have seen.
We started with Macbeth - April 12, 2008 and will track forward from there.
The initial posts were all entered in a batch just to get the record up to date, so they are not all in order. But the goal is to add new ones as they happen.
The only play that is not reviewed is one by Judith Thompson, that ran for five nights only, and told the stories of 15 women - real women acting their own stories. My friend Lois Fine was in i. It was great, and it will never be done again, although other women may tell their stories in a different production. For some reason, I can't remember the name of the play, but as you will never see it anyway, it probably doesn't matter.
We started with Macbeth - April 12, 2008 and will track forward from there.
The initial posts were all entered in a batch just to get the record up to date, so they are not all in order. But the goal is to add new ones as they happen.
The only play that is not reviewed is one by Judith Thompson, that ran for five nights only, and told the stories of 15 women - real women acting their own stories. My friend Lois Fine was in i. It was great, and it will never be done again, although other women may tell their stories in a different production. For some reason, I can't remember the name of the play, but as you will never see it anyway, it probably doesn't matter.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)