Been to see some great theatre and interesting theatre in recent weeks but have been a bit lax in actually writing about it. So here is a bit of a catch up of the highlights hopefully short and sweet:
Mother Courage and all her Children - National Theatre
Set during the 30 years war in Europe it tells the story of Mother Courage (Fiona Shaw) who profits from the war going from battle site to battle site selling her wares, changing allegiances when profitable and trying to protect her two sons and mute daughter along the way.
There has been much written online about the delay to press night and the various hiccups in the production and even though I saw it during preview, I didn't noticed anything going particularly wrong. Shaw put in an amazingly energetic performance, there was live music and an Irish singer Duke Special who had the most beautiful voice. Brecht challenged sympathies and perceptions once again and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Oh and I didn't find out until I got home that another Harry Potter actor was also in the play - Harry Melling who plays Dudley. In this he was once again playing Fiona Shaw's son.
Speaking in Tongues - Duke of Yorks
If you've seen the film Lantana you will know the story of this play because the film was based on it. It's a difficult one to describe without spoiling it so here goes. There are two separate couples who decide to try a one night stand meanwhile one of the wives sees a neighbour acting suspiciously, throwing a womens shoe away while appearing scratched and bleeding. A women has gone missing.
Sounds intriguing? Well it was. Relationships and our human need to be with other people is at the centre of the play which sounds a bit wanky but the treatment of the subject matter is, dare I say it again, thought provoking. The cast of four including the excellent John Simm played all nine roles and despite the fact that I cried through most of the first half (more to do with me than the play) it was really, really good. Provocative and thrilling and I haven't done it justice at all so apologies to all involved.
Sounds intriguing? Well it was. Relationships and our human need to be with other people is at the centre of the play which sounds a bit wanky but the treatment of the subject matter is, dare I say it again, thought provoking. The cast of four including the excellent John Simm played all nine roles and despite the fact that I cried through most of the first half (more to do with me than the play) it was really, really good. Provocative and thrilling and I haven't done it justice at all so apologies to all involved.
A Streetcar Named Desire - Donmar Warehouse
I studied A Streetcar many moons ago but never got the chance to see it staged so there was a lot of expectation and excitement on my part. I could only remember the bare bones of the story which was good because it meant there were still some surprises.
For those unfamiliar it is set in 1940s New Orleans. Faded belle Blanche DuBois (Rachel Weisz) turns up on her sister's doorstep in slightly distressed and flaky state. Stella has married the manly Stanley whom Blanche feels is beneath Stella having both been brought up on a large plantation. Stella lives in a two-roomed house so cue tension and tragedy as personalities clash and the story of Blanche's past is slowly wrung from her.
I'd forgotten how much I loved this play. There is so much I could write about the themes but I won't, go and read it, see the Marlon Brando film or even better see a production - sadly the Donmar is sold out but you can queue for day seats and returns.
Rachel Weisz was amazing, showing real depth and never faltering in making the cold she was suffering from part of the performance. Elliot Cowan was a very manly Stanley, all muscles and brawn and lifting Stella, played by Ruth Wilson, like she was a feather.
It was all marvelously done and gripping from start to finish. The actors had to make three curtain calls.
For those unfamiliar it is set in 1940s New Orleans. Faded belle Blanche DuBois (Rachel Weisz) turns up on her sister's doorstep in slightly distressed and flaky state. Stella has married the manly Stanley whom Blanche feels is beneath Stella having both been brought up on a large plantation. Stella lives in a two-roomed house so cue tension and tragedy as personalities clash and the story of Blanche's past is slowly wrung from her.
I'd forgotten how much I loved this play. There is so much I could write about the themes but I won't, go and read it, see the Marlon Brando film or even better see a production - sadly the Donmar is sold out but you can queue for day seats and returns.
Rachel Weisz was amazing, showing real depth and never faltering in making the cold she was suffering from part of the performance. Elliot Cowan was a very manly Stanley, all muscles and brawn and lifting Stella, played by Ruth Wilson, like she was a feather.
It was all marvelously done and gripping from start to finish. The actors had to make three curtain calls.