[LJ2ME] The Winter's Tail
With tickets at half price for this matinee show, I had my nagging doubt confirmed when I failed to act on instinct to splash out for a front row seat at The Bridge Project's The Winter's Tale. The $90 I paid got me the first row in Circle 2 but just another $60 would have had me in prime location. Pity. This was all the more realised when I moved down to the stalls for the post-performance Q&A where the literal world of a difference made its point as the actors' faces were finally discernible.
The sheer talent of the cast of veteran thespians was overwhelming especially out of character and in their own skins. As though in their element, each was at once witty and charming beyond words and description as they fielded questions from the floor.
One thing that's been getting my goat is how Ethan Hawke has been headlining the production and hogging the media coverage. Sure, he's the most recognisable face and name, and I would hate him if not for the fact that he is devilishly handsome. So it was that in this vein, he was singled out by many who posed questions that seemed more about him than the show. I have to give him due credit where he knew his place among his illustrious colleagues and deferred to them. They too took no prisoners when alluding to his age and experience, that is compared to their track record.
These sessions allow the audience the chance to pick the brains of the creative and artistic talents behind the performance and while there were gushing idolatry in "Ethan, may I call you Ethan?" to Miss Universe inspired "What quote would you choose to represent the play? And why?", there was at least some sensible and smart questions. Why, one lady even pointed out the omission of lines where it was revealed that those controversial cuts were indeed controversial. I'm glad I decided to stay for the talk after the show. Consider it if you will, our closest thing to Inside The Actor's Studio.
I didn't know the story at all, apart from some hasty digestion of the basic gist which was subsequently immediately forgotten, so I can't say to have fully appreciated the show for all its merits. What I can vouch for though, is a generalised report that this was a first-rate production and it showed in every aspect.
One was most taken by the set design. At once basic and sparse yet ironically grand and oppulent, it started with an intimate interior from which candles in kerosene lamp shields were suspended from high while hurricane lantern enclosed ones were arranged on a dual set of giant swings and in the background, more votives glowed. This gave way to an atmospheric doom-laden gloom as voluminous storm clouds hung threateningly in the backsplash. The lighter mood of Bohemia had a celestial wash of cloud-littered sky which in turn blushed as day passed into night.
While I could not catch every line, both for unfamiliarity and for my distance, as the story progressed, one was subconsciously sucked into the vortex. There were many sight gags that helped one along. The bear was played to perfection and the masterstroke in combining action and lighting served up a very frightening and real aspect. In one bawdy routine, balloons of appropriate shapes and sizes were bandied about with sexual innuendo.
Inevitably, I commit the same sin as everyone else and come to Mr Hawke. Yes, treading the boards is a challenge for him and kudos for his success. However, that he played a fancy-free and irreverent con may have discounted his actual art. That said, he does play a mean guitar and has quite a singing voice. And have I mentioned how devilishly handsome he is? Lucky I didn't buy front row seats or I wouldn't have been able to concentrate at all!
The sheer talent of the cast of veteran thespians was overwhelming especially out of character and in their own skins. As though in their element, each was at once witty and charming beyond words and description as they fielded questions from the floor.
One thing that's been getting my goat is how Ethan Hawke has been headlining the production and hogging the media coverage. Sure, he's the most recognisable face and name, and I would hate him if not for the fact that he is devilishly handsome. So it was that in this vein, he was singled out by many who posed questions that seemed more about him than the show. I have to give him due credit where he knew his place among his illustrious colleagues and deferred to them. They too took no prisoners when alluding to his age and experience, that is compared to their track record.
These sessions allow the audience the chance to pick the brains of the creative and artistic talents behind the performance and while there were gushing idolatry in "Ethan, may I call you Ethan?" to Miss Universe inspired "What quote would you choose to represent the play? And why?", there was at least some sensible and smart questions. Why, one lady even pointed out the omission of lines where it was revealed that those controversial cuts were indeed controversial. I'm glad I decided to stay for the talk after the show. Consider it if you will, our closest thing to Inside The Actor's Studio.
I didn't know the story at all, apart from some hasty digestion of the basic gist which was subsequently immediately forgotten, so I can't say to have fully appreciated the show for all its merits. What I can vouch for though, is a generalised report that this was a first-rate production and it showed in every aspect.
One was most taken by the set design. At once basic and sparse yet ironically grand and oppulent, it started with an intimate interior from which candles in kerosene lamp shields were suspended from high while hurricane lantern enclosed ones were arranged on a dual set of giant swings and in the background, more votives glowed. This gave way to an atmospheric doom-laden gloom as voluminous storm clouds hung threateningly in the backsplash. The lighter mood of Bohemia had a celestial wash of cloud-littered sky which in turn blushed as day passed into night.
While I could not catch every line, both for unfamiliarity and for my distance, as the story progressed, one was subconsciously sucked into the vortex. There were many sight gags that helped one along. The bear was played to perfection and the masterstroke in combining action and lighting served up a very frightening and real aspect. In one bawdy routine, balloons of appropriate shapes and sizes were bandied about with sexual innuendo.
Inevitably, I commit the same sin as everyone else and come to Mr Hawke. Yes, treading the boards is a challenge for him and kudos for his success. However, that he played a fancy-free and irreverent con may have discounted his actual art. That said, he does play a mean guitar and has quite a singing voice. And have I mentioned how devilishly handsome he is? Lucky I didn't buy front row seats or I wouldn't have been able to concentrate at all!