The Recruiting Officer

[lucybun]

Saw this yesterday, and it was just a wonderful experience. The Donmar, the theatre where it's showing, only holds 250 people. So, the actors are so close that it's almost like you can reach out and touch them. There is also a lot of breaking of the fourth wall because it is such an intimate setting. The actors were all really excellent. Of course, Mark Gatiss was the best thing on two legs. However, Rachel Stirling (I'm a big fan of hers) and Tobias Menzies were both outstanding too. The play is funny, truly funny. A lot of theatre and literature from that period is funny in an almost stately way. I think of that as humour that makes me say Oh, that's funny rather than humour that actually makes me laugh. Not here, though. It's actually quite funny and translates rather well. Mackenzie Crook got all Johnny Depp in Pirates with his character, but he did a good job with it.

Also, Vinette Robinson was sitting directly in front of me during the play. I did an internal squee the moment I saw her, but did not gawp. At least I don't think so. I also didn't thump her ear (which was about 10 inches away) because I dislike Sally Donovan so. I managed to keep a firm grasp on reality... which isn't always the case. Not that it matters particularly, but she is quite beautiful in person. She also laughed uproariously at all of Mark Gatiss' antics onstage, which I found to be rather sweet.

So, I was on a total Sherlockian buzz all day yesterday. It was rather awesome.