The audience needs to believe that there's a meeting of equals between Grace and the Queen when she's presenting the plight of Ireland and you're not meeting an 'equal' or anyone near that level when for three quarters of the performance, we've been hearing a constant mockery of the English.
That's a good point, and I believe that's what the Queen's awakening moments are supposed to capture. Her isolation. However, it may take a solid grounding in court history (and at least, a viewing of Marie Antoinette) to make that connection, and the chirping dancing things did not help.
Perhaps if the role were completely rewritten and recast... I mean, despite what I said about England being a natural villain of its oppressed nations, it doesn't have to be a stupid one. Or a weak one. Somber and dark and complex is preferable. Perhaps the court scenes are meant as contrast? Or comedic relief?
The chirping dancing things - either the Ladies-in-Waiting, or else, the Ministers of her Court. Both sets of ensembles are... meh.
Seriously though - the storyline/story arc is feeling a bit like a bunch of wet paper towels - sturdy looking but definitely doesn't hold up under a watchful eye. B&S need to pick a storyline and stick with it.
Stop trying to hammer us with the fact that Grace O'Malley has balls and can out-fight/out-think/out-do the men in her life. I'd be almost expecting that she not only gave birth and then went out to fight a battle against the English but that her birthing process was a one-woman operation - I am my own (mid-)wife! she was that good. O+o;
And for the love of small fishes and children that kick and bite, don't go trawling through an old trunk of songs for inspiration and chord progressions. It's embarrassing that even the non-(Les Mis or Miss Saigon) theatre-goer would be able to pick out those songs... O+O
That's a good point, and I believe that's what the Queen's awakening moments are supposed to capture. Her isolation. However, it may take a solid grounding in court history (and at least, a viewing of Marie Antoinette) to make that connection, and the chirping dancing things did not help.
Perhaps if the role were completely rewritten and recast... I mean, despite what I said about England being a natural villain of its oppressed nations, it doesn't have to be a stupid one. Or a weak one. Somber and dark and complex is preferable. Perhaps the court scenes are meant as contrast? Or comedic relief?
The chirping dancing things - either the Ladies-in-Waiting, or else, the Ministers of her Court. Both sets of ensembles are... meh.
Seriously though - the storyline/story arc is feeling a bit like a bunch of wet paper towels - sturdy looking but definitely doesn't hold up under a watchful eye. B&S need to pick a storyline and stick with it.
Stop trying to hammer us with the fact that Grace O'Malley has balls and can out-fight/out-think/out-do the men in her life. I'd be almost expecting that she not only gave birth and then went out to fight a battle against the English but that her birthing process was a one-woman operation - I am my own (mid-)wife! she was that good. O+o;
And for the love of small fishes and children that kick and bite, don't go trawling through an old trunk of songs for inspiration and chord progressions. It's embarrassing that even the non-(Les Mis or Miss Saigon) theatre-goer would be able to pick out those songs... O+O
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