Sheridan's The Critic, BBC, 1982

[rushthatspeaks]

I appear to have come in second in the reviewer category in Strange Horizons' reader's poll about 2012. Cool. Many congratulations to those who won, in all categories.

Spent large portions of this evening laughing, which was also pleasant.

Nineweaving, thirty years ago, happened to see on television a BBC production of Richard Sheridan's The

Comments

[steepholm]

I absolutely adore that play! And I saw it first in the very same production, thirty years ago. (A few years later I saw an equally wonderful version at the National Theatre, with Ian McKellen as Puff - glorious.)

My favourite jewels, to add to your store: the implausible exposition scene right at the beginning between Raleigh and Sir Christopher Hatton (and Hatton's dancing!). The three way Mexican stand-off between Whiskerandos, Tilburina (I think) and the Beefeater. Tilburina's speech about "all the finches of the grove". And of course, the passage that has meant that I can no longer watch the death of Hotspur without guffawing:

Whisk.: O cursed parry!--that last thrust in tierce
Was fatal.--Captain, thou hast fenced well!
And Whiskerandos quits this bustling scene
For all eter--
Beef.:--nity--he would have added, but stern death
Cut short his being, and the noun at once!

[nineweaving]

You lucky! Both productions? Clearly, a star danced at your birth.

Nine

[steepholm]

I remember I'd just come back from Paris with my friend, and we were exhausted and ferry-worn to the extent that I was seriously worried about falling asleep during the production. But I needn't have. The Critic was part of a double bill with The Real Inspector Hound, using the same cast in both - and much as we laughed at the Stoppard, Sheridan gave us rib-injuries.

I've heard it said that Buckingham's The Rehearsal is even better, but I find it hard to believe, and a kind of parti pris has kept me from reading it to find out.

ETA: Here's the cast list!

[nancylebov]

I do need to see this-- Springtime for Hitler simply wasn't bad enough.

[negothick]

I saw it at nine's, and can't thank rush enough for bringing it all back better (worse) than ever

[nineweaving]

I do need to see this-- Springtime for Hitler simply wasn't bad enough.

You do!

Nine

[lnhammer]

Clearly, given my tastes, I must see this. I wonder if nine can be convinced to cough up the full metadata, by way of making it easier to track down?

---L.

[sovay]

I wonder if nine can be convinced to cough up the full metadata, by way of making it easier to track down?

Looks like this to me. That's a great cast.

[nineweaving]

And both the long-suffering orchestra and the silly foreigners in pink wigs are played by the Academy of Ancient Music. As Rush noted, Emma Kirkby and her fellow soprano passed the Bechdel test merely with glances and fioriture.

Nine

[nineweaving]

Here. Region free, £3.99. From my new hero in Essex. Praise him with great praises! And order his stuff!

Glorious review. I had hysterics all over again.

Nine

[steepholm]

Thanks. I'll enjoy rewatching that with my mother, whom I also remember enjoying it in 1982.

[nineweaving]

Don't snack--it's a choking hazard. Enjoy!

Nine

[lnhammer]

Region free? Oh ho!

---L.

[nineweaving]

O gods! And the Ancient Britons (I think) in gold Viking helmets and froofy tulle bloomers. And the maypole...

That apotheosis of madness? Was derived from one short stage direction on the printed play:

[Flourish of drums, trumpets, cannon, &c., &'c. Scene changes to the sea-the fleets engage-the music plays-"Britons strike home."-Spanish fleet destroyed by fire-ships, &c.-English fleet advances-music plays, "Rule Britannia."-The procession of all the English rivers, and their tributaries, with their emblems, &c., begins with Handel's water music, ends with a chorus to the march in Judas' Maccabaeus.-During this scene, PUFF directs and applauds everything.]

Ex pede Herculem.

Nine