Yet another theatre post but I'm Not Happy
Well, that's two hours of my life I won't get back. My opinion on Be Near Me at Donmar is exactly three words: Don't. Just Don't.
Ian McDiarmid was brilliant in the part, but I wish the actor McDiarmid had told the playwright McDiarmid to shove his fanboy fawning someplace suitably dark and worry about making the story flow. The first half was dull as dishwater and meandered all over the place (and I'm not sure but I think they even managed to discuss Iraq, but I was half asleep at that point). The second half was much better - Blythe Duff carried a thankless role really well - but was let down by some dodgy or downright peculiar acting choices. The seafood soup looked good though.
I used to have a few simple rules about 'London theatre' subsection 'how, when and what to buy':
1. Never, ever go for the evening performance after a matinee. A few (presumably masochistic) actors perk up in the second performance but most of them have the zest of dead poultry.
2. Anything with Guy Henry in it is excellent. Not necessarily five star, but good.
3. Or Fiona Shaw (well, duh).
4. Or Oliver Ford Davies.
5. When considering a play with a Big Name Actor, always check that the poor sod has seen the inside of a theatre within the past five years. Or ever.
6. Avoid unreserved bench seating at all cost. Also avoid reserved bench seating or bring a pillow. And Donmar balcony row C is not designed for humans use. Giant praying mantises perhaps, but not human-shaped creatures.
7. RSC Shakespeare excellent. RSC everything else doubtful.
8. Old Vic dodgy.
9. Almeida and Donmar (almost) always brilliant.
Okay, that's quite a few rules and there are a few more that escape me at the moment, but my point stands: Donmar used to have a well-deserved reputation for brilliant theatre (Ewan McGregor mangling Iago excepted). Alas, no more. The A-list Donmar at Wyndham has been good so far although I'm hearing strange rumblings about their upcoming Jude Law Hamlet. B-list Donmar at Covent Garden is best approached with caution. I've been terribly disappointed twice now. I'm still hopeful about the upcoming Doug Hodge project as well as their production of A Doll's House. I'll be there but I won't be surprise if I end up having a two hour nap on a hard bench...which is also why I'll be bringing a pillow.
Ian McDiarmid was brilliant in the part, but I wish the actor McDiarmid had told the playwright McDiarmid to shove his fanboy fawning someplace suitably dark and worry about making the story flow. The first half was dull as dishwater and meandered all over the place (and I'm not sure but I think they even managed to discuss Iraq, but I was half asleep at that point). The second half was much better - Blythe Duff carried a thankless role really well - but was let down by some dodgy or downright peculiar acting choices. The seafood soup looked good though.
I used to have a few simple rules about 'London theatre' subsection 'how, when and what to buy':
1. Never, ever go for the evening performance after a matinee. A few (presumably masochistic) actors perk up in the second performance but most of them have the zest of dead poultry.
2. Anything with Guy Henry in it is excellent. Not necessarily five star, but good.
3. Or Fiona Shaw (well, duh).
4. Or Oliver Ford Davies.
5. When considering a play with a Big Name Actor, always check that the poor sod has seen the inside of a theatre within the past five years. Or ever.
6. Avoid unreserved bench seating at all cost. Also avoid reserved bench seating or bring a pillow. And Donmar balcony row C is not designed for humans use. Giant praying mantises perhaps, but not human-shaped creatures.
7. RSC Shakespeare excellent. RSC everything else doubtful.
8. Old Vic dodgy.
9. Almeida and Donmar (almost) always brilliant.
Okay, that's quite a few rules and there are a few more that escape me at the moment, but my point stands: Donmar used to have a well-deserved reputation for brilliant theatre (Ewan McGregor mangling Iago excepted). Alas, no more. The A-list Donmar at Wyndham has been good so far although I'm hearing strange rumblings about their upcoming Jude Law Hamlet. B-list Donmar at Covent Garden is best approached with caution. I've been terribly disappointed twice now. I'm still hopeful about the upcoming Doug Hodge project as well as their production of A Doll's House. I'll be there but I won't be surprise if I end up having a two hour nap on a hard bench...which is also why I'll be bringing a pillow.