There can be many things that can surprise an audience in theatre: shocking twists, a magnificent spectacle, perhaps even a nice piece of eye-candy in the form of an actor. But what can really raise some eyebrows (in a good way) is giving the audience something that far exceeds their expectations. For me, Frost/Nixon was a huge surprise of a play, it kept me hooked in from beginning to end, without me having to look at the time on my cell phone, as if to say, “Ugh…when is this going to be over?” This production had several aspects in its text that kept me interested while keeping a smile on my face.
I greatly appreciated the side commentary that was offered by Jim and the Chief of Staff. These little side narrations let me see the scene from a different person’s perspective and how they felt and thought during that current moment in time. Not only did these soliloquies put up alternate viewpoints, but they also offered bits of history that filled in a couple of blanks. This seriously helped to explain things to those of us who didn’t happen to be born during the Nixon era, or those of us who didn’t pay attention in our U.S. History classes when it came to the late 60’s-early 70’s.
When the script called for using TV interludes was a brilliant idea, as they, along with the aforementioned commentaries, helped paint a picture in the audience’s head as to what the Nixon era was like. Even if these intervals didn’t play a huge part in anything, they were still very fascinating in letting us see actual footage from events past. When an audience’s attention is kept in check by intriguing trifles such as these, they are able to stay with the story and understand the subtext, bit by bit.
I especially liked the development of Nixon’s character throughout the course of the play. Nixon progressively went from a sleazy, underhanded disgrace, to a drunken, sad, emotional mess of a man. The scene where Nixon calls up Frost in a drunken stupor best illustrates this, how in this inebriated state allowed his true emotions to come to the surface. Seeing this rare and different side of such an important character would make one want to look even deeper into what kind of person he actually was. When strong character development like this is made, it makes the text of the show all the more interesting and stimulating.
Originally, I had thought that anything connected with politics had to be dramatic, so I had prepared myself for 2+ hours of nothing but the doom and gloom of the Nixon era. But as the first uproars of laughter filled the auditorium, I immediately knew that this was nothing like what I’ve expected. That’s why I am amused by the fact that it’s a political comedy, it’s an oxymoron—politics seemed like they couldn’t ever be a part of comedy because one could never presume to attribute laughter with a legal situation.
~Chris McVey
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5 comments:
I really like how Nixon changed throughout the play as well. He made me like him more at the end. I was pleasantly surprised that he decided to tell the truth and basically give up at the end of the interview.
Heather Harlan
I remember the car ride over and us all talking about how we didn't think it was going to be very good because it is a political play. I agree that it was very pleasantly entertaining and I loved the jokes, even if personally I never had a history class that covered the 60's and 70's. And I did like the change in Nixon myself. Loved how he just accepted cheeseburgers being what him and Frost spoke of during the drunken phone call.
UGh, I wish I could agree with you all, but you know my opinion on this play. I do think that the guy who portrayed Nixon did well but needed a bigger nose. When they mentioned the cheeseburgers, I got so HUNGRY! well.. I am enjoying this blog but I dont think people will ever really change my opinion on this show. its still doomage.
The play had humor and drama, I agree there was strong character development, we see Nixon go from arrogance to pathetic as the play progresses. Frost also changes as the play progresses. Nancy
I liked how you brought up the fact that this was going to be about a play dealing with politic. I was looking at my phone as soon as I sat down wishing that it was over. I did not once through the entire play look at my phone or want to take a break from the play. unlike the louis at firt and main. I hated the fact that they were taking an intermission. It just made it drag on which meant that I had to sit there longer. Here I wasn't interested in anything outside the play itself.
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