Being my usual cynical self, I was not expecting to enjoy my evening. I feel like we have had that attitude about all the shows... anyone else think so? But as always, the response to the show was tremendous. As the curtains went up and actors decked out in lab coats, doctor paraphernalia and masks with fake noses and mustaches came out, a wave of shock came over the audience. What had we gotten ourselves into?
The director made some great choices! This was not an "old-school" show in the least! The actors had been well trained to speak the older language without any effort and it came across very natural and modern. I was very surprised by this. Generally, whenever old language is used in a show, no matter how well acquainted the actors are with the script, it is quite clear that they are not speaking as they normally feel comfortable. Nothing speech wise was awkward of foreign, and that was a nice surprise.
The use of costumes was awesome. The maid of the house was in an almost dominatrix Gothic outfit and the daughter was dressed as an eight year old in the 80's. Nothing was plane or boring and the director had a great vision to work with! I also appreciated that the set never changed. It would have been just as plausible to have movable set pieces to be different rooms in the house, but by choosing to keep everything in one center room of the house, those pesky set changes were done away with completely, always a big point winner with me!
The blocking in this show really made it out to be the comedy it is! There was so much physical comedy and added so much energy and humor to the show. The actors fully committed to looming like an idiot at times, clearly shown by the dance numbers! Those decisions made by the director to have a rap song in a classic play are the decisions that ultimately either make or break a show. In many cases that would have come across as awkward, painful and one of those performances that make the audience very uncomfortable. But the director pulled it off, with the help of the outstanding cast. Props to all involved!
~Emily McEnany
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4 comments:
I liked the maid's costume, also. The lack of set changes made it so much better. It kept from having these hurdles to jump in order to keep the energy and story going.
You mentioned that the set pieces, I was talking with my daughter about the table seemed to be the only piece in the set that did not fit in. It was a cheap table that did not go with the expensive look of everything else. "the toilet was even gold"! However, my duaghter said, "but it made its point"! We didn't need an expensive desk to know that it meant the same. I then told her she may be right and that purhaps the reason for this is moveability.
Nice post Emily.
The other thing was that the set was covered with cloth to look like wood design, which I think was a brilliant choice.
That opening threw me for a loop too. But it was 100% hilarious! I agree that the director made some really good choices. I love shows that do crazy things like this (provided they work, as these certainly did). They add the spice that every show needs.
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