I found the play to be absolutely okay. I am trying to sort the difference between what was me being absolutely drained from the day, and what was me not enjoying the performance. I suppose let’s start with the basics. I was sitting in the house right on the balcony level. I was obstructed from seeing a quarter of the stage due to the walls of the theatre and others in front of me. It immediately set a bad mood for the play. While I didn’t miss a lot of action Down Stage Left it seems, it still changed the way I was able to view the play.
The set was quite large. Which was interesting for the setting of the play which was supposed to be quite small and crammed. Was the use of the lighting on stage was interesting? Perhaps, it certainly was different seeing some of the lights physically on stage. Unfortunately I personally didn’t like it. The lights turned on in moments that captured the “dreamlike” sense of the play. But it felt a bit forced, like they were shouting in your face “THIS IS THE DREAM SEQUENCE PART, LOOK AT THESE LIGHTS WE PUT ON STAGE DO YOU GET IT?”
I feel as though I should clarify. I have discovered through the analysis and now a performance, that I do not like this play. Part of it comes from the choices of the characters, and part of it comes from the writing itself. It is a sad play that doesn’t resolve. It ends with everything in shambles, worse than how the play starts. While many shows follow that same line of progression, this show leaves a bad taste in my mouth and ends in a depressing way that screams hopelessness.
The audience really only emoted all together less than 5 times. A couple of chuckles in the first half, and not much else for the remainder of the show.
British shows and humor I have found to be very dry, something this show is not.. It actually is so full I would say it’s flooding. And due to it taking place in America in the 1930’s with references to decades past, I just don’t think that the British people enjoyed it very much. Or if they did, it was in a subtle manner that was impossible to survey.
I shall end this play review with a review of the British ladies that sat next to us for the first half of the show. They were terrible. When attempting to pass by and walk past they would not say a single word. They would push and shove like children who were restricted by a leash backpack. They stepped on our feet and kicked and stomped on Leah’s bag without asking for it to be moved. There were no apologies and no remorse. A simple “hey would you mind scooting back so I could get by”. None of that. Only childlike behavior. I’m glad they didn’t come back for the second half, good riddance and I hope you disliked your play experience.
Theatre in London U of A 