As an American Abroad, the arts abound with an assortment of artistic aberrations from the average as I’ve come to know them and oof now I’m tired of this gimmick. Basically, the British way of theatre has its merit, that is to be sure, but there are times when stylistic choice (and the issues to be found in the Glass Menagerie are most certainly of the directorial decisions variety) does not mesh well with the material.
I will say flat out, as a memory play, there is to be much haze to the feeling of the play, as is the nature of the human mind. With that said, I fully do not understand some of the choices made on the stage. From the nearly completely blank center stage, to the bristlingly full outer edge of the stage…..which is all but completely ignored throughout the production, to the biggest offense of all….. the directing of the actors leading to a disconnect not congruent to a family in distress but a cast on the brink of aimlessness, there were far too many decisions made with this production that did not mesh well with the show itself.
This was a production of high quality and prestige, do not get me wrong, and having sat at the stage door after, I heard well the audiences’ opinion. The Reviews seem to agree with me on some points but flatly disagree with others. The lighting is adored, but the stage is seen as too large and impersonal. the disconnect is felt, but the set dressing goes unmentioned.
What can be said on all fronts is the stylistic choice to make this slice of Americana seem wistfully optimistic is a poor one. While it remains a dreadful look into the cultural pains present in many an American household, the memories are almost seen fondly, the characters harder to pity, the slime of the underbelly cleaned off. Almost as if the character played by Amy Adams is the one who’s eyes we see the world through, instead of the most bitter of her two children as it’s written and meant to be played.
A strange meshing of British and American culture, and it seems to disappoint both parties….. almost pitiable like the characters eh?
Well… at least Amy Adams was nice.
Theatre in London U of A 