PLAYS : The Plough and the Stars
I went and saw this at the Barbican, and the first thing that struck me was the voluptuous set; criminally expensive - I mean they only used the centre, and I wouldn't be surprised if it cost as much as the actor's wages. The set for Head/Case was really good, very simple with simply a door, a sofa and a bed. The blue wash walls were used to good effect with some ephemeral visions appearing on them - very creepy.
'nuff of that.
This play is written by an Irishman about the attempted Irish revolution back in 1916, at the time of the first world war when a lot of Irishman were dying for England. It starts by introducing many of the characters back in 1915 as the call is going out for volunteers to go to the war.
And what a lot of (annoying) characters there are! There are the two old bastards and their old woman friend (who goes on about death, in beautifully vivid language), the young revolutionary who's read one book and has memorised some big words, the witch next door and, most importantly, the central couple. If only the central couple was important! They disappear into the background as the other players do their stuff, removing much of the bite of the production (Oh, there's also a prostitute and a girl with consumption who, surprise surprise, dies).
I think the play is about a man who chooses his country, and honour in his friends eyes, over his loving wife and child, leading to their destruction. The script clouds this message with funny characters, unemotional deaths, distracting twists and bouts of insanity.
I just felt the play was out of date, written for an audience looking for a bit of fun, with maybe a little light drama to get my eyes tearing... but I can watch TV for that.
Some things I did like, in the pub scene there is a vitriolic call to arms being yelled outside - this is the 'blood will cleanse us' speech that called men to arms in WW1 - and the actor who is yelling it is invisible except for his shadow, projected 15 meters high onto the back wall of the pub. Looked great, especially as the actor struck poses reminiscent of propaganda posters of Germany, England and especially Russia.
It was educational though, teaching me about many events of the time, it helped that I had a programme to warm me up, and while I couldn't tell you know, ask me some questions and I can probably answer with a half-correct reply.
'nuff of that.
This play is written by an Irishman about the attempted Irish revolution back in 1916, at the time of the first world war when a lot of Irishman were dying for England. It starts by introducing many of the characters back in 1915 as the call is going out for volunteers to go to the war.
And what a lot of (annoying) characters there are! There are the two old bastards and their old woman friend (who goes on about death, in beautifully vivid language), the young revolutionary who's read one book and has memorised some big words, the witch next door and, most importantly, the central couple. If only the central couple was important! They disappear into the background as the other players do their stuff, removing much of the bite of the production (Oh, there's also a prostitute and a girl with consumption who, surprise surprise, dies).
I think the play is about a man who chooses his country, and honour in his friends eyes, over his loving wife and child, leading to their destruction. The script clouds this message with funny characters, unemotional deaths, distracting twists and bouts of insanity.
I just felt the play was out of date, written for an audience looking for a bit of fun, with maybe a little light drama to get my eyes tearing... but I can watch TV for that.
Some things I did like, in the pub scene there is a vitriolic call to arms being yelled outside - this is the 'blood will cleanse us' speech that called men to arms in WW1 - and the actor who is yelling it is invisible except for his shadow, projected 15 meters high onto the back wall of the pub. Looked great, especially as the actor struck poses reminiscent of propaganda posters of Germany, England and especially Russia.
It was educational though, teaching me about many events of the time, it helped that I had a programme to warm me up, and while I couldn't tell you know, ask me some questions and I can probably answer with a half-correct reply.
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