The Way of the World...

On Tuesday I went to see The Way of the World with commodorified and auriaephiala, thanks to auriaephiala's kindness and generosity.

Beforehand, I was terrified. I was picturing the huge expanses of lobby I would have to cross - and fearing sitting upright in a public place for more than three hours. Could I endure it?

I am well aware that fear is the greatest of all evils, and there is nothing (much) to fear but fear itself. Everything went fine. It was great fun talking to them both, and the play was terrific - worth seeing for the costumes alone. Besides, I've never seen or even read a Congreve play. No, never. And I was totally unfamiliar with this one. (And may well read the whole text here).

Yes, it's cynical - but they managed to put a spin on the ending that delighted my uber-romantic heart. The actor who played Mirabell (Mike Shara) reminded me, in many scenes, of Sebastian Spence - not a bad thing at all, especially in a glamorously dishevelled tux.

The costuming was amazing. Ignore the poster that shows a gentleman of 1700: this was done in the style of Christian Dior, The New Look, and very eye-catching. I overheard people sitting in front of me discussing Audrey Hepburn - well, yes, she did come to mind. Betty, the serving-girl in the club was dressed like a Playboy bunny.

I was most amused when one of the characters, Witwoud, said, "Hum, a hit, a hit, a palpable hit; I confess it." - yes, a century after Shakespeare. Some of the dialogue was deliciously witty but I haven't managed to remember any of it. The plot - well, it was a knot of deceptions and rather mercenary seductions into which everyone seemed to put rather a lot of effort for rather little return.