The Way of the World...

[fajrdrako]

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.

Comments

[gillo]

I saw it in the early 80s in London, with Maggie Smith as Millamant. Wonderful stuff. Restoration comedy is so raunchy and silly and cynical, all at once.

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

That must have been loads of fun! I'd like to see a more traditional production sometime.

[w1lliams75.livejournal.com]

Much appreciated

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

Good!

[meret.livejournal.com]

I'm glad you had a good time. :)

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

It was great! I do love live theatre.

[walkingowl.livejournal.com]

Ahh! You have done it! Your first outing!!! I am so proud of you.

And, simultaneously...: Holy Toledo!! You saw one of my favorite plays of all time, and someone actually managed to stage it wonderfully! I am so incredibly envious...!

...wow, that wore me out.

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

I didn't know it was one of your favourite plays. Do you know a lot of Restoration plays?

[walkingowl.livejournal.com]

Hi! You're here. I'm borrowing the WiFi signal of a local establishment, on my way to the store to get hot dogs and stuff for a mini-picnic on Monday at work (it's Memorial Day in these parts, and the few of us who volunteered to work our holiday are going to have a nice time).

Yes, The Way of the World. I read it, with extensive glosses, and loved it. I never thought (I was 19, what did I know about theatre!) it could be adequately staged! I like the idea of the staging you mention.

I don't know the name of the era as "Restoration," but that's because I'm not a citizen of the Commonwealth... but, yes, I liked that era of literature. One of my undergraduate degrees is in English -- grammar and literature, basically. I was too young when I took those classes to appreciate all of it the way I do now, re-reading the stuff. I used to know a lot more of it than I can recall right now. This was 30 years ago, after all. Alas.

Where did you see this play?

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

I'm borrowing the WiFi signal of a local establishment, on my way to the store to get hot dogs

How cool - and how hi-tech! Well done.

I never thought (I was 19, what did I know about theatre!) it could be adequately staged!

Why not?

I don't know the name of the era as "Restoration," but that's because I'm not a citizen of the Commonwealth

What do Americans call it? Isn't "Restoration" what they called it themselves? (I ask out of ignorance... I always assumed it was.)

Where did you see this play?

At the National Arts Centre.

[walkingowl.livejournal.com]

< I'm borrowing the WiFi signal of a local establishment, on my way to the store to get hot dogs >

How cool - and how hi-tech! Well done.

Thanks! Yes, I feel quite pleased with myself. The library has odd hours for the summer sessions, and the computer lab seems to not be open at all right now... luckily, SHeila fixed up my little laptop like a dream, made it safe as can be, and that's what I'm using. Only drawbacks: battery life, and no way to print.

< I never thought (I was 19, what did I know about theatre!) it could be adequately staged! >

Why not?

Too many long, long, cleverly-crafted speeches. As soon as I gt the chance I'm going to stop by Gray's Used Books and see if I can get a copy. Highly cool to have a former English professor running the only used book store in town! hee

< I don't know the name of the era as "Restoration," but that's because I'm not a citizen of the Commonwealth >

What do Americans call it? Isn't "Restoration" what they called it themselves? (I ask out of ignorance... I always assumed it was.)

Well... confessing I just don't remember what the era was called. Clearly it did not make an impact on me at the time, so the term slipped my memory. "Restoration" would not have meant much to me then, as I knew very little English history... was at the time obsessed with prehistory, and with American colonial-era history (still am, but I"ve absorbed a lot of that and now can branch out!). I'll let you know, when I find out. If the book I get was printed in America, well... there you go, it'll have the American term!

[Error: Irreparable invalid markup ('<where [...] play?>') in entry. Owner must fix manually. Raw contents below.]

<i> < I'm borrowing the WiFi signal of a local establishment, on my way to the store to get hot dogs >

How cool - and how hi-tech! Well done. </i>

Thanks! Yes, I feel quite pleased with myself. The library has odd hours for the summer sessions, and the computer lab seems to not be open at all right now... luckily, SHeila fixed up my little laptop like a dream, made it safe as can be, and that's what I'm using. Only drawbacks: battery life, and no way to print.

<i> < I never thought (I was 19, what did I know about theatre!) it could be adequately staged! >

Why not?</i>

Too many long, long, cleverly-crafted speeches. As soon as I gt the chance I'm going to stop by Gray's Used Books and see if I can get a copy. Highly cool to have a former English professor running the only used book store in town! hee

<i> < I don't know the name of the era as "Restoration," but that's because I'm not a citizen of the Commonwealth >

What do Americans call it? Isn't "Restoration" what they called it themselves? (I ask out of ignorance... I always assumed it was.)</i>

Well... confessing I just don't remember what the era was called. Clearly it did not make an impact on me at the time, so the term slipped my memory. "Restoration" would not have meant much to me then, as I knew very little English history... was at the time obsessed with prehistory, and with American colonial-era history (still am, but I"ve absorbed a lot of that and now can branch out!). I'll let you know, when I find out. If the book I get was printed in America, well... there you go, it'll have the American term!

</i> <Where did you see this play? >

At the National Arts Centre.</i>

Wow, and wow. You <i>did</i> make a major trip out, there! Good for you times ten!

How did it go? Did you lose energy partway through it? Or are you healing past the quick-onset-exhaustion phase?