Such a wonderfully problematic play. The problems stem from the realism of the piece. It cannot be performed in a way as to not make it Shavian in thaSuch a wonderfully problematic play. The problems stem from the realism of the piece. It cannot be performed in a way as to not make it Shavian in that it relies on the creation of real situations to relay its message which is one around the hypocrisy of religion and business; in that they accept manipulation in effort to get their gains or their souls. It asks the question is it worth soiling oneself to achieve holiness? Can you still be holy? But the title is a misnomer. This play is not really about Major Barbara. She is a woman swept up by the decisions of the men around her. She is carried along by outward demonstration. Could an expressionist focus on her as a subject to Cusins and Undershaft be a worthwhile production? I am not sure. However, I enjoy the message of the piece and that's why I like it. It is a bias of mine to give it as high a rating as I did when I know this would be problematic to stage in any effectual way. ...more
This a bloated play at first, like most Shaw plays, the men mostly sychophants, but again a symptom of the age; the women are cold, forceful, but theyThis a bloated play at first, like most Shaw plays, the men mostly sychophants, but again a symptom of the age; the women are cold, forceful, but they have been forced to become so. The history of this play is one that because it was banned for much of Shaw's life it has taken on a relevatory, worshipful life. Does it deserve it? In parts it does, however some of Shaw's plays do a better job at creating well rounded characters in all roles. Pygmalion for instance. This play has two fantastic roles, vivy and warren, a shavian cliche in Frank, a down right villain, because he is a naked capitalist, in Crofts but the other characters are nothing. Praed gets the shortist shift here not developing beyond a mechanical. This play is unfinished in my opinion. ...more
Oh boy. This is a beautiful play. One that would be a real struggle to stage now a days. Not only because the cast is huge, but the amount of realism Oh boy. This is a beautiful play. One that would be a real struggle to stage now a days. Not only because the cast is huge, but the amount of realism that it requires. But it is so wonderfully detailed that I would love the challenge. ...more
Sometimes you read a play that should not be a play. Usually, it's a TV pilot or film script that should not be in the theatre; there's no need for itSometimes you read a play that should not be a play. Usually, it's a TV pilot or film script that should not be in the theatre; there's no need for it to be live. Occasionally, like this play, it's a script that should be novel. I've seen a production of this and now read it and I come away with the same conclusion; it's boring. The characters are little better then mouth pieces. There's a lot of talking in chairs, little dramatic action. If Stppard wanted to write a thesis on ideas, mathimatical transience, and the problem of academic conjecture, he should have. But as a paly it's empty, long, and myopic. ...more
This is a fascinating play. One who'd legacy has become more complex because of the musical which takes most of the teeth from the original and mires This is a fascinating play. One who'd legacy has become more complex because of the musical which takes most of the teeth from the original and mires the feminist soul in sentimentality. Higgens is the horrific ending of an academic driven life. Shaw's darkside. Cold to human relationships. A pragmatist. While the idealism of Eliza makes her an attractive heroine but one that is left without feet. There is likely an intentional parallel between this play and Ibsen's Dollhouse. Eliza goes through many of the actions that Nora does. The ending is not great. The final lines of Higgens almost want a sequel. Shaw provides one in his writings but it's as unsatisfying as the play's central problems. But it is this vaguery that makes this piece so fascinating. It's a shame that modern productions are weighted down by the sentimentalism and anti-feminism of the musical. It makes it difficult to find a compelling modern perspective that is not informed by Lerner and Lowe. ...more
This is at a core it's core a play about vanity. Each character is self obsessed. Sex is an act of sustenance or conquest of desires. Love is a fleetiThis is at a core it's core a play about vanity. Each character is self obsessed. Sex is an act of sustenance or conquest of desires. Love is a fleeting emotion that arises and collapses in sin. A neat play to consider with a gem of supporting character in Foppington - but I have trouble seeing a modern production that does not become an excercise in scholastics. If this play were to produced in an interesting way, I'd think it would have to be rewritten and updated. ...more
This is the first Noel Coward I've read. I'm not impressed. It's a dated play. Ver much a good show for Summerstock or a place where the old men are fThis is the first Noel Coward I've read. I'm not impressed. It's a dated play. Ver much a good show for Summerstock or a place where the old men are falling to sleep and their wives are just happy to be there. The wit is present, but tired, and often speaking to another generation. What is fascinating in the play is the central vision of the afterlife. An atheistic, beurocratic, muddled extension of the life. Paper work and waiting in lines. There'd be some interesting stagecraft in the ending of this play. I'd like to see that realized. ...more
The logical progression from "When Wendy Grew Up," is this play. There is melancholia in this play that would be difficult to capitalize onstage. The The logical progression from "When Wendy Grew Up," is this play. There is melancholia in this play that would be difficult to capitalize onstage. The role of Mary Rose is strange to say the least. On the one hand it's an outdated rendering of a woman, on the other it is stagnated character by plot creation. The play's realism and magic make this a wonderful and complex piece. Seen in the context of the myth of the Fae, and not the fairies of Barrie's Pan, this story is right on pitch. But how could it be performed? ...more
This play is a play of its time. Out of that context the play would lose something. It was written only a few years before the suffragette movement anThis play is a play of its time. Out of that context the play would lose something. It was written only a few years before the suffragette movement and anticipates some of those arguments coming down the tubes. We might look back at this piece and say "oh what misogynist tripe." But in it's day, Barrie's suggestion that women might have minds, that they might leave a lasting impact on the world, these things are startling points for the popular stage. The Scottish bashing and not bashing is feature of the play that makes it less palatable but again it's a play of its time. ...more
I can say I've read it now. And I hated it. There is something troubling about the concept of play in this production. It's a play at station. Very muI can say I've read it now. And I hated it. There is something troubling about the concept of play in this production. It's a play at station. Very much is it a glimpse into a time and place. But the fact that this story has become a modern phenomenon scares me to no end. There is a delusional violence that underpins this story. Peter Pan is mercurial tyrant at times. The Character of Wendy is horribly abused. And Michael and John become trapped in Fae. If this play was looked at through the older bacchanalian lens of Fae, I think this play could be amazing. A psychedelic wormhole that over takes everyone. But playing it as twee... scares me. Although "Split my infinitives...' and most things about Hook are hilarious. ...more
Barrie has said this played like a comedy to it's original audience. But in the modern world this could easily be seen as a tragedy. It's rich, and frBarrie has said this played like a comedy to it's original audience. But in the modern world this could easily be seen as a tragedy. It's rich, and frightening look at class structure In Edwardian England. ...more
How can authenticity be discovered? I found myself thinking this while reading the play. This play feels inauthentic, like Simpson is trying to emulatHow can authenticity be discovered? I found myself thinking this while reading the play. This play feels inauthentic, like Simpson is trying to emulate writers better then him. It doesn't work. It hangs so where between farcical comedy and parody. It's not a play of Theatre of the absurd. There's too much logic. It's perhaps a play parodying absurdity. ...more
A consummate, witty, if juvenile early farce. All the notes are here. You'll find a model here that will get thrown out the window when Ionesco and BeA consummate, witty, if juvenile early farce. All the notes are here. You'll find a model here that will get thrown out the window when Ionesco and Beckett get a hold of it later. ...more
It's very much a well constructed farce, and would be a wonder to see staged. It's an impossible read but it's not meant to be read. It's very much a well constructed farce, and would be a wonder to see staged. It's an impossible read but it's not meant to be read. ...more
There's a lot of very interesting conversations in this. However, it hangs on very thin 2-dimensional characters. I found the character Nadia to be a There's a lot of very interesting conversations in this. However, it hangs on very thin 2-dimensional characters. I found the character Nadia to be a shell, and Phillip, and Oliver are just mouthpieces for a playwright that really wants to make a political treatise. I donot think Hare delves into the political connection in enough in these characters. I come away thinking "Nihilism" comes out of missing one's lover--- that is exactly the kind of thing an "innocent" might say. This play is far too simple. It feeds the audience thoughts they already think. Here's a playwright who is nursing you a long. However, there's one or two wonderful thoughts on Iraq but absolutely no sense of humour. ...more
