A MAN FOR ALL SEASONS - First Preview Thoughts — Page 2

I agree with wickedrocks that the only actors worth noting are Langella and Page...the rest were not very good.

...and yes, EQUUS is absolutely worth full price...

(i love how i'm turning every thread on this board into an "i love equus" thread)

Was anyone else freezing their ass off in there? I couldn't feel my hands by the end! But i liked it alot, though it does need ALOT of cleaning up.

Yes, it was FREEZING in there...

I will agree with those who found the play difficult to read.

I did find the movie version very enjoyable though. It moved much faster for me.

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I also attended the first preview and YES I was freezing! Thank God I brought a sweatshirt!

I'm a big Tudor history enthusiast so I was really excited about this though I'll admit I have never actually read/seen the play or the film its based on.

And I'll agree with everyone else that it feels long and slow. The outside board said it would only be 2 1/2 hours with intermission but it was more closer to 3. Langella is very brilliant and I do expect a Tony nod for this performance. However due to the flaws that others mentioned you find yourself not caring all that much which is a shame because Langella is just wonderful in the role.

I thought Patrick Page brought light to another wise dull act with his one short scene. Seriously it was like a breath of fresh air when he came onstage (which fits so extremely well with his character) and I wish that he had gotten more to do.

The only other notable performances I felt were Maryann Plunkett as More's wife Alice and to a lesser extent Zach Grenier as Cromwell but I only really liked him in Act 2.

The set design I thought was very well done with the use of pseudo Tudor era architectural design. And the costumes were absolutely gorgeous!!

Things went well for a first preview I thought. I thought I had more issues with the play itself when I left than the actual production but by some of the reviews that have been posted it seems like it might not be that entirely.

It was good, I only paid $10, but I don't think I'd pay full price on it.

Updated On: 9/13/08 at 12:11 AM

They list the times of each act in the lobby. Act One was around an hour, Act Two was about an hour and twenty minutes.

<< The show itself is very flawed and repetetive and at times excruciatingly slow>>

Totally agree !! Just got back, and I dont remember ever looking at my watch so many times. The running time was closer to 2:30 (rather than the 3 hrs that was mentioned), but at times it felt like it was longer than "August: OC" !!

Page was VERY good, but not on stage enough. To me, he stole the scene that he shared with Langella. Langella was excellent as usual, but not spectacular.

Was glad that I only paid the $10 !

I actually really like the play, especially the second act where the pace really picks up. I was very emotionally involved and ****possible spoiler***** the scene where More's family visits him in prison killed me.

I can't rave enough about Langella's performance. I really felt like I was watching a master at work. His transformation from wealthy nobleman to run down prisoner was amazing. It was a joy watching an actor so fully commit to a character that the work seemed effortless. He remained true to himself without ever coming across as preachy or self-righteous. Simply brilliant work!!

The first act could move along a little more quickly, and some of the supporting actors need to grow into their roles a bit, but overall the production was solid. Due to Langella's performance I would wholeheartedly recommend this to anyone and will probably see it again myself after it opens.

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Oh, and what was up with that music?

Were we on safari in Kenya?? Look, an elephant!!!

Every scene ended with BOOM! chimes!! drums!!

Completely wrong for the period.

To echo everyone else, the theatre was freezing... and didn't really help to keep me awake when I started nodding off in the first act. But I was completely enthralled with the second act and was on the edge of my seat the whole time.

WiCkEDrOcKs: I personally liked her, but she really didn't impress me until the prison scene. I thought she was great in that scene but that's just my opinion.

Did anyone feel like Triney Sandoval, playing the Spanish guy, was performing a completely different play than the rest of them? It was like he walked out of a 19th century French farce or something.

"Did anyone feel like Triney Sandoval, playing the Spanish guy, was performing a completely different play than the rest of them? It was like he walked out of a 19th century French farce or something."

My friend leaned over to me and said "I am Aldolpho!" I started laughing...there was a resemblance.