David Mamet's BITTER WHEAT to premiere in London with Malkovich

http://www.playbill.com/article/john-malkovich-to-star-in-new-david-mamet-play-bitter-wheat

So...how do we feel about this? My preliminary thoughts:

What is a David Mamet play inspired by the Harvey Weinstein accusations going to look like? Mamet is known for being a hardcore conservative who has been accused of misogyny in many of his plays. In Oleanna, also written as a response to sexual misconduct accusations (in that case, those against Clarence Thomas), he clearly sides with the accused. Granted, that play premiered 27 years ago, but has he changed his tune?

Also, what the F is up with the title? I know he likes absurd titles, but come on.

Updated On: 1/29/19 at 02:37 PM

This is probably the last writer I'd want to approach this- other than Neil LaBute, I suppose.

I assume he'll delight in taking down what was once a major liberal figure. But who knows? Pretty much everything he's written in the last decade has been downright bad, produced only because he's Mamet.

The press release plot summary is bizarre and self-important.

Let's hope Malkovich doesn't suffer the fate of Pacino. I'm not persuaded Mamet is the best director of his writing.

I tired of listening to old white men ranting quite a few years ago.

zainmax said: "Wonder why it's being done in the UK and not U.S?"

Glengarry Glen Ross originally debuted in the UK

devonian.t said: "Let's hope Malkovich doesn't suffer the fate of Pacino. I'm not persuaded Mamet is the best director of his writing."

China Doll was directed by Pam MacKinnon although I think Mamet was heavily involved. Count me as another who actually enjoyed it once I woke up for Act 2.

I personally don't care if it's good or not, being part of the audience of something this controversial and odd "Written AND directed by" this polarising figure with this cast seems like a must-see event. In fact, the more of a trainwreck the better.

I want one more good Mamet play before he retires/dies.

I never thought he had one good play to begin with. Style over substance. No more Mamet anything would be preferable.

Finally about to see this. What I find interesting though is at tube stations and on twitter their current marketing says

"You can't be outraged if you haven't seen it yet. So book your seat today for a performance unlike any other with #BitterWheat."

Is this the first show that has ever tried to capitalise on negative word of mouth? It's an interesting strategy.

qolbinau said: "Finally about to see this. What I find interesting though is at tube stations and on twitter their current marketing says

"You can't be outraged if you haven't seen it yet. So book your seat today for a performance unlike any other with #BitterWheat."

Is this the first show that has ever tried to capitalise on negative word of mouth? It's an interesting strategy."

I don't know about theatre, but when that terrible Travolta movie where he played John Gotti came out, the marketing for the film capitalized on the 0% on Rotten Tomatoes and pointed out the 90% audience score, when it came out later they made up hundreds of fake accounts to fix the vote.