EXIT THE KING Reviews — Page 2

USA Today gives the show 3 1/2 Stars out of 4:

"This production, which opened Thursday at the Ethel Barrymore Theatre, features a new adaptation by director Neil Armfield and leading man Geoffrey Rush; Susan Sarandon co-stars as Queen Marguerite. Rush and Armfield have preserved the play's piquance while making its humor and soulfulness accessible to audience members who might not have rushed to see Ionesco done by lesser-known actors.

Reflecting on Berenger's record of oppression and mass murder, his loyal guard notes that executions were carried out "for national security." When the king tries to compel his distraught second wife, Queen Marie, to move toward him and she is literally paralyzed by his powerlessness, he demands, "Do Irish dancing. You don't need your arms!""

http://www.usatoday.com/life/theater/reviews/2009-03-26-exittheking_N.htm

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The Word of Mouth panelists all really enjoyed Rush and Co., and while they all agreed that the play is for certain tastes, their degree of enjoyment varied from person to person.

http://www.broadway.com/Broadway-com-VIDEO-ON-DEMAND-Word-Of-Mouth-Reviews/broadway_information_html/5015935

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Talkin Broadway is a Rave (he even likes Sarandon)

Opening paragraph:
"You?ve undoubtedly heard that your life flashes before your eyes when you die. Well, no one?s lived a greater life or faced brighter and more prolonged flashing in his terminal moments than King Berenger I, the ruler of creation and assorted environs. But despite governing the establishment of establishment and literally everything else under the sun, His Majesty has probably never seen the last chapter of his own story, written by Eugene Ionesco and titled Exit the King, portrayed with the tenacity, insanity, and astringent poignancy brought to it by the haunting new revival that just opened at the Barrymore."

Closing sentence:
"If you have to go, go out with a bang, and few shows right now bang louder than this Exit the King."

http://www.talkinbroadway.com/world/index.html

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BB's full review is up, and it's a rave:

"Every performance evokes a different style ? from the superb Ms. Martin?s addled, ratlike servant to the American dude-ishness of Mr. Hutchison?s soldier and the sideshow hucksterism of Mr. Sadler?s doctor. Yet somehow the disparities work, feeding our sense of the loneliness implicit in the very idea of individuality. Ms. Ambrose?s overripe emotionalism as the young queen who still loves her husband is the perfect counterpoint to the acerbic pragmatism in Ms. Sarandon?s sustained coolness (an approach that pays off in Marguerite?s overlong concluding monologue).

Mr. Rush?s ecstatically mannered performance, which uses every old trouper trick in the trunk, at first makes you think of the venerable actor-managers of yore, like Donald Wolfit. But as he struts and frets his two hours on the stage, which include a hilariously spastic promenade, he seems to shed his skin along with the king?s accouterments.

Watching him is like staring at one of Goya?s more savage caricatures. At first you?re amused, fascinated and repelled. But the longer you look, the more human the image becomes until finally, you realize with a shudder, it has turned into a mirror."

http://theater2.nytimes.com/2009/03/27/theater/reviews/27ione.html

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I think Barbara from World of Mouth is drunk again. It's beginning to be a habit.

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Updated On: 3/27/09 at 01:17 AM

Entertainment Weekly gives it a B+

"The cast is uniformly strong, but this is Rush's show. He commands the stage from the opening to his final spotlighted death throes, toggling easily between tragedy and comedy, not to mention between high comedy and low. At one point, he collapses with his back bent over a stool, precariously close to toppling onto his head, and then struggles to roll his royal scepter down his legs to his feet so that its weight will tip him upright again. It's a small bit of mime, wonderfully executed ? not only does it grab your attention, it also remains absolutely true to the character of this wobbly, impossibly vain monarch. Of such small moments are great performances are made."

http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,20267836,00.html

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Certainly positive reviews across the board, with raves for Rush. Some of the reviews have a few qualifications though - either issues with the play or with some of the performances, but not with Rush, who seems clearly bound for a Tony Award.

From some of the other major dailies this morning...

New York Post is Positive, three stars out of four, rave for Rush, with reservations about direction, Ambrose and Sarandon.

http://www.nypost.com/seven/03272009/entertainment/theater/its_rush_hour__161527.htm

Daily News is Positive, three stars out of five, rave for Rush and for Act One, with some issues about Sarandon and the adaptation.

http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/arts/2009/03/27/2009-03-27_oh_what_a_rush_geoffrey_rush_takes_broad.html

Newsday is Very Positive, calling it "inspired," with praise for everything except Sarandon.

http://www.newsday.com/services/newspaper/printedition/friday/partii/ny-etthelede6083305mar27,0,506895.story

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Updated On: 3/27/09 at 06:46 AM

Snaps for Geoff :)

Saw the show in it's original production in Sydney in 2007 and knew it was bound for bigger things. So glad to hear the Broadway transfer has been received with open arms :)

Ditto Boyfromoz nice to see a Company B production go all the way :)

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Barbara is the best panelist on WORD OF MOUTH. Just because she's a nut. And seems like she knows it.

I don't think she was drunk again, but nothing beats the GUYS AND DOLLS review. She was wasted and it was hilarious.

Updated On: 3/27/09 at 01:36 PM

Finally saw it tonight. It was definitely odd and bizarre (Ionesco, who knew?) I can't say I loved it. Can't even say I particularly liked it. I just... saw it. Glad I did, because I like to see everything on the boards and have an informed opinion.

Rush's performance was polished and grandiose. I was entertained with how physical he was with his comedy. He really owned that stage (and paced it well). Sarandon, I love, but if I may say so, I couldn't help thinking any other classy earthy rough-voiced white actress could have played the part.

Lauren Ambrose is so gorgeous. Seriously.

I found myself feeling badly for Brian Hutchinson because I've seen him in such exceptional NYC roles (Oh the Humanity! and From Up Here)... and he had to stand ALL night in knight's uniform acting like a village-idiot. Great actor, not so great role. And he had to shave his head!!! He must miss those beautiful blond-locks.

Andrea Martin was just as whacky as ever.

As they left, the Upper East Siders (the general term I give any rich white NYers in a Bway house) were saying: "It was really good but I didn't understand any of it."

It was very very well-acted, and of course I'm aware that Ionesco's writing holds multiple meanings and multiple interpretations. I also like to think I'm pretty well-read and educated in many aspects of theatre (on-stage and in the house), and yet, I didn't terribly enjoy myself. The "death" sequence was lulling my neighbors to sleep... But I was more steadfast than that, determined to make it through the entire evening without having to convince myself this was good theatre.

Then again, it was a Friday night... Maybe we were all just a little too tired.

But on the whole, I was more entertained by sharing the bathroom with Michael C. Hall (aka "Dexter") who was in the audience... and yes he washed his hands.

Updated On: 4/18/09 at 01:38 AM

Just wondering what people thought of the show and Mr Rush when they saw it. And yes I know its long closed