I always love McDonagh...so why wasn't I blown away by Behanding last night?

[April Saul]

Posted: 2/26/10 at 7:17pm

Made it to NYC in the snowstorm, was in a great mood, settled into my Atlantic membership seat (so it wasn't like I paid an awful lot!) and then....pffft! Lots of people laughing like crazy around me, and I'm just not there somehow. My daughter said maybe I'm used to the Irish accents and he just didn't translate as well for me in Spokane as say, Inishmore or Inishmaan. Yes, Walken and Rockwell were weird as hell and entertaining, but the racial stuff wasn't incredibly funny to me, and Mackie's character was more annoying than hilarious. I laughed some, but actually found myself questioning the reality of the plot points, which I never even think about during a McDonagh play. Thoughts, anyone?

[Stage Door Sally]

Posted: 2/26/10 at 7:30pm

Maybe you expected to be blown away and it is not that type of play?

It's a good comedy, and my husband and I could not stop laughing either. But then, we haven't seen any other McDonagh plays so we took the show for what it was, without any preconceived notions at all.

Are McDonagh's other plays dramas or comedies?

[jacobtsf]

Posted: 2/26/10 at 7:42pm

Sally, they are dark comedies.

[bjh2114]

Posted: 2/26/10 at 10:23pm

I just got back from the show. While I think I liked it more than you did April Saul, I agree with most of your points. I think that the basis for a good play is there, but I think this could have used more development time as it is now. The jokes were funny, but the rest just felt somewhat random. If he had taken another year and a half to make cuts and revisions, it would have been much stronger.

[#1Elphie]

Posted: 2/26/10 at 10:44pm

McDonagh is my favorite playwright, and although I enjoyed Behanding very much, I didn't enjoy it quite as much as his others. I agree that some plot points weren't quite believable. I think my expectations were unrealistically high because I love McDonagh so much. I also missed the Irish accents. When Walken was onstage I absolutely loved it, but when he wasn't, it wasn't as entertaining; the other actors weren't as strong.

[wolfpit228]

Posted: 2/27/10 at 12:32am

I went this week and loved it. Not nearly as dark as The Pillowman but extremely funny nontheless. Walken was hilarious, as was Sam Rockwell. To be honest I think the whole cast did a sterling job, and Walken's phone conversations are of sheer brilliance.

As Christopher Walken is of god like status in my list of fave movies, I was stoked to get a picture and autograph afterwards. All barring Mr. Rockwell were so gracious in spending time with the crowds afterwards. Speaking to other members of the crowd that night, others said that he wasnt as friendly as some may have have hoped, still, we all of our off days.
Anthony Mackie was great, when I asked him if he minded if I take his picture, he immediately picked up on my English accent, and I joked he'd need some training with it. He may have done an outstanding job in Hurt Locker - but he's a long way from Shakespeare with a faux English accent 'Cheers Mate' lol.
Martin Macdonagh also spent time outside signing playbills, though it wasnt until he had been standing outside the box office did anybody recognise him.

Back to the performance, it kind of reminded me of a lot of the British TV comedy -farce shows from the 1970's. Thats what I really liked about it I'd have to say. One could analyse it,or take it for what its worth at face value, a guy having spent years looking for his hand. I dont think theres a deeper meaning to it. Im not sure how this would adapt with carmichael being played by anyone else other than Walken himself. Rockwell's monologue was bizarre, but funny too.

Having been lucky enough to see A Steady Rain, A View From the Bridge and now this, Id be hard pushed to say which I enjoyed the most. The former two were very dramatic, quite shocking in parts ( as I wasnt familiar with A View From the Bridge) but Spokane was just a great light hearted enjoyable time at the Theater.

I was quite surprised at how softly spoken Christopher Walken was in the play though. But on reflection, there is a LOT of shouting from two of the other characters, so perhaps that had some influence on the 'old ear drums!

I liked it so much Im just booking tickets for the opening night now - as a surprise for my wife when she wakes up! A bargain at $41.50

My verdict on it - 4 stars out of 5

[WiCkEDrOcKS]

Posted: 2/27/10 at 4:08am

I'm with April and bjh on this one. I almost always love McDonagh (I think THE PILLOWMAN is one of the most brilliant plays ever written) and was underwhelmed by this show. Walken was the only thing worth writing home about.

[Cat2]

Posted: 2/27/10 at 6:33am

The show is funny and I had a great time. I want to return so I can watch Christoper Walken's performance again.

[The Other One]

Posted: 2/27/10 at 7:30am

SPOILER!!!!

They can answer the phone when it rings and have a long conversation, but they can't think to ask or call someone else for help?!?! They're handcuffed next to an open window and they don't think to shout out!?!?!?

I've seen two of McDonagh's earlier plays and one of his movies. A Behanding in Spokane is weak by his standards. In all honesty it is weak by most standards.

It does have its laughs, and Walken is terrific. I'm not sorry I saw it. But I wasn't blown away, either, and had pretty much put the play out of mind within 24 hours of seeing it. It has no staying power at all.

[Jane2]

Posted: 2/27/10 at 11:18am

I'm seeing this on Wed. and I'm glad I read this thread so I won't expect anything on the level of Pillowman, which I didn't find funny at all, even though it was the best play I have ever seen.

[April Saul]

Posted: 2/27/10 at 4:23pm

Jane, by all means, lower your expectations a bit and it'll help. Of all the terrific plays of his, for this to be the one that goes straight to Broadway....

[homeimp]

Posted: 2/28/10 at 12:03pm

Personally I hated Lieutenant of Inishmore. For me Behanding in Spokane is a much better play than that one. At least I laughed a few times in this one and stayed interested. And yes, The Pillowman is brilliant.

[Play Esq.]

Posted: 2/28/10 at 12:29pm

The Pillowman was a thing of beauty: a provocative narrative on art, its creation, and its consequences (even with that mouthful - the play managed to have a truly engaging plot and believable characters). A Behanding, on the other hand, is second-rate fluff: a 90 minute sitcom with stock characters (sorry, that goes for you too Mr. Walken) dressed up to look like a galling piece of theater.

And for those who think I "just didn't get it," please note that I have read and or seen most (if not all) of McDonagh's plays and believe him to be one of the most interesting voices of his generation. A Behanding was a rare miss.

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 3/2/10 at 2:30pm

I saw this last night and had a great time! It's not a perfect play but damn, it's a lot of fun and watching Christopher Walken almost do an impersonation of Christopher Walken was amazing. My side actually hurt I laughed so hard.

And the phone conversation with his mother at the end is worth the price of admission alone.

Updated On: 3/2/10 at 02:30 PM

[Jane2]

Posted: 3/3/10 at 4:30pm

yeah, the play is nonsensical and silly, but boy is it funny! I had a great time !

Walken is so damn funny in this that I have to think the play was written for him~

p.s. during the matinee today, no one had an accent in the play.

April - I did lower my expectations. I didn't appreciate the play very much until pretty late into it but when I started laughing I didn't stop. Especially during the phone conversations.

Updated On: 3/3/10 at 04:30 PM