Inishmore A Surprising Upset

[holly]

Posted: 5/17/06 at 11:24am

A lot of the discussion has centered around Best Musical. I would like to read some thoughts regarding Best Play.

I think Inishmore will be a surprise upset to History Boys. Please respond.

[munkustrap178]

Posted: 5/17/06 at 11:27am

I don't. I think THE HISTORY BOYS is a lock, and the only possibility for an upset will come from RABBIT HOLE. INISHMORE is amazing, but it's alienatig, harsh, and hardly for everyone.

[WithoutATrace]

Posted: 5/17/06 at 11:32am

I think History Boys is a lock too. I'll be shocked if it doesn't win best play.

[Gpvegas]

Posted: 5/17/06 at 11:32am

I have to agree. While I loved Inishmore, I do not think that it will upset History Boys.

Inishmore is amazing but it definately is not everyone's cup of tea.

[holly]

Posted: 5/17/06 at 11:38am

Good morning,

As I have said before, I was concerned I would not like the play, but I loved it.

I will say it again -- I did not think History Boys had much substance. It has been done before. I especially was surprised by Scenic Design. I thought their sets were very boring. Although I thought the Boys' characters were "cute" I did not think there was much great acting from the group.

[WithoutATrace]

Posted: 5/17/06 at 11:41am

Holly, as you know, I also despised The History Boys. It was painful for me to sit through it actually.

However, I still realize that I am one of the *very few* who hated it, and it will win the Tony for Best Play.

[munkustrap178]

Posted: 5/17/06 at 11:42am

Much great acting from the group?

You forgive Brian D'Arcy Jame's unforgivingly thin accent and sheer uselesness?

The amount of talent among the younger cast members of THE HISTORY BOYS is alarming. I have never seen a young cast of actors who so blatantly and so clearly just understood the material. They're all amazing, particularly Barnett and Cooper.

[being.jeremiah]

Posted: 5/17/06 at 11:48am

I also think The History Boys is a lock to be the Tony winner for Best Play.

[chasing_rainbows43]

Posted: 5/17/06 at 12:34pm

For a message board which frequently argues that substantive theatre is/is becoming sparse, and that not enough commercial companies are taking on edgier works, I'm surprised that more people aren't backing Inishmore. No, it's not everyone's cup of tea, but that in no way diminishes the value and merit of the material. It's a meticulously constructed piece and it absolutely deserves the Tony.

[mominator]

Posted: 5/17/06 at 12:44pm

While Inishmore is not everyone's cupa' tea (Sorry that was the Irish in me coming out) The Tony voters do like something that "pushes the envelope" I loved it (and was ashamed of myself for laughing so hard!)

[munkustrap178]

Posted: 5/17/06 at 12:52pm

I love it too, but for me, nothing equals the heart, impact, message, and just sheer beauty of THE HISTORY BOYS.

[mabel]

Posted: 5/17/06 at 12:54pm

I loved both Inishmore and History Boys, but I just don't see it toppling the HB craze that's sweeping Broadway this season.

And I don't see how anyone could say that the acting from the cast of HB was subpar. I thought each of the boys were extraordinary. Even Samuel Anderson and Sacha Dhawan who didn't have a whole lot to work with were interesting to watch during the classroom scenes. The other 6 boys that had more to work with were great. I thought Barnett, Cooper, and Parker were extremely strong. James Corden provided some wonderful comic moments. I found Andrew Knott's kind of angry/angsty vibe a nice addition to the mix, and Russell Tovey's speech in the mock interview totally won me over.

Then throw in some remarkable performances by Griffiths, de la Tour, Moore, and Merrison...I don't know. Even if the play itself didn't do it for you, the ensemble of actors is really something, imho.

But, with that being said, since this is an Inishmore thread...gotta throw some love its way as well. Gleeson, Wilmot, and Pill were all fabulous, as were just about everyone else. It's a wickedly funny show that I'd love to see steal the juggernaut's thunder just about any other year...but I think my loyalties lie with History Boys when it comes down to it.

Updated On: 5/17/06 at 12:54 PM

[Roninjoey]

Posted: 5/17/06 at 2:27pm

I liked Inishmore a lot, but am I the only person who feels that it's not a particularly substantial play? Its sheer audacity is probably its greatest asset, but aside from the blood and gore... well...

Even the comedy. The jokes are as old as time. They just seem fresh because the characters are bashing out teeth and waving around dead cats when they deliver them. I would roll my eyes and then jump out of my seat.

I think the play deserves its accolades for being different and shocking and etc. but I don't think it's nearly on the same level as The Pillowman (my favorite play in a long time), nor does it even nearly match the depth of feeling in The History Boys. Even the Romans knew you could get a rise out of an audience with realistic (although in their case, real) violence.

[munkustrap178]

Posted: 5/17/06 at 2:40pm

It's fairly substantial - more substantial than something like RABBIT HOLE or SHINING CITY, but compared to McDonagh's work, especially PILLOWMAN and BEAUTY QUEEN (my favorite McD), it just didn't hit me like the others did.

[Gpvegas]

Posted: 5/17/06 at 3:24pm

ChasingRainbows - I was not saying that I did not think it did or did not deserve the Tony. What I was saying that I think the blood and gore would pull away some votes for best play.

[Roninjoey]

Posted: 5/17/06 at 3:31pm

Substantial howso? What'd you get from the play?

[chasing_rainbows43]

Posted: 5/17/06 at 3:32pm

Gpvegas - apologies if it seemed so, that comment was not aimed directly at you.

[Caroline-Q-or-TBoo]

Posted: 5/17/06 at 6:56pm

both of the plays are really great (and people need to GO SEE INISHMORE cuze loko at it's grosses!!!???) but History Boys is (imo) a better piece of theater.

not to mention the incredibly talented cast

[Katurian2]

Posted: 5/17/06 at 7:00pm

If The Pillowman couldn't win against a stinker like Doubt, I don't think the Inishmore could pull up over History Boys.

[Mr Roxy]

Posted: 5/17/06 at 9:23pm

I feel sorry for Inishmores playwright

First losing to Doubt & now probably to the History Boys. he has to bond with Yasbeck

Wee Thomas decrees Inishmore will win

Updated On: 5/17/06 at 09:23 PM

[chasing_rainbows43]

Posted: 5/17/06 at 9:39pm

Maybe they'll team up and write a new show as a star vehicle for Susan Lucci...