Old Times Previews

Was at the first preview of Old Times tonight and the production is in really great shape. All three actors have already honed their performances to a remarkable level and the tricky rhythms of the dialogue didn't trip them up for a second. The run time was about 75 minutes and it simply flew up.

For a moment when the lights came up I thought Raul Esparza had stepped in for Clive Owen. They have an eerily similar way of delivering dialogue and moving their bodies around. Kelly Reilly found some nice bits of humor and her final monologue was exciting. Still, it was Eve Best who stole the show as Anna. She was sly, sexy, funny and mysterious. She just gets it. After the disappointing Betrayal revival last season I would love to see her take on Emma.

I wasn't initially sure about the physical production as it takes the surrealism of the piece to a literal level, but it ended up working for me.

Truthfully, I was worried going in because on reflection the first preview of a Pinter play might not have been the wisest decision, but I think the credit for tonight's success must go in large part to Douglas Hodge. You get the feeling that he really loves this text and was able to guide these actors into pulling all they could out of it. I wasn't planning on making a return visit, but I can't imagine not doing so.

You know, Kad, I have a feeling I am going to be in the minority with my love for this play/production. Three of my friends were there last night- one of them loved it like I did and the other two hated it.

I woke up this morning even more entranced; the whole thing felt like an hypnotic dream that I was falling deeper and deeper into. I know Hodge is somewhat obsessed with Pinter, having performed many of his roles and directed several of his plays. He befriended the playwright and they appear to have friends in his later life. For me, it was Hodge's underlying love that somehow illuminated the text for me- and I realize that totally sounds like bullsh!t, but I swear it's how I feel! It's like when you taste a pie that you know was baked with love. Sounds corny, but there's a difference.

I'm sorry it sounds like you had a rough time, but I think you won't stand alone.

I admit I am not familiar with this particular Pinter work, and so coming out of it I was not sure where the blame would fall for my issues with the production; writer or director or me. The actors are certainly able! But for me, it lacks the viscera you think needs to be brought out. It's a very cold production, and not just because of the chunk of ice.

Updated On: 9/18/15 at 09:32 AM

How bad are those flashing lights? Can you just cover your eyes for a minute or two and then they're over? (Theater Row had a lengthy show about a year ago called "Atomic" that had such bad flashing lights throughout that I had to get up and walk out.) They need to have a strong warning all over their website about this.

There are only two or three bright flashes at the beginning of the play, all before the dialogue begins. You can close your eyes for 30 seconds and you'll be fine. It's nothing like Atomic; I wanted to walk out of that too, but not because of the lighting!

People seldom remember, but the play was written and performed with an intermission, back in the day (1971). It's hard to fathom, perhaps. But the published script is about 74 pages of playing text, the intermission allows the second act to be 25 pages of material (dense, two major monologues, to be fair). Yes, a 30-35 minute second act after a 15-20 minute intermission. it was as 90 minute evening, stretched, to be sure. I doubt we'd accept that today. As noted above, there isn't sufficient emotional suspense to justify the attenuated denouement, such as it is.

Updated On: 9/18/15 at 10:14 AM

Surreal it was to be sure.

On the way to the show, we noticed that marquee for On The Town was lit up with the tracer lights flashing. We both thought this was odd. We than noticed a bum lying right by the front door. Maybe he was waiting in the rush line for its revival.

Updated On: 9/18/15 at 10:25 AM

To trace

No one will like every show . Every show will have its supporters and detractors. We did not hate it .We simply thought it was too convoluted.To each his own.

For the record, we both enjoyed Betrayal and The Homecoming.

Updated On: 9/18/15 at 10:54 AM

I was there last night as well and was 1 of those left scratching her head. This was in part because of all the people coming in late and the usher doing a lousy job of getting them to their seat quietly. I was in the Access 10 seats and felt like I missed the 1st 20 minutes. Sheesh. Eve and Clive were fun to watch sometimes, but I had no idea what was going on and did a little dozing too. Oh well. Not a Pinter fan. Happy for those who enjoyed.

Bought my ticket. Thanks for such an appetite whetting discussion.

Any thoughts on Thom York's incidental music?

Count me among those who enjoyed it immensely. I'm a Pinter fan, though, and I can see why it might not be some people's cup of tea. I thought all the performances were very strong, and the play is still running through my head. Whizzer, I like your description of the production of a hypnotic dream.