I saw the ACT production in SF. I had high expectations. And was disappointed. I felt like it was one of those self-congratulatory productions that said, "Oh, aren't we all so SMART for engaging with this topic?" I did think, however, that perhaps it was the specific production. It was art directed to a faretheewell and the cast seemed sort of smug. However, the Earl of Oxford was VERRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRY sexy. We were third row center and the person I was with fell asleep. Clearly in sightlines of the cast. I looked around and the woman two people down from me was asleep, and there was a guy in row two sound asleep. To be fair, it was largely a subscription audience, and one got the feeling that they had all gone out for dinner and lots of wine before the show.
The same friend I saw it with saw the NYTW production of Flesh & Blood (same director as this new production of the Freed play) and said it was the best thing he had ever seen in a theater. So maybe they can bring out whatever charms that may lie hidden in the play, if they're there.
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