The Homecoming first preview tonight- Page 3

[keen on kean]

Posted: 12/10/07 at 10:04am

I was at the Sunday performance, December 9th. Caveat - I was in the second row - too close at the Cort. My neck aches from looking up. And I feel weird commenting too extensively on something that is still in previews but here goes.

This was my first exposure to Pinter in live performance and I loved it. THE HOMECOMING is a tough read but actually plays out well. The set was consistent with Pinter's description/specifications, and the costumes were unremarkable. I did love Lenny's shiny dressing gown. Kind of figured that was the appropriate night attire for a pimp!

The non-British actors are struggling with the accent, although Gareth Saxe's (intentional) speech impediment helps him disguise any trouble he might be having with his. He does very well with his smallish part and manages to make the character of Joey simple without seeming stupid.

The first act is much better than the second. I would have to say that, for me, the close of the first act was the best moment in the production with the Max-Teddy tension making my blood run cold. I wish the rest of the production was that effective. I got the sense that the second act was too fluid - it moved faster and lost the "I am saying one thing but thinking another" feeling of the first act.

The acting is uneven. Everyone seems to have their particular moments when they are right on but everyone, even the brilliant McShane, also slips out of the moment occasionally. I think that Eve Best and Raul are struggling the most at the moment. I sense that it is because they are both instinctive actors who are used to communicating, and so much of Pinter seems to be about working to obscure what the true feelings and motivations are. Like Ed, I am devoted to Raul and impressed by Eve but I am not sure this is a happy bit of casting for either of them. But I am also convinced that they are intelligent enough to improve over time, if given the chance. They have a great chemistry together. Raul needs to slow down a little.

The audience was very responsive, and lots of laughs and gasps. I didn't sense there were a lot of "wtf" moments, and everyone came back from the intermission. The orchestra was virtually full, and about five or six rows of the first balcony level.

I will definitely go back but perhaps I will skip the opening and go in a couple of weeks when they are settled in. Totally, totally hooked on Pinter.

[thepinterpause]

Posted: 12/10/07 at 10:22am

I think I agree with a lot of what Keen on Kean just said, although I'm terribly jealous that the audience you saw it with was "responsive." My audience (I saw it Friday night) seemed like a bus full of disappointed Wicked seekers. I've never heard so much coughing, shifting, uncomfortable snorts... maybe that's what Pinter would want, who knows?

I think the play itself is astonishing--- one of the most delightful and disturbing experiences theater can bring. On the page, at least. In reality, theater of ambiguity and alienation is pretty hard to stage. I felt like this cast is well on its way--- especially the incandescent Ian McShane. And Raul is getting there. It's clear he understands what Pinter is about, which is the most important step toward performing it.

I can't wait to see this a few weeks into its opening. I do hope it gets rave reviews--- and if it does, at least audiences will feel obligated to pretend to like it.

[keen on kean]

Posted: 12/10/07 at 10:35am

Pinterpause - I think I might actually like to see this at a Wednesday matinee! Talk about "wtf" moments.

[Perfectly Marvelous]

Posted: 12/10/07 at 10:53am

Great review, keen on kean.


I may be seeing this on the 29th or the 31st, depending which day works out better. My mom has expressed interested in seeing Esparza in something that "isn't a musical" (she knows him for Cabaret and Company).

[ken8631]

Posted: 12/10/07 at 3:23pm

Saw it yesterday afternoon (Sunday 3pm show). What a strange play! I saw what was happening, but had no idea why. Great performances by all. First and second rows are too close, we were in the third row center orch and stage was just below/at eye level.

We enjoyed it, it moved very fast, and Raul looked like he was playing a part meant more for him than some of the others (reminded us at times of his angry parts in "The Normal Heart". Ian reminded me of his "Deadwood" character, which was great for the part. Eve Best was excellent.

Not one that I'd be hopping back to see as much as "Company" though...