SisterGeorge said: "I guess we can expect the tricycle scene to start inside the theater, then go out the stage door and videotaped around the block before re-entering and encountering the twins who are still at their makeup tables off to the side of the stage."
Ha! Exactly! I think a lot of people who saw Network hadn't seen a Van Hove production before - which is fine, no judgement - but it was just funny hearing people praise ideas like that, and it's like, he's done this a BUNCH of times.
I was blown away by "A View from the Bridge," and saw it twice,but less and less impressed with each production that followed:
"The Crucible" -- interesting but not powerful enough
"Network" -- tolerable because of Cranston
"The Damned" -- terribly boring
"All About Eve" -- terribly unnecessary
I agree about A View From the Bridge, The Damned, and All About Eve. I thought Network some somewhat better, but not amazing. Crucible I liked much more the 2nd time around, but definitely agreed with you after my first visit. I will also add:
--Scenes From a Marriage - interesting structure, but a who-cares plot (adapted from another medium )
--Roman Tragedies - brilliant (originally written for the stage)
--Lazarus - mostly liked (originally written for the stage)
--Hedda Gabler - loved! one of my favorites (originally written for the stage)
--The Fountainhead - worst Van Hove production of the bunch. Unbearable. (adapted from another medium)