rOcKS @ 'A Behanding in Spokane'

[WiCkEDrOcKS]

Posted: 2/22/10 at 11:51pm

Okay, bear with me here.

This was by far the weirdest show I've ever seen. I generally love, love, love McDonagh (THE PILLOWMAN is, I think, one of the best plays ever written) but this is definitely not his best work. I was expecting weird and got...weirder than weird.

Once you wrap your head around it, which I still don't think I've fully done yet, it can be very funny. Mainly due to an absolutely brilliant performance from Christopher Walken. Zoe was just alright, Anthony was very strong, and Sam was absolutely fantastic. But Walken is the absolute standout. He's HYSTERICAL and whenever he's not onstage, the play can tend to not be as interesting. The direction is nice, as is the set.

Quite frankly, I just didn't GET it. Maybe there isn't anything to get? Who knows. It was interesting to be sure but I didn't love it. It's a shame to me that this show will probably be more of a serious contender for Best Play than NEXT FALL.

All in all, not McDonagh's best, but it's boosted by a great performance from Walken.

**1/2 out of ****

For the record, I know I'm in the minority here. And I'm sure the play will get fantastic reviews. But I'm just trying to be honest/true to how I felt.
Updated On: 2/22/10 at 11:51 PM

[rosscoe(au)]

Posted: 2/22/10 at 11:57pm

Thanks for not giving away any spoilers.

But I hope this extends.

[Kad]

Posted: 2/23/10 at 12:21am

I really think you're overanalyzing it- there's nothing really to "get", and it's no more bizarre or weird than the rest of McDonagh's work, in my opinion.

[maxximumvolume]

Posted: 2/23/10 at 5:56am

There are some themes about fate and the paths that we choose, and the important relationships we have.... but ultimately this is just a hilarious dark comedy. Theatre doesn't inherently have to have some grand deeper meaning behind it, this is just a massively entertaining and bizarre (though no more bizarre than any of McDonagh's other work) piece that makes for a fun evening at the theatre.

[ken8631]

Posted: 2/23/10 at 8:17am

Wife and I didn't "get" some of it either, but we really did enjoy it! The entire cast was excellent, with Walken being absolutely perfect for the part.

[frogs_fan85]

Posted: 2/23/10 at 9:19am

I feel like there is some underlying message that McDonagh was shooting for... but after seeing the show twice, I'm not really sure what it is.

The human desire to have something to live for might be it. Mervin seemingly has a death wish and Carmichael's actions at the very end of the play seem to indicate he has fulfilled a journey. As for Toby and Marilyn... um, self-preservation? Maybe after another viewing or two something more substantial will come to me.

Regardless of whether or not there is an intended message, the show itself is highly enjoyable.
Updated On: 2/23/10 at 09:19 AM

[Patash]

Posted: 2/23/10 at 9:33am

I enjoyed the show immensely and I agree that you're struggling aimlessly to try to get some deep meaning out of it.

Yesterday a friend said he read or heard an interview that McDonagh
wanted a young Christopher Walken type for the lead -- and it was written to be about late 30's to 40 year old. But they got Walken and changed it to 47 years of looking for the hand rather than 27 or so that it was supposed to have been. I can't find this article or interview. Sound familiar to anyone?

[jacobtsf]

Posted: 2/23/10 at 9:41am

Patash- It was in the recent NY Times piece.

[frogs_fan85]

Posted: 2/23/10 at 9:44am

"While the script of “Behanding” calls for Carmichael to be in his mid to late 40s, Mr. McDonagh and the director, John Crowley (“A Steady Rain,” “The Pillowman”), said they had trouble finding actors that age who were suitable for or interested in the role, which is part of an ensemble, in this premiere production of the play."

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/02/21/theater/21walken.html?ref=theater

[Stage Door Sally]

Posted: 2/23/10 at 9:58am

Searching for a deep message in this play is like spending 47 years searching for a missing hand...

So to speak.

The play moved so fast I would have to see it again to see if anything else pops out, but my initial impression is this is a play about relationships and how they develop and change.

Carmichael's relationships with his hand, and his mother.
Marilyn and Toby's relationship with each other.
Mervyn's relationship with...a certain pet... and his inner conflict and desire to be more - to be a hero. Also, his attempt to strike a relationship with Carmichael.

I can accept that as a theme.

I've seen flimsier plots...yes I am talking to you Mr. Beane.


Updated On: 2/23/10 at 09:58 AM

[WiCkEDrOcKS]

Posted: 2/23/10 at 4:16pm

I'm not trying to get a deeper meaning out of it. I realize that it's just a play about a guy with a missing hand. I guess what I meant was that this play isn't for everyone and I don't think it was really for me, on the whole. I guess I just didn't word it properly.

I enjoyed it but I don't think it's anything incredible or worth rushing to see. This is definitely something that's going to vary depending on specific tastes; I don't think it'll be everyone's cup of tea. Though I bet the critics will go batsh*t over it.

[Kad]

Posted: 2/24/10 at 12:25am

Well, Martin McDonagh is hardly populist fare. My friend reported a number of walk-outs during the night he saw it. Honestly though, compared to some of the events in Inishmore or Pillowman, Behanding in Spokane is fairly... mild.

[Fosse76]

Posted: 2/24/10 at 11:02am

"Well, Martin McDonagh is hardly populist fare. My friend reported a number of walk-outs during the night he saw it. Honestly though, compared to some of the events in Inishmore or Pillowman, Behanding in Spokane is fairly... mild."

Very few people have actually walked out. And there may be some attribution to the very strict late-seating policy. If you so much as get up to go to the bathroom you will not be re-seated.

[Ed_Mottershead]

Posted: 2/24/10 at 11:46am

I saw it last Saturday matinee and had a thoroughly good time. It is a VERY funny play and I'm not even going into the needle-in-a-haystack conundrum of trying to figure out what it's all "about." A monolgue in the middle of the play slows down the momentum a bit, but not to disasterous results. And Walken is that rara avis -- a presence that commands attention every time he's onstage.