#1
Posted: 12/11/09 at 3:21am
I'm gonna try to keep this short...
In a word, electrifying. It's over three hours long but flies by and it's by far the best production on any stage that I've seen so far this season and the best production of a straight play that I've seen in a very, very long time. It's pretty damn flawless. Really.
Good luck getting a ticket but do anything you can to see this masterful production of this masterpiece of a play. Not a single scene bores and not a person in the cast is a weak link. The trio of Joel Edgerton, Robin McLeavey, and (of course) Cate Blanchett could not be better. Edgerton gives a haunting performance as Stanley that really impresses, McLeavey is simply perfect as Stella, and Blanchett, not surprisingly, steals the show as Blanche. She is funny, disturbing, frightening, and charming all at once. All three gives master classes in acting here.
The direction could not be better. Ullmann really gives the play a totally loyal and honest treatment that also doesn't feel stale. She keeps the action moving swiftly and really knows how to wring all kinds of emotions out of a scene. The final scene is chilling. While Ullmann is pretty traditional in her approach and doesn't go too crazy, she still manages to shine a new light on the relationships in the play. She is much more sensitive to the relationships in this production and you really believe these characters have a past, present, and future together.
I just absolutely loved it. If you can see it, by all means, GO. If you can't, you're missing out on one of the best stage productions of the last ten years, easily. I really didn't want it to end and wish I could see it again. Stunning, mesmerizing, and ultimately, truly heartbreaking. I loved every second of it.
**** out of ****
I'd be happy to answer any questions.
In a word, electrifying. It's over three hours long but flies by and it's by far the best production on any stage that I've seen so far this season and the best production of a straight play that I've seen in a very, very long time. It's pretty damn flawless. Really.
Good luck getting a ticket but do anything you can to see this masterful production of this masterpiece of a play. Not a single scene bores and not a person in the cast is a weak link. The trio of Joel Edgerton, Robin McLeavey, and (of course) Cate Blanchett could not be better. Edgerton gives a haunting performance as Stanley that really impresses, McLeavey is simply perfect as Stella, and Blanchett, not surprisingly, steals the show as Blanche. She is funny, disturbing, frightening, and charming all at once. All three gives master classes in acting here.
The direction could not be better. Ullmann really gives the play a totally loyal and honest treatment that also doesn't feel stale. She keeps the action moving swiftly and really knows how to wring all kinds of emotions out of a scene. The final scene is chilling. While Ullmann is pretty traditional in her approach and doesn't go too crazy, she still manages to shine a new light on the relationships in the play. She is much more sensitive to the relationships in this production and you really believe these characters have a past, present, and future together.
I just absolutely loved it. If you can see it, by all means, GO. If you can't, you're missing out on one of the best stage productions of the last ten years, easily. I really didn't want it to end and wish I could see it again. Stunning, mesmerizing, and ultimately, truly heartbreaking. I loved every second of it.
**** out of ****
I'd be happy to answer any questions.
Updated On: 12/11/09 at 03:21 AM
