thoughts on UTOPIA: VOYAGE- Page 2

[Plum]

Posted: 10/24/06 at 11:22pm

Argh. On the one hand, I'm thrilled that this is a good production, but on the other...I have tickets to Voyage and Shipwreck, but I can't get one for Salvage. I really hope I don't have to end up reading it instead.

[jennite]

Posted: 10/30/06 at 4:12am

Any more reviews? The blog buzz is rather scanty.

[Wanna Be A Foster]

Posted: 10/30/06 at 6:26am

Wow! Fantastic review, munk. I can't wait to see this!

[VeuveClicquot]

Posted: 11/2/06 at 3:06am

Yes, but Margo, what did you think about this play?

I understand the execution of it. But what do you think about the play? You've neglected to say.

[rosscoe(au)]

Posted: 11/2/06 at 4:53am

I think i read somewhere on this board that Margo has yet to see this, cause i as well am hanging out to see what Margo has to say.

[queendork]

Posted: 11/3/06 at 2:10pm

Random question for those who've seen the show...

Are the cast members using their own accents or is everyone doing a British accent?

[TheEnchantedHunter]

Posted: 11/3/06 at 5:19pm

Though beautifully-produced and nicely acted by a game cast, THE COAST OF UTOPIA: VOYAGE is a dense, heady stew with little entertainment value or dramatic interest to engage even the most erudite theatergoer. Though I personally found the philosophical arguments fascinating (I've a background in comparative religions), it doesn't compensate for the unnecessarily academic, dry presentation of a society riding the tides of historical change through the eyes of a Russian family and their extended circle. The events of the play, fragmented into different time frames and points of view, have not been dramatized in such a manner as to allow much audience identification and, as a result, the play underwhelms and it's hard to care. The introduction of characters and relationships is often confused and confusing, with the first act narration of offstage events often involving plot points and situations not clarified till Act Two. And after three hours, to have all the philosophical and historical ruminations of the play reach its conclusion in the rather cliched tradition of yet another end-of-empire story seems staggeringly anti-climactic and not particularly worth the effort. I have tickets to the next two installments but I seriously doubt that I'll force myself to endure more of this non-event.


Hugh Bychakakov
Moscow, Russia





Updated On: 11/3/06 at 05:19 PM

[virgil blessing2]

Posted: 11/3/06 at 5:25pm

Jeeez, and we thougt Schenkkan's "THE KENTUCKY CYCLE" was mind-numbing! LOL.

Remember THAT one when it played New York (for all of you on here that are over 25/30 years old). It went on for daaaays. "Everywhere is death. And I am the Noon-Day Sun who dreamed once, that she was a woman named Morning Star. Where are my sisters?! Who will build my birthing hut? Where is my mother? Who will guide me through my time? Where are, Grandmother? Why have you turned your face from your people?! THIS CHILD WILL KILL ME!" Ay yi yi. Yadda yadda, yadda....

[TheEnchantedHunter]

Posted: 11/3/06 at 5:30pm

Yeah, I saw THE KENTUCKY CYCLE too and found it just as overhyped as the Stoppard play.






Sacajawea Jones
The Kitty Titty Bar, Detroit

[virgil blessing2]

Posted: 11/3/06 at 5:35pm

i wish the three families in the KC would have snuffed one another out generations sooner. lol

[Mattbrain]

Posted: 11/10/06 at 8:11am

I haven't seen Kentucky Cycle but I read it and loved it. Same with Coast of Utopia (well, at least the version that played in the UK.) EnchantedHunter's a dick.

[Mattbrain]

Posted: 11/10/06 at 8:12am

Actually, I did see a condensed version of the first four plays. They did it beautifully. I so did not want it to end.

[VeuveClicquot]

Posted: 11/11/06 at 12:36am

TheEnchantedHunter:

Wow, I totally agree with your review.


I wanted this show to be great. But it wasn't. And you nailed why.