Northwest Classical Theatre
February 8 - March 2, 2008
Review by Thursday:
NWCTC's production confirms Wilde's classic still timely. Direction plays up overt comedy, sometimes at expense of subtler humor. Edwardian set, costumes appear slightly faded; mirrors reflecting audience somewhat distracting. Excellent acting, although Swartout difficult to understand at times. Hilarious rows between Simon, Godell, Walton, and Swartout not to be missed
13 comments:
When did Lady Bracknell (Gwendolyn's mother and Algernon's aunt) become a nanny?
So blue monkey's monteverde directed this and nw classical's turner directed ANTIGONE. Ikm curious to know what theater company people think got the better end of the deal.
Lady Bracknell is not a nanny, of course. I think this is a typo.
Maybe it was part of a longer sentence that was cut off at 50 words.
As in "Add the magnificently imposing Lady Bracknell (Paige Jones), a nanny Miss Prism (Bibi Walton) and some cucumber sandwiches."
Maybe that description could get fixed?
i'm curious as to why anyone would care who got a better end of the deal. unless blue monkey or nw classical has some thrilling story about the director trade-off, does it even matter?
You're absolutely right.
Unfortunately, most theatres don't edit their release to 50 words, and followspot has to do it. Usually it just gets cut at 50 words if it can be made to make sense.
Sometimes that comes out strange.
Fixed. Sort of.
The "who got the better end of the deal" post sounds like a classic "let's you and him fight" ploy -- the kind we see all the time in the media from irresponsible journalists. If you read the Followspot interview with Turner, you'd learn that Monteverde and Turner are friends and colleagues from WAY back, and are accustomed to helping each other out -- trading favors -- so that everybody wins. And isn't that what theater ought to be all about?
Incredibly well-put. I couldn't agree more, yes, they HAVE been friends for a very long time and yes, they often do whatever they can to help out each other's company. I don't see what the big deal is...am I partial to one? Yes, BUT I think that they both have wonderful gifts to share with the Portland theater community!!!
It's a toss up. Grant's cuter but John is cuddlier.
Umm ok so does anyone who has seen the show wish to say something about it? I have not yet and was hoping to see other reviews on it, but apparently you are all to busy being dorks to have paid attention to it.
I thoroughly enjoyed this play. Great performances by everyone, but I especially liked Sara Simon as Cecily, Jonathan Swartout as Algernon and Paige Jones as Lady Bracknell.
I found this show unbelievably problematic. The mirrors were distracting. The accents were all over the place, especially Algernon whose lines were almost always unintelligible.
I enjoyed this production.
I especially like performances by Kelly Godell as Gwendolyn, Jonathan Swarthout as Algernon and Paige Davis as Lady Bracknall. Hysterical show. Go see it this weekend before it closes.
I just saw the show tonight and I have to strongly disagree with the person who commented on Algernon's accent (John S.). He's accent was great and far from "unintelligible". It was not a problematic show in any way.
As for the mirrors, it was not distracting to those who were paying attention to the play instead of checking out the girls or guys in the front row.
In my opinion it is one of Tom Walton's greatest performances. They were all great and I commend them for a great show.
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