tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7200658218238769688.post6105692467435825337..comments2024-01-20T16:46:43.636+11:00Comments on Kevin Jackson's Theatre Diary: The Wild DuckGeorge Khuthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10220918958933755405noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7200658218238769688.post-70337508655976051562011-04-04T21:52:25.565+10:002011-04-04T21:52:25.565+10:00Thanks John,
Certainly, I agree, the acting was...Thanks John, <br /> <br />Certainly, I agree, the acting was what kept the production going for me and distracted my attention from the Ibsen diversions and excisions that this team made to the original. Still, as I mentioned, a worthwhile evening in the theatre. THE ONLY CHILD, Mr Stone's other Ibsen adaptation did not have as strong a company and its writing problems sat more obviously, uncomfortably.<br /> <br />Someone remarked to me, at the forum around this production at Belvoir a couple of Sundays ago, that this work may represent the revival of the melodrama as a contemporary form (a positive, is meant). “Neighbours in the Rafters” or “The Wild Duck” by Simon Stone and Chris Ryan, after Henrik Ibsen! <br /> <br />I also have the feeling that the authentic Ibsen text, when scrupulously examined by any really good creative team, would still attract an audience, and win hands down over this new work. This new Australian play, indeed, has a great debt of gratitude to acknowledge for its effect,however great the differences. <br /><br />Some people regard Ibsen as a genius,and the depth of his instinctive and learnt insights into the human condition, resonates still, powerfully when reading the text and simply needs the respect and the energy of really insightful, skilful and committed artists to do it justice in translation, without such a radical adaptation. It would be interesting,for instance, to have May-Brit Ackerholt translate/adapt one of the plays: GHOSTS, or better, one of the later, more surreal texts, such as JOHN GABRIEL BORKMAN or WHEN WE DEAD AWAKEN for Sydney audiences. All three have casts that may fit the modest economic constraints of our theatre companies and have the relative interest of not having been seen by many Australian theatre goers. <br /><br />To see an 'authentic' Ibsen could possibly put the Stone/Ryan version of THE WILD DUCK into an interesting context and rattle the justifying hue and cry over the necessity to be so radical in treatment. I was slightly aghast at the Belvoir forum when Mr Stone suggested that his ruling premise for this adaptation was one of economics. Belvoir could simply not afford more actors than the six available, and hence, the version. Cut the duck, the glass walls and I'm sure the money saved could permit the hire of another actor, at least for the restoration of Dr Relling, from the original, and you might have an even more interesting play. Mr Stone confessed that GHOSTS was the original choice (only 5 actors!).<br /><br />I recommend thoroughly a wonderful essay called SUBSEQUENT PERFORMANCES by Dr Jonathan Miller, as a guide to discussion.Kevin Jacksonhttp://kjtheatrereviews.blogspot.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7200658218238769688.post-63247020392168107452011-04-02T23:27:46.346+11:002011-04-02T23:27:46.346+11:00It was a riveting performance , no question.
...It was a riveting performance , no question. <br /> <br /> Perhaps Mr Stone was emboldened in taking the risks of the adaptation and design because he knew he had a company of actors who could hold us with their every move and utterance. John Gaden - pillar of the Nimrod /Belvoir communities - dripping oily charm and humour ; Anthony Phelan - a big man with child-like wonder in his eyes ; Eloise Mignon , completely at home on this set bereft of furnishings ; Toby Schmitz , conveying vulnerability and awkwardness - notwithstanding his incendiary role in the drama; Anita Hegh , battling for understanding where she most needs it ; Ewan Leslie, plunged from boyish easinesss to the depths of turmoil. All made significant contributions to the success of the enterprise .... the success of the 'experiment' .<br /> Mr stone takes an Ibsen plot and refashions it using contemporary idiom and references. There was a point where ,as the conversation meandered across homework-computer- what's -for- dinner territory ,I wondered: " how is this better than five acts with domestic servants? Did Ibsen really want to sound like 'Neighbours-in -the- Rafters'....Perhaps these questions can only be answered by watching the play as it was written . For now I would suggest that the danger of alienation was averted thanks to the quality of the acting. It yanked me back from the edge of doubt and kept me on the journey.<br /> I was less convinced than you , Kevin , by one key musical choice. The blast of rock music that filled the auditorium in the darkness between two late scenes felt excessive. Sure , we get an end-of-an-era feeling, but it almost felt as if the efforts of the cast were being belittled....as if only some loud rock and roll could convey anguish. <br /> <br /> I left the theatre thinking how wonderful a writer Ibsen is. <br /> Mr Stone has put new clothes on the old bloke and made him look modern. And the clothes have been chosen with great care. We look at him in a new light - but with the admiration we always feel at a great performance of "Ghosts' or "A doll's House" and the other Ibsen plays where questions of morality sneak across the horizon and burst with shattering force..Johnnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7200658218238769688.post-3772182075037962802011-03-29T22:44:14.600+11:002011-03-29T22:44:14.600+11:00I enjoyed this show too and have enjoyed reading y...I enjoyed this show too and have enjoyed reading your blogs about the plays. I have seen 5 of the 9 plays you have reviewed this month so thanks for the interesting reviews, it helps me see the shows from another perspective as i am not very educated about theatre. I love going to see theatre shows though, i've rediscovered it lately.Niallnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7200658218238769688.post-66474506944905654652011-03-23T17:47:11.208+11:002011-03-23T17:47:11.208+11:00Brilliant entertainment
I agree, the gunshot shoul...Brilliant entertainment<br />I agree, the gunshot should have ended itAnonymousnoreply@blogger.com