Bumpy Angels
Sun, 2 July 2000, 12:07 pmWalter Plinge27 posts in thread
Bumpy Angels
Sun, 2 July 2000, 12:07 pmHello everyone! Well, lets see if we can cause some more controversy!(not that that's what i set out to do)
Bumpy Angels is a strange mish-mash of song, personal revelation (and even) game show. Unfortunately I was put off from the beginning with the intolerably long procession of "brides" which had no relevance to any later scenes - merely some sort of masque to get us in the mood (and failing). Firstly the backstage crew were laughable - taking ages just to move a cupboard and later making mistakes (coming in and off in half light) and then very audiblely chastising/discussing backstage - to was so bad the audience couldn't help but giggle. Mind you, we were already in a bemused state after being subjected to various snatches of song which are incredibly cheesy and I think lent nothing to the play - they could all be cut and play would lose nothing (might even gain a bit of dramatic credibility). By the interval I was pleased with the dramatic tension set up between characters and the audience was certainly emotionally involved - some of us rather uncomfortably so! But then it just kept coming! Coral and Felicity-Elizabeth's monologues were quite touching and well performed - but then everybody had to get in on the act, confessing every dark secret and troubled soul. Destroying most of the poignancy and subtlety of the play we were sledgehammered with emotion until the unsatisfying conclusion. High praise must goto the Mother Superior, who showed excellent charactisation and crystal clear vocal technique. Singing numbers were a little ragged and out of time and of course not all of us can be singers (Angela and Amy's song certainly made us long for a chorus number) but Your CHeatin' Heart was an absolute delight. All in all an emotion packed and interesting show, which cheapens itself through lack of any subtlety and its silly songs.
Bumpy Angels is a strange mish-mash of song, personal revelation (and even) game show. Unfortunately I was put off from the beginning with the intolerably long procession of "brides" which had no relevance to any later scenes - merely some sort of masque to get us in the mood (and failing). Firstly the backstage crew were laughable - taking ages just to move a cupboard and later making mistakes (coming in and off in half light) and then very audiblely chastising/discussing backstage - to was so bad the audience couldn't help but giggle. Mind you, we were already in a bemused state after being subjected to various snatches of song which are incredibly cheesy and I think lent nothing to the play - they could all be cut and play would lose nothing (might even gain a bit of dramatic credibility). By the interval I was pleased with the dramatic tension set up between characters and the audience was certainly emotionally involved - some of us rather uncomfortably so! But then it just kept coming! Coral and Felicity-Elizabeth's monologues were quite touching and well performed - but then everybody had to get in on the act, confessing every dark secret and troubled soul. Destroying most of the poignancy and subtlety of the play we were sledgehammered with emotion until the unsatisfying conclusion. High praise must goto the Mother Superior, who showed excellent charactisation and crystal clear vocal technique. Singing numbers were a little ragged and out of time and of course not all of us can be singers (Angela and Amy's song certainly made us long for a chorus number) but Your CHeatin' Heart was an absolute delight. All in all an emotion packed and interesting show, which cheapens itself through lack of any subtlety and its silly songs.
RE: Bumpy Angels
Sun, 2 July 2000, 09:29 pmWalter Plinge
Hi there Squirrel, I am the SM [or was] for Bumpy Angels. I hasten to explain that the technical glitch was entirely my fault What happened, Squirrel [you don't mind me calling you Squirrel do you ?], was, that one of those sandbag things,I don't know the technical name for it, but they are used to raise and lower the curtain,somehow or other fell on my head, just as the scene change came up. There I was, wandering all over the stage, not having a clue as to what was going on. The cast was rolling around the stage laughing. The rest of the backstage crew were also laughing, in fact the whole place was, as you know, in fits of laughter. Except for me. Mind you, I can laugh about it now, but it's a bit late is it not Squirrel ?
[ Sorry Squirrel but I don't know your real name]
What was the other thing I wanted to say ? Oh now I remember, [bump on the head Squirrel] cupboard changes too slow. Gee, I wish you could be there to show me how it should be done. Thanks for bringing it to my attention. I have read the script again and have decided that we won't change anything on the stage at all, except for the cupboard . This should reduce the time considerably. Thanks Squirrel !
About that procession of brides, I'm with you Squirrel. I loath that deep and meaningful stuff, where the playwright tries to ram this stuff into our brain cavity. I dislike trying to understand the meaning of it all. But what I really hate, is when somebody explains it to me, and I still don't understand it . You know, what I mean don't you Squirrel ?
I hope you don't take offence at any of this Squirrel, as I want to keep in your good books. In short I don't want to upset you. Could you imagine the consequences if you and I fell out, with you being anonymous ? Let's think about that, for a second or two. For example, in the unlikely situation where I might be cast in a play, you could castigate me, not because my acting was poor, but simply because you and I didn't get along. Who would suffer, not only me, but the whole Company.
Sorry Squirrel, I just got carried away a tad.
Squirrel is an honorable person, just ask anyone.
Ross Hutcheon
[ Sorry Squirrel but I don't know your real name]
What was the other thing I wanted to say ? Oh now I remember, [bump on the head Squirrel] cupboard changes too slow. Gee, I wish you could be there to show me how it should be done. Thanks for bringing it to my attention. I have read the script again and have decided that we won't change anything on the stage at all, except for the cupboard . This should reduce the time considerably. Thanks Squirrel !
About that procession of brides, I'm with you Squirrel. I loath that deep and meaningful stuff, where the playwright tries to ram this stuff into our brain cavity. I dislike trying to understand the meaning of it all. But what I really hate, is when somebody explains it to me, and I still don't understand it . You know, what I mean don't you Squirrel ?
I hope you don't take offence at any of this Squirrel, as I want to keep in your good books. In short I don't want to upset you. Could you imagine the consequences if you and I fell out, with you being anonymous ? Let's think about that, for a second or two. For example, in the unlikely situation where I might be cast in a play, you could castigate me, not because my acting was poor, but simply because you and I didn't get along. Who would suffer, not only me, but the whole Company.
Sorry Squirrel, I just got carried away a tad.
Squirrel is an honorable person, just ask anyone.
Ross Hutcheon
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