Habeas Corpus
Wed, 29 Nov 2000, 11:37 pmWalter Plinge3 posts in thread
Habeas Corpus
Wed, 29 Nov 2000, 11:37 pmJust a quick one (because my life is so very busy and very full) but I saw Harbour Theatre's "Habeas Corpus" at the weekend.
Although not knowing anything about the play, as soon as we arrived at the theatre the foyer photographs made it eminently clear that the show was a 1960s farce. It was a little disappointing to see that the auditorium was only about half full (several other shows opened on the same night), but, from the laughter of the patrons, one would have assumed that the venue was packed to capacity.
It is a very, very funny script, and I had a ball. It is a standard farce plot - everyone is trying to sleep with everyone else only to discover in the end that they either ARE sleeping with everyone else or they're related to everyone else. The plot is not exactly original but getting through it was an enormous amount of fun. This was helped by wonderful performances from Alan Kennedy, Celia Andrews, Zorina Gavolovich and, unrecognisable from "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest", Mark Blades. Well done, guys, I was crying with laughter. Special mention must go to Brian Mahoney who, I understand, filled a smallish role just days before opening. Smallish but extremely effective as the defeated Mr Purdue.
Well done also to the tech crew - many lighting changes and I never noticed a single opening night error.
If I had to pick a downside, I'll say that energy flagged a little in the second half of this fast-paced, exhausting play, and that some lines came across a little half-hearted or wooden in places. That, plus the incongruity between the 1960s lingerie and modern-day hosiery.
Nevertheless, if you're in the mood for a bit of stupidity and a damn good laugh, try and catch "Habeas Corpus".
JB
Although not knowing anything about the play, as soon as we arrived at the theatre the foyer photographs made it eminently clear that the show was a 1960s farce. It was a little disappointing to see that the auditorium was only about half full (several other shows opened on the same night), but, from the laughter of the patrons, one would have assumed that the venue was packed to capacity.
It is a very, very funny script, and I had a ball. It is a standard farce plot - everyone is trying to sleep with everyone else only to discover in the end that they either ARE sleeping with everyone else or they're related to everyone else. The plot is not exactly original but getting through it was an enormous amount of fun. This was helped by wonderful performances from Alan Kennedy, Celia Andrews, Zorina Gavolovich and, unrecognisable from "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest", Mark Blades. Well done, guys, I was crying with laughter. Special mention must go to Brian Mahoney who, I understand, filled a smallish role just days before opening. Smallish but extremely effective as the defeated Mr Purdue.
Well done also to the tech crew - many lighting changes and I never noticed a single opening night error.
If I had to pick a downside, I'll say that energy flagged a little in the second half of this fast-paced, exhausting play, and that some lines came across a little half-hearted or wooden in places. That, plus the incongruity between the 1960s lingerie and modern-day hosiery.
Nevertheless, if you're in the mood for a bit of stupidity and a damn good laugh, try and catch "Habeas Corpus".
JB
RE: Habeas Corpus
Thu, 30 Nov 2000, 06:01 pmWalter Plinge
You're not wrong about the many light changes Jarrod. I've got blisters on my blisters!
Sidsel, secretary Harbour wrote:
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Hear Ye, hear Ye! - Habeas Corpus - after "only" 64 in the audience on opening night, we have been sold out for the last two performances so hurry, hurry if you want tickets. These can be booked by phoning Andrea on 9336 5336, 6 - 9pm Monday to Friday.
Sidsel, secretary Harbour wrote:
-------------------------------
Hear Ye, hear Ye! - Habeas Corpus - after "only" 64 in the audience on opening night, we have been sold out for the last two performances so hurry, hurry if you want tickets. These can be booked by phoning Andrea on 9336 5336, 6 - 9pm Monday to Friday.