Withnail and I
Fri, 2 Feb 2001, 05:14 pmWalter Plinge7 posts in thread
Withnail and I
Fri, 2 Feb 2001, 05:14 pmI saw the opening of "Withnail and I", adapted from the screenplay to the film of the same name (which I haven't seen so can't compare), last night. It's great, it's local and you must see it. Matt Penny has directed a slick, funny and involving piece of theatre.
Mime is used throughout the production and, apart from a very moveable steering wheel, is used effectively. (The number of props which would have been required for this production had Matt not chosen to use mime would have been quite staggering). The stage setting is very basic but is all the production needs as the atmosphere is created by the actors. Music is well utilised in the speedy scene changes (and an excellent collection of music it is too!) and everything moves along flawlessly.
Everything appeared to be immaculately rehearsed (the fencing choreography was most impressive) and all of the main actors appeared to be truly "at one" with their characters. Chris Kenworthy as I, Eliot McCann as Withnail, Chris McCafferty as Monty (he was so good he made my skin crawl) and Kingsley Judd as Danny were all excellent.
Congratulations to Matt, the cast, Fiona and everyone else involved with the show and chookas for the rest of the season. I truly hope that your houses start to pack! Forget the shows from the East and the rest of the world. Go local I say!
Mime is used throughout the production and, apart from a very moveable steering wheel, is used effectively. (The number of props which would have been required for this production had Matt not chosen to use mime would have been quite staggering). The stage setting is very basic but is all the production needs as the atmosphere is created by the actors. Music is well utilised in the speedy scene changes (and an excellent collection of music it is too!) and everything moves along flawlessly.
Everything appeared to be immaculately rehearsed (the fencing choreography was most impressive) and all of the main actors appeared to be truly "at one" with their characters. Chris Kenworthy as I, Eliot McCann as Withnail, Chris McCafferty as Monty (he was so good he made my skin crawl) and Kingsley Judd as Danny were all excellent.
Congratulations to Matt, the cast, Fiona and everyone else involved with the show and chookas for the rest of the season. I truly hope that your houses start to pack! Forget the shows from the East and the rest of the world. Go local I say!
RE: Withnail and I
Fri, 2 Feb 2001, 11:28 pmWalter Plinge
Based on Gill's review above, I dashed down to Freo: Yes, the ITA website can fill seats. The 60s music instantly appealed to me but I found the set too sparse to really create a 60s atmosphere. Gill led me to expect a comedy, but we, the audience, hardly laughed at all. I thought the play was trying to put a message across more than to amuse.
Withnail and I did their best but it was only Monty who convinced me totally as a character. Maybe the small audience contributed to this lack of feeling. Indeed for a Friday night in central Freo, it was pathetic. Things got worse with the interval. We were told we had 15 minutes so I went for a ten minute wander outside. On my return, I found the main doors locked and the curtains inside the main doors drawn. Was it that bad? Had everyone walked out? I certainly felt unwanted and caught the train back home.
Spare Parts Theatre must lift their game: it's embarrasing to go to a central theatre on a Friday night which is so empty. For a start, don't lock the doors during the show!!
Withnail and I did their best but it was only Monty who convinced me totally as a character. Maybe the small audience contributed to this lack of feeling. Indeed for a Friday night in central Freo, it was pathetic. Things got worse with the interval. We were told we had 15 minutes so I went for a ten minute wander outside. On my return, I found the main doors locked and the curtains inside the main doors drawn. Was it that bad? Had everyone walked out? I certainly felt unwanted and caught the train back home.
Spare Parts Theatre must lift their game: it's embarrasing to go to a central theatre on a Friday night which is so empty. For a start, don't lock the doors during the show!!