Has Cookie done it again?
Sun, 4 Feb 2001, 05:39 amGrant Malcolm8 posts in thread
Has Cookie done it again?
Sun, 4 Feb 2001, 05:39 amTheatre reviewer for the West, Robert Cook, appears to have a knack for swimming against the tide. Some previous reviews have raised the ire of contributors on this site.
His recent description of Effie Crump Theatre's PIAF contribution as a "graveyard of stagy theatre" maybe yet another example:
Here's a response from MEAA's Steve Shaw:
Dear All,
rarely do I actively take on the roll of promoter. However, having just read Robert Cook's review of Effie Crump's production of "Redemption" I am forced to take action.
I attended the same performance as Cook and simply cannot reconcile his review with the production I saw and I am sure that the vast majority of audience members I spoke to post performance would have a similar reaction.
I do not intend to provide you with a review of my own, other than to say that Murray-Smith's writing and this play will always be difficult to perform and only the best of our performers will carry it.
The performances given, in my humble opinion, were stunning and are exactly what this play needs to give it life.
Cook has simply missed the point entirely.
If you have any intention of visiting Effies to see this production, do not let Cook's review influence your decision. This is genuinely quality work all round.
This is a production that deserves to be seen by the widest audience possible and shouldn't be perceived as a flop based on such a misguided interpretation.
Oh and for those of you who may be thinking "...well Marcelle is Steve's wife etc etc...", oh please, trust me, I am somewhat more mature than that.
Congratulations to Ingle for "The Getaway Bus" , the mob at Yirra Yaakin for "Alice" both of which I look forward to seeing shortly. Also congrats. to the Hole for "Ghosts".
His recent description of Effie Crump Theatre's PIAF contribution as a "graveyard of stagy theatre" maybe yet another example:
Here's a response from MEAA's Steve Shaw:
Dear All,
rarely do I actively take on the roll of promoter. However, having just read Robert Cook's review of Effie Crump's production of "Redemption" I am forced to take action.
I attended the same performance as Cook and simply cannot reconcile his review with the production I saw and I am sure that the vast majority of audience members I spoke to post performance would have a similar reaction.
I do not intend to provide you with a review of my own, other than to say that Murray-Smith's writing and this play will always be difficult to perform and only the best of our performers will carry it.
The performances given, in my humble opinion, were stunning and are exactly what this play needs to give it life.
Cook has simply missed the point entirely.
If you have any intention of visiting Effies to see this production, do not let Cook's review influence your decision. This is genuinely quality work all round.
This is a production that deserves to be seen by the widest audience possible and shouldn't be perceived as a flop based on such a misguided interpretation.
Oh and for those of you who may be thinking "...well Marcelle is Steve's wife etc etc...", oh please, trust me, I am somewhat more mature than that.
Congratulations to Ingle for "The Getaway Bus" , the mob at Yirra Yaakin for "Alice" both of which I look forward to seeing shortly. Also congrats. to the Hole for "Ghosts".