CAUTION
Thu, 1 Nov 2001, 10:35 pmTina1 post in thread
CAUTION
Thu, 1 Nov 2001, 10:35 pmI went to see this play tonight mainly because I had worked with one of the actors many years ago. I also knew it was something about drugs so I hoped it wouldnÂ’t be one of those plays that shove a message down your throat. I was very pleased to find it wasn't. It just presents a thought provoking depiction of the lives of five characters dealing with heroin addiction or recovery. As a parent I found it particularly heartbreaking to see the ease with which an emotionally unstable teenager can be pulled into the drug scene.
Firstly: DonÂ’t go expecting light entertainment. This play contains scenes that are confronting and depressing. It also shows what happens to real people in real life.
Secondly the venue: IÂ’m sure you all know the Blue Room, but this particular play is in one of the back rooms, often used for late night performances, and perfect for this show. It lends an air of dilapidation that fits the setting of the play well; the audience sitting on the old lounges gives an impression of being right in the living room as the characters play out a piece of their life. This is doubly effective because of the naturalistic acting. I discovered the play was performed in the style of Mike Leigh, which the Director was willing to explain to me in some depth afterwards.
Thirdly: I found the acting very impressive – with a high skill level that was a pure pleasure to watch. It is always good to see actors work the silences, and confidently develop a character throughout a play. I did find the female actors spoke quietly and I had to listen hard to catch their words, but it did fit in with their characters, and with that venue it was acceptable. In a larger setting I think I would want the volume to be louder. I particularly enjoyed watching the performance of Simon Clarke who plays the man you don’t want your children to meet. (He’s not the one I’ve worked with before, so no bias there!)
Yes, IÂ’m glad I saw this play.
It continues until November 11th at The Blue Room.
Firstly: DonÂ’t go expecting light entertainment. This play contains scenes that are confronting and depressing. It also shows what happens to real people in real life.
Secondly the venue: IÂ’m sure you all know the Blue Room, but this particular play is in one of the back rooms, often used for late night performances, and perfect for this show. It lends an air of dilapidation that fits the setting of the play well; the audience sitting on the old lounges gives an impression of being right in the living room as the characters play out a piece of their life. This is doubly effective because of the naturalistic acting. I discovered the play was performed in the style of Mike Leigh, which the Director was willing to explain to me in some depth afterwards.
Thirdly: I found the acting very impressive – with a high skill level that was a pure pleasure to watch. It is always good to see actors work the silences, and confidently develop a character throughout a play. I did find the female actors spoke quietly and I had to listen hard to catch their words, but it did fit in with their characters, and with that venue it was acceptable. In a larger setting I think I would want the volume to be louder. I particularly enjoyed watching the performance of Simon Clarke who plays the man you don’t want your children to meet. (He’s not the one I’ve worked with before, so no bias there!)
Yes, IÂ’m glad I saw this play.
It continues until November 11th at The Blue Room.
TinaThu, 1 Nov 2001, 10:35 pm
I went to see this play tonight mainly because I had worked with one of the actors many years ago. I also knew it was something about drugs so I hoped it wouldnÂ’t be one of those plays that shove a message down your throat. I was very pleased to find it wasn't. It just presents a thought provoking depiction of the lives of five characters dealing with heroin addiction or recovery. As a parent I found it particularly heartbreaking to see the ease with which an emotionally unstable teenager can be pulled into the drug scene.
Firstly: DonÂ’t go expecting light entertainment. This play contains scenes that are confronting and depressing. It also shows what happens to real people in real life.
Secondly the venue: IÂ’m sure you all know the Blue Room, but this particular play is in one of the back rooms, often used for late night performances, and perfect for this show. It lends an air of dilapidation that fits the setting of the play well; the audience sitting on the old lounges gives an impression of being right in the living room as the characters play out a piece of their life. This is doubly effective because of the naturalistic acting. I discovered the play was performed in the style of Mike Leigh, which the Director was willing to explain to me in some depth afterwards.
Thirdly: I found the acting very impressive – with a high skill level that was a pure pleasure to watch. It is always good to see actors work the silences, and confidently develop a character throughout a play. I did find the female actors spoke quietly and I had to listen hard to catch their words, but it did fit in with their characters, and with that venue it was acceptable. In a larger setting I think I would want the volume to be louder. I particularly enjoyed watching the performance of Simon Clarke who plays the man you don’t want your children to meet. (He’s not the one I’ve worked with before, so no bias there!)
Yes, IÂ’m glad I saw this play.
It continues until November 11th at The Blue Room.
Firstly: DonÂ’t go expecting light entertainment. This play contains scenes that are confronting and depressing. It also shows what happens to real people in real life.
Secondly the venue: IÂ’m sure you all know the Blue Room, but this particular play is in one of the back rooms, often used for late night performances, and perfect for this show. It lends an air of dilapidation that fits the setting of the play well; the audience sitting on the old lounges gives an impression of being right in the living room as the characters play out a piece of their life. This is doubly effective because of the naturalistic acting. I discovered the play was performed in the style of Mike Leigh, which the Director was willing to explain to me in some depth afterwards.
Thirdly: I found the acting very impressive – with a high skill level that was a pure pleasure to watch. It is always good to see actors work the silences, and confidently develop a character throughout a play. I did find the female actors spoke quietly and I had to listen hard to catch their words, but it did fit in with their characters, and with that venue it was acceptable. In a larger setting I think I would want the volume to be louder. I particularly enjoyed watching the performance of Simon Clarke who plays the man you don’t want your children to meet. (He’s not the one I’ve worked with before, so no bias there!)
Yes, IÂ’m glad I saw this play.
It continues until November 11th at The Blue Room.