Kevin's Bed
Fri, 28 June 2002, 06:23 pmAmanda Chesterton8 posts in thread
Kevin's Bed
Fri, 28 June 2002, 06:23 pmWhat: Kevin's Bed
When: Thursday, 27 June 2002, 8pm
Who: Irish Theatre Players, director Naomi Lynch, featuring Ormonde Waters, Clare Wilson, Simon Nichols, John Dunne, Katrina Bonds, Shirley Toohey, Lilliana Caltanisetta, Michelle Beaton
This play was an intriguing example of how the Irish are natural actors. As a friend who was with me said, they're a nation of storytellers - why shouldn't they be?
There was a complete, believable naturalism in all of these performances. All but two were (originally) native Irish-persons, and one truly felt that you were simply watching a heightened version of themselves and their own culture on stage. That may seem like a slightly vacuous and obvious comment, but if you see the show (and I recommend that you do) you'll see what I mean. It was effortless performing, and watching was like slipping into a warm bath.
The two non-Irishers were outstanding. Simon Nichols I've gushed about ad infinitum on this page before, and he didn't disappoint in this one. I often have a hard time watching people I know perform, as I can't get what I know about them out of my head. Simon is one of those few I can watch do bloody anything. His performing is seamless and every choice he makes for his character is spot on. No kneepads in sight, though (see recent posts titled 'Any work in Perth? HOORAH!' for that particular in-joke). Lilliana Caltanisetta as Maria is, and played, an Italian. Her energy and conviction were outstanding - the whole stage lit up when she came on.
My one and only criticism for the show would be that it had a slight lack of performance energy (Caltanisetta excepted). This may have been related to some unfamiliarity with the lines (not notable in the performance, but I understand that this has been a bit of an issue in the production) and the comfort each actor had with their characterisations. Simon - perhaps a few rounds of Muffin Man before you start?
Overall a teriffic show, and there's free tea, coffee and biscuits at interval!
[%sig%]
When: Thursday, 27 June 2002, 8pm
Who: Irish Theatre Players, director Naomi Lynch, featuring Ormonde Waters, Clare Wilson, Simon Nichols, John Dunne, Katrina Bonds, Shirley Toohey, Lilliana Caltanisetta, Michelle Beaton
This play was an intriguing example of how the Irish are natural actors. As a friend who was with me said, they're a nation of storytellers - why shouldn't they be?
There was a complete, believable naturalism in all of these performances. All but two were (originally) native Irish-persons, and one truly felt that you were simply watching a heightened version of themselves and their own culture on stage. That may seem like a slightly vacuous and obvious comment, but if you see the show (and I recommend that you do) you'll see what I mean. It was effortless performing, and watching was like slipping into a warm bath.
The two non-Irishers were outstanding. Simon Nichols I've gushed about ad infinitum on this page before, and he didn't disappoint in this one. I often have a hard time watching people I know perform, as I can't get what I know about them out of my head. Simon is one of those few I can watch do bloody anything. His performing is seamless and every choice he makes for his character is spot on. No kneepads in sight, though (see recent posts titled 'Any work in Perth? HOORAH!' for that particular in-joke). Lilliana Caltanisetta as Maria is, and played, an Italian. Her energy and conviction were outstanding - the whole stage lit up when she came on.
My one and only criticism for the show would be that it had a slight lack of performance energy (Caltanisetta excepted). This may have been related to some unfamiliarity with the lines (not notable in the performance, but I understand that this has been a bit of an issue in the production) and the comfort each actor had with their characterisations. Simon - perhaps a few rounds of Muffin Man before you start?
Overall a teriffic show, and there's free tea, coffee and biscuits at interval!
[%sig%]
Re: Kevin's Bed
Sun, 30 June 2002, 07:35 pmI tried replying to this by direct email, sorry, but it bounced back. I'm afraid I'm going to have to put it here, because I feel that the misunderstanding has gone both ways!
Naomi -
> Let me just clarify, Amanda, that in talking about 'first-night
>nerves', I am referring directly to a
> conversation you had with one of my cast on the first night of the
>second week, which apparently led to
> your misunderstanding that there had been a prior 'issue'.
Please read over the review again - I don't recall mentioning
first-night nerves at any point in my review. I never would either
because I don't see that as any sort of excuse for a sub-standard
performance (which Kevin's Bed certainly was not).
A cast member of Kevin's Bed, who I was in regular contact with
through the whole rehearsal period, stated repeatedly that difficulty
with the lines in this production was one of his major concerns.
That was the source of my statement - not that post-show
conversation, which was initiated by my friend who noticed dropped
lines, without having ever being party to this cast-member's concerns.
> we provide a forum for both the naturally gifted, and the merely
>enthusiastic, to
> exercise their abilities in a supportive and encouraging environment.
As I recall my review was 100% supportive and encouraging of the
production. However, I cannot, in good conscience, write a review
which is gushing with praise without some criticism. We, as
performers, want and need constructive feedback. As a viewer, I
believe performers also need this constructive feedback, so that they
can constantly improve their work, therefore guaranteeing audiences a
high quality show for their money. I believe I phrased that
particular piece of criticism in a very, very positive manner
(without the use of 'first night nerves' as an excuse) and suggested
how it may be rectified. I also phrased the review in such a way
that it was clearly only my opinion, and someone else may think
entirely otherwise.
I apologise profusely if you took issue with any part of the review,
however I felt that everything I said was completely grounded in
truth, and was entirely balanced in both praise and constructive
feedback.
Kindest regards,
[%sig%]
Naomi -
> Let me just clarify, Amanda, that in talking about 'first-night
>nerves', I am referring directly to a
> conversation you had with one of my cast on the first night of the
>second week, which apparently led to
> your misunderstanding that there had been a prior 'issue'.
Please read over the review again - I don't recall mentioning
first-night nerves at any point in my review. I never would either
because I don't see that as any sort of excuse for a sub-standard
performance (which Kevin's Bed certainly was not).
A cast member of Kevin's Bed, who I was in regular contact with
through the whole rehearsal period, stated repeatedly that difficulty
with the lines in this production was one of his major concerns.
That was the source of my statement - not that post-show
conversation, which was initiated by my friend who noticed dropped
lines, without having ever being party to this cast-member's concerns.
> we provide a forum for both the naturally gifted, and the merely
>enthusiastic, to
> exercise their abilities in a supportive and encouraging environment.
As I recall my review was 100% supportive and encouraging of the
production. However, I cannot, in good conscience, write a review
which is gushing with praise without some criticism. We, as
performers, want and need constructive feedback. As a viewer, I
believe performers also need this constructive feedback, so that they
can constantly improve their work, therefore guaranteeing audiences a
high quality show for their money. I believe I phrased that
particular piece of criticism in a very, very positive manner
(without the use of 'first night nerves' as an excuse) and suggested
how it may be rectified. I also phrased the review in such a way
that it was clearly only my opinion, and someone else may think
entirely otherwise.
I apologise profusely if you took issue with any part of the review,
however I felt that everything I said was completely grounded in
truth, and was entirely balanced in both praise and constructive
feedback.
Kindest regards,
[%sig%]