Gentlemen Incorporated**
Sun, 5 June 2005, 12:45 pmGordon the Optom8 posts in thread
Gentlemen Incorporated**
Sun, 5 June 2005, 12:45 pmYear after year the Melville Theatre have produced first class shows and I wondered when their luck was going to run out, and with this production I felt it did.
I have never given a really poor review before, trying always to concentrate on the better aspects of productions. The better aspects of this one? The set as always was outstanding, and the sound and lighting very good. The warmth of the welcome and the general ambience of this much improved venue - superb .... but ...
The play was a 'comedy' with a very good and original story line, but required a great deal more work on the one-liners to keep the laughs coming. The direction was weak, but I must give allowance for the fact that directors changed half way through the rehearsals.
The cast of five consisted of two actors who, despite this being the last show of the run, still didn't know their lines, made numerous fluffs and generally dragged down the three other actors who were quite admirable.
The body movement of the weaker couple was almost totally missing and the voice intonation monotonous.
The feed back in the lounge at the interval was very positive, so perhaps I wasn't tuned in - or were they at a different show?
Sorry, I wish I had gone to the Old Mill instead.
I have never given a really poor review before, trying always to concentrate on the better aspects of productions. The better aspects of this one? The set as always was outstanding, and the sound and lighting very good. The warmth of the welcome and the general ambience of this much improved venue - superb .... but ...
The play was a 'comedy' with a very good and original story line, but required a great deal more work on the one-liners to keep the laughs coming. The direction was weak, but I must give allowance for the fact that directors changed half way through the rehearsals.
The cast of five consisted of two actors who, despite this being the last show of the run, still didn't know their lines, made numerous fluffs and generally dragged down the three other actors who were quite admirable.
The body movement of the weaker couple was almost totally missing and the voice intonation monotonous.
The feed back in the lounge at the interval was very positive, so perhaps I wasn't tuned in - or were they at a different show?
Sorry, I wish I had gone to the Old Mill instead.
Re: Gentlemen Incorporated**
Wed, 8 June 2005, 01:52 pmHi Gordon,
you have touched on a subject very dear to my heart - that of plays running at the same time in theatres that are fairly near to each other. As you are well aware. Melville and Old Mill "share" a large number of their audience. We do try to avoid a direct clash where possible but with both theatres running six seasons every year there is not much room for manouvre.
It is unfortunate that both theatres will be running head to head for their next seasons, a situation we both though to have avoided but Melville have had to delay their next season by one week so it's on again.
As most people know, I am closely associated with both of the above theatres and so I have a great interest in promoting the productions and therefore audience numbers at both. I would hate for there to be any suggestion of rivalry between the two. We'll see if we can avoid at least some production date clashes next year!
Incidentally I thought Garry Davies's reply to your comments on Gentlemen Inc. was one of the most balanced I have read.
you have touched on a subject very dear to my heart - that of plays running at the same time in theatres that are fairly near to each other. As you are well aware. Melville and Old Mill "share" a large number of their audience. We do try to avoid a direct clash where possible but with both theatres running six seasons every year there is not much room for manouvre.
It is unfortunate that both theatres will be running head to head for their next seasons, a situation we both though to have avoided but Melville have had to delay their next season by one week so it's on again.
As most people know, I am closely associated with both of the above theatres and so I have a great interest in promoting the productions and therefore audience numbers at both. I would hate for there to be any suggestion of rivalry between the two. We'll see if we can avoid at least some production date clashes next year!
Incidentally I thought Garry Davies's reply to your comments on Gentlemen Inc. was one of the most balanced I have read.