35 replies to this topic

[Gavin]

Gavin, I completely agree with you about the underwater scene, it's wonderful and it illustrates to me why, rather than "painting-by-numbers theatre" it's pure theatre, i.e. a very simple realisation of a scene using straightforward stuff - a plastic sheet and some cables - to conjure up an image the rest of which is filled in by your own mind.

Don't ruin it for people that haven't seen it!!!!!

Anyway,I really cant relate Skylights views to the coram boy,because I've seen a hell of a lot of theatre and have never ever seen something like that.

which, the night i saw it,  thrilled hundreds of schoolchildren who had come thinking theatre is "well gay"

There were alot of school kids the night I went aswell and everyone was just amazed by the production. Even my 14 year old cousin,who I didn't think would enjoy something like that in a million years absolutley loved it. I understand that people are allowed to dislike coram boy,but I think skylight is mis-judging the production.

[Backdrifter]

Don't ruin it for people that haven't seen it!!!!!

I did think about that before I said it and decided it wouldn't be a spoiler - my brief allusion in no way conveys the full impact and content of that scene. I agree, all the schoolkids I've seen at the shows have loved it. Yes, of course anyone is free to dislike it and as I've seen only near-unanimous praise so far I was keen to hear any thoughts to the contrary. I'm therefore very interested by Skylight's comments even though, as with you, I can't see the connection.

[Gavin]

Safe and middle of the road in terms of mentality, just taking a "difficult" subject does not make the piece edgy.  A Mr Men book on abortion would still be a Mr Men book.  

And to whoever said it, yes I know the author is Indian.  I said twee, middle class and English in the worst sense of those words.  I was using them as adjectives that can be applied as descriptions to anything.

I too have seen a hell of a lot of theatre and I have seen things like this, mainly in musicals.  For me it's too constructed, too perfect; it feels like it's been blocked to death, packaged up and force fed into a machine marked "Theatrical Experience" and churned out the other side.

I can sort of see where your coming from,and I appriciate your views.