142 replies to this topic

[Jamiem]

Pinter theatre? February? Really produced by Sonia Friedman  but fronted by Kim Imposter?

[Boob]

That made me laugh.

Directed by Ian Rickson with Scott Thomas and Lia Williams alternating roles.  Sounds interesting.

”I was interested once in the arts, but I can't remember now which ones they were.”

[xanderl]

Alternating roles based on tossing a coin, apparently

[Honoured Guest]

This random alternation will frustrate people who would like to see both castings. There's probably some random artistic reason.

[xanderl]

Perhaps they'll do it like some of the Ayckbourn shows which change based on random chance, and do some pre-announced performances during the run.

[Jamiem]

xanderl, on 10 August 2012 - 12:23 PM, said:

Alternating roles based on tossing a coin, apparently

Who cares?

[Honoured Guest]

Jamiem, on 11 August 2012 - 04:58 AM, said:

Who cares?

Probably many people. It's a highly ambiguous play and this random casting alternation should highlight that.

When Pinter's Betrayal recently played at the same venue, Robert was played as Harold himself, whereas on a narrative level the "Harold" character would be Jerry. That was another successful way of highlighting the ambiguity.

And the Jonny Lee Miller / Benetton Cummerbund alternation in Danny Boyle's Frankenstein really fascinated people, although that wasn't random and so people could easily see both castings.

[DanielWhit]

Cummerbund? However yes, if they are going to have alternate casting there should be at least some performances announced so people can see both should they wish. Random for some of the run is fine, personally - so long as there are some times when an audience who specifically want a casting can get to see it (pending illnesses etc).

[Jamiem]

Honoured Guest, on 11 August 2012 - 08:03 AM, said:

Probably many people. It's a highly ambiguous play and this random casting alternation should highlight that.

When Pinter's Betrayal recently played at the same venue, Robert was played as Harold himself, whereas on a narrative level the "Harold" character would be Jerry. That was another successful way of highlighting the ambiguity.

And the Jonny Lee Miller / Benetton Cummerbund alternation in Danny Boyle's Frankenstein really fascinated people, although that wasn't random and so people could easily see both castings.

Nobody I'm afraid is interested in anybody but Miss Scott Thomas

[Honoured Guest]

Jamiem, on 11 August 2012 - 08:41 PM, said:

Nobody I'm afraid is interested in anybody but Miss Scott Thomas

I see what you mean and it's a shame if she draws too much of a "celebrity-voyeur" audience because I think they're both excellent actors.

I admit I now see three or four French films in the cinema each year, mainly because of the presence of Mlle Scott Thomas. In Your Hands is lined up very shortly.