Reader Reviews
Billy Budd (London Coliseum, West End)
Back to Show Details| Score | Comment | Date |
 | Dreadful to play the pivotal sequence of 32 chords (reflecting the conflicts in Vere's mind) with the curtain down. It completely destroyed focus, and was a queue for coughing and some whispering. Neil Armfield's previous, and far superior, production didn't do that. The eruption of anger, and near-rebellion, of the crew at Budd's death went for little as it was swamped, and contained, by fascistic officers, who almost seemed like guards. And why did the sailors walk on, at one point, like prisoners, with bowed heads and hands on the shoulder of the man in front, like in a 19th century prison? Totally daft. A very disappointing production that missed many of the key dramatic scenes. - handel21 | 09 Jul 12 |
