Synopsis This hilarious farce involves a brother and sister entangled in a web of love with four others - with everyone under one roof, comic mayhem is created as all six characters struggle to be alone with their lover and we try to work out who really loves whom. Written by one of the few female playwrights of the age, Sor Juana Ines de la Cruz was a poet nun and is perhaps best known as a major Baroque literary figure of Mexico. Running time 2 hours 50 mins including interval
This is excellently directed by Nancy Mackler to get the maximum of laughs but the play is a zero. Dog in the Manger had everything including a good plot. This has been compared to Dog but is just a farce in odd costume. Acting 5 Play 0 = 2.5 rouned up to 3. - USER: Whatsonstage.com (193.118.206.221)
09 Aug 04
Trinder is sensational. It's not as well constructed a play as "Dog", but laughs come thick and fast. Golden Age indeed. - USER: Whatsonstage.com (84.66.62.21)
06 Aug 04
Don't worry your pretty little heads about the incomprehensible plot, just sit back and revel in this glorious rediscovery. For me this was the highlight of the Stratford season, more than making up for the adequate but uninspired Shakespeare shows next door. - USER: Whatsonstage.com (195.92.168.169)
05 Aug 04
Nancy Meckler's distinctive style of stroytelling comes through but I think it is more suited to her adaptations of novels than plays - it feels like the subject of the play is secondary to getting a laugh. Also I cannot believe the casting - Joseph Milson and Simon Trinder and Rebecca Johnson and Claire Cox all effectively playing the same parts they do in Dog in the Manger - whats the point in doing this play when its just like Dog in the Manger mark 2? At least Tamar's Revenge has something different to offer. - USER: Whatsonstage.com (82.69.37.108)
13 Jul 04
Another wonderful evening's entertainment in the Golden Age season. House of Desires is beautifully directed by Nancy Meckler and features an exceptionally strong cast. Claire Cox, Rebecca Johnson and Katherine Kelly are equally strong while William Buckhurst and Joseph Millson in particular show terrific facial expressions as the farce unfolds - Millson in particuler is sensational. Those who say Dog in the Manger and were annoyed by Simon Trinder will find much to moan about here, for once again he reprises the "Baldrick role" and few play this part better. It's true he hams it up, but that is required in the part and I, and the rest of the audience apparently, think he's a star. If I had to find fault, it would be that Peter Sproule's diction is muffled when he does "blustering rage" and Julius D'Silva still looks like a better TV actor than a stage actor to me. A fun and light evening's entertainment investigating the honour code by an ensemble that really work well as a team - and again, wonderfully directed. The RSC at it's very best. - USER: Whatsonstage.com (62.252.0.6)
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