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I finally saw the play... |
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Bernard Pomerance's play ('The Elephant Man') was one of the first things I ever read about Joseph, and I was fortunate to get a video of the original broadway production. However, being a performer myself, nothing really compares to live theatre. I've been wanting to see a live production of this play since I knew it existed, and *finally* got my chance! So here's the story of that escapade - I hope it's entertaining! |
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Please click on the thumbnails of each picture to see them full sized... |
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As is the case with live theatre, it isn't like a movie playing in theatres across the country, or available in your local rental store. This is, in part, what makes going to the theatre such a special event - it's rare and unique, no performance is ever quite the same. It can also be a bit frustrating, waiting for some theatre, somewhere, to decide to put on your favorite play. Though, it makes it all the more exciting when you finally do get to see it. Of course, life being the way it usually is, I found out too late about the Broadway revival of my favorite play. Don't ask how this happened - I have plenty of other theatre friends, talk regularly with people seeing shows in NYC, and follow NY theatre myself. I have no clue how this one slid by, but believe me, I was kicking myself afterwards! Of course, this was also the *only* year since 1996 that I missed the Tony awards as well! Go figure! |
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(above) Jeff and I went to NYC in September, and took some silly picture of me standing in front of the theatre where the play had been in the spring and looking sad. Yes, those silly faces are supposed to be sad faces, though mostly I just look ridiculous! I did manage to bring home a few souvineers from the show that I bought at the Broadway flea market we attended. |
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Later in the spring, we happened to drive past a theatre downtown advertising the next seasons shows on their marquee - and lucky me, my favorite play was on there! I was so happy! Jeff, being the wonderful husband he is, bought us tickets and gave them to me on my birthday! (left: our tickets -great seats! - and pages from the theatre brochure) |
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There were a number of articles about the show in the newspaper, three of which are linked to on the left. The play ran for five performances - a rather short run! - and Jeff and I had tickets for Friday, Nov 1st. We went out to dinner before heading to the theatre downtown. We ended up going to a western/cowboy sort of theme restaurant (Montana's for anyone from Canada) and everyone in there seemed to think we were dressed pretty funny! (below right: me dressed for the theatre) |
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local preview article |
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I have to add here, thank you to Jeff for putting up with all my commentary about the play! I know it's not quite as near and dear to your heart as it is to mine, but I do appreciate your putting up with me!
For all the rest of you lucky folks out there, you actually have a choice, and don't have to listen to my commentary! However, I promise to try and keep it short and sweet, as I realize not everyone is as enthralled by this as I am... hehe!
Overall, I had a great time, and really enjoyed the production. It's meant to be done in one act, but this particular version was split into two - not an uncommon occurence. In this case, the first half of the show was a little bit lacking, but the second half was so brilliant, that anything missing in the first half didn't seem to matter. The cast was great - though I have to say a lot of credit goes to the actor playing Joseph (who was a guest artist - possibly explaining why he was better than everyone else!). He did a great job with the role. His performance was at times touching, heartwarming, and heartbreaking - really quite wonderful! He also had an amazing gift for the physicality the role requires (as there is no makeup) He was quite small - about the size of the actress playing |
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Mrs. Kendal - which worked quite well, and had a fascinating way of contorting his face and entire body so that he actually did have a remarkable resemblance to the character.
The rest of the cast was entertaining as well, though not quite on the same level. The actor playing Treves did a great job taking some of the coldness out of the role, and making the character seem more lost than anything else. The actress playing Mrs. Kendal was sympathetic and believable, but tended to play more to the ditzy side of the role than to the wisdom written into it.
There were a few changes made to the show - namely the adding of several famous lines from the film to a scene (the train station scene) in which they didn't really fit. I'm sure whoever suggested this thought it was a great idea, but it seemed out of character to me to have Joseph taking his mask off in a policeman's face and shouting at him! Oh well, I suppose the rest of the audience didn't notice anything was amiss, except perhaps the folks seated around me who may have noticed me shaking my head!
Well, aside from a few other minor changes, and of course, one of my pet peeves, historical inaccuracy -particularly when it's in costumes (Mrs. Kendals first dress was absolutely awful - I'm sure it was the cutting edge of fashion in the 1850's, some 3 decades before the show takes place!) the show was terrific, and I certainly wish I could've gone again!
However, I think for now, that's the end of this story! |
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Back... |
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