REVIEW | The Misanthrope
May 26th 2000 03:12
hair of the dog
presents the Sydney premiere of
a new version of Moliere's
The Misanthrope
by Martin Crimp
CAST:Mark Constable, Andrew Crabbe, Peter Astridge, Pippa Grandison, Jillian O'Dowd, Jules Sobotta, Cameron Welsh, Richard White, Shaun McKean DIRECTOR David Field SET DESIGNER John King COSTUME DESIGNER Stuart Gregory LIGHTING DESIGNER Stephen Hawker SOUND DESIGNER Dave Newman
First performed by The Young Vic Company 8th February 1996 the Sydney season opened at B Sharp, May 25, 2000.
Misanthropy was something to laugh at in 17th Century France under the reign of Louis XIV. So were the coquettish designs of young Celimene the original chick in this 400 year old play revitalised by Martin Crimp.The chick is Jennifer (Pippa Grandison) in the "now" version - an American movie star living the high life in London. She's a twenty year old manipulative product, smooth, sexy and on the rise. In love with Jennifer is Alceste (Mark Constable) a playwright who says he refuses to play "the game", and is upset with Jennifer that she does just that, stringing guys (& gals) along who would exploit her for their own capital gain.
The original play is revisited without missing a beat in this update and young audiences will enjoy seeing it for sure. Grandison has ample opportunity to flirt, seduce, coyly play, and also gets to behave like a Melanie Griffith/Bette MIdler hybrid. She adds a sweetness to the production that leaves a bitter aftertaste. Up in Jennifer's penthouse various gentlemen and ladies flock to enjoy the good time and feed on Jennifer's celebrity. The characters of Commedia dell' Arte become post-modern journalist Ellen (Jillian O'Dowd), Marcia (Jules Sobotta) an acting teacher, an agent, a musician, a leather clad messenger with motorbike helmet, a theatre critic, a theatrical agent and an actor who is as gormless as Hugh Grant and grave as a bucket of babies' spew. The antics of the characters involve scheming, bitching, manipulative condescending and general shallow behaviour that relies heavily on very complex rhymes. This dialog demands light and shade, excellent comic timing and strong emotional choices. Hair of the Dog deliver on all counts.
David Fields direction keeps the play well focused. The costumes and lights add a sophisticated texture to the production and a hip sound groove between scenes assists as Field has the actors evoke many emotional images of grotesque humanity even up until the last kiss-off of the play. Fine entertainment driven by actors who have managed to keep the spirit of the original alive in their timing and delivery, while serving the updated text well. The english translation of The Misanthrope by Richard Wilbur was last seen in Sydney over 15 years ago - I think the original is a better play, but this version would appeal to anyone who enjoys strong social satire.
B SHARP
Belvoir Street Theatre,
25 Belvoir Street,
SURRY HILLS
until June 18, 2000.
BOOKINGS 9699 3444
ContactEmail
David Paul Jobling
presents the Sydney premiere of
a new version of Moliere's
The Misanthrope
by Martin Crimp
CAST:Mark Constable, Andrew Crabbe, Peter Astridge, Pippa Grandison, Jillian O'Dowd, Jules Sobotta, Cameron Welsh, Richard White, Shaun McKean DIRECTOR David Field SET DESIGNER John King COSTUME DESIGNER Stuart Gregory LIGHTING DESIGNER Stephen Hawker SOUND DESIGNER Dave Newman
First performed by The Young Vic Company 8th February 1996 the Sydney season opened at B Sharp, May 25, 2000.
Misanthropy was something to laugh at in 17th Century France under the reign of Louis XIV. So were the coquettish designs of young Celimene the original chick in this 400 year old play revitalised by Martin Crimp.The chick is Jennifer (Pippa Grandison) in the "now" version - an American movie star living the high life in London. She's a twenty year old manipulative product, smooth, sexy and on the rise. In love with Jennifer is Alceste (Mark Constable) a playwright who says he refuses to play "the game", and is upset with Jennifer that she does just that, stringing guys (& gals) along who would exploit her for their own capital gain.
The original play is revisited without missing a beat in this update and young audiences will enjoy seeing it for sure. Grandison has ample opportunity to flirt, seduce, coyly play, and also gets to behave like a Melanie Griffith/Bette MIdler hybrid. She adds a sweetness to the production that leaves a bitter aftertaste. Up in Jennifer's penthouse various gentlemen and ladies flock to enjoy the good time and feed on Jennifer's celebrity. The characters of Commedia dell' Arte become post-modern journalist Ellen (Jillian O'Dowd), Marcia (Jules Sobotta) an acting teacher, an agent, a musician, a leather clad messenger with motorbike helmet, a theatre critic, a theatrical agent and an actor who is as gormless as Hugh Grant and grave as a bucket of babies' spew. The antics of the characters involve scheming, bitching, manipulative condescending and general shallow behaviour that relies heavily on very complex rhymes. This dialog demands light and shade, excellent comic timing and strong emotional choices. Hair of the Dog deliver on all counts.
David Fields direction keeps the play well focused. The costumes and lights add a sophisticated texture to the production and a hip sound groove between scenes assists as Field has the actors evoke many emotional images of grotesque humanity even up until the last kiss-off of the play. Fine entertainment driven by actors who have managed to keep the spirit of the original alive in their timing and delivery, while serving the updated text well. The english translation of The Misanthrope by Richard Wilbur was last seen in Sydney over 15 years ago - I think the original is a better play, but this version would appeal to anyone who enjoys strong social satire.
B SHARP
Belvoir Street Theatre,
25 Belvoir Street,
SURRY HILLS
until June 18, 2000.
BOOKINGS 9699 3444
ContactEmail
David Paul Jobling
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