Comments on: Review: The Crucible – Abbey Theatre http://bonhom.ie/2007/05/review-crucible-abbey-theatre Tue, 12 Oct 2010 23:37:09 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: Dermod http://bonhom.ie/2007/05/review-crucible-abbey-theatre#comment-308 Dermod Tue, 17 Jul 2007 08:13:32 +0000 http://81.17.252.110/~dermod/2007/05/review-the-crucible-abbey-theatre.html#comment-308 1. Innovation is not the only criterion for staging a play on a national theatre stage. It is an important one, I agree, and in my opinion most productions in the Abbey's repertoire should take risks and be innovative. But not all - because a national theatre should also be the place where one goes to see the best in acting and direction. I completely disagree about this being something that "any amateur director" could produce - the amount of effort and skill required to highlight the subtleties and emotions of this play is considerable. It takes genius to make it seem simple. 2. I like the idea of audience interaction, of breaking down the fourth wall. But it's not relevant to this production. 3. I didn't find the last act too long, but that's just my experience. I mean classical theatre as in putting on acknowledged good plays, and doing them well. I have to say I agree with your sentiments about what a National Theatre should be about - what theatre should be about. But it has always been difficult to judge what is appropriate to produce on the Abbey stage - if it's too innovative, people stay away, because risks taken in theatre can backfire spectacularly. If it's too conservative, it dies. If the Abbey only produced this kind of show in its entire season, then I would have grounds for serious complaint. I'm only really paying attention to what's on in the Abbey for the past few months, so I will be looking for more innovative shows along the lines you like in the coming year. 1. Innovation is not the only criterion for staging a play on a national theatre stage. It is an important one, I agree, and in my opinion most productions in the Abbey’s repertoire should take risks and be innovative. But not all – because a national theatre should also be the place where one goes to see the best in acting and direction. I completely disagree about this being something that “any amateur director” could produce – the amount of effort and skill required to highlight the subtleties and emotions of this play is considerable. It takes genius to make it seem simple.
2. I like the idea of audience interaction, of breaking down the fourth wall. But it’s not relevant to this production.
3. I didn’t find the last act too long, but that’s just my experience.

I mean classical theatre as in putting on acknowledged good plays, and doing them well.

I have to say I agree with your sentiments about what a National Theatre should be about – what theatre should be about. But it has always been difficult to judge what is appropriate to produce on the Abbey stage – if it’s too innovative, people stay away, because risks taken in theatre can backfire spectacularly. If it’s too conservative, it dies. If the Abbey only produced this kind of show in its entire season, then I would have grounds for serious complaint. I’m only really paying attention to what’s on in the Abbey for the past few months, so I will be looking for more innovative shows along the lines you like in the coming year.

]]> By: Anonymouis http://bonhom.ie/2007/05/review-crucible-abbey-theatre#comment-307 Anonymouis Mon, 16 Jul 2007 22:47:43 +0000 http://81.17.252.110/~dermod/2007/05/review-the-crucible-abbey-theatre.html#comment-307 Dermod here are 3 reasons to think about in this dissapointing production- 1- no risk taken. nothing new. whats the point in doshing out old hat. any amateur director could do this with these actors. not good enough for a national theatre. 2- Stage offers no audience interaction. tear down this stage and get us involved. If we want to see images on a screen we have the UCI. 3. The last act was way too long. I wanted to join the executions by the end. What exactly do u mean by classical theatre ? This is just the usual Abbey nonsense as it exerts its cultural power with taxpayers money. Is this our national theatre or what the abbey say is our national theatre ? Are u are being hoodwinked into believing this is theatre-its not. Its TV dressed up as theatre. Think about what more theatre could offer if only we would take some risks. Dermod here are 3 reasons to think about in this dissapointing production-
1- no risk taken. nothing new. whats the point in doshing out old hat. any amateur director could do this with these actors. not good enough for a national theatre.
2- Stage offers no audience interaction. tear down this stage and get us involved. If we want to see images on a screen we have the UCI.
3. The last act was way too long. I wanted to join the executions by the end.
What exactly do u mean by classical theatre ? This is just the usual Abbey nonsense as it exerts its cultural power with taxpayers money. Is this our national theatre or what the abbey say is our national theatre ? Are u are being hoodwinked into believing this is theatre-its not. Its TV dressed up as theatre. Think about what more theatre could offer if only we would take some risks.

]]> By: Anonymous http://bonhom.ie/2007/05/review-crucible-abbey-theatre#comment-306 Anonymous Sun, 01 Jul 2007 17:27:49 +0000 http://81.17.252.110/~dermod/2007/05/review-the-crucible-abbey-theatre.html#comment-306 I saw this show yesterday afternoon, thought it a brilliant production with great ensemble acting. I'd like to pay personal tribute to Bosco Hogan, who stepped in at the last minute for Christopher Saul who had to withdraw for personal reasons. He had to use the script, not an easy task as his character is the centre point of the second act. But he, and the rest of the cast, worked round it wonderfully.<br/>A very emotional piece of theatre, and still very relevant today.. I saw this show yesterday afternoon, thought it a brilliant production with great ensemble acting. I’d like to pay personal tribute to Bosco Hogan, who stepped in at the last minute for Christopher Saul who had to withdraw for personal reasons. He had to use the script, not an easy task as his character is the centre point of the second act. But he, and the rest of the cast, worked round it wonderfully.
A very emotional piece of theatre, and still very relevant today..

]]> By: peadar http://bonhom.ie/2007/05/review-crucible-abbey-theatre#comment-305 peadar Sat, 23 Jun 2007 23:41:33 +0000 http://81.17.252.110/~dermod/2007/05/review-the-crucible-abbey-theatre.html#comment-305 Hi,<br/>Seen this performed tonight,and after reading the play 3 times I felt that it was a powerful testament to Millars Genius.<br/>Only discovered theatre this year at the age of 48 and to me this is what Millar wanted us to see and hear.<br/>Peadar Hi,
Seen this performed tonight,and after reading the play 3 times I felt that it was a powerful testament to Millars Genius.
Only discovered theatre this year at the age of 48 and to me this is what Millar wanted us to see and hear.
Peadar

]]> By: Dermod http://bonhom.ie/2007/05/review-crucible-abbey-theatre#comment-304 Dermod Mon, 18 Jun 2007 07:52:02 +0000 http://81.17.252.110/~dermod/2007/05/review-the-crucible-abbey-theatre.html#comment-304 Not sure why as an actor I would see it that way - the actor in me responded very well because I felt that acting talents were allowed to shine. And I don't see why this one production should be the litmus test for Irish theatrical innovation. This was quality classic theatre, and it has a home in the Abbey, alongside other (hopefully) more innovative work. Not sure why as an actor I would see it that way – the actor in me responded very well because I felt that acting talents were allowed to shine. And I don’t see why this one production should be the litmus test for Irish theatrical innovation. This was quality classic theatre, and it has a home in the Abbey, alongside other (hopefully) more innovative work.

]]> By: Anonymous http://bonhom.ie/2007/05/review-crucible-abbey-theatre#comment-303 Anonymous Sat, 16 Jun 2007 21:42:29 +0000 http://81.17.252.110/~dermod/2007/05/review-the-crucible-abbey-theatre.html#comment-303 Surely not thumbs up for this boring and tedious production. As an actor surely you recognised that this was old hat regurgicated for fat cats and eager tourists looking for culture. The audience were treated to voyeuristic theatre that was located in what looked like Lady Macbeths dungeon. There was more life up in Glasnevin cemetry. In fact theatre of this nature should be placed in the casket and buried with all the other culture the abbey throws out as crumbs to us poor taxpayers. Irish theatre inovative ? -RIP. Surely not thumbs up for this boring and tedious production. As an actor surely you recognised that this was old hat regurgicated for fat cats and eager tourists looking for culture. The audience were treated to voyeuristic theatre that was located in what looked like Lady Macbeths dungeon. There was more life up in Glasnevin cemetry. In fact theatre of this nature should be placed in the casket and buried with all the other culture the abbey throws out as crumbs to us poor taxpayers. Irish theatre inovative ? -RIP.

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