Rebecca Hall initially wore this orange dress as Caroline Cushing in the 2008 film 𝑭𝒓𝒐𝒔𝒕/𝑵𝒊𝒙𝒐𝒏. It was then re-worn by Elle Fanning as Niki Trumbo in the final scene of the 2015 film 𝑻𝒓𝒖𝒎𝒃𝒐. Costume designer Daniel Orlandi worked on both films, making it almost certain that these are the same piece.
Neither Rebecca Hall nor Elle Fanning are strangers to recycled costumes, though they’ve generally been spotted in reuses from period dramas in the past. So it is interesting to see them both in more modern clothing.
See more reused costumes worn by Rebecca Hall and Elle Fanning, as well as more about this costume on our website: Bit.ly/PostEd251
Pic of the Day: Do you like my fancy suit? It's pinstriped!
James Marsters showing off his fancy duds while meeting fans after @LATheatreWorks' Frost/Nixon radio play 2012
@JamesMarstersOf
Thank you actress Patty McCormack, best known for “The Bad Seed”, “The Ropers”, “Frost/Nixon”, and others. A very nice person. #pattymccormack #thebadseed #theropers #frostnixon (at Feinstein’s/54 Below) https://www.instagram.com/p/CEDRNDJlzJj/?igshid=usqxh59g131a
Peter Morgan must have known that he landed on an inherently juicy, dramatically inclined story when he decided to dramatize the famous David Frost and Richard Nixon interview. With the legacy Nixon has left behind, whether you remember his positives, controversies, or both, his presidency is forever marked with a big ‘ole splotch of Watergate, deception, and a resignation. Now, it’s not like 2019 audiences need any more political-media drama than what’s already infiltrating television, radio, and Twitter feeds, but Mr. Morgan’s play is just as timely today as it was during its Tony-nominated New York run in 2007, and subsequent 2008 Oscar-nominated film. With a streamlined approach to introducing the main players, building up to the interviews happening, then having the actual interview sessions take place is incredibly tense, as enthralling as watching a championship tennis match in its final set. Director Leslie Martinson has helmed a thrilling, enticing production at TheatreWorks Silicon Valley, a production that serves a healthy dose of political drama and media showboating in the most entertaining of fashions.
(Jeremy Webb (David Frost); Photo credit: Kevin Berne)
The difficulty in casting the roles of Frost and Nixon go beyond just finding talented, age-appropriate actors, but they must be actors who look like and sound just like them. These are two pillars of the political and media landscape in 1977, and they garnered heavy TV ratings because of who they were and what the subject matter was. Thankfully, Ms. Martinson has two perfectly-cast gentlemen in Allen McCullough as Nixon and Jeremy Webb as Frost. The boisterous charisma and ever-glowing smile that streams from Mr. Webb’s Frost is filled with energy, nuance, and presence. Mr. Webb’s confident delivery of the more cocky lines juxtaposes his careful approach when interviewing Mr. McCullough’s Nixon towards the end of the play. The journey Frost goes through is all in how Mr. Webb carries himself in the beginning versus at the end. It truly is like watching a journalist going into battle as a positive, wide-eyed, happy-go-lucky, smart-alecky reporter and coming out as a triumphant veteran who has respect and admiration for his opponent.
(Allen McCullough (Richard Nixon); Photo credit: Kevin Berne)
Mr. McCullough is domineering as Nixon, giving audiences the former president we all knew or knew of, without limiting his performance to strict mimicry. Rather, he personifies the crooked politician by crafting this Nixon into an artistically human personality. In fact, some of the play’s best laughs come from Nixon’s awkward humor, self-deprecating comments, and confusion as to what social cues are currently acceptable. The phone conversation about “cheeseburgers” that Frost and Nixon share is a highlight scene that captures both of these men at a very vulnerable, exhausting moment, just before the final interview session. Mr. McCullough’s timing and cadenced delivery, slackened by the drink(s) Nixon has had, is a master class in slow burning the wick, which makes for a breathtaking admission and offer up of a showdown.
(L to R: Kenny Toll (James Reston), Stephen Muterspaugh (Bob Zelnick), Jeremy Webb (David Frost), and Adam Shonkwiler (John Birt); Photo credit: Kevin Berne)
Supporting highlights come from the well-rounded ensemble, namely by Elena Wright’s alluring, quirky Caroline Cushing; Craig Marker as the no-fuss, cautious, strong Col. Jack Brennan; and Kenny Toll as the bookish, passionate, intelligent James Reston. Mr. Toll’s balance between main narrator and Frost adviser/researcher through the interview is delivered and developed well, giving audiences deep insight to his motives and obsession with getting Nixon to admit he abused the powers of his presidency.
(Allen McCullough (Richard Nixon); Photo credit: Kevin Berne)
David Lee Cuthbert has outdone himself with his scenic and media design. Honoring the screens and technology of the late 70’s, the aesthetic is there, but is upped a level with his subtle-yet-effective projection design and use of television monitors, cameras, and revolving stage where the two titular characters spend their time together. Steven B. Mannshardt’s lighting design is a huge complement to the intimacy of the interviews and the urgency of the responses to those interviews. The design highlights the moments Ms. Martinson gives focus to, while still illuminating the bigger scenes effectively.
(Jeremy Webb (David Frost) and Allen McCullough (Richard Nixon); Photo credit: Kevin Berne)
This play is important, and I’m convinced that it will be just as relevant in 2029, 2039, 2049, and so on, as it is today, and a decade ago. Mr. Morgan knew exactly how to tell this story in a theatrical way, and Ms. Martinson and company have done the script, and historical figures, justice. Go see this show.
Details:
Frost/Nixon runs through February 10th
Mountain View Center for the Performin Arts in Mountain View
When we get to work with talented people like Michael Sheen, it’s always important to capture their spirt and personality. #mastersofsex #frostnixon #tbhpost #showtime #photoshoot #portraitphotography #face #outstanding #celebrity #actor (at Culver City, California) https://www.instagram.com/p/BqNMz3wBW9o/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1spb6jk6peuz1
