#modern plays

[thatmentallyunstablebandkid]

What if we make a Romeo and Juliet adaption where any Montague v. Capulet scene is either set up like a Minecraft fight or an episode of Family Feud. And when Romeo kills himself and Juliet gets up and sees she says “ah shit he believed it.” And then she stabs herself. And during that whole scene there’s a sign over the stage that says “when the hoes take your suicide joke too seriously so now you gotta commit to the bit.” Lol what if

[narniansmagic]

Anna Popplewell in Reading Rep Theatre’s interview for the play Hedda Gabler

Directed by: Annie Kershaw

Running from 22/02/23 -11/03/23

[theatreisgoodforthesoul]

“Lobby Hero” by Kenneth Lonergan

Helen Hayes Theatre, 2018

Starring Michael Cera, Chris Evans, Bel Powley & Brian Tyree Henry

[definitely-not-pie]

Just re-read The Pillowman & it was even more amazing then it was the first time.

[imdrowninginmyowntearsyanno-blog]

Get me to drama school

[grush91]

Came into work early to make an Iced Chemex

[drama-undergrad]

The Yellow Wallpaper & Laughing Wild

On Saturday I was feeling particularly lethargic, but forced myself to go to Uni to see two performances (directed and acted by our very own drama undergraduates), or the Double Bill as it's referred to. I just realized that I don't actually know what a double bill is, although I could assume by the title. It's basically two films/performances, back to back, for the price of one. Or in our case, a discounted price if you watch both performances back to back.

Now, even though I did catch myself yawning and not really sociable at all, going to our Gulbenkian Centre (our Uni's very own theatre) was probably the best decision I've made...in a while! In other words, the performances were FANTASTIC!

'Laughing Wild' by Christopher Durang may just be my new favourite play written in the 80s. I actually laughed during the performance, and I don't laugh like that easily. Even though it's presumably set in 1980s New York, it's as relevant now, 30 years later, and specially to me, but that's a different story. It's the type of crazy I love- a man and a woman who are every-day characters and at the same time they are not. Paranoid, schizoid characters in plays are my favourite, together with child-murdering, ambitious queens (see Medea and Lady Macbeth). When it came to the acting and directing, as well as costume and set-design, everything was just right. There's nothing I can comment on really, other than to say how brilliant they were.

'The Yellow Wallpaper' is another drama that deals with mental illness, and I was again very impressed. I was particularly impressed by the three dancing apparitions (or witches, not sure exactly what they were as I haven't read the story) and their costumes, make-up, and movement. 'The Yellow Wallpaper' was originally a short story, and has been adapted to theatre and film. I will read it at some point because I believe the ending was slightly different in this play. 

If any of you have the opportunity to participate or watch student productions I would highly recommend it. It's incredible what these students produced in such a short amount of time. I've been in productions and although it always comes together the last week or two, it's usually after some kind of preparation, months beforehand.