Old Times Previews

[WhizzerMarvin]

Posted: 9/17/15 at 11:30pm

Was at the first preview of Old Times tonight and the production is in really great shape. All three actors have already honed their performances to a remarkable level and the tricky rhythms of the dialogue didn't trip them up for a second. The run time was about 75 minutes and it simply flew up.

 

For a moment when the lights came up I thought Raul Esparza had stepped in for Clive Owen. They have an eerily similar way of delivering dialogue and moving their bodies around. Kelly Reilly found some nice bits of humor and her final monologue was exciting. Still, it was Eve Best who stole the show as Anna. She was sly, sexy, funny and mysterious. She just gets it. After the disappointing Betrayal revival last season I would love to see her take on Emma.

 

I wasn't initially sure about the physical production as it takes the surrealism of the piece to a literal level, but it ended up working for me.

 

Truthfully, I was worried going in because on reflection the first preview of a Pinter play might not have been the wisest decision, but I think the credit for tonight's success must go in large part to Douglas Hodge. You get the feeling that he really loves this text and was able to guide these actors into pulling all they could out of it. I wasn't planning on making a return visit, but I can't imagine not doing so. 

[Kad]

Posted: 9/18/15 at 8:38am

I'm sorry to say I had the opposite takeaway than you, Whizzer. I thought the play was frustratingly opaque,  and not aided by Hodge's humorless direction, which often veers into portentous deliveries to the audience, unearned emotional outbursts, and stylistic flourishes that only muddy and do not illuminate.

The set is handsome but, again, opaque- what's the deal with the chunk of ice?

The short running time was, for me, anything but brisk. I found myself instead following the very slow rotation of the stage, once I had realized it was in fact turning.

It's a daring production for the risk-averse Roundabout, but I cannot imagine it winning their subscriber base over.

[WhizzerMarvin]

Posted: 9/18/15 at 8:57am

You know, Kad, I have a feeling I am going to be in the minority with my love for this play/production. Three of my friends were there last night- one of them loved it like I did and the other two hated it.

 

I woke up this morning even more entranced; the whole thing felt like an hypnotic dream that I was falling deeper and deeper into. I know Hodge is somewhat obsessed with Pinter, having performed many of his roles and directed several of his plays. He befriended the playwright and they appear to have friends in his later life. For me, it was Hodge's underlying love that somehow illuminated the text for me- and I realize that totally sounds like bullsh!t, but I swear it's how I feel! It's like when you taste a pie that you know was baked with love. Sounds corny, but there's a difference.

 

I'm sorry it sounds like you had a rough time, but I think you won't stand alone.

[Auggie27]

Posted: 9/18/15 at 9:01am

The play has always been maddeningly opaque; as a director friend says, it reads like a parody of Pinter. It was certainly ripe for re-exploration, for something new and (to my thinking) visceral to be discovered.  It's always holding us at arm's length; just when it nears genuine emotional catharsis, yes, out pour tears and sobbing (stage directions) that somehow feel slightly unearned. To my thinking, instead of illuminating whatever pushes these people thus, it presents, it shows us an aftermath, and then retreats. The final tableau (okay, but why?)   It would take daring to go a step further, to find and reveal the undercurrents. Still, both reviews above make me want to buy a ticket.    

[Kad]

Posted: 9/18/15 at 9:32am

I admit I am not familiar with this particular Pinter work, and so coming out of it I was not sure where the blame would fall for my issues with the production; writer or director or me. The actors are certainly able! But for me, it lacks the viscera you think needs to be brought out. It's a very cold production, and not just because of the chunk of ice.

Updated On: 9/18/15 at 09:32 AM

[Mr Roxy]

Posted: 9/18/15 at 9:43am

There last night as well and I am with Kad

 

The 70 minutes felt like an eternity. The brilliant flashing lights at the beginning were uncomfortable especially since due to an eye problem I have a sensitivity to them. The actors were fine .I too wondered about the ice slab.

It reminded me of the slab in 2001.Turntable sets seem to be the new rage.

Access 10 seats were fine. People on either side of us were scratching their heads at the end basically asking each other what the hell happened on the stage.People will either love or hate it. Many may be in the middle and be merely baffled by it.

Updated On: 9/18/15 at 09:43 AM

[Theater3232]

Posted: 9/18/15 at 9:45am

How bad are those flashing lights?  Can you just cover your eyes for a minute or two and then they're over?  (Theater Row had a lengthy show about a year ago called "Atomic" that had such bad flashing lights throughout that I had to get up and walk out.)  They need to have a strong warning all over their website about this.

[FindingNamo]

Posted: 9/18/15 at 9:49am

"The brilliant flashing lights at the beginning were uncomfortable especially since due to an eye problem I have a sensitivity to them."

It's always somethin'. -- Roseanne Roseannadanna

[WhizzerMarvin]

Posted: 9/18/15 at 9:56am

There are only two or three bright flashes at the beginning of the play, all before the dialogue begins. You can close your eyes for 30 seconds and you'll be fine. It's nothing like Atomic; I wanted to walk out of that too, but not because of the lighting! 

[Mr Roxy]

Posted: 9/18/15 at 10:01am

The lights come on unexpectedly. There was no warning. My problem makes it physically uncomfortable. I turn my head down and to the side whenever strobe lights are used. Yes they were brief but very bright and unexpected. Turned my head downward and closed my eyes until my wife gave me the green light.

 

We stayed away from Atomic for that very reason.

Updated On: 9/18/15 at 10:01 AM

[Auggie27]

Posted: 9/18/15 at 10:14am

People seldom remember, but the play was written and performed with an intermission, back in the day (1971).  It's hard to fathom, perhaps.  But the published script is about 74 pages of playing text, the intermission allows the second act to be 25 pages of material (dense, two major monologues, to be fair).  Yes, a 30-35 minute second act after a 15-20 minute intermission. it was as 90 minute evening, stretched, to be sure.  I doubt we'd accept that today. As noted above, there isn't sufficient emotional suspense to justify the attenuated denouement, such as it is. 

Updated On: 9/18/15 at 10:14 AM

[WhizzerMarvin]

Posted: 9/18/15 at 10:21am

And that's what I love so much about the final outburst of crying and sobbing. It feels so unearned and phony that it heightens the surreal nature of the piece. 

[Mr Roxy]

Posted: 9/18/15 at 10:25am

Surreal it was to be sure.

 

On the way to the show, we noticed that marquee for On The Town was lit up with the tracer lights flashing. We both thought this was odd. We than noticed a bum lying right by the front door. Maybe he was waiting in the rush line for its revival.

Updated On: 9/18/15 at 10:25 AM

[WithoutATrace]

Posted: 9/18/15 at 10:47am

I was there with Whizzer last night and honestly loved the production.  OLD TIMES is probably always going to be a play that garners polarizing audience reactions, so I am not surprised that some people did not care for it.  However, I was truly captivated by the performances, and thought the direction was excellent.  Hodge, Owen, Best, and Reilly should all be extremely proud of what they are doing on that stage.  I hope it gets the stellar reviews it deserves and I look forward to seeing this again after opening.

[Mr Roxy]

Posted: 9/18/15 at 10:54am

To trace

 

No one will like every show . Every show will have its supporters and detractors. We did not hate it .We simply thought it was too convoluted.To each his own.

 

For the record, we both enjoyed Betrayal and The Homecoming.

Updated On: 9/18/15 at 10:54 AM

[ChiTheaterFan]

Posted: 9/18/15 at 11:48am

Is this really closing November 29?  I see tickets are only on sale through that date and noises off is supposed to go into the American Airlines on 1/14.  Is such a short planned run normal?

Updated On: 9/18/15 at 11:48 AM

[Kad]

Posted: 9/18/15 at 11:55am

Yes, Roundabout plays generally have short runs if they're doing a full season. And it's possible the run cannot be longer due to the schedules of its performers.

[ChiTheaterFan]

Posted: 9/18/15 at 12:02pm

Thank you, Kad. I am just now beginning to get into straight plays so I appreciate the information. Definitely helps me plan!  :)

[Julie Yard]

Posted: 9/18/15 at 10:35pm

I was there last night as well and was 1 of those left scratching her head. This was in part because of all the people coming in late and the usher doing a lousy job of getting them to their seat quietly. I was in the Access 10 seats and felt like I missed the 1st 20 minutes. Sheesh. Eve and Clive were fun to watch sometimes, but I had no idea what was going on and did a little dozing too. Oh well. Not a Pinter fan. Happy for those who enjoyed.  

[Mr Roxy]

Posted: 9/18/15 at 11:16pm

Same thing with the ushers last night. With continental seating, it makes the problems of latecomers even worse.

 

Had you did see it without interruption, it would not have helped. I dozed off for an instant myself.

Updated On: 9/18/15 at 11:16 PM

[Auggie27]

Posted: 9/18/15 at 11:17pm

Bought my ticket. Thanks for such an appetite whetting discussion. 

[wolfwriter2]

Posted: 9/18/15 at 11:47pm

I have to throw my hat in the ring with Whizzer. I loved it and so did my partner. He's not into talky or difficult plays so I was teasing him that it was 'Old Times' and not 'Nap Time.' I'm happy he loved it. All three actors are doing a wonderful job with the language, the pauses and the timing.

 

I had never seen this on stage and now I have so many questions, that I'm sure I will be considering this for days to come. So much of the dialogue goes by so quickly and, yet, specifically relates to the couple and what is actually happening. To say more would spoil the play.

 

As for the "ice," we didn't think it was ice, at first, but it may well be metaphorical, I just have to figure out how.

 

Look forward to seeing this again, a bit later in the run. Difficult and challenging, but good fun and not a minute too short or long.

[Play Esq.]

Posted: 9/19/15 at 8:08am

Any thoughts on Thom York's incidental music?

[Mr Roxy]

Posted: 9/19/15 at 8:13am

Barely noticeable. I did not make any difference one way or the other.

[#1Elphie]

Posted: 9/19/15 at 8:31am

Count me among those who enjoyed it immensely. I'm a Pinter fan, though, and I can see why it might not be some people's cup of tea. I thought all the performances were very strong, and the play is still running through my head. Whizzer, I like your description of the production of a hypnotic dream.