Previews for the second Broadway revival of Les Liaisons Dangereuses begin tonight (Saturday, October 8, 2016) at the Booth Theatre with Janet McTeer and Liev Schreiber at the helm. Opening is set for October 30 for a run slated through January 22, 2017.
Overall an excellent production. The set, the costumes, the music all nailed it. That they were mostly able to hold my attention for 3 hrs is an accomplishment.
i wasn't impressed by McTeer though. I just didn't get the malevolence. Maybe she needs to to amp it up for American audiences.
Liev carried the show with his energy. His is the showier part anyway. Even when he flubbed his lines his ad libs were hilarious.
i do find it strange to be viewing a play about rape in this climate. People were even laughing during the seduction scene which was rather uncomfortable.
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The duel seemed to come out of nowhere. I don't remember a challenge. Maybe there were some cuts.
I agree. McTeer was very weak when I saw it in London. Very monotonous tone to her voice and a very mannered performance.
Maybe flubbing lines is a ruining trait in that part. Dominic West messed up SO many lines in that role I was slightly amazed.
jbird5 said: "
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Nothing to see here.
Overall an excellent production. The set, the costumes, the music all nailed it. That they were mostly able to hold my attention for 3 hrs is an accomplishment.
i wasn't impressed by McTeer though. I just didn't get the malevolence. Maybe she needs to to amp it up for American audiences.
Liev carried the show with his energy. His is the showier part anyway. Even when he flubbed his lines his ad libs were hilarious.
i do find it strange to be viewing a play about rape in this climate. People were even laughing during the seduction scene which was rather uncomfortable.
Click Here To Toggle Spoiler Content
The duel seemed to come out of nowhere. I don't remember a challenge. Maybe there were some cuts.
I don't agree about McTeer, I saw her in London and she was sublime... it was very subtle, hope you're not looking for Mephistophelean acting or something
I don't agree about McTeer, I saw her in London and she was sublime... it was very subtle, hope you're not looking for Mephistophelean acting or something
'I agree. McTeer was very weak when I saw it in London. Very monotonous tone to her voice and a very mannered performance. "
Exactly.
Imeldasturn: Were you sitting close to the stage? Maybe it works up close. It probably would have been devastating on TV. But sitting in the Mezz or back of the theater those sublties are lost. It's almost as though the Brits are doing so well with the "cool medium" they've forgotten stage craft.
Which brings me to the week point of the production: The sound was atrocious. The performers appeared to be unmiked and at times barely audible. You heard every cough and the seats at Booth squeak every time you move.
I never like first previews because the sound is always off-- the designer likely can't set levels untils until you have a theatre full of warm bodies.
This show played in London at the tiny Donmar Warehouse which is about 1/3 the size of the Booth. McTeer can't give the same performance on Broadway and expect it to read past the third row.
“I knew who I was this morning, but I've changed a few times since then.”