The Nether

[cbcgirl4life]

Has anybody seen it yet and want to post a review? It looks interesting!

[JoseLee_]

the play? It had it's world premiere in L.A. I saw it and REALLY enjoyed it. It was kind of scary.

[ooblogway]

Saw the MCC production over the weekend. It's very well done, very effective and very creepy at times. I think the weak link is Merritt Wever, who is miscast. Everyone else is outstanding.

[WiCkEDrOcKS]

Anyone else see this? Reviews seemed strong.

[After Eight]

Abysmal. A confused and preposterous mess. The little girl was good. Some others were not.

The only thing to cheer about was its brevity.

[WiCkEDrOcKS]

...ANYONE else?

[FireFingers]

Saw this production when it ran at the Royal Court. Loved it, but very harrowing and a bit uncomfortable to watch. Some spectacular performances in it. Recommended.

[Cape Twirl of Doom]

I really enjoyed it, though I agree Merritt Weaver was miscast. I thought it brought up some interesting things to ponder.

(and hey, a pan from After Eight pretty much means it's good.)

[mamaleh]

Question about the ending of THE NETHER

SPOILER ALERT


Do Simms and the professor actually see each other in reality? Or are they communicating virtually? Saw it tonight and found it mesmerizing--as well as unsettling.

[japhun2]

Saw this today in London--it is playing at the Duke of York in the West End.

The show is not worthy of all of its accolades. It has interesting thoughts to ponder, but overall it was an odd way to spend 80 minutes.

[goldenboy]

I agree with After Eight. A dull evening of theatre. That was 90 minutes I won't get back. Weaver was miscast.

[After Eight]

"The show is not worthy of all of its accolades."

Very true. But, really, when you come right down to it, is any of the overhyped junk that gets accolades nowadays worthy of them? Think Constellations, Jerusalem, Mother/Hat, Book of Mormon, The Flick, Fun Home, Once, The Realistic Joneses, etc., and now, the overhyped monster of them all, Hamilton.

It's all a grotesque joke.

Unfortunately, the joke's on us.

[bandit964]

The production at MCC is not the same production that played the Royal Court and is currently @ the Duke of York's.

The Royal Court Production is directed by Jeremy Herrin.

The MCC production is directed by Anne Kauffman.

From the production stills and youtube trailers, the London production looks superior.

[ClydeBarrow]

I saw the show and really enjoyed it. I think it brings up some interesting topics however I didn't like when the play tried to make a POINT. It just seemed like kind of a throwaway line that was conveying a message rather than being a part of the play itself.

As everyone has already said, Wever is severely miscast. The rest of the cast fairs very well.

While I thought the physical production was good I would much rather see something like the production stills of the Royal Court which looks phenomenal.

Lucky for you goldenboy, it was only 75 mins so you didn't waste that much of your life.

[frogs_fan85]

Do Simms and the professor actually see each other in reality? Or are they communicating virtually? Saw it tonight and found it mesmerizing--as well as unsettling.

I just got back from the matinee and my reading of the ending is that that entire conversation is happening in Sims' head as he's replaying what happened and what he wished he said to Iris.

[goldenboy]

Really? 75...not 90? Those 75 minutes seems interminable.
I thought it was 90. Felt like three hours. ugh.

[LarryD2]

Was Wever in the matinee? I heard that she'd injured herself and they'd brought Quincy Tyler Bernstine in as an emergency cover.

[frogs_fan85]

Yes, Merrit Weaver did perform at the matinee.

Also, not to add to goldenboy's dismay, but today the show was barely 70 minutes. The house lights went down at 2:07pm and I was putting my coat on at 3:15pm.

[cbcgirl4life]

So what would be next for this show? It's succeeding in The West End, but would it have any shot on a Broadway? It seems a bit dark for community theatre....

[Mattbrain]

Ugh, goldenboy weighed in? That means we'll never hear the end of it.

[WhizzerMarvin]

Frogs fan, I was at the matinee today too!

I thought the play was very interesting and it certainly prompted some lively discussion between my friend and I afterward. It definitely makes one a little uncomfortable, but I suppose that's part of the point when you're watching a play about child molesters and abusers.

Frank Wood and Peter Friedman were both excellent and Sophia Anne Caruso navigated a tricky role for a younger actor with surprising subtlety. I wonder how her agent pitched the role to her (and her parents)...

[LimelightMike]

^ Couldn't agree with you more, Whizzer! Caught the show last night (3/20) and was thoroughly captivated for the play's duration. Peter and Frank delivered knock-out performances. I was SO impressed with the layers to the character of 'Iris'. I thought Merrit got stronger in the latter-half of the show -- but, "miscast" never once crossed my mind. I think it's more from the way the role is structured.

[dave1606]

Maybe I am alone here, but I saw this today, and I really enjoyed the play and Merritt Weaver. I thought she was great, and that the whole cast was excellent. No one has an easy part to pull off, and most do it quite well.

The subject matter is quite interesting, and I think it would make an excellent film as well. I wasn't sure where it was going for the first 30 minutes or so, but once I got their concept I really enjoyed it. There are a few nice surprising twists too.

Yes, it isn't easy to watch, and I couldn't recommend it to everyone, but its a good production (loved the little set reveals, very clever) and a fascinating play. Definitely glad I saw it.

[misto625]

I saw The Nether on March 8 with Quincy Tyler Bernstine on for Merritt Wever and I thought she was pretty good, especially since she was just learning the role.

Peter Friedman and Frank Wood were both very excellent, I don't think their characters ever met each other in real life, all their communication was just online. I hope Sophia Ann Caruso gets more roles and continues to build her career, she is a talented young actress.

[mamaleh]

Thanks, Frogs_fan. That does make sense.