David Mamet's BITTER WHEAT to premiere in London with Malkovich
David Mamet's BITTER WHEAT to premiere in London with Malkovich
#1David Mamet's BITTER WHEAT to premiere in London with Malkovich
Posted: 1/29/19 at 2:37pm
http://www.playbill.com/article/john-malkovich-to-star-in-new-david-mamet-play-bitter-wheat
So...how do we feel about this? My preliminary thoughts:
What is a David Mamet play inspired by the Harvey Weinstein accusations going to look like? Mamet is known for being a hardcore conservative who has been accused of misogyny in many of his plays. In Oleanna, also written as a response to sexual misconduct accusations (in that case, those against Clarence Thomas), he clearly sides with the accused. Granted, that play premiered 27 years ago, but has he changed his tune?
Also, what the F is up with the title? I know he likes absurd titles, but come on.
#2David Mamet's BITTER WHEAT to premiere in London with Malkovich
Posted: 1/29/19 at 2:50pm
I was really interested in this until you mentioned the playwright having a history of mischony and defending assaulters. Would be interesting if they try and turn this guy into a hero lol.
In all seriousness, I'd assume this will be quite a graphic play correct? Intrigued is where I'm at with this right now but nothing more.
#3David Mamet's BITTER WHEAT to premiere in London with Malkovich
Posted: 1/29/19 at 2:51pm
This is probably the last writer I'd want to approach this- other than Neil LaBute, I suppose.
I assume he'll delight in taking down what was once a major liberal figure. But who knows? Pretty much everything he's written in the last decade has been downright bad, produced only because he's Mamet.
The press release plot summary is bizarre and self-important.
"...everyone finally shut up, and the audience could enjoy the beginning of the Anatevka Pogram in peace."
Fordham2015
Broadway Star Joined: 4/3/17
#4David Mamet's BITTER WHEAT to premiere in London with Malkovich
Posted: 1/29/19 at 3:06pm
Malkovich has been a bit snotty in interviews about this, and it's definitely a loaded subject. But that's Mamet's bread and butter- he literally wrote a play called Race.
As one of the only people who liked China Doll (it's no Glengarry, but also not the trainwreck it was made out to be) I'm cautiously optimistic about this piece. Wonder if there'll be a U.S production if British reviews are positive.
#5David Mamet's BITTER WHEAT to premiere in London with Malkovich
Posted: 1/29/19 at 3:37pm
Let's hope Malkovich doesn't suffer the fate of Pacino. I'm not persuaded Mamet is the best director of his writing.
#6David Mamet's BITTER WHEAT to premiere in London with Malkovich
Posted: 1/29/19 at 4:05pmI’m much more interested in the rumored revival of The Anarchist starring Alexis Bledel and Lauren Graham.
Niles Silvers
Stand-by Joined: 9/27/18
#7David Mamet's BITTER WHEAT to premiere in London with Malkovich
Posted: 1/30/19 at 2:06pm
I tired of listening to old white men ranting quite a few years ago.
zainmax
Broadway Star Joined: 1/12/17
#8David Mamet's BITTER WHEAT to premiere in London with Malkovich
Posted: 1/30/19 at 2:07pm
Wonder why it's being done in the UK and not U.S?
Alex Kulak2
Broadway Legend Joined: 9/11/16
#9David Mamet's BITTER WHEAT to premiere in London with Malkovich
Posted: 1/30/19 at 6:59pm
zainmax said: "Wonder why it's being done in the UK and not U.S?"
Glengarry Glen Ross originally debuted in the UK
Alex Kulak2
Broadway Legend Joined: 9/11/16
#10David Mamet's BITTER WHEAT to premiere in London with Malkovich
Posted: 6/8/19 at 10:42pm
Anyone in London planning on seeing this?
New York Post just tore it a new one.
https://nypost.com/2019/06/07/david-mamets-harvey-weinstein-play-is-a-sick-joke/
jbird5
Broadway Star Joined: 12/20/15
#11David Mamet's BITTER WHEAT to premiere in London with Malkovich
Posted: 6/8/19 at 10:57pm
devonian.t said: "Let's hope Malkovich doesn't suffer the fate of Pacino. I'm not persuaded Mamet is the best director of his writing."
China Doll was directed by Pam MacKinnon although I think Mamet was heavily involved. Count me as another who actually enjoyed it once I woke up for Act 2.
#12David Mamet's BITTER WHEAT to premiere in London with Malkovich
Posted: 6/9/19 at 8:56am
Well, that NYPost article has sold the show to me. I will try and take a look. Ticket sales are excellent right now so hard to go last minute on a whim!
"You can't overrate Bernadette Peters. She is such a genius. There's a moment in "Too Many Mornings" and Bernadette doing 'I wore green the last time' - It's a voice that is just already given up - it is so sorrowful. Tragic. You can see from that moment the show is going to be headed into such dark territory and it hinges on this tiny throwaway moment of the voice." - Ben Brantley (2022)
"Bernadette's whole, stunning performance [as Rose in Gypsy] galvanized the actors capable of letting loose with her. Bernadette's Rose did take its rightful place, but too late, and unseen by too many who should have seen it" Arthur Laurents (2009)
"Sondheim's own favorite star performances? [Bernadette] Peters in ''Sunday in the Park,'' Lansbury in ''Sweeney Todd'' and ''obviously, Ethel was thrilling in 'Gypsy.'' Nytimes, 2000
GeorgeandDot
Broadway Legend Joined: 12/13/16
#13David Mamet's BITTER WHEAT to premiere in London with Malkovich
Posted: 6/9/19 at 12:56pmUgh. Super ugh to you, qolbinau. This sounds good to you?
Alex Kulak2
Broadway Legend Joined: 9/11/16
#14David Mamet's BITTER WHEAT to premiere in London with Malkovich
Posted: 6/9/19 at 2:23pm
GeorgeandDot said: "Ugh. Super ugh to you, qolbinau. This sounds good to you?"
qolbinau's taking one for the team. I need to know more about this trainwreck.
I'm kinda pissed honestly. I want one more good Mamet play before he retires/dies.
#15David Mamet's BITTER WHEAT to premiere in London with Malkovich
Posted: 6/9/19 at 2:40pm
I personally don't care if it's good or not, being part of the audience of something this controversial and odd "Written AND directed by" this polarising figure with this cast seems like a must-see event. In fact, the more of a trainwreck the better.
"You can't overrate Bernadette Peters. She is such a genius. There's a moment in "Too Many Mornings" and Bernadette doing 'I wore green the last time' - It's a voice that is just already given up - it is so sorrowful. Tragic. You can see from that moment the show is going to be headed into such dark territory and it hinges on this tiny throwaway moment of the voice." - Ben Brantley (2022)
"Bernadette's whole, stunning performance [as Rose in Gypsy] galvanized the actors capable of letting loose with her. Bernadette's Rose did take its rightful place, but too late, and unseen by too many who should have seen it" Arthur Laurents (2009)
"Sondheim's own favorite star performances? [Bernadette] Peters in ''Sunday in the Park,'' Lansbury in ''Sweeney Todd'' and ''obviously, Ethel was thrilling in 'Gypsy.'' Nytimes, 2000
LarryD2
Broadway Legend Joined: 9/1/14
#16David Mamet's BITTER WHEAT to premiere in London with Malkovich
Posted: 6/10/19 at 9:47am
If I was in London right now, my butt would be in a seat at the Garrick in a hot second. Not because I support Mamet or this play. Because it sounds like this has the potential to be a legendary trainwreck, and I want bragging rights to say I was there.
#17David Mamet's BITTER WHEAT to premiere in London with Malkovich
Posted: 6/10/19 at 10:03am
I want one more good Mamet play before he retires/dies.
I never thought he had one good play to begin with. Style over substance. No more Mamet anything would be preferable.
"What can you expect from a bunch of seitan worshippers?" - Reginald Tresilian
Impossible2
Broadway Legend Joined: 3/31/18
#18David Mamet's BITTER WHEAT to premiere in London with Malkovich
Posted: 6/10/19 at 4:21pm
I think I paid 30 quid for a seat behind a pole, sounds like I lucked out x
#19David Mamet's BITTER WHEAT to premiere in London with Malkovich
Posted: 9/7/19 at 6:30am
Finally about to see this. What I find interesting though is at tube stations and on twitter their current marketing says
"You can't be outraged if you haven't seen it yet. So book your seat today for a performance unlike any other with #BitterWheat."
Is this the first show that has ever tried to capitalise on negative word of mouth? It's an interesting strategy.
"You can't overrate Bernadette Peters. She is such a genius. There's a moment in "Too Many Mornings" and Bernadette doing 'I wore green the last time' - It's a voice that is just already given up - it is so sorrowful. Tragic. You can see from that moment the show is going to be headed into such dark territory and it hinges on this tiny throwaway moment of the voice." - Ben Brantley (2022)
"Bernadette's whole, stunning performance [as Rose in Gypsy] galvanized the actors capable of letting loose with her. Bernadette's Rose did take its rightful place, but too late, and unseen by too many who should have seen it" Arthur Laurents (2009)
"Sondheim's own favorite star performances? [Bernadette] Peters in ''Sunday in the Park,'' Lansbury in ''Sweeney Todd'' and ''obviously, Ethel was thrilling in 'Gypsy.'' Nytimes, 2000
Impossible2
Broadway Legend Joined: 3/31/18
#20David Mamet's BITTER WHEAT to premiere in London with Malkovich
Posted: 9/7/19 at 10:30am
I had a ticket for last week and didn't even bother to go x
#21David Mamet's BITTER WHEAT to premiere in London with Malkovich
Posted: 9/7/19 at 10:47amThey must be getting pretty desperate coming up to the closing of the show, I don’t remember seeing any of that marketing a couple weeks ago there. And the fact that they’re seriously trying to bring it to broadway just baffles my mind.
#22David Mamet's BITTER WHEAT to premiere in London with Malkovich
Posted: 9/7/19 at 11:21am
Sadly it isn’t very controversial at all in my opinion. It’s a very light, loose interpretation of what could have happened behind close doors with Harvey Weinstein in an alternate universe. A few laughs. But many of the jokes are repeated over and over again so many times that they become boring - specifically the fat jokes and the race/Asian-related jokes. A lot of cliche ideas about power and money. The lead actor does a good job making the very unlikable character entertaining. It’s all just rather meh though.
The second act is a schizophrenic mess and ended in the most absurd and abrupt fashion. Did he write this while high on drugs?
I would make act 1 grittier, have some genuinely insightful and terrifying monologues and completely rewrite act 2 if it were my play.
I still think it’s worth seeing if you can see it for a rush price or less - I paid 11 pounds lol.
"You can't overrate Bernadette Peters. She is such a genius. There's a moment in "Too Many Mornings" and Bernadette doing 'I wore green the last time' - It's a voice that is just already given up - it is so sorrowful. Tragic. You can see from that moment the show is going to be headed into such dark territory and it hinges on this tiny throwaway moment of the voice." - Ben Brantley (2022)
"Bernadette's whole, stunning performance [as Rose in Gypsy] galvanized the actors capable of letting loose with her. Bernadette's Rose did take its rightful place, but too late, and unseen by too many who should have seen it" Arthur Laurents (2009)
"Sondheim's own favorite star performances? [Bernadette] Peters in ''Sunday in the Park,'' Lansbury in ''Sweeney Todd'' and ''obviously, Ethel was thrilling in 'Gypsy.'' Nytimes, 2000
Alex Kulak2
Broadway Legend Joined: 9/11/16
#23David Mamet's BITTER WHEAT to premiere in London with Malkovich
Posted: 9/7/19 at 11:42am
qolbinau said: "Finally about to see this. What I find interesting though is at tube stations and on twitter their current marketing says
"You can't be outraged if you haven't seen it yet. So book your seat today for a performance unlike any other with #BitterWheat."
Is this the first show that has ever tried to capitalise on negative word of mouth? It's an interesting strategy."
I don't know about theatre, but when that terrible Travolta movie where he played John Gotti came out, the marketing for the film capitalized on the 0% on Rotten Tomatoes and pointed out the 90% audience score, when it came out later they made up hundreds of fake accounts to fix the vote.
#24David Mamet's BITTER WHEAT to premiere in London with Malkovich
Posted: 9/7/19 at 12:10pmThat final act was absurd. It’s like he wrote it by pulling suggestions out of a hat and whatever he pulled, he had to write about. It makes zero sense and while, I suppose, it was better than “China Doll”, it’s maybe the worst thing he’s ever written.
