Chat about Plays

[Leslie]

I am LOVING Travesties - Dadaism, James Joyce, Lenin & recurring parody of The Importance of Being Ernest... hilarious!!

[Poornima]

Thanks Leslie! that goes right to my TBR!

[LauraT]

Leslie wrote: "I am LOVING Travesties - Dadaism, James Joyce, Lenin & recurring parody of The Importance of Being Ernest... hilarious!!"

I have to remember it.

[Jenny]

I am tempted to just copy over the comment I just left in the Tom Stoppard thread which looks sadly abandoned but I'll keep it short: I've started reading Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead last night, and it's brilliant. I think it helps to have a half decent memory of what Hamlet is about to fully appreciate it, since it's sort of Hamlet from the perspective of two minor characters, but I imagine even without detailed knowledge this is extremely enjoyable.

Tonight I am going to see The Cherry Orchard by Chekhov which I am really looking forward to, it's been a while since I saw a larger production.

[Bionic Jean]

It is a shame more people don't read Tom Stoppard He is so incredibly talented, witty and erudite. Every play I've ever seen by him (and I've seen quite a few) seemed to be about something different, requiring quite a lot of in-depth knowledge.

I was hoping to join in on at least one of them, but unfortunately although I have a "watch" on the kindle prices, nothing has come below £6 - and that is quite a lot for the slight script of Jumpers I remember.

Enjoy "The Cherry Orchard" Jenny :)

[Leslie]

Jean wrote: "It is a shame more people don't read Tom Stoppard He is so incredibly talented, witty and erudite. Every play I've ever seen by him (and I've seen quite a few) seemed to be about some..."

Jean, is there no availability through your library?

@Jenny - Enjoy The Cherry Orchard!

[Bionic Jean]

I've never got round to checking definitely, but I think ebooks through the library have to be read on the computer, and I don't really enjoy that very much. Tom Stoppard never makes it to Large Print - but I could look to see if there are some audio versions in the library. Thanks for the idea. :)

[Leslie]

Jean wrote: "I've never got round to checking definitely, but I think ebooks through the library have to be read on the computer, and I don't really enjoy that very much. Tom Stoppard never makes it to Large Pr..."

I can borrow ebooks for my Kindle - you should see if that is possible where you are.

[Bionic Jean]

I think the easiest thing would be for me to ask, as it doesn't look as if it would be possible online. Maybe tomorrow...

[amber]

The Cherry Orchard is the only one of what I think of as the big four Chekhov's I've never seen on stage.

[Bionic Jean]

Would you believe it? My library tells me that kindle is, "the only e-reader we can't send books to."

After a long inconclusive conversation, including a helpful demo from another reader of his wonderful toy - er, sorry - Samsung tablet, I'm still looking into it all :(

[Jenny]

That's one of the reasons I didn't get a kindle Jean, in Germany, because of amazons super restrictive system, most libraries go for epub rather than mobi files, so owning a kindle mostly means not being able to lend books from the library. I thought it would be different in the UK though.

[Bionic Jean]

Some areas in the UK may be different; this is just in Essex.

[Petra]

Where have I been? I just saw this folder for the first time!

I quite enjoy reading (and going to see) plays.

A few that I've recently read and thoroughly enjoyed are:
Wit (Margaret Edson got to the heart of this topic)
Wait Until Dark (an interesting who-dun-it)
The Pillowman (really marvelous)
The Beauty Queen of Leenane and Other Plays (they are all interwoven and good)
Angels in America: A Gay Fantasia on National Themes (gut wrenching and also witty, funny)

[Leslie]

Petra wrote: "Where have I been? I just saw this folder for the first time!

I quite enjoy reading (and going to see) plays.

A few that I've recently read and thoroughly enjoyed are:
Wit (Margar..."

Glad to see another drama fan! I haven't heard of any of those you mentioned except Wait Until Dark - if it is the same as the Audrey Hepburn movie of that title.

@Jean, that is a shame! I wonder why Amazon is so restrictive in Europe when Kindle library books are fairly common now here in the U.S. Oh, well...

[Bionic Jean]

I've managed fairly well so far, just noting the fact that some books (including Australian literary novels for some reason!) are only available as ebooks. The fact with all such restrictions is that there are just so MANY books I want to read that I can always find something else!!

Of course that doesn't help when you are looking for one specific thing though. There are still a couple of avenues to try, such as whether some clever computer person can convert my files - or going down the road of buying an extra ereader - though I'll not be changing allegiance entirely after buying so many already on Kindle!

[LauraT]

Jenny wrote: "That's one of the reasons I didn't get a kindle Jean, in Germany, because of amazons super restrictive system, most libraries go for epub rather than mobi files, so owning a kindle mostly means not..."

Exactly my reason!

[LauraT]

Petra wrote: "Where have I been? I just saw this folder for the first time!

I quite enjoy reading (and going to see) plays.

A few that I've recently read and thoroughly enjoyed are:
Wit (Margar..."

Busy as usual, eh Petra?

[Bionic Jean]

I do rather wish I had known you both, Jenny and Laura, before having a kindle...

[Shirley]

Jean wrote: "I do rather wish I had known you both, Jenny and Laura, before having a kindle..."

I know what you mean, Jean. My library has hardly any books you can borrow on kindle, and none I want to borrow!

[LauraT]

Jean wrote: "I do rather wish I had known you both, Jenny and Laura, before having a kindle..."

We can manage somehow Jean! I'll write you how, but on monday: still at home without internet, I can use only my tablet and. I don't feel confortabld writing ling massages with this virtual keybord!

[Bionic Jean]

Shirley - ah so it's not just Essex then!

Laura - Now I am intrigued! I do suspect there must be a clever techno solution but haven't a clue what!

[amber]

I haven't posted in this thread in a very long time, so I'll just mention the last play I read or saw. The last play I read was August: Osage County. It was good although not as great as the hype for it would make you believe. The last one I saw was Good Boys and True - Acting Edition. It is really good. I'd read it twice already, so I knew everything that was going to happen and the two hours still flew by.

[Leslie]

I have been neglecting this thread as well :(

I have read two more plays by Tom Stoppard, about which I posted under our group play thread.

I am excited about our next group play, starting soon on March 20th: Medea. I am also going to read some other ancient Greek plays during the spring. I don't know which but Aristophanes is high on my list!

[Bionic Jean]

I am feeling very excited about this plays thread too, now that I have a tablet! Just have to work out how to use the thing... :D

[Leslie]

I am just going to copy what I said in my challenge thread here:

Agamemnon by Aeschylus, translated by Richard Lattimore (1947)

I found Lattimore's translation difficult to read and ended up supplementing it with the YouTube video of the (British) National Theater production of Tony Harrison's translation, which I found easier to understand. Even that was difficult in places but perhaps because I was busy trying to match up the video with the text...

So for this particular edition I give 3 stars - for the play itself, I give 4 stars. This is the epitome of what I think of when I hear the term "Greek tragedy" - the inescapable fate, the chorus, the justice and yet the pity.

In case you are unfamiliar (or like me have forgotten) the background to this play, a short synopsis:
   Agamemnon & Menelaus are brothers; their father Atreus had banished their uncle Thyestes over who would rule Argos. Thyestes returned begging to be taken back, Atreus pretended to forgive him and then murdered Thyestes 2 oldest sons and serves their flesh to Thyestes at a banquet. When Thyestes finds out, he lays a curse on the entire house.
   Years later, Agamemnon & Menelaus marry sisters Clytemestra and Helen respectively. Helen goes to Troy, setting off the Trojan War. When Agamemnon has assembled all the Greek forces at Aulis, ready to set sail for Troy, they are prevented from leaving by contrary winds. Agamemnon is told by the seer/prophet Kalchas that in order to get proper winds for sailing, he must make a sacrifice of his virgin daughter Iphigenia, which he does.
   After 10 years of fighting the Trojan War, the action of this play begins...

Clytemestra is an avenging demon, although that isn't readily apparent at first. Her strike at Agamemnon may be justified as she claims, by right of vengence for their daughter Iphigenia, but she doesn't even attempt to justify killing Cassandra. Aigisthos (Aegisthos?), youngest son of Thyestes and Clytemestra's lover, enters in the last part of the play to take over the kingdom. Further doom is clearly indicated...

Annoyingly for me, the book I got from the library has the first and the last plays of the trilogy but not the second one. :( I will have to download a Kindle version... or just watch the play on YouTube!

[Leslie]

I found that Agamemnon was resounding in my head, as if demanding justice, so this morning I went ahead and read/watched the second play in the trilogy, The Libation Bearers. The play itself is extremely short - only about 45 pages. This time I read a translation by Morshead (I think, although the title page lists several translators), who translated into rhyme which for some reason I find easier than prose. I also watched the National Theater Production.

These British National Theater productions are well worth watching for anyone interested in drama (or in the ancient Greeks), as they are performed in the traditional ancient Greek style, with all men and everyone wearing masks and the chorus etc. The masks make a difference to the feel of the play - all the power of the emotions comes from the words. Although there are gestures and movement, having no facial expressions really focusses your attention on what is being said.

[amber]

I've just seen Venus In Fur, it was funnier then I thought it would be, less Man/Woman-ish than I was expecting. It was pretty good, much better then the last big Broadway hit play I saw. I didn't get a chance to read the book Venus in Furs before seeing it because it didn't come in to the library in time, so not sure how much of the play connects to the book.

[Leslie]

amber wrote: "I've just seen Venus In Fur, it was funnier then I thought it would be, less Man/Woman-ish than I was expecting. It was pretty good, much better then the last big Broadway hit play I saw. I didn't ..."

Sounds like you had a good time then! I will keep this play in mind in case it is produced here in the Boston area.

[Leslie]

I have finished up the Aeschylus trilogy with Eumenides - the shortest (35 pages and less than an hour in performance) and I felt the easiest of the three. This one was translated by George Thomson, which I found easy to read compared to the previous 2 plays - partially due to this just being an easier play, partially due to the way Thomson translated it.

I am glad that I read these, but I prefer Sophocles over Aeschylus. I look forward to reading some Euripides over the next few months, as well as rereading some Sophocles, so it will be interesting to compare.

[amber]

Leslie wrote: "amber wrote: "I've just seen Venus In Fur, it was funnier then I thought it would be, less Man/Woman-ish than I was expecting. It was pretty good, much better then the last big Broadway hit play I ..."

It was fun, I'd say it's worth a see. :)

[amber]

I read Wit. It was a little too mannered for my taste, but it was still engaging. There is a company doing it here soon, so I think I'll go see it because it is clearly an amazing part for an actress.

[Leslie]

amber wrote: "I've just seen Venus In Fur, it was funnier then I thought it would be, less Man/Woman-ish than I was expecting. It was pretty good, much better then the last big Broadway hit play I saw. I didn't ..."

I have discovered that the ebook of this is available here on GR - https://www.goodreads.com/ebooks/down...

[amber]

Thank you Leslie!
I never think to check for the GR readability.

[Tracey]

Happy lady here!
I am reading the wonderful, the magnificent, the incredible William Shakespeare' Romeo and Juliet. I am blown away by it.

[amber]

Just saw All's Well That Ends Well now all I can think about is the gender politics behind the bed trick.

[Leslie]

I reread Molière's play Tartuffe, in a different (and MUCH better) translation. I will strongly recommend Richard Wilbur's translation to anyone who is reading Molière in English - he not only is easy to read and understand, but he captures the humor.

[LauraT]

Leslie wrote: "I reread Molière's play Tartuffe, in a different (and MUCH better) translation. I will strongly recommend Richard Wilbur's translation to anyone who is reading Molière in English - he..."

I've seen it on stage when yuong, by a very good and famous italian theatre actor - now dead - Romolo Valli, and I still remember it for how good it was!

[amber]

I've just finished Cloud 9. I'm thinking Churchill will have to go on the list with Mamet as playwrights other people find really profound and I just find dull.

[Leslie]

I find Mamet hit or miss -- maybe I just need to be in the right mood.

Our Spring play will be starting soon -- Loot by Joe Orton. amber, did you suggest this one? Someone did, as I have never read (or seen) any of his plays. I am looking forward to it!

[amber]

Leslie wrote: "I find Mamet hit or miss -- maybe I just need to be in the right mood.

Our Spring play will be starting soon -- Loot by Joe Orton. amber, did you suggest this one? Someone did, a..."

Nope wasn't me. This will be a new playwright for me as well. :)

[amber]

I've picked up Loot at the library.

[Leslie]

amber wrote: "I've picked up Loot at the library."

I have requested by interlibrary loan, so it will be about a week before it gets here (just in time!).

[amber]

I've finished Loot.

[Leslie]

amber wrote: "I've finished Loot."

I'll set up a discussion thread for it :)

[amber]

Leslie wrote: "amber wrote: "I've finished Loot."

I'll set up a discussion thread for it :)"

I wasn't trying to rush you. I swear. :)

[Leslie]

amber wrote: "Leslie wrote: "amber wrote: "I've finished Loot."

I'll set up a discussion thread for it :)"

I wasn't trying to rush you. I swear. :)"

Hahaha! No, but you did provide me with a good reminder :)

[amber]

Leslie wrote: "amber wrote: "Leslie wrote: "amber wrote: "I've finished Loot."

I'll set up a discussion thread for it :)"

I wasn't trying to rush you. I swear. :)"

Hahaha! No, but you did provide me with a go..."

For once I'm ahead of the game with a group read had to take advantage of it. ;)

[Katy]

I'm headed to New York soon and have already purchased my theater tickets. I'm going to see "All the Way" about Lyndon Johnson, "A Gentlemen's Guide to Love and Murder" and Shakespeare in the Park's "Much Ado About Nothing" I'm very, very excited.

[Leslie]

Katy wrote: "I'm headed to New York soon and have already purchased my theater tickets. I'm going to see "All the Way" about Lyndon Johnson, "A Gentlemen's Guide to Love and Murder" and Shakespeare in the Park..."

:) What fun! Have a great time! I need to get back to reading more Shakespeare...