To expand on Jean-Paul Sartre, hell is listening to other people chewing mixed nuts while sitting in the sweltering hot Pit during an overlong production of No Exit. To be fair, rude theatre-goers cannot be blamed on the production, nor can the temperature of the venue. But taking a play that would seem long at 90 minutes and stretching to an interminable 120 minutes is definitely a correctable mistake. And while the directors (Jeremy Powell and Julie Matheson) may not have made the best decisions in terms of pacing, their casting choices were impeccable. Harry Sawchuck does a fine job as the smarmy deserter, Natascia Lypny is perfect as the self-deceiving, kittenish femme fatale and Emily Jones really shines as the cruel manipulator. Did I enjoy this production of No Exit? No. But I’m also not sorry to have seen it and to know that the King’s Theatrical Society is tackling difficult works.
November 5 and 6 at 8pm at The Pit, Arts and Administration Building, University of King’s College, 6350 Coburg.
This article appears in Nov 4-10, 2010.
I would be interested in learning how one cuts an entire half-hour from a production, save from splicing the text itself, which kind of undermines the playwright’s intentions. Maybe Kate Watson could have reviewed the production itself, instead of the script?
Generally, Mariachi Man Elf, productions of No Exit clock in around 90 minutes. So it seems the real question is how (and why) this version managed to add an extra half an hour.
A reading of No Exit takes 90 minutes. I know I’ve done it. and if you add every “longish silence” asked by Sartre. it will clock in more time. perhaps the production added too much time. But I always understood that the play was supposed to feel long. these people are in this room forever. I do generally agree with Mariachi Man Elf. Ms Watson, I would like to see you review productions of plays and not just their scripts or audience members..
doesn’t much matter how long the play actually takes, if it feels long, it feels long, and that is a pacing (and a production) issue.
also..I would be interested in learning how one reviews a production without reviewing also the script? Particularly if the script affects ones enjoyment/understanding of the show? To ignore script issues that arise with the production, kind of undermines the point of reviewing a show for the benefit of those who might chose to come see it.