I find it’s usually a good idea to pick up a local publication—a newspaper, perhaps, or a magazine—from the destination when you’re traveling.
As I was taking the underground trains from Victoria station to Tottenham Hale, I picked up an abandoned copy of the day’s Metro daily and discovered that a production of ‘The Misanthrope’ was currently being shown at the Comedy Theater. Moreover, and really this is why I noticed, Keira Knightley was a part of the cast!
I was surprised, of course, by this immensely serendipitous order of things. Day one in the UK and already I find a way to be in the same room as Keira Knightley (fine, with five hundred other people, but still). Plus, Molière’s great, right? Right there I had resolved to make Martin Crimp’s adaptation of Molière’s classic ‘Le Misanthrope’ my first West End outing.
Although based on the original French comédie, Crimp’s version is set not in 17th century Paris but in modern-day London and makes plenty of allusions to such modern conveniences as cellphones, motorbikes and even YouTube. While protagonist Alceste retains his original name, Célimène becomes Jennifer (or Jenny the spoilt American superstar), just as other characters have been modified to suit the context.
I’ll say right now, before I get into the details, that I absolutely loved the play. And not just because I managed to get in (to the Royal Circle, no less) for just £15. The dialogue was witty, the acting terrific, and the quick meta-references and pseudo-anachronisms gave the production the extra kick that made it a smart, self-aware, self-mocking, hilarious and entertaining show. Plus, it’s really fun seeing Keira do an American accent; she slips a few times, especially when the dialogue moves really fast, but the accent itself is really funny. But as always, she’s ravishing and her acting’s fantastic.
Damian Lewis is amazing. The entire cast is brilliant, really, but Damian as Alceste absolutely shines. There’s something about the cynical, hyperbolic way in which he delivers his lines that gives him a somewhat comedic yet powerful presence on-stage. The sort of presence you’d expect from, for example, Dr. House. His stubborn disregard for social politesse is just as endearing as it is excessive, and you’ll find yourself rooting for the misunderstood hero of the drama until the very end.
The lines are particularly well-delivered, and I think credit is due to Thea Sharrock for the spot-on direction. Damian Lewis’ lines stand out, but since much of the dialogue was wordplay and, one quickly discovers, rhymed prose, everyone does a great job with delivery.
Sharrock’s modern-day production of Crimp’s modern-day “The Misanthrope” is excellent: witty, contemporary, and at times laugh-out-loud funny. I’m glad I got to see it. If you’re in the area, I highly recommend going!
Now Playing at Comedy Theater on Panton Street, London SW1Y 4DN, until 13th March 2010. More information and tickets on the official The Misanthrope website.
As for how I got in to the Royal Circle for £15, there’s no trick or loophole. Once tickets run out, West End theaters usually sell ‘standing tickets’ for a fraction of the total cost. You get to see the play; the only catch is you have to do it standing up.
Sounds amazing. Amazinhg actors. Keira Knightly ofcourse and Damien Lewis–I remember him from his amazing performance in Band of Brothers as one of the protagonist Cpt. Dick Winters. And he has to do an american accent (which was impeccable, I didn’t know he was british until I watched the behind the scenes). British humour is awesome, and to see it in West End, *in uptight british accent* it’s rather good call, sir!
@Kilochfuller:
Why, thank you, sir. I thought so myself. ;)
The acting was great, and all that meta-referencing and self-mockery really makes it outstanding. I mean, here’s Knightley’s character being accused of becoming too big and compromising her dignity for fame. And this while Keira was only the second-highest paid actress in 2008, and earning just £700/week for her participation in the production.
There’s a certain sense of irony there that I think is fantastic!
[...] an autograph for her and posted comments about the play at the Damian Lewis Yahoo! Group forum. » Parimal Satyal had this to say about Damian’s performance: Damian Lewis is amazing. The entire cast is [...]
Aww dreams do come true huh?
P.S I hope you weren’t distracting the actors with your hooting, incessant applause and cheering and, owing to Knightly, constant swooning.
Yep, they do. As long as you remember to pick up a copy of the local tabloid when you travel ;)
And I probably would’ve been a lot more distracting had I not been standing there gaping in disbelief at Keira’s American accent. *phew*
I was going through your Flickr posts and that led me to this. Your London trip seems to have been quite eventful. Come down to Boston again soon so we can catch up. I’ve found a new restaurant in Harvard Square that people have spoken highly of. You can coffeegeek the Coffee place; or we could always revisit Cafe Crema.
[...] review of the play: The Misanthrope with Keira Knightley. Directed by Thea [...]
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