tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21572303.post4068019062601343608..comments2023-10-29T07:11:13.921-07:00Comments on The Rational Feast: New York, Spring 2009 -- Day 11 "Blithe Spirit" "Why Torture is Wrong and the People Who Love Them"Tomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03139711818373541945noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21572303.post-59444788087529684192009-04-30T14:49:00.000-07:002009-04-30T14:49:00.000-07:00My problem with TORTURE is that Durang abandoned h...My problem with TORTURE is that Durang abandoned his play halfway through the second act and turned what I thought was a comically dark indictment of Bush administration torture policies into a nonsensical and stupid romance. What started out as an audacious work turned into a treacly mess.<br /><br />While Kaufman filled 33 VARIATIONS with interesting ideas, the play itself was poorly written. Rather than sounding organic or providing impetus to the (wispy) plot, dialogue came across as clunky blocks of information about characters that were never developed and relationships that were never dramatized. I was actually quite shocked that Kaufman would write such an inept play. He's a better director and I hope his production of BENGAL TIGER AT THE BAGHDAD ZOO premiering at the Taper makes it to NYC.<br /><br />Incidentally, I don't dislike everything I see. Recent good stuff: JOE TURNER'S COME AND GONE, MARY STUART, THE NORMAN CONQUESTS, BLITHE SPIRIT.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04334037283298211471noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21572303.post-64634809964706738272009-04-30T09:24:00.000-07:002009-04-30T09:24:00.000-07:00Thanks for the catch. I've changed the copy. Eve...Thanks for the catch. I've changed the copy. Even at 50 he's still not aging well.<br /><br />What didn't you like about Torture and 33 Variations? I can see why people could have problems with both, but I'm curious as to what didn't work for you.Tomhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03139711818373541945noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21572303.post-39511887393340327352009-04-30T09:01:00.000-07:002009-04-30T09:01:00.000-07:00Rupert Everett is 50 years old -- notwithstanding,...Rupert Everett is 50 years old -- notwithstanding, I'm not condoning his face work (I think he looks odd) -- so you'll have to cut him a decade's worth more slack.<br /><br />Based on a quick reading of your reviews of WHY TORTURE IS WRONG ... and 33 VARIATIONS, I'd say we have differing views of what's good and what's bad. Regardless -- congratulations on your theater-going extravaganza.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04334037283298211471noreply@blogger.com