Was De La Tour's Latest A Tour De Force With Critics?
Was De La Tour's Latest A Tour De Force With Critics?
A London revival of one of the West End's longest running comedies from the sixties opened two nights ago. Boeing-Boeing will no doubt get an extra bounce at the box office thanks to its rhapsodic reviews, as well as from its star power, including Frances de la Tour and Mark Rylance.
Deeming the show "refreshingly hilarious," The Times' Benedict Nightingale offers up four out of five stars: "Certainly, it’s funny enough for us to overlook implausibilities that seem even more preposterous than in 1962....No, the revival is at its best when comedy as opposed to farce is required. All three main performers score strongly here, starting with de la Tour’s doughfaced Bertha...But in many ways it’s Rylance’s evening. Tell me: is there a subtler comic actor in London?"
Nicholas de Jongh of the Evening Standard also bestows four out of five stars on the production: "I cannot remember experiencing a West End evening of such sheer, silly, comic pleasure.
To think that what reduced me to make such a giggling, smiling, delighted spectacle of myself was this traditional French farce by Marc Camoletti, neatly translated by Beverley Cross....Rylance's Robert teeters grave, passive and delightful through the action until he reaches his goal of an S and M union with Gretchen....It's the comic performance of a lifetime."
To think that what reduced me to make such a giggling, smiling, delighted spectacle of myself was this traditional French farce by Marc Camoletti, neatly translated by Beverley Cross....Rylance's Robert teeters grave, passive and delightful through the action until he reaches his goal of an S and M union with Gretchen....It's the comic performance of a lifetime."
Susannah Clapp of The Observer is practically giddy: "Boeing Boeing, first seen in London more than 40 years ago...has become comic glory in Matthew Warchus's perpetual motion, perpetually funny production....What's transcendent is the cast....Mark Rylance -- one of the greatest actors of the last 50 years -- moves to a separate rhythm, while hitting the beat of the farce."
Sounds like a winner to me. Oh, how I wish I could squeeze in a trip to London right about now.
This is Steve On Broadway (SOB).
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Related Stories:
London's Boeing-Boeing Flies Into Opening Night (February 15, 2007)
Labels: Boeing-Boeing, Critics' Capsule, Frances de la Tour, London, Play, Revival
posted by Steve On Broadway (SOB) @ Saturday, February 17, 2007
4 Comments:
It just goes to show that you never can tell. Or we can't, anyway.
The West End Whingers were very scathing indeed when this revival was announced and we have had to eat our words and a big helping of humble pie. All washed down with a nice bottle of Merlot, of course.
Yes, it's an extraordinary production of what should have been just a tired and embarrassing piece of sixies sexist drivel.
No idea how they pulled it off.
Sounds like the top reason for pulling it off can be summed up in two words: Mark Rylance.
We saw Boeing Boeing last night 28 June 2007. The cast is FANTASTIC and makes this production a "must see!" Reah Perlman falls a bit flat in her performance. The biggest standout is Doon Mackichan in the role of Gretchen...in their scenes together, she even got Rhea to bring her game. The new cast is truly fantastic together and hopefully once Rhea gets her feet wet it'll be ovations all around.
Thanks for the heads-up on Boeing Boeing's new cast. Would love to hear how Elena Roger is adjusting to her new role, especially after having come off her winning take on Evita.
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