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Isabelle Huppert in THE MAIDS

Posted by: schauspieler 11:38 pm EDT 08/06/14

Bizarre casting imo, someone who is barely understandable in English - I caught about a quarter of what she said, mostly by catching a word here and there. At times I felt giddy at the absurdity of it, watching her shout and grunt and gesticulate sounds that bore no resemblance to the English language. Reminded me of Kristen Wiig doing one of her bizarre characters.

Wondering if it was just me, I found this blog from Sydney regarding the same production last year there:

"Isabelle, however, is (inevitably, I suppose) stuck in her heavy, French onion soupy accent, which only but thickens when she’s speaking quickly or heat is applied to a scene. She’s a great actor, brimming with confidence, charisma and comedic skill, in particular, but much of her speech was entirely lost on me; it’s a good thing she was so physically expressive. She might as well have performed in French"

They really need supertitles for her lines. It could be another avant garde element like the glass walls and the video projections!

A shame, too, especially because she has a very long monologue at the end of the play.


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Huppert as DuBois.

Posted by: portenopete 01:57 pm EDT 08/07/14
In reply to: Isabelle Huppert in THE MAIDS - schauspieler 11:38 pm EDT 08/06/14

I haven't seen THE MAIDS, but I saw her play Blanche DuBois in a very unorthodox production of STREETCAR at the Théatre l'Odéon de l'Europe a couple of years ago and even in French she is prone to a lot of guttural grunting. (This production was titled TRAMWAY: UN CRÉATION, with the emphasis on the "création".)

Stanley & Stella's apartment was on a moving platform that was the width of the (very wide) stage and underneath the platform on the stage deck was the bowling alley. All the actors- but especially Mlle. Huppert- spent a lot of time climbing all over and under the set, sometimes seen only on video monitors situated around the set.

That was probably the same year I saw Miss Blanchett play Blanche at BAM, which was an altogether more edifying experience. (I wonder if they've been comparing notes.....?


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re: Isabelle Huppert in THE MAIDS...and CATE

Posted by: LloydT 12:43 am EDT 08/07/14
In reply to: Isabelle Huppert in THE MAIDS - schauspieler 11:38 pm EDT 08/06/14

I understood about half of what Huppert said, but I got the gist of it and I think Benedict intended it that way. The other two actors, Blanchett and Debicki also spoke in their native accent -- Aussie.

Surprised you didn't say a word about Cate. She was just magnificent. I've never seen an actor totally expose herself emotionally and physically as Blanchett did tonight. A memorable performance. The set and live projection were stunning.


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re: Isabelle Huppert in THE MAIDS...and CATE

Posted by: Dalmaniac 10:30 am EDT 08/07/14
In reply to: re: Isabelle Huppert in THE MAIDS...and CATE - LloydT 12:43 am EDT 08/07/14

It is weird. They are meant to be sisters and speak with such different accents. Huppert acts the role superbly but it would have been so much better if it were someone like Judy Davis, who could conceivably be Cate's older sister and speak English with the same accent. However, don't let this put you off seeing this amazing production.


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re: Isabelle Huppert in THE MAIDS...and CATE

Posted by: stan 01:35 pm EDT 08/07/14
In reply to: re: Isabelle Huppert in THE MAIDS...and CATE - Dalmaniac 10:30 am EDT 08/07/14

I'm glad I went. But, yes, if I could have understood that 10 min monologue of Ms. Huppert at the end I would have gotten a lot more out of the production. I really didn't mind her interpretation which was well done and very witty, and I wasn't bothered by her accent until the conclusion. I really liked the actress who played the Mistress.


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re: Isabelle Huppert in THE MAIDS...and CATE

Posted by: JohnDunlop 11:16 am EDT 08/07/14
In reply to: re: Isabelle Huppert in THE MAIDS...and CATE - Dalmaniac 10:30 am EDT 08/07/14

Thanks for the information. I was able to take out the 1974 DVD of "The Maids" with Glenda Jackson from the library.

Now I will be very sure to watch it at least once.


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