HOME ALL THAT CHAT ATC WEST COAST SHOPPIN' RUSH BOARD FAQS

LOGIN REGISTER SEARCH THREADED MODE

not logged in

Threaded Order | Chronological Order

THE ELEPHANT MAN this afternoon

Posted by: AC126748 04:15 pm EST 11/19/14

A fine production of a play that I find lethally boring. Cooper is powerful and committed--not a trace of movie star persona. (Mercifully, his entrance is staged in a manner that doesn't really allow for applause). Alessandro Nivola is really superb as Treves. Patricia Clarkson...well, she looks smashing. I can't help but feel that when it comes to the text, there's just not much there. I've never been moved: neither by the current production, the film, the last Broadway revival.

I'm one who believes that Cooper's talent is immense: I wish he felt so passionate about a different play.

For those who care, I was on the street by 4:00.


reply to this message |
re: THE ELEPHANT MAN this afternoon

Posted by: beyondhope 08:08 pm EST 11/19/14
In reply to: THE ELEPHANT MAN this afternoon - AC126748 04:15 pm EST 11/19/14

I was there this afternoon as well, and I concur with your assessment. Cooper was fine but passion just does not seem to illuminate any of the characters. It is like a well-written oratorio: everything in place and very little that actually moves me. I had not seen a live performance before - only the movie - but I had hoped I might understand it better.

I also find the physical production clever but completely unappealing - rather like a very well considered high school production in a black box.

I was in the mezzanine and occasionally found certain actors' voices were swallowed up.


reply to this message |
re: THE ELEPHANT MAN this afternoon

Posted by: AC126748 08:17 pm EST 11/19/14
In reply to: re: THE ELEPHANT MAN this afternoon - beyondhope 08:08 pm EST 11/19/14

I was in the mezzanine, as well. Of the three leads, I never had trouble hearing Nivola or Cooper. Cooper's voice seemed a bit quieter, though I think that has more to do with his vocal choices in the role than his ability to project. There was never a time when I couldn't hear him. Clarkson, on the other hand, was occasionally spotty (much like her accent).

I agree with you about the production. It all felt very sterile. Nothing wrong with it, but nothing exciting either.


reply to this message | reply to first message


All That Chat is intended for the discussion of theatre news and opinion
subject to the terms and conditions of the Terms of Service. (Please take all off-topic discussion to private email.)

Please direct technical questions/comments to webmaster@talkinbroadway.com and policy questions to TBAdmin@talkinbroadway.com.

[ Home | On the Rialto | The Siegel Column | Cabaret | Tony Awards | Book Reviews | Great White Wayback Machine ]
[ Broadway Reviews | Barbara and Scott: The Two of Clubs | Sound Advice | Sound Advice Upcoming Releases CDs/Books/DVDs, etc. | Off Broadway | Funding Talkin' Broadway ]
[ Broadway 101 | Spotlight On | Talkin' Broadway | On the Boards | Regional | Talk to Us! | Search Talkin' Broadway ]

Terms of Service
[ © 1997 - 2014 www.TalkinBroadway.com, Inc. ]

Time to render: 0.013545 seconds.