| Agree completely about the Cook discussion. They were respectful, but also able to articulate why it was such a bad fit. The show had been conceived for Buckley's voice (not usually mentioned; many people think she was a late idea), and then fell to Cook. When I saw the show and knew of the RSC run -- as we all did, it was much discussed -- I assumed Cook had been chosen because she had a slightly similar grativas to the great performance of Piper Laurie in the film. To my thinking, it was possible to watch Laurie and say "who in the musical theater has those qualities" And then, in a brainstorming session, come up with Cook. I've watched Cook footage, which is used in this, and her vocals were in every way powerful. It's a valid approach to Margaret, if not as theatrically sharp as the Buckley belt, which was unlike anything we'd heard. When they all fall back here, in tears, after "Eve..." I get it. I was there, and I remember how Buckley stopped the show, cold. |
