I took this movie in with high expectations - the preview looks amazing, and I was hoping the movie would be as good as the trailer.
And it was....sort of. =-)
Upsides
I'll start with the positives.
The Cast
Julianne Moore is a great villain! Well done! I really wasn't sure what to think of her being cast in a role as an evil witch, but she did a tremendous job and deserves applause for pulling it off. You are amazing!
Ben Barnes, you play the unknowing yet willing apprentice well. Excellent choice, and kudos to you! he more I see you performing in, the more I am liking your skill. Keep going! Looking forward to your next project!
Jeff Bridges, it takes a while to get used to you with a strange, heavy accent, but I like the gruff, sometimes tough-love mentor, who at his core is a softy, but has learned to do what is necessary to win, and survive.
Olivia Williams, I think I love every role I have ever seen you in, and this is no different. I just think you rock! Love you girl!
I need to mention names of several other cast that I was happy to see in this film, and I think they all performed wonderfully!
Jason Scott Lee, Antje Traue, Kit Harington, Djimon Hounsou, and Kandyse McClure...thank you for putting your all into your respective roles. Bravo! Looking forward to seeing more of each of you in films to come!
Visual & Special FX and Animation
Holy crap, yes! There is no fault here at all. Honestly, I don't think I have ever seen a Ghast and other spectres as fantastically done as in Seventh Son! Shape changing was seamless. Magical effects were done with precision. Very, very, very well done. I'd like to add a few more very's on there.
Costuming, Art
Excellently done all around. Sets, props, wardrobe, excellent work from all of you! Your talent here made it easy to believe the world was real if taken solely from this perspective. Take a bow, you deserve it!
Downsides
Story
And here is where the movie falls down - the script. This movie had so much potential! I am not sure if it is the writers, director, or simply rushing the plot along to try and capitalize on action to tell the story. Maybe all three.
You get dropped into a world of fantasy, but no one is there to explain the rules of the world or of magic, or of anything else that is happening. You don't know the politics, the history of the local land or any characters, nothing. It would be like jumping into Game of Thrones for the first time mid-way through Season 3 - you don't have enough of the history to truly understand and appreciate what is happening, and you'll likely spend a lot of time asking your friends what's going on and why.
This could have been handled by adding in a total of about 10 minutes of film time, dispersed through the entire feature. For example, at the beginning start with some text and a voice over (think the opening to The Highlander here), describing the land, describing what setting we're in, what world it is, and basically setting the stage. Doing that would have allowed the audience a chance to settle in, get comfortable with this realm, and enjoy the story.
Instead nothing is explained to start, and the explanations that do come along are one-sentence attempts with no background. It is difficult at best to feel like you are part of the story, rather then simply watching it on a screen.
Again, this movie had tremendous potential, but someone dropped the ball. I can't fault any of the actors, from the A-listers down to every extra. They did their best with what they were told and with what they had available to them. The full burden of responsibility here falls to direction and writing, I believe.
Opportunities
The opportunity for moments of romance, comedy, and dramatic effect were completely lost in this film. Each scene was telegraphed before it happened. So flat. Entertaining? Yes, but could have been enchanting as well.
The worst of these is the final epic battle. Literally in one moment there is a war going, and the next it's over. I will state again: so many missed opportunities in this film. Video games like the Mass Effect series, Dragon Age, and Skyrim have done a better job at building dramatic tension and releasing it for the audience to feel the amazement of the conclusion. Director, writers, what were you thinking?
Overall rating
I usually don't give a rating, but this time I will. 6.5 out of 10 - and that is all solidly because of (lack of) Direction and poor script choices.
Should you see the film? I would still say yes, as it does have its moments and is still entertaining. My advice is to go in with no expectations, or you will automatically be disappointed. Just see it for the great efforts by cast and crew, and you will enjoy it.
Saturday, February 7, 2015
Monday, September 29, 2014
Love Letters
I saw this show last night as part of the Alberta Culture Days, which ran September 26 - 28, 2014. It was playing in Okotoks at the Rotary Performing Arts Centre, and my daughter was part of the show.
Downsides
There were about 8 or 10 vulgarities thrown out during this performance. Everything above the first 4 was not needed - it didn't add anything at all. I noticed several audience members cringe at the sound of the few F bombs that were dropped. The context of the first few fit into what was being portrayed in that scene, and it worked there. Pretty much every swear thrown out in Act 2 could have been eliminated and the show would have been better for it.
I also think the different actors all having very different accents was distracting. Making the jump back and forth, trying to decide if this was set in the USA or England, or somewhere else, made it a little difficult to follow at times.
Lastly, the technical side was lacking in the sound department. The first 5 performers had wireless microphones, so they could heard well enough, but everyone else did not. There were definitely parts throughout the show where it was difficult to hear what someone was saying, and the uneven sound balance didn't help. Either have all your actors wear mics, or none at all. The half and half is distracting. And if they are not wearing mic's...make them project!
Upsides
There were some great performances, and I want to highlight them here.
Maria Zimmermann - I liked that you presented each line with clarity, strength, and good volume. If each cast member could have been as concise in their speech as you were, most of the 'downsides' comments would not have been there. Excellent job - I was honestly impressed. Kudos!
Chloe and James Payton - easily my choice as the best "couple" for the show. Strong reading, making good choices in voice inflection, pauses in speech, and other small nuances that made each role believable. Very well done!
Stephanie Carter, Richard Carter, Jared McCollum, Jane Husband - for each of you, I felt you were a strong character presence, and I would have liked to see more if this wasn't a Reader's Theatre style show. I think giving you each some additional blocking would have brought out more of your talent, and enhanced each role. Next time! I'll be happy to see it.
Dean Goll, Shannon Thornton - a toss up for my second favourite "couple". Both of you have strong stage presence, and there was so much imagery you created from voice inflection alone at times, it painted a perfect picture for the audience to imagine. Great job!
Overall
The overall rating for this show is that it was very entertaining, a great night out to listen to the love letters between two friends, spanning their entire lives. I enjoyed it, and with some minor tweaking of sound, would give it two thumbs up! Just the right mix of laughter, sadness, and thought provoking dialogue. Thank you all for working on this show and performing for the Alberta Culture Days!
Downsides
There were about 8 or 10 vulgarities thrown out during this performance. Everything above the first 4 was not needed - it didn't add anything at all. I noticed several audience members cringe at the sound of the few F bombs that were dropped. The context of the first few fit into what was being portrayed in that scene, and it worked there. Pretty much every swear thrown out in Act 2 could have been eliminated and the show would have been better for it.
I also think the different actors all having very different accents was distracting. Making the jump back and forth, trying to decide if this was set in the USA or England, or somewhere else, made it a little difficult to follow at times.
Lastly, the technical side was lacking in the sound department. The first 5 performers had wireless microphones, so they could heard well enough, but everyone else did not. There were definitely parts throughout the show where it was difficult to hear what someone was saying, and the uneven sound balance didn't help. Either have all your actors wear mics, or none at all. The half and half is distracting. And if they are not wearing mic's...make them project!
Upsides
There were some great performances, and I want to highlight them here.
Maria Zimmermann - I liked that you presented each line with clarity, strength, and good volume. If each cast member could have been as concise in their speech as you were, most of the 'downsides' comments would not have been there. Excellent job - I was honestly impressed. Kudos!
Chloe and James Payton - easily my choice as the best "couple" for the show. Strong reading, making good choices in voice inflection, pauses in speech, and other small nuances that made each role believable. Very well done!
Stephanie Carter, Richard Carter, Jared McCollum, Jane Husband - for each of you, I felt you were a strong character presence, and I would have liked to see more if this wasn't a Reader's Theatre style show. I think giving you each some additional blocking would have brought out more of your talent, and enhanced each role. Next time! I'll be happy to see it.
Dean Goll, Shannon Thornton - a toss up for my second favourite "couple". Both of you have strong stage presence, and there was so much imagery you created from voice inflection alone at times, it painted a perfect picture for the audience to imagine. Great job!
Overall
The overall rating for this show is that it was very entertaining, a great night out to listen to the love letters between two friends, spanning their entire lives. I enjoyed it, and with some minor tweaking of sound, would give it two thumbs up! Just the right mix of laughter, sadness, and thought provoking dialogue. Thank you all for working on this show and performing for the Alberta Culture Days!
Friday, September 26, 2014
McCracken 2: The Whackening
I saw the first instalment of this show, and I loved, and it was the same with #2. The Whackening was certainly a treat to see!
Front of House
The evening started stressful. The show was supposed to begin at 7:30 - at 7:40, the doors were finally opened and people were filing in. Which was a nightmare, because from 6:50 to the moment the doors were opened the lobby was filling up very quickly. Half of that time was wasted standing in line waiting for buy a ticket along with everyone else.
And there was no organization. None. This entrance experience was frustrating and very unprofessional. This needs to be fixed for the next shows.
Thankfully, the show was riotously entertaining, so it saved the day from he aggravation of feeling like herded and panicked sheep once the doors opened.
Show Time
The only fault I can find in either show is the swearing that occurs. Honestly, I understand they are going for realism - after all, in a world of spies, assassin, contract killers, and mobsters, I am pretty sure that a few bad words are going to slip out once in a while. However, this is still a stage, you have an audience wanting to be entertained - the bottom line is that the F bombs and other vulgarities did not add anything to the show, and were unnecessary.
I'd like to be clear - I am not opposed to swearing if it would add to the story, further the plot line, or is in some way required in the scene. Here - it wasn't needed at all. There is so much action going on, so many points to ponder or situations to laugh at, that the swearing just distracted from the story for that brief moment, every time one was said.
Other than that, this was fantastic! Our group thoroughly enjoyed the show, and love the integration of video footage and stage acting. Brilliant again, McCracken!
My favourite scene has to be the going up through all the levels to get to the top of the building, and encountering different villains along the way. And to top it all off, a wrestling match with two mask Mexicano wrestlers! (They looked like life size versions of the Koodo ad mini man.) Absolutely wonderful music, film, choreography, and stunt / fight work.
Accidental Humour Co., congratulations, you've hit a jackpot with a great show that is entertaining all around! Looking forward to McCrackin 3 already!
Front of House
The evening started stressful. The show was supposed to begin at 7:30 - at 7:40, the doors were finally opened and people were filing in. Which was a nightmare, because from 6:50 to the moment the doors were opened the lobby was filling up very quickly. Half of that time was wasted standing in line waiting for buy a ticket along with everyone else.
And there was no organization. None. This entrance experience was frustrating and very unprofessional. This needs to be fixed for the next shows.
Thankfully, the show was riotously entertaining, so it saved the day from he aggravation of feeling like herded and panicked sheep once the doors opened.
Show Time
The only fault I can find in either show is the swearing that occurs. Honestly, I understand they are going for realism - after all, in a world of spies, assassin, contract killers, and mobsters, I am pretty sure that a few bad words are going to slip out once in a while. However, this is still a stage, you have an audience wanting to be entertained - the bottom line is that the F bombs and other vulgarities did not add anything to the show, and were unnecessary.
I'd like to be clear - I am not opposed to swearing if it would add to the story, further the plot line, or is in some way required in the scene. Here - it wasn't needed at all. There is so much action going on, so many points to ponder or situations to laugh at, that the swearing just distracted from the story for that brief moment, every time one was said.
My favourite scene has to be the going up through all the levels to get to the top of the building, and encountering different villains along the way. And to top it all off, a wrestling match with two mask Mexicano wrestlers! (They looked like life size versions of the Koodo ad mini man.) Absolutely wonderful music, film, choreography, and stunt / fight work.
Sunday, September 21, 2014
Edge of Tomorrow
This movie was great!
Tom Cruise is at it again with an action movie that is a mix of Battle: Los Angeles, Mass Effect, and Groundhog Day. Edge of Tomorrow is great entertainment from every angle. There is plenty of action, mixed with a little drama, some romance, and (if you are a little twisted) the humour is often a sudden shock implanted in several quick scenes sure to leave you smiling.
Special FX were fantastic. It was refreshing to see an alien that wasn't a typical evil killer. This alien menace reminded me a lot of the Mass Effect game franchise, and that is a good thing.
The only two critiques I might have are minor, and I am not sure there would have been time in the film to explore either one of them anyway. First is a psychological analysis of Cage (and possibly Rita as well). After all, any human being going through the endless live-die-repeat cycle would be bound to begin developing some kind of mental issues...wouldn't they? Or maybe it could quickly be explained away by the fact that only a strong mind and willpower would have been able to make the reoccurring time jump in the first place...?
The second is the ending, which seemed too much of a perfect ending. Don't get me wrong, I liked the ending as it was! Good choices. It just may have been nice to see a little bit of a darker ending that isn't a stereotypical "and we all live happily ever after". (I have several ideas on what might have made better endings...I may save that for another blog post another day.)
Overall, I can find no fault in acting, directing, costuming, make up....from every facet it is a great film. Yes, you do need to suspend some disbelief, after all it is a Science Fiction story so that should go without saying, however this story is presented in a way that lets it remain believable.
Special kudos go out to:
Bill Paxton - his role as the Sergeant in charge was brilliant! Thank you for the grins!
Tom Cruise - from beginning to end, a treat. It was nice to see that this man was pretty much an ordinary joe who learned how to be a soldier, rather than the invincible agent from the start.
Emily Blunt - you played the character so well, it was seamless, flawless. Bravo! I think your stance with your weapons and armour fully loaded was one of the best pictures reminiscent of Mass Effect (one of the best video games to ever grace video screens world wide).
Brendan Gleeson - you must have been in the military at some point before! Strong, confident, uncompromising, just what a military general would need to be. I couldn't help but hear a bit of Mad-Eye Moody in your lines, but for the role I think it fit.
Noah Taylor - not a major role in time on-screen, but a major role to help progress the plot and fully explain the details of the depth of the war the planet was in. Great portrayal of the "mad" scientist who isn't really all that mad. I think the movie could have used this character more.
If you have not seen this film, stop reading this and go, go right now, and buy it! It's worth the watch.
Thursday, September 18, 2014
12 Angry Men - by Simply Theatre
Normally when I write a review, or perhaps discuss it with others if it is not getting written down, I like to bring home a program so I can make specific notes about those actors that have done something of special note (whether it was good or bad)!
Tonight, I decided not to do that.
Tonight, I saw a show that began with some hesitancy. At first I thought it was a nervous cast, maybe not quite in character. But as the momentum continued, I realized that this must have been by design. Each juror's thoughts, feelings, and their personalities came out bit by bit, allowing the audience to be drawn in carefully. Too fast, it ruins the discovery. Too slow, ruins the mood and turns it to boredom.
Tonight, in my humble yet accurate opinion...it was perfect.
Overall
It was a dramatic conflict to the very end. And the conflict is revealed in so many ways. I highly recommend seeing this if you can still find a ticket - only three days left, I believe!
One thing that I noted several times through both acts was the audience reaction. I could see on the faces of many people their own choices of what to vote. They were engaged from the start.
Truly, it was a tremendous job by everyone involved. I mean that. Everyone. You each stepped up to the plate and maintained your stance right through to the last light. Brilliant.
Scene / Stage Presence
I loved the use of the small space of the theatre. Having the audience surround the juror's table was a great use of the space, and put the entire crowd in the room with them, casting our own votes, and wanting to hear more of the evidence play out.
My only catch with this was that, while the dress and set was of an old style, it felt like it was missing something to truly set the time period in the 1950's. I can't put my finger quite on what it needed to make that feeling happen, though, so maybe it was unnecessary.
Technical (Sound and Lighting)
Very little to speak of here. Lighting and sound cues were seamless, and there were very few cues to begin with, which is exactly what this story needed because the drama unfolds from the actors, not the set or technical aspects around them. Good choices, well done.
Cast Notes
What do I say about 12 jurors who knocked this one out of the park? Congratulations, men, you did it! Home run!
Juror #1 - Kyle Gould
Juror #2 - Ryan Patterson
Juror #3 - Greg Spielman
Juror #4 - Dorin McIntosh
Juror #5 - Fadi Saghir
Juror #6 - Darren Stewart
Juror #7 - Courtney Nelson
Juror #8 - James Noonan
Juror #9 - Tim Elliott
Juror #10 - John Whidden
Juror #11 - Murray Melnychuk
Juror #12 - Bryan Smith
Guard - Bryan Weir
To each of these cast members, I say Bravo! Two thumbs up to each of you. I didn't get a chance to shake everyone's hand - I missed about three I think. So to everyone please accept my warmest and kindest thanks for putting on a show tonight of excellent quality.
Tonight, I decided not to do that.
Tonight, I saw a show that began with some hesitancy. At first I thought it was a nervous cast, maybe not quite in character. But as the momentum continued, I realized that this must have been by design. Each juror's thoughts, feelings, and their personalities came out bit by bit, allowing the audience to be drawn in carefully. Too fast, it ruins the discovery. Too slow, ruins the mood and turns it to boredom.
Tonight, in my humble yet accurate opinion...it was perfect.
It was a dramatic conflict to the very end. And the conflict is revealed in so many ways. I highly recommend seeing this if you can still find a ticket - only three days left, I believe!
One thing that I noted several times through both acts was the audience reaction. I could see on the faces of many people their own choices of what to vote. They were engaged from the start.
Truly, it was a tremendous job by everyone involved. I mean that. Everyone. You each stepped up to the plate and maintained your stance right through to the last light. Brilliant.
Scene / Stage Presence
I loved the use of the small space of the theatre. Having the audience surround the juror's table was a great use of the space, and put the entire crowd in the room with them, casting our own votes, and wanting to hear more of the evidence play out.
My only catch with this was that, while the dress and set was of an old style, it felt like it was missing something to truly set the time period in the 1950's. I can't put my finger quite on what it needed to make that feeling happen, though, so maybe it was unnecessary.
Technical (Sound and Lighting)
Very little to speak of here. Lighting and sound cues were seamless, and there were very few cues to begin with, which is exactly what this story needed because the drama unfolds from the actors, not the set or technical aspects around them. Good choices, well done.
Cast Notes
What do I say about 12 jurors who knocked this one out of the park? Congratulations, men, you did it! Home run!
Juror #1 - Kyle Gould
Juror #2 - Ryan Patterson
Juror #3 - Greg Spielman
Juror #4 - Dorin McIntosh
Juror #5 - Fadi Saghir
Juror #6 - Darren Stewart
Juror #7 - Courtney Nelson
Juror #8 - James Noonan
Juror #9 - Tim Elliott
Juror #10 - John Whidden
Juror #11 - Murray Melnychuk
Juror #12 - Bryan Smith
Guard - Bryan Weir
To each of these cast members, I say Bravo! Two thumbs up to each of you. I didn't get a chance to shake everyone's hand - I missed about three I think. So to everyone please accept my warmest and kindest thanks for putting on a show tonight of excellent quality.
Friday, June 6, 2014
Into The Woods - Cappuccino Theatre
Something I do want to say about this production, is that I truly enjoy working with every single person in it. That's saying something. There have been shows in the past that I have had conflict with other cast or crew members, or didn't like the way a certain scene was run, but with Into The Woods, I can honestly say that I love this show, and all the people involved in it.
Each of the talented people involved deserve special praise for the work they have done, and the heart and soul they have each put into their character to bring alive a wonderful showcase on stage. And everyone in the crew is lovable, bar none!
I hesitate to make special mention of individuals, in case I miss a name or forget a special moment. So instead, I want to simply say congratulations to all! I have been truly blessed to be a part of this amazing cast. We are a week into the run now, and despite all the turmoil and heartache we experienced in Tech Week, I feel we have turned this show into a magnificent entertainment for one and all to see.
I will miss the people when the show is done. Love you all - thank you for the opportunity to perform beside some of the best this great city of Calgary has to offer! You are amazing!
Saturday, May 24, 2014
Spring Awakening - Artists' Collective Theatre, Calgary
I had the pleasure of being at the opening night show for Spring Awakening. I need to preface that I had no knowledge ahead of time about the storyline, the shows history, or much about the cast & crew. As I wandered the lobby waiting for the doors to open, I asked around about what the show was about - the answers I received all told of a dark, brooding script, without any expectation of laughter. I was to be pleasantly surprised with laughter throughout, despite the dark edges.
Here is my humble (yet accurate) opinion of the show!
Overall Impression
I enjoyed the production overall. Moments of laughter, reflection, darkness, and light. It is a very entertaining show, and most audiences will enjoy it. There were a few moments of stiffness at the opening of the show, but that was understandable as first night jitters, and it went away within the first few minutes. In the end, I was standing and applauding with everyone, and cheering for a great effort by all.
Stage / Scene
A very interesting choice for set design that I liked. Very simply props and overall set pieces, which forced the actors to use expression and movement to portray their emotional state and thoughts, as they didn't have much else to rely on. For this show, it worked very well. I love the concept of the ever-changing set with the poles that could be used as a tree, doorway, dimensions of a room, or place for actors to hide (both in character, and for sight-line advantage). The ability to enter from centre back as well as either side of stage allowed for a great amount of flexibility.
With a show like this, where scenes are changing very quickly, the simpleness of the set allowed them to be done smoothly, efficiently, and keep a quick pace to the show. It also complemented the overall mood. Nice choices made here!
Technical
This is where the majority of my criticism comes into play. The technical aspects need work, and I feel should have been much further along for opening night.
Music - The music itself was great - kudos to the musicians on a job well done. Your timing was perfect to match the performance, and kept pace with the characters throughout. The challenge with the music is that it overpowered the singers in almost every scene. Basically, this is a balancing problem from the mixing board. In almost every number, the keyboard overshadowed everything else, but it was instruments in general. This made it difficult to hear the singers at all, and a lot of important dialogue and song was lost in the roar.
Microphones - this was a problem in spots from beginning to end. Many times, for varying characters at all points of the show, I was waiting...and waiting....and wait...there it is! Finally, the mic was turned on! It was frustrating for the audience, and probably frustrating for the actors as well. This needs to be cleaned up, and occurred in dialogue and song for both solo and ensemble performances alike.
Lighting - In most aspects, the lighting was well done. Only a few spots here and there where I felt the balance was not right between the shadow to set the next scene, and spot light highlighting the current action. There needed to be a bit more shadow to not distract the eye from the scene.
Oh, and the final pose back lighting nearly blinded everyone in the first few rows of the audience. I know the silhouette you are going for (and it is a great idea, keep it). Suggestion is that it would work far better had the lights been on the floor, not hung from the bar.
Direction/Choreography
Nudity - Extraneous, and completely unnecessary for the show. Truly. I am not opposed to nudity if it advances the story. In Spring Awakenings, it does not, and is not necessary at all. The dialogue and action leading up to it very clearly indicate what is about to happen. In fact, leaving it to the imagination can be far more powerful. There is enough going on this show that the shock value of nudity is simply not needed.
Choreography - Generally, this was good, however there were moments that I felt the choreography appeared to be thrown in to "fill space", simply to get to the next section. There are also opportunities for cleaning, where characters were not in sync with each other and it is very noticeable.
I'd like to state again though, that the movement and dance was good overall. It's difficult to match modern music with the older generation feel, set, and director/character choices and make it all match. You met the challenge and it worked! Nicely done.
Direction - Some scenes were good, some could have used work. It was up and down, and the ending result was somewhere in the middle. It wasn't bad, it wasn't great, it was just good. I'm not sure if the director's heart was fully into the project or not, hard to say.
Cast Notes
Well done, everyone! I think you each did a wonderful job in creating a world for the audience to join you in. I have no critique to give, other than to say keep it up! Every night, keep challenging yourself to give more than you did the night before. Push your energy every time, and you will get a standing ovation every night.
To the two "ghosts" - fantastic moment! I loved this blocking and the simple movement, which created such a touching scene to end the show with. Being fully in that moment brought the emotion out to the audience. Fabulous.
To Tory and Jacqueline - great job, all around. Fantastic, actually. Having to come up with the each character that the audience could easily differentiate was not an easy task, and you both did it wonderfully. My one thought - how on God's green earth did you manage to keep a straight face in that one scene!?!? You know what I am talking about! *wink* Kudos!
I would have liked to take the time to shake every cast member's hand and thank you personally. I have only good comments for each of you. You are fantastic, remember that. Thank you for a great show!
Closing Remarks
Congratulations on bringing the first Spring Awakening to life in Calgary! The end result was an entertaining and engaging night, and a well told story which is the most important part. Bravo!
Here is my humble (yet accurate) opinion of the show!
Overall Impression
I enjoyed the production overall. Moments of laughter, reflection, darkness, and light. It is a very entertaining show, and most audiences will enjoy it. There were a few moments of stiffness at the opening of the show, but that was understandable as first night jitters, and it went away within the first few minutes. In the end, I was standing and applauding with everyone, and cheering for a great effort by all.
Stage / Scene
A very interesting choice for set design that I liked. Very simply props and overall set pieces, which forced the actors to use expression and movement to portray their emotional state and thoughts, as they didn't have much else to rely on. For this show, it worked very well. I love the concept of the ever-changing set with the poles that could be used as a tree, doorway, dimensions of a room, or place for actors to hide (both in character, and for sight-line advantage). The ability to enter from centre back as well as either side of stage allowed for a great amount of flexibility.
With a show like this, where scenes are changing very quickly, the simpleness of the set allowed them to be done smoothly, efficiently, and keep a quick pace to the show. It also complemented the overall mood. Nice choices made here!
Technical
This is where the majority of my criticism comes into play. The technical aspects need work, and I feel should have been much further along for opening night.
Music - The music itself was great - kudos to the musicians on a job well done. Your timing was perfect to match the performance, and kept pace with the characters throughout. The challenge with the music is that it overpowered the singers in almost every scene. Basically, this is a balancing problem from the mixing board. In almost every number, the keyboard overshadowed everything else, but it was instruments in general. This made it difficult to hear the singers at all, and a lot of important dialogue and song was lost in the roar.
Microphones - this was a problem in spots from beginning to end. Many times, for varying characters at all points of the show, I was waiting...and waiting....and wait...there it is! Finally, the mic was turned on! It was frustrating for the audience, and probably frustrating for the actors as well. This needs to be cleaned up, and occurred in dialogue and song for both solo and ensemble performances alike.
Lighting - In most aspects, the lighting was well done. Only a few spots here and there where I felt the balance was not right between the shadow to set the next scene, and spot light highlighting the current action. There needed to be a bit more shadow to not distract the eye from the scene.
Oh, and the final pose back lighting nearly blinded everyone in the first few rows of the audience. I know the silhouette you are going for (and it is a great idea, keep it). Suggestion is that it would work far better had the lights been on the floor, not hung from the bar.
Direction/Choreography
Nudity - Extraneous, and completely unnecessary for the show. Truly. I am not opposed to nudity if it advances the story. In Spring Awakenings, it does not, and is not necessary at all. The dialogue and action leading up to it very clearly indicate what is about to happen. In fact, leaving it to the imagination can be far more powerful. There is enough going on this show that the shock value of nudity is simply not needed.
Choreography - Generally, this was good, however there were moments that I felt the choreography appeared to be thrown in to "fill space", simply to get to the next section. There are also opportunities for cleaning, where characters were not in sync with each other and it is very noticeable.
I'd like to state again though, that the movement and dance was good overall. It's difficult to match modern music with the older generation feel, set, and director/character choices and make it all match. You met the challenge and it worked! Nicely done.
Direction - Some scenes were good, some could have used work. It was up and down, and the ending result was somewhere in the middle. It wasn't bad, it wasn't great, it was just good. I'm not sure if the director's heart was fully into the project or not, hard to say.
Cast Notes
Well done, everyone! I think you each did a wonderful job in creating a world for the audience to join you in. I have no critique to give, other than to say keep it up! Every night, keep challenging yourself to give more than you did the night before. Push your energy every time, and you will get a standing ovation every night.
To the two "ghosts" - fantastic moment! I loved this blocking and the simple movement, which created such a touching scene to end the show with. Being fully in that moment brought the emotion out to the audience. Fabulous.
To Tory and Jacqueline - great job, all around. Fantastic, actually. Having to come up with the each character that the audience could easily differentiate was not an easy task, and you both did it wonderfully. My one thought - how on God's green earth did you manage to keep a straight face in that one scene!?!? You know what I am talking about! *wink* Kudos!
I would have liked to take the time to shake every cast member's hand and thank you personally. I have only good comments for each of you. You are fantastic, remember that. Thank you for a great show!
Closing Remarks
Congratulations on bringing the first Spring Awakening to life in Calgary! The end result was an entertaining and engaging night, and a well told story which is the most important part. Bravo!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)