 |
 |
The Homecoming Reviews
|
|
|
|
|
| What to Expect: |
| Acting: |
 |
| Music: |
 |
| Production: |
|
| Story: |
 |
|
|
|
| Recommended For: |
|
Adults: |
 |
|
Seniors: |
 |
|
Business Assoc.: |
 |
|
Tourists: |
|
|
|
|
|
| 16 |
The Homecoming Review by: Tom Bestor, Jan 2, 2008 |
Ah, Pinter. The master of subtext. In other words, what's being said is only one level of what's really going on. In this production of Pinter's 1964 play, what is presented is a family of sociopaths who can (and this is the frightening thing about sociopaths) occasionally pass for ordinary people. Much of the dialogue is simple and plain, often redundant and delivered mostly with a flat affect - or at least a sense of ordinariness: this ... read more is the sort of thing people say all the time.
So when the deep resentments and tales of violent interludes are brought into the conversation, one is first tempted to dismiss them as lies or exaggerations. Surely no sane, ordinary person could speak of such things in such a cool, detached manner. This is how we discover that what seems like an everyday working class family who have lost their mum, is in fact a collection of unrestrained hooligans turned completely in on themselves and their own concerns.
The cast in this production is uniformly excellent. Raul Esparza, Michael McKean, James Frain and Gareth Saxe each acquit their roles with tremendous skill. But Ian McShane (star of perhaps my favorite television series of all time, "Deadwood") stands out for his ability to communicate the subtext of menace. It's hard to look away from him. That said, I don't think he would be nearly as effective without the balancing power of Eve Best's portrayal of Ruth. Best exhibits a kind of understated strength that shows that either a) she can handle this batch of sociopaths pretty well, thank you very much, or b) she's a bit of a sociopath herself.
If you dig Pinter, don't miss it. It's rare you will find such a talented cast in such a terrific production.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| 17 |
Very disappointed Review by: Mischa, Dec 17, 2007 |
| I completely concur. I saw the matinee 12/15, and sat there wondering WHY pretty much the whole time. The acting was excellent, very subtle and nuanced. But the storyline itself was ridiculous, and it was impossible to care about any of the obnoxious characters. I can't recommend this at all. If you want to see a play with stellar acting AND a fine story, see The Seafarer |
|
|
My recommendation:
Don't go
|
| Acting: |
 |
| Production: |
|
| Story: |
 |
I saw this show with:
Alone
|
|
|
|
|
| 18 |
The Homecoming Review by: , Dec 11, 2007 |
| Expecting a very involving drama, I was very disappointed with "The Homecoming." The first act was basically invisible and the second act was just bizarre, twisted and, in the end, offensive. To the cast's credit, they were very good, especially Raul Esparza, who can do no wrong in my eyes. But the story line is so far fetched and ridiculous. This is one of those instances when that you scratch your head at the end of the show and say...I just ... read more don't get it. I didn't get the story or why these actors subjected themselves to this dumb project. |
|
|
My recommendation:
Don't go
|
| Acting: |
|
| Production: |
|
| Story: |
|
I saw this show with:
Alone
|
|
|
|
|
|
| * Review is an opinion of a BroadwayBox user and not that of BroadwayBox.com and BroadwayBox, Inc. |
|
