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A Highly Accessible and Compelling Political Drama Review by: Beth M, Nov 11, 2007 |
POLITICS AND PSYCHOLOGY IN THE VERTICAL HOUR
By Beth Mandelbaum
I have to confess that I was not looking forward to seeing the Vertical Hour, in part because most of the reviews that I read were less than favorable, except for the absolutely stellar performance of Bill Nighy. The other reason was I often have difficulty following plays with a great many historical and political references.
I was pleasantly surprised to have been ... read more so drawn in to this play and found it quite compelling. This play was particularly accessible to me because it talked about currents affairs and politics of the present and recent past, so the positions and arguments for and against the war in Iraq are quite familiar.
One of the overriding themes was that of truth/reality versus one's personal reactions to what is actually occurring. People do bring their past experiences to present reality and this can sometimes cloud the perception of "truth." The theme of “truth,” among a number of other significant themes, pervades this fascinating play.
An extremely helpful component of plays of this genre, and for me, just about any play, are the psychological/interpersonal themes of relationship and the impact that people have on the lives of each other. I am fascinated by the way people, through a sense of urgency and "necessity" to confront another about how they are seen by them, can help that other person to go deeper inside emotionally and re-evaluate their current perceptions of themselves. This process can leads to emotional development and increasing self understanding, if the other is willing to listen.
Two of Nadia's Yale students, one at the beginning of the play, and the other at the end, are able to help Nadia look deeper into herself and not run from her own self image. The play begins with Dennis, who has come to Nadia's office to let her know that he is in love with her. She is totally unwilling to allow herself to connect in any way to Dennis' emotional honesty. He confronts her about what is "underlying" in everyone---the shadow, the hidden self that people tend to flee from, rather than be open to being more emotionally honest with themselves. Nadia appears not able or willing to in any way acknowledge that people do feel love and take the risk of expressing it. She shuts down completely because of the student/teacher boundaries, rather than acknowledging its truth, even if this is not a viable situation. I would guess that someone with a different psychological make up would be flattered rather than appearing so completely emotionally distant.
I truly believe that people have "underlying" aspects that they may not see or admit to realizing about themselves, because of "defense mechanisms" and a basic unwillingness to admit that they are, at a deep level, quite different than they may want to be or to project themselves. Or they may feel that they have images to uphold.
This is also a play about people who appear to have run away from something significant in their pasts: a father, a doctor, who long ago left his wife and has been estranged from his son because of a mistake he made in the past and who now lives alone in an extremely isolated part of Wales; a professor who fled from war torn Bosnia and Iraq and the suffering of the people, as well from as a lost love to the comfort and safety of the ivory tower; and a son, Philip, who has left England for America because of the anger that he feels for his father.
The key protagonists are Oliver, a doctor, (and the father of Nadia's boyfriend) who is vehemently against the war in Iraq, and Nadia, a former war correspondent in Bosnia who is now a Yale professor of Political Science who favors the American involvement (She has even been called to The Oval Office to offer advice to President Bush post 9/11).
Oliver and Nadia are both instruments of psychological awareness and deepening for each other. Despite their differences, over the short but |
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My recommendation:
Go see if you get a chance
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I saw this show with:
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Recommended for:
Seniors, Adults
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What is this show about!! Review by: Disappointed fan, Feb 22, 2007 |
I looked forward to seeing this play because I am a big fan of Mr. Nigy. But I left during intermission because I couldn't stand it anymore. First, the theater is very uncomfortable. I had a seat in the orchestra and my knees were practically in my chest. Secondly, the theater was so hot which helped put me to sleep. I have sat in uncomfortable seats before but the show was good and I didn't mind.
But more important, "What was this play ... read more about?????" I tried to tell my husband when I got home and I couldn't give him a clear storyline. There was no beginning and end, just the dreary middle. I decided to go home and catch the 10pm episode of LOST; I enjoyed myself more. |
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My recommendation:
Don't go
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I saw this show with:
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I expected great things but Review by: Tom, Feb 12, 2007 |
A production from which I expected great things. Not because Julianne Moore is in the cast, but because Sam Mendes was directing. His production of "Gypsy" is probably the best-staged, best-directed musical I've ever seen. Unfortunately, Sam must have had his hands full trying to wring a performance out of Julianne Moore, who was almost completely lost on stage. In fact, none of the actors (including Bill Nighy, who ... read more is getting raves for his performance) ever really connected with each other. The three leads could just as easily been alone in a looping booth for all the attention they paid to their fellow performers.
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Review by: JW, Feb 11, 2007 |
| The play basically consists of a long and tedious discourse on social and political issues confronting U.S., with special emphasis on the war in Iraq; even worse is that the subject matter is treated in such a superficial manner that one could learn much more about these issues by reading a newspaper or watching Saturday and Sunday morning public affairs programs on TV. Missing from the play is any genuine exploration ... read more of the relationships between the characters...a total misfire. |
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I saw this show with:
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Good actors, bad play Review by: emmgal, Feb 8, 2007 |
| I was very much disappointed with the show. It is boring. There is no conflict in the play. 2.5 hours of uninteresting discussion. It looks like the only goal of the play is to make several well known statements about unfortunate American entry into Iraq war. The actors, especially two main heros tried to save the show, but it is impossible |
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My recommendation:
Don't go
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take a horizontal nap instead Review by: spike, Jan 25, 2007 |
| First off i go to alot of theatre at least 4 shows a month Vertical Hour is a totally Dead and lifeless show!!! staff was rude more than once and more than 1 employee theatre was hot - overall miserable experience I actually left towards the end thanks to my aisle seat Julianne Moore is great in the movies but not on stage - Kevin Spacey is more of a stage actor - Moore has no stage chops or presence she has on the silver screen - my advice go ... read more to a sauna it's the same thing - and the half naked people there will be better conversation than this |
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I saw this show with:
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"Boredom" Review by: Bob, Jan 14, 2007 |
| Get ready to be bored to tears. I didn't believe it for a moment. Ms. Moore should stick to the big screen. |
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My recommendation:
Don't go
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I saw this show with:
Large Group
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Thought Provoking! Review by: , Jan 8, 2007 |
| This was a thought-provoking and well written play. If you can get past some of the discomfort that Julianne's body language suggests and get into the story you will enjoy it. Bill Nighy performance was also very good! |
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My recommendation:
must see!
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Recommended for:
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best thing on broadway Review by: the great snake, Jan 7, 2007 |
| A thought provoking crackling evening. Nighy soars. One of the best plays I've seen all year. Give your mind some exercise. I mean with snores like the aptly named Drowsy Chaperone winning Tonys, it's time Broadway woke up. BRAVO all. |
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My recommendation:
must see!
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I saw this show with:
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Recommended for:
Adults, Anyone
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Phoning it in Review by: Tom Bestor, Dec 26, 2006 |
"The Vertical Hour" was another production from which I expected great things. Not because Julianne Moore is in the cast, or because David Hare wrote the play, but because Sam Mendes was directing, and I thought his production of "Gypsy" is perhaps the best-staged, best-directed musical I've every seen. Unfortunately, "The Vertical Hour" did its best to put me in a horizontal position. Julianne Moore was almost completely lost on stage. In ... read more fact, none of the actors (including Bill Nighy, who is getting raves for his performance) ever really connected with each other. I was sitting in the second row, and from that proximate vantage point, I was left with the strong feeling that the three leads could just as easily been alone on a blue screen set for all the attention they paid to their fellow performers. The phrase "phoning it in" comes to mind.
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My recommendation:
Don't go
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Surprisingly mediocre Review by: , Dec 23, 2006 |
| Saw the show today and was pleasantly surprised because I expected to be thoroughly bored. Nighey was brilliantly odd and I mean that in a good way, and Moore was brilliant, to "what did she say"? Seriously, she either showed character or disappeared totally from the role and seemed to reappear periocically as a good actor.The story line about Iraq was surprising and therefore entertaining a little. Haven't we all decided about Iraq at ... read more this point? A mediocre to good play at times. |
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My recommendation:
Go see if you get a chance
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BEST PLAY in SEVERAL YEARS, MOORE IS OUTSTANDING! Review by: RALPHIE, Dec 20, 2006 |
| Expect DAVID HARE to write one of the best plays of the past few years; expect it, and you won't be disappointed. He's done a remarkable thing here in creating a play focused on the war in Iraq, America's place as world leader, but with a light enough and even-hand so as to not antagonize those who he wants to convince. Remember, many in a Broadway audience read and respect the New York Times, as an alternative to tedium of thinking. The play is ... read more engrossing, thought provoking, funny, romantic; downright rich. Julianne Moore is the standout; not Bill Nehy. Both are excellent, but her's is the harder role; a much deeper and complicated personality. I loved this play. |
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Mediocre Show in a Sweltering Theatre Review by: TheatreMaven, Dec 12, 2006 |
First and foremost...the Music Box was sooo hot I almost passed out. If you go see this sure especially if you are sitting in the mezz. make sure to wear a t-shirt or come in layers so you can take your clothes off otherwise you might pass out. I asked the stage manager during intermission and he said he would do something about the heat. However it was still hot.
As for the show, their have been much more moving and profound pieces ... read more to come to the stage. It was interesting to see a show about the Iraq however the story was dull and the characters for the exception of Nighy were two dimensional. I was really disappointed with Moore. You can clearly tell that she is not a stage actress. During the beginning of the show it felt as if she was reading lines out of the script...as the play progressed she got better. Also here movements were very staccato and she seemed unsure of herself and didn't fit well into the character. The other performances were fine. All in all the play was mediocre. During the performance I saw the audience seemed to have the same sentiment...the show did not receive an ovation and the applause were lukewarm. I think everyone was happy to leave the theatre just because it was soooo hot. |
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My recommendation:
Don't go
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I saw this show with:
Spouse/Partner
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Recommended for:
Seniors, Adults
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Ho-Hum Review by: Carol, Dec 11, 2006 |
| Bill Nighy wiped the floor with Julianne Moore, a good actor in film. Broadway is not her venue. She stands around the stage doing nothing for the greatest part of the play except when she kisses her fiance. The most effective scenes with her involve interaction with her students, both of whom give her a reason to spout her philosophy. In the end, the Vertical Hour is a big snore. |
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My recommendation:
Don't go
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I saw this show with:
Spouse/Partner
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Recommended for:
Adults
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pleasantly surprised Review by: marsha, Dec 9, 2006 |
| Ordered tickets before show opened. Never read reviews but heard they were disappointing. Expected the worst and was pleasantly surprised. Thought the play was interesting, and never got bored. These are not tony performances but the actors all do a first rate job. I would recommend seeing this show. |
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My recommendation:
Go see if you get a chance
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Recommended for:
Adults
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