Tag: New Stage Theatre

 

 

Another review of a play from New Stage Theatre.

It is a British play by Richard Bean based on an Italian play from 1743 named Servant of Two Masters.

I will give  a quick synopsis of the play in a few lines .  Basically it revolves around the main character Francis Henshall (Joseph Frost). He gets himself into a situation with serving two different guvnors, thus the title.  The two different masters have no clue but only you the audience. So, you see Henshall juggle his two jobs with comedy bits thrown into the mix.  I don’t want to give away too much but that is the basic gist of it.

I went to this play last Saturday night alone. I am glad because I wouldn’t have felt comfortable bringing anyone to see this particular play.

The play does have British humor which doesn’t always translate to the same humor you are to expect here.  There are of course some funny parts in the play.  But there is too much repetition of jokes and or gags that run its course by the end of the play. I don’t  agree with all the sexual innuendo being necessary in the play. I didn’t really care for the 50 Shades references either. Again with the comedy bits being a bit dragged out.

This play did have a live band. Even the characters were singing during certain parts in the play. Which brought a different life to this play compared to other plays.   At one point in the night, I wanted them to stop playing because I couldn’t bare the sound of them any longer.  But I moved on eventually.

OK. I will give credit to the cast. I did enjoy watching them perform. They did an excellent job. Each character had their own idiosyncrasy.  So, with all roles combined it did bring the play together.

Sometimes, I laughed and at times it made feel uncomfortable with some of their gags. Some of the jokes brought out some silence from the audience. But they kept on rolling with what they had.

I was reading a review of the play and when performed in Hong Kong,  it did not go over so well with the comedy bits with Alfie. The review states, “Where old people are treated with rather more respect. There it was met by silence and the odd gasp of disapproval. ” And it is because there is a repetition of gags with Alfie falling down stairs and other antics. The audience gets the perspective of what is about to happen next to the characters.  So, they don’t even see what it is coming to them. I did laugh at those parts but it is not necessary to overdue it.

I could go on about it, but I will stop.  This play is not for everyone. I would say I am ashamed to tell anyone that I saw this play. Because of the general material within the play. But I respect how plays come to life on stage.

It is great New Stage can bring plays of all calibers to the stage here in Jackson, MS.  I can’t be expected to enjoy every play that I see.  Not everyone appreciates the live stage.  But for what it’s worth, everyone should get out and go to a local play in their area to support the arts.

I’ve realized my last update on this side of the blog was back in May 2014. I think I will use this day in 2015 to bring it to life. Even though I saw this play a month ago, back on January 10. It is never too late to start back.

I don’t think I would have went to this play alone. Even though I enjoy the productions put on by New Stage. I usually don’t have that many free Saturday nights after New Stage and Mississippi Symphony get onto my calendar.  So, I went with a friend who expressed interest in it. And thus I bought the tickets in December in anticipation of the play. I am glad I followed through with it.

The good thing about the play being Peter Pan is that you can actually can have show dates after Christmas. Unlike the Christmas Carol which I’m sure most people would not express interest in seeing after Christmas.

I’m always impressed by the plays of New Stage, even the ones that I’m unsure of seeing. I was looking forward to Peter Pan

Now, on to a semi-review of Peter Pan.

Again for a local theatre, this play was impressive.

If you remember watching the 1960 version of the Peter Pan movie with Mary Martin as a kid or even the Disney classic from 1953, both which I did enjoy. Seeing the play live brings it back to life.

It easy to immerse yourself back into the play once it begins. From the lights, to the sounds, and nicely designed sets. Of course the play was geared towards children, because who else would need the memories of Peter Pan once they finally grow up. We sometimes don’t want to grow up, just like the lost boys in Peter Pan. Thus we watch this particular play to bring us back to a time, when we were not there yet. So, as adults we can indulge ourselves in a play like Peter Pan.

Once of the main things, I was looking forward to was the flying effects they were incorporating into the play. And it did not disappoint. From the shaggy dog to the crocodile it was all there. It helps having a great cast to pull the play together.  The play overall was great.

So, for two hours you can immerse yourself into a different world when you watch a play live. It is a different experience, then watching a big production movie at the movie theatre. Sometimes you have to get out and support the local arts. It helps getting out, and experiencing life around you.

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Side Note:

I’ve realized more now that I’ve been sitting in the wrong seat to view the play. I have two tickets for each play in the season. And my favorite seat doesn’t give the vantage point of viewing a friend enjoying the play. The first time I switched seats was back at Ms. Mannerly when I brought a friend along who enjoys plays at New Stage. It was the best seat for him to see the play better.  I noticed then I could actually see a friend enjoying the play. I’ve been missing out in the past seasons by not switching seats. I was focused on the play, and did not see the enjoyment of friends who came along. I’ve missed all those smiles and laughs. I have now found my new seat. And all it took was giving up the best seat, so a friend could enjoy the play without obstruction.