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The
Blue Room is an up-to-date and skilful adaptation by David Hare
of the notorious erotic masterpiece La Ronde by Arthur Schnitzler.
The
play follows a chain of sexual encounters including an au pair,
a law student and a taxi driver, each one linking to the next in
a story that that highlights the 'disposable' nature of relationships
and intimacy.
All
of the characters are portrayed by just two actors - in this case
Tracy Shaw (better known as the ill-fated Maxine in Coronation Street)
and Jason (son of Sean) Connery.
When
La Ronde was first performed in Germany in 1921, such was the scandal
that the police closed down the play, arrested the actors and put
them on trial.
Many
things have changed since then, but as this re-telling of Schnitzler's
story highlights, our attitudes to relationships, love and of course
sex are still remarkably similar.
And
if the theme of the play, the skill of the actors and the artistic
merit of the piece is not enough for you, then you might be interested
to know that both Tracy and Jason get their kit off. Quite frequently.
Thought that might get you interested!
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heard the hype and read the publicity, I decided to go along
and see the Blue Room on Wednesday at the Theatre Royal. The
production is a set of ten mini plays acted out by the two players
depicting male/female relationships in term of sex, love and
infidelity. Some of which are a little bizarre. In the first
piece Tracy Shaw plays a "Tart with Heart" attracted by a passing
taxi-driver, which I thought was a little odd. Ms Shaw is pretty
enough and has a good stage presence, however when it comes
to acting ability she is no Nicole Kidman. Jason Connery is
adequate for the role he plays, although I detected that he
began to ham it up a little towards the end. There was a chemistry
between the two, but the much heralded nudity was hardly earth-shattering.
And the view that the play was "thought provoking" and "hard-edged"
was a little over the top. If I was asked to give marks out
of ten, for the acting, the writing and the production in general
then I would say five out of ten. I have seen better, but then
again I have seen worse. |
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Review
sent in by Neil Harding from York
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The
Blue Room runs at the Theatre, Royal, Clasketgate, Lincoln until
Saturday 8th March. For ticket prices and show times, please contact
the theatre box office on 01522 525555
If
you're going along to one of the shows, why not let us know what
you thought about it - Send a review to Lincolnshire@bbc.co.uk
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