Serenading Louie by Lanford Wilson, Donmar Warehouse, 20 February 2010

We had been big fans of the Donmar for some while; sometimes bemoaning the awkwardness of the place for parking/transport but on balance feeling that it was worth it.

Serenading Louie was one of a few less impressive productions that started to put us off the place.

Here is a link to the excellent Study Guide resource which Donmar has now made downloadable.

Of course it was well acted and well produced at the Donmar. But what a dud of a play. Why revive such a dull American play from the 1970s?

I think we stuck it out to the bitter end; I vaguely recall feeling that the second half was a mite better than the first half.

It didn’t get good reviews. This search term should find you plenty of reviews and stuff if you remain curious about it.

No doubt we supped on May’s Chinese food or Mohsen’s Persian. No doubt our moods needed lifting after a disappointing visit to the theatre.

 

Roots by Arnold Wesker, Cottesloe Theatre, 22 April 1989

My log suggests that we thought this production was good. I’m not a huge fan of Wesker’s plays; in fact this one sticks in my memory as probably the most interesting of all those I have seen and read.

Here is the Wikipedia entry for the play.

Here is the Theatricalia entry for the production Bobbie and I saw at the Cottesloe.

Good cast – Maria Miles as Beatie and Caroline Quentin as Jenny.

This sort of play works really well in a small house like the Cottesloe; I remember the production having a very intimate feel.

Bobbie might remember even more about it.

Below is Nicholas de Jongh’s Guardian review:

de Jongh on Rootsde Jongh on Roots Wed, Feb 8, 1989 – 46 · The Guardian (London, Greater London, England) · Newspapers.com