Copenhagen by Michael Frayn, Cottesloe Theatre, 4 July 1998

We both thought this one was superb. Indeed, my log entry has just that one word:

Superb.

I’ve always been partial to a bit of Michael Frayn. This piece helped maintain and enhance my high regard for his work.

Great cast and crew; Sara Kestleman, David Burke and Matthew Marsh performing, Michael Blakemore directing.

Here is a link to the Theatricalia entry.

Our friend Michael Billington loved it and even came up with the sort of witty headline that pleases me…

Billington Guardian CopenhagenBillington Guardian Copenhagen 30 May 1998, Sat The Guardian (London, Greater London, England) Newspapers.com

…although personally I’d have gone for “Wonderful, Wonderful Copenhagen”, but then what do I know?

Nicholas de Jongh in TheStandard also liked it:

de Jongh Standard Copenhagende Jongh Standard Copenhagen 29 May 1998, Fri Evening Standard (London, Greater London, England) Newspapers.com

Kate Kellaway in The Observer also raved, rating Matthew March “magnificent”:

Kellaway Observer CopenhagenKellaway Observer Copenhagen 31 May 1998, Sun The Observer (London, Greater London, England) Newspapers.com

Heck, Copenhagen ran for years and has been revived several times.

Finally, this Michael Frayn interview with Max Davidson just ahead of the first night is fascinating (at least it is to me):

Max Davidson Sunday telegraph with FraynMax Davidson Sunday telegraph with Frayn 24 May 1998, Sun Sunday Telegraph (London, Greater London, England) Newspapers.com

Baby Doll by Andrew Poppy & Tennessee Williams, Cottesloe Theatre, 8 May 1993

This piece was billed as:

a new chamber opera based on the original screenplay…

…perhaps we should have paid heed to that billing.

It was not to our taste.

It was part of the Springboards season, of which we saw three productions at the Cottesloe in two weeks. This was the second of the three we saw.

Below is a review from The Guardian – opera review rather than theatre review please note:

Baby Doll May 1993Baby Doll May 1993 Tue, May 11, 1993 – 28 · The Guardian (London, Greater London, England) · Newspapers.com

The Observer review can be seen as part of the article (including the picture) below:

Observer May 1993 CottesloeObserver May 1993 Cottesloe Sun, May 9, 1993 – 55 · The Observer (London, Greater London, England) · Newspapers.com

We stayed at mine that weekend. Whether I cooked or we got a takeway on the way home is lost in the mists of time.

I do recall Janie trying to sound like the atonal operatic voices in this misguided Baby Doll production for some while after the show.

Oh dear.