This production blew us away. It was shocking and also intensely gripping drama.
We trusted the Almeida in those days, so we booked a preview of this one, “on spec”, although we were unfamiliar with Neil LaBute’s work and also unfamiliar with the imported cast and director.
We were right to trust!
Bash is a collection of short plays, rather than “a play”. All were excellent in our view. The last one was the most shocking, but all were shocking in their own way. Brilliantly well acted by Mary McCormack, Zeljko Ivanek & Matthew Lillard. Joe Mantello directed. Here is the Theatricalia entry for this production.
I’m pretty sure the critics tended to be with us in admiring this one. Let’s see.
Yup, Nicholas de Jongh in The Standard waxed lyrical:
Bash deJongh Standard 03 Feb 2000, Thu Evening Standard (London, Greater London, England) Newspapers.com
Charles Spencer in The Telegraph admired the writing and performances but hated the plays:
Bash Spencer Telegraph 04 Feb 2000, Fri The Daily Telegraph (London, Greater London, England) Newspapers.com
Our fried, Michael Billington, in the Guardian absolutely got it:
Bash Billington Guardian 03 Feb 2000, Thu The Guardian (London, Greater London, England) Newspapers.com
One of those utterly unforgettable nights at the theatre that makes us want to go back for more!
