Six Degrees Of Separation, John Guare, The Old Vic, 16 January 2010

Around the time that we booked this play, I was writing the chapter of The Price of Fish, coincidentally Chapter Six, that explains the “shrinking world” theory known as six degrees of separation.

In theory, this play is all about that concept. In practice, I struggled at times to link this social comedy with the theory.

Without the futile search for intellectual insight, it was a reasonably fun evening at the theatre but a rather lightweight one. A super cast for this revival, but I’m not sure this play is worthy of a revival within 20 years, even though the world has/had changed between times.

Here is a link to The Old Vic resource on the production.

Here is a link to a search term that finds plenty of reviews, mostly indifferent ones. The consensus seemed to be that the production was excellent but the play somewhat lacking. Although neither Janie nor I had seen the play first time around, we thought that assessment was right.

The Pain and the Itch, Bruce Norris, Royal Court Theatre, 22 June 2007

We really enjoyed this play.  I think it was the first Bruce Norris play we saw and it certainly motivated us to look out for his plays.

We were due to see it on Saturday 23 June, but then realised that the only Saturday that made sense for a Worm family birthday celebration was that Saturday. The Royal Court very kindly swapped the seats for us at no charge, despite my insistence that the booking error was my fault. “That’s what friends are for,” was the response. I wish more arts organisations treated the term “friend” thus.

Excellent cast, with Matthew Macfadyen, Andrea Riseborough and Amanda Boxer perhaps the most memorable.

The Royal Court archive tells it all, including substantial extracts from the mostly excellent reviews – click here.

Out Cry by Tennessee Williams, Lyric Hammersmith, 16 May 1997

This Cheek By Jowl production started at the Everyman in Cheltenham and Northcott Exeter before switching to the Lyric Hammersmith. Janie and I rated this one very good. We must have been very keen to see it as we went to the penultimate performance on a Friday evening (on a weekend when we also went to The Orange Tree on the Saturday), which even for us was a bit excessive.

We are especially partial to Tennessee Williams; while this play is not “major Williams” it was still a gripping theatrical event for us.

Paul Taylor in The Independent was impressed.

Taylor Indy Out CryTaylor Indy Out Cry 25 Apr 1997, Fri The Independent (London, Greater London, England) Newspapers.com

Charles Spencer in the Telegraph, on the other hand, hated it.

Spencer Telegraph Out CrySpencer Telegraph Out Cry 29 Apr 1997, Tue The Daily Telegraph (London, Greater London, England) Newspapers.com

Michael Billington in The Guardian was equivocal about it.

Billington Guardian Out CryBillington Guardian Out Cry 30 Apr 1997, Wed The Guardian (London, Greater London, England) Newspapers.com

It certainly went down well in the West Country before it came to London.

Herald Express Out CryHerald Express Out Cry 03 Apr 1997, Thu Herald Express (Torquay, Devon, England) Newspapers.com