Ralph in Oedipus in London 15th October

[trugannini]

OK all you England-based fans. Go for it!! Bookings open soon. Please get
some stage door shots to send to us eager beavers who have No Hope of getting
to England, no matter how much we want to. :)

[Liza]

Sheraton, it sounds like it was perfectly awesome, unforgettable experience. I'm glad you had such a great time. : )

[Zsuzsanna]

Dear Ladies,
I promised you to write my opinion after seeing him 2 consecutive days and after reading the critics. What about the last I had a little debate with several 'Anti-Fiennes' on the review -sides of Westend Whistler. I don't like to read statements which are malevolent fals and unjust.
Now the essence: I saw two different Oedipus performances on the two evenings. The first was a 'macho' Oedipus, strong self-conscious self-possessed self-reliant, unable to imagine that 'he is the person'. His perception of the truth was heartbreaking. It was a great crescendo thrown to ups and downs with fear and anxiety and with a fantastic male dance reminding on East European folk-dances. When every retreat is closed he is broken and the pain throws him to earth with a terrible howl a heartbreaking whimper, like a moribund animal. .His suffer and sorrow was honest very deep soul-stirring.
When he enters blind he is so pitiable....but not weak. In this variation he regains something of his strength and fights with Creon, his eyes were full of tears. Little Antigone leads him into the darkness.

The second evening was different. The same choreography the same text - of course - and quite other accents. This Oedipus was softer not so aggressive as on the first evening. A modern man resignated prepared to every bad events. He had the same ups and downs but it was fear and anticipation what dominated. Even when Theiresias tells him his future after anger he broke out to tears and fell in his arms. When everything was lost the whimper came but he remained standing, it was shorter but perhaps expressed a bigger pain. The blind scene was the centerpoint of this evening. He was completely beaten and humiliated. He had no strength anymore. He crawled on the earth before Creon he only begged but never demanded. (it was poignant) When his daughters came close to him there was a resignated dryness in his voice saying 'No one will take you...your dowry is death' It was also very touching as he asked Creon to leave his daughters with him, but Creon denies it. Then little Antigone wrenches herself from Creon's hand and leads his father.

It was a big-big and wonderful experience.

[Liza]

Zsuzsanna, thank you for this wonderful account! : )

[trugannini]

Zsuzsanna, thank you for highlighting the differences in the two evenings. How valuable
this account is!! You sounded very affected by both evenings, in a different way. What
a Master Ralph Fiennes is. I read your accounts several times, imagining him at work.
Thank you, and thank you Zsuzsanna. :)

[Dana]

Thank you for the "reviews," Zsuzsanna! I wonder if he intentionally mentally approaches the part differently or if it's going with his feelings and energy at the time. Very interesting to think about.

[Katherine]

Many thanks , zsuzsanna !

[trugannini]

I dislike posting this, but Oedipus has NOT been nominated for the Olivier Awards this year.

WHAT CAN ONE SAY!!!! Well, I am saying that I AM DISGUSTED!!

[Zsuzsanna]

Dear Friends,
we must realize that Award distributing gentlemen have other taste (or interest?) as we have. I'm curious to know what is their motivation of denying every award of him. What is undeniable is his talent his inimitable acting . I'm no prophet like Thiresias but I felt sure he won't get it even if he is three times(!) nominee. I thought it has some connection with Quantas scandal but this happened in 2006 (and 'sweet' journalists are continuously remembering at it and put it down on every occasion) and his previous 'Great Year' was in 2005. Now the death of poor Heath Ledger and the guilty conscience that they didn't give him anything while he was alive deprived him from the Award he merited since the beginning of his carrier. We can be consoled that the day will come in one of the next years (I'd like to live and see it!) . It must come if justice still exists on our Earth! Let's look forward and trust.