Comments on: Over-age Coward down the ages

By: Marlene Koenig

Marlene Koenig — Mon, 27 Apr 2009 13:10:37 +0000

I recently returned to the USA after spending a week in the UK. The primary reason for the trip was to see Dame Diana Rigg in Hay Fever. I found Dame Diana’s performance to be exceptional and unique. I think many theatre critics find themselves in a rut, and believe that everyone must play a certain character in the same way. WRONG! A great actor is willing to take risks or to see the character in a different way. This is how Diana Rigg played Judith Bliss. I also think Noel Coward would approve because a great dramatist believes that there are different ways to play a role. An early 20th century interpretation of Hamlet would be very different than an early 21st century performance.
Diana played Judith as a more realistic character, a character must more sensitive, but also very much a drama queen. Going OTT would have ruined the image.
It was so nice to see Diana do comedy again - her timing was superb. Actors, unlike drama criticis, are more than willing to take risks when playing a role. Personally, I would like to see this play transfer (with more time in rehearsal) and a new set so the guests do not arrive by the garden door (a prosecenium stage is better for this — if you have a chance to come to NYC, do see the revival of Blithe Spirit). I would love for this play to move to the West End to allow Dame Diana to further develop and grow into the performance - and hone it with her special magic.

By: Sam

Sam — Sun, 26 Apr 2009 21:54:51 +0000

As stated in the blog, it’s not the first time that an actor played a character younger than themselves. Even so, Dame Diana is wonderful as Judith Bliss. Indeed, the entire cast is excellent. They delivered their lines expertly, and the audience responded to them. There was much laughter by the audience through-out the play. This production was very entertaining, and beautifully designed.

By: Barry Clarke

Barry Clarke — Sat, 25 Apr 2009 23:53:09 +0000

My dream casting of Judith Bliss was the one I saw this very evening in Chichester - Dame Diana Rigg!
As said by same great actress of nearly 71 ‘it seems most theatre critics seem to have been seconded from the sport’s section’. They are paid for their drivel and try and impress themselves with their oh so caustic remarks and miss the whole bloody point of a play like ‘Hay fever’ entertainment! The comic timing of all at tonight’s performance was spot on! I really hope that Mr Coveney isn’t paid for writing such rubbish. Because if he is I want my share for my part in this too!

By: Nick Smurthwaite

Nick Smurthwaite — Tue, 21 Apr 2009 18:35:56 +0000

My dream casting would be Joanna Lumley as Judith, Nicholas Le Provost as David, Catherine McCormack as Myra, Rory Kinnear as Richard Greatham, Kris Marshall as Sandy and Sheridan Smith as Jackie the Flapper. I think they’d restore the play’s comedy classic status.

By: Hamish

Hamish — Sun, 19 Apr 2009 22:09:04 +0000

Congratulations, Michael, on such a restrained response to the banal comment from polly carey.

I for one hugely value the additional perspectives that only experienced critics can bring to their work.

Keep up the good work.

By: NorthernStage

NorthernStage — Sat, 18 Apr 2009 07:31:32 +0000

Belinda Lang was an excellent Judith Bliss at Manchester’s Royal Exchange last summer. She’s early fifties (I’m guessing) and so was entirely convincing as the mother of the brattish pair. And although she didn’t play her as ’sexy’ she did make her intriguing, flirty, seductive, vain and deeply sympathetic. Miles better than Dench et al, I’d say.

By: Michael Coveney

Michael Coveney — Sat, 18 Apr 2009 05:30:34 +0000

The video of the Stratford Ontario Hay Fever in which Maggie Smith played Judith Bliss is (or was) held in the archive at the theatre. Sorry, Polly, that my criticism “reeks of growing older.” I am growing older, so are you. That’s what happens. But I’m not pretending to be a middle-aged actress in a play. Blogging aside, a critic’s job is to live in the present, but it’s also part of the job to set things in context and maintain, where possible, and appropriate, some sort of historical over-view.

By: Duncan

Duncan — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 18:53:54 +0000

Can I ask where you saw the video of Maggie Smith’s performance?

Also, I think one reason for the onslaught of septuagenarian actresses coveting the part may be a problem of contemporary attitudes towards Coward himself. I don’t think he has yet to be properly recognized in a 21st century context; his plays are often put on as a blissful nostalgia trip (particularly with something so off the wall and socially irrelevant as Hay Fever). Consequently, actresses who there is a similarly nostalgic fondness for are linked to the play, and the two seem ideal for each other (though these are actresses who are by no means no longer incapable of giving a fantastic performance).

By: polly carey

polly carey — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 16:36:20 +0000

Re Over-age coward down the ages. Well. perhaps some actors are guilty of getting older and playing younger than they should. Although other productions such as A Little Night Music and, since you mention it, Who’s afraid of Virginia Woolf, would suggest otherwise.
Personally, I would gently point out to Michael Coveney and quite a few other critics, you too are no longer in your prime. “I remember blah blah back in nineteen seventy whatever..”
Your criticism reeks of growing older.