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Post by greenandbrownandblue on Aug 29, 2024 9:32:14 GMT
Saw this last night. The first ever (surprisingly to me!) stage adaptation of a John le Carré novel, written by David Eldridge.
Now I preface this short review with the fact that I have never read le Carré, nor seen film adaptations. So I knew very little going into this.
Which may be a problem. It took me a while (plus some interval background reading!) to figure out what was going on. Lots of characters, many played by multi-roling actors, and a non-linear script, as well as references to 'The Circus' and an assumption that we all know who George Smiley is, makes it very complex to someone unfamiliar with the source material. Plus the fact that some of the plot made no sense to me, but maybe what spies do shouldn't make sense!
They try to help out a bit at the beginning with a sort of prologue which introduced the characters but I didn't find that enough.
However, by the second half of Act 2, I think I'd got there, though some questions still remain! That said, Eldridge's adaptation has some great lines. And it is a very well acted production, superbly led by Rory Keenan. Jeremy Herrin's direction keeps it moving (apart from a slightly overlong and static trial scene in Act 2), helped by a neat design which makes great use of the Minerva stage, and terrific lighting and sound.
I'd be interested to hear what le Carré fans make of it.
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725 posts
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Post by theatremiss on Aug 29, 2024 10:58:51 GMT
I saw this last week too, same day as I saw Oliver - a game of two halves. I’ve never read the book, but I have seen the Richard Burton film. I actually enjoyed it. The play skipped along and tbh I could have done without the interval. Keenan put is a good solid performance with good support. I was a bit distracted by Gunnar Cauthery who played Mundt as I expected him to break into a Gary Lineker impression as in Dear England.
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Post by oxfordsimon on Aug 29, 2024 11:04:27 GMT
I love the story. It has always felt like a very powerful exploration of the corrosive effect that a life of secrets and lies has on a person.
Very intrigued to see how this works as it has always struck me as having strong theatrical potential.
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1,495 posts
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Post by Steve on Aug 29, 2024 11:51:13 GMT
I have never read le Carré, nor seen film adaptations. So I knew very little going into this. . . I'd be interested to hear what le Carré fans make of it. I think it's invaluable to have a review from someone who comes in unspoiled, so thanks! I've not read the novels either, though this feels like the moment to start lol. I have seen a bunch of TV/film adaptations, including the James Mason adaptation of the first Smiley novel, "The Deadly Affair," the film of this one, the Alec Guinness TV adaptations of "Tinker Tailor" and "Smiley's People," the Denholm Elliot TV thing and the Gary Oldman film of "Tinker Tailor," so I will be comparing whether I want to or not. I do recall that LeCarre said that Alec Guinness was the best Smiley, and that after he saw Guinness in "Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy," he always pictured Smiley with Guinness's face, so if anyone wants to watch some LeCarre, the Alec Guinness BBC adaptations are the best.
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