|
Post by jr on Sept 11, 2024 7:15:34 GMT
www.hampsteadtheatre.com/whats-on/2024/the-lightest-element/Saw it last night. Still on previews and some stumbling over the text. I think it is a good play but could be better. Apart from telling Cecilia Payne-Gaposchkin's story, it gives you a good understanding of a woman breaking the glass ceiling in science and how she was taking advantadge of. The story is told through the characters so it does not feel too didactic. Acting is good and Maureen Beattie is such a good actress. I saw her last in Duet for one with Tara Fitzgerald and years ago in The skin of our teeth. Her acting is natural and commanding, can't understand why she is not more well known (unlike over the top/wringling hands Lia Williams for instance). The thing I didn't like is that it has two endings. I would end the play just before the last scene. I think it would make for a more theatrical ending and the last bit doesn't add much (or, if the writer thinks it is essential, maybe doing it earlier in the play). I'd like to know what other members think about it.
|
|
1,860 posts
|
Post by Dave B on Sept 11, 2024 8:38:42 GMT
We were due last week but it was cancelled for tech issues. Hampstead were great with rescheduling but will be early next month before we make it due to lots going on for us.
|
|
395 posts
|
Post by lichtie on Sept 16, 2024 10:30:14 GMT
I liked this - the sub-plot about the romance between the wannabe journalist and her FBI-corrupted boyfriend was a bit overdone, and more could perhaps have been made of the struggles Payne-Gaposchkin had in between her thesis and being made Chair of the department. In case anyone is wondering the name checks at the end were not part of the original prize speech which is actually available online (and is all about novae). I think that bit could have been dealt with more subtly through the body of the piece.
|
|
1,494 posts
|
Post by Steve on Sept 19, 2024 22:30:35 GMT
Yes, this is an odd biography of Maureen Beattie's (fiercely dignified and inspiringly performed) brilliant astronomer, in that it arguably makes someone else the main character. I liked it nonetheless. Some spoilers follow. . . Beattie is authoritative, charismatic and tough as the astronomer who correctly figured out what stars were made of in the twenties, but who faced implacable resistance from Harvard's patriarchal powers-that-be. Weirdly though, most of the action and agency of the play is about the degree to which Annie Kingsnorth's conservative journalism student will go along with her "House Un-American Activities Committee" boyfriend's plan to stitch up this powerful woman good and proper for being a "pinko." All the actual decision-making in the play, all the moral quandaries, lie with Kingsnorth's character. Luckily, Kingsnorth is terrific as a student who could go either way. Kingsnorth is wonderful at suggesting she is simultaneously prim and pliant, but also independent-minded; both determinedly conservative but also fair-minded. Her story is the main story and it is exciting. But it is decidedly odd to write a biography of someone famous, but then give most of the agency to someone else. The Cilla Black Musical is similar, in that all the agency is with Black's boyfriend in that one. At least this feminist play is actually about a female lol. Anyhow, Beattie and Kingsnorth are great in their respective roles, as are a smorgasbord of talent, including Stefan Cennydd as a twitchy Mr HUAC and Julian Wadham as a contemptuous Mr Patriarchy. I felt this deserved 3 and a half stars.
|
|
213 posts
|
Post by peelee on Oct 9, 2024 10:49:27 GMT
Maureen Beattie was good as the psychiatrist in revival Duet for One (with Tara Fitzgerald) at the Orange Tree, Richmond, not so long ago, but the character lets the client do most of the talking. She has much more to say as astronomer Payne-Gaposchkin in The Lightest Element at Hampstead Theatre and is impressive in this busier acting role: clear, measured, and intelligent in what must have been the manner of the scientist being represented in this story. I liked all the cast who play their weighted roles so well and appear on stage at just the right time to advance the play.
A neat production, nicely designed. Four stars from me.
|
|