Post by Mr Snow on Jan 12, 2018 15:03:17 GMT
FWIW I take a broader view than many ‘purists’ and if it works dramatically then I’ll allow quite a lot. I think the idea of following tradition and stage directions literally will not be good for the future of any performing art. Of course the problem is that what “works” is subjective.
What I find do currently find gratuitous is the no of simulated rapes on stage. That’s what the moment at the begging of this production of Rigoletto is about (And again this time the man is naked). This is not a Quentin Letts style dig at the ROH, but a real concern about what is being depicted. I struggle to name them all but there’s been quite a few. I don’t think anti-war films present their case by showing the casualties of the heat of battle and I don’t think the seriousness of rape is demonstrated by what is always a very brief act on stage. There is usually an element of ‘forbidden’ titillation as the dark side of life is presented and it often smacks of someone trying to be a bit right on, showing how awful the man is. But presenting this within an entertainment strikes a very discordant note with me.
I'm going tonight and will report back on how we felt about it. Of course I will bring my binoculars!
