This week on TN:
Doubt
Doubt by John Patrick Shanley, directed by Julian Meyrick. Melbourne Theatre
Company, Playhouse @ the Arts Centre until May 13.
It is almost impossible to think about Doubt without being aware of the
context in which it is written - that is, post-9/11 America. John Patrick
Shanley's play is the first in a proposed trilogy (part 2, Defiance , has
just recently opened at the Manhattan Theatre Company) that examines
troubling dimensions of contemporary US society. And it obviously struck a
few chords: it's garnered rave reviews and is the most decorated play on
Broadway, with 24 awards to its name.
However, outside this context it's hard not to feel a little puzzled by this
reception. There are things to admire in Doubt , to be sure; it's a skilful
piece of playwriting, sparely written and solidly structured. But there's
no getting away from the fact that it's a very old fashioned play, a
naturalistic, linear drama that wouldn't have raised eyebrows 40 years ago.
One can't help wondering if American theatre is really as conservative as
this play seems to demonstrate.
Read more at http://theatrenotes.blogspot.com
All the best
Alison
Alison Croggon
Blog: http://theatrenotes.blogspot.com
Editor, Masthead: http://masthead.net.au
Home page: http://alisoncroggon.com
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