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Post by jo on Dec 8, 2014 12:33:49 GMT -5
Jean,
The link between the scratched face on the portrait and his elusive search for the idealized woman makes total sense - thanks for pointing that out!
Jo
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Post by jo on Dec 8, 2014 12:34:36 GMT -5
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Post by mamaleh on Dec 8, 2014 13:03:58 GMT -5
Exactly. In his understated performance, Hugh exudes a quiet sadness and longing. He says so much with his eyes and body language. No showy contortions or neurological disorders get in the way of that "pure" characterization. Still, those are the attributes that tend to grab the attention come awards time, whether in film or on stage.
Ellen
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Post by jo on Dec 8, 2014 13:16:17 GMT -5
I did not see the tears ( when The Woman left) until he stood up and sniffed when he realized and accepted that another chance to find his ideal woman has passed him by. That was such a poignant moment that was very well-acted.
My other favorite acting moment was when he snuffed out the candles, looked at his reflection in the water in the bowl, put his hand aggressively in the water as if to dissolve the image it reflected, took the bowl and let the water cascade over his head and body, as if to cleanse himself. Every time that moment was about to arrive, I would literally take a deep breath!
Jo
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Post by JH4HJ on Dec 9, 2014 10:47:40 GMT -5
Then she is also another one of the procession of women...not the idealized one he is looking for. She seemed inconsequential. That is my appreciation of what she represented and portrayed. Sorry, if my appreciation differs from yours. LOL- I am thinking about what you said and what my understanding of the play's heart between jet lags! Too inconvenient jet lags  Jo Nothing to be sorry about, Jo. It would be boring if we all agreed about everything. I still fault the writer. If he has a "point" to make he did not succeed. It's one thing to get people talking about possibilities quite another to leave the audience "in the lurch." The script is pretentious, pedestrian and ambiguous. If Hugh Jackman had not taken an interest in it it would never have been considered Broadway material. Backers know people will come to see HUGH - no matter what he does - and Hugh delivers a masterful performance - as always. HE is worth the price of admission - no doubt about it. There are lyric passages in the script that would make lovely audition scenes. The play, as a whole, is not cohesive. It would be interesting as a workshop piece. It might develop into something . . . then again, it might not. As for the third woman, I agree. She is inconsequential - because she IS there. She's the fish in the bucket - not the one in the sea, not the one on the hook, and NOT the one of his dreams. If The Man showed as much passion for A/any/The Woman as he does for The Fish he might manage a satisfying relationship. But he doesn't. Why??? |
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Post by jo on Dec 9, 2014 11:07:50 GMT -5
To each his own perception, then  Jo |
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Post by jo on Dec 10, 2014 8:43:15 GMT -5
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Post by jo on Dec 11, 2014 13:38:48 GMT -5
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Post by jo on Dec 12, 2014 0:22:47 GMT -5
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Post by jo on Dec 14, 2014 22:12:59 GMT -5
A man of letters tweets about Hugh Jackman and THE RIVER --
*Jeff Benedict
@authorjeff
Author of 12 books, including New York Times bestseller THE SYSTEM. Special features contributor for Sports Illustrated. Biographer. Public speaker.
Virginia and Connecticut · jeffbenedict.com
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Post by foxie on Dec 15, 2014 7:34:29 GMT -5
I loved The River!I thought all the performers were great and the theater is wow I have never seen anything like it-I really didn't think I would like it after the reviews that i would just drool over Hugh but I was pleasantly surprised!No one talked much about the humor in the show and there was lots-You could hear a pin drop even the jerks in front of me who were laughing and making fun of no pics etc shut up and were engrossed in this wonderful play-yes it leaves u thinking and I even started reading the play this weekend as is my friend who went with me-it made for a wonderful day and I won't stop thinking about it very soon!!!
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Post by jo on Dec 15, 2014 8:14:22 GMT -5
Foxie, It works even better when you see it a second time...the nuances missed in the first impressionable viewing are much better appreciated. The play takes you into deep thought about the characters and their motivations. Yes, the humor is unexpected Glad you enjoyed it -- and think the playscript is worth another look (read), to be able to appreciate the hidden insights of this Butterworth work. Jo |
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Post by jo on Dec 15, 2014 8:30:29 GMT -5
I remember initial complaints before the show started previews on Broadway about the length of the play. Some people on theatre boards even computed the ticket cost vis-à-vis the 85 minutes or so of the expected staging. Those who have initially read the playscript thought it seemed such a slim volume compared to other contemporary work. But in reality or at least in my perception, the staging and the excellent acting made the length seem just right for a play! It did not extend into boring territory but provided enough provocative situations to encourage post- performance discussions. In one of the performances of THE RIVER which I had seen, I went with three family/friends ( all New Yorkers and who enjoy plays as much as musicals), all professionals in finance ( and one in finance and sports), apart from my sister ( who is more of a musicals fan). The younger people were actively discussing the play and the characters and their motivations after we had seen the show - this happened as we exited the theatre right into the long passageway and as we walked back home Jo |
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Post by jo on Dec 15, 2014 10:43:54 GMT -5
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Post by jo on Dec 17, 2014 12:58:24 GMT -5
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Post by jo on Dec 17, 2014 19:14:11 GMT -5
Some may have complained about that lengthy silent episode in the play --
but I agree with the above post on Twitter :
That was one of the best moments in the play for me. Watching a man relatively at peace or happy spending time doing a seemingly humdrum chore was a very masculine moment! Self-assured with his solitude! Anticipating lively ...and maybe even romantic ...moments with someone after he has completed the wooing via the complete meal preparations!
Ahhh...
Jo
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Post by jo on Dec 17, 2014 20:27:46 GMT -5
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Post by jo on Dec 19, 2014 5:07:28 GMT -5
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Post by jo on Dec 20, 2014 18:33:11 GMT -5
Were you guys in TBFO motif when you saw the show once or repeatedly Jo
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Post by jo on Dec 21, 2014 0:39:02 GMT -5
Broadway is lucky to have him!
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Post by jo on Dec 21, 2014 5:16:06 GMT -5
I have just rewatched TIMESTALKS : Conversation with Hugh Jackman and Ian Rickson to see whether the play resonates better with me now that I have seen it and in relation to the insights they shared with the audience.
There were quite a few things which Ian said which are worth relating to the show's staging --
He talks of what someone ( a memory neurologist?) expressed after seeing it in rehearsals --
To which Ian adds --
Re the driving force in the staging of a play --
Re the fish scene --
Re the challenges in the rehearsal room --
I am glad that the perspective that it is really a reflective play came to me in the end. What you carry as a mental challenge after you have seen the show could be a more powerful residual than simply remembering the play itself.
I thought the fish scence also added to creating the image of the man as being at peace with being solitary ( even if he was constantly looking for his soulmate).
How was Hugh's acting ? Hugh was The Man. But The Man was not Hugh!!
Also, Hugh's responses seem to indicate that he immediately fell in love with the written word and was excited to do the play. Reported in another venue, he could hardly contain himself when he said that there was an exciting project ahead but that he could not yet talk about it. Then Michael Riedel gave the scoop about Hugh Jackman's return to Broadway!
Jo
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Post by jo on Dec 21, 2014 17:42:56 GMT -5
I wonder if the scene where he looks at himself in the bowl of water or the past images of his looking at himself in the water in the river -- is this signifying that the play is all about reflection? Is the significance of the title ( The River) a strong suggestion that the play is all about reflection in life?
Jo
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Post by jo on Dec 21, 2014 17:57:32 GMT -5
Another riverbanker takes a photo ( great close-up!)
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Post by jo on Dec 26, 2014 20:18:11 GMT -5
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Post by jo on Dec 27, 2014 17:05:07 GMT -5
Another ATC'er writes his impressions --
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