The Shawshank Redemption

May 16, 2009 by John    6 Comments    Posted under: Uncategorized

I’ve been to far too few plays in my life. Something I’d love to remedy but time and money can be impeding factors. So I’m not exactly equipped to review plays. However, several things I learned tonight.

• Watching a play at the very back of the Gaiety is like watching a play of people watching a play
• Sitting behind a fat head can ruin a play
• In no way is it a given that a play will be better than the film in the way a book is
• Unless you can afford the good seats, plays are best experienced in small venues
• Keeping your head at a 45 degree angle for two hours can be very sore

I truly wish I was better at enjoying things I really should enjoy rather than letting the little things spoil experiences much more than they should.

6 Comments + Add Comment

• 
  Gerry May 16, 2009 at 3:30 pm

  and what about the play?

  Reply
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  John Braine May 16, 2009 at 4:04 pm

  I found it hard to not compare it to the film and it just didn’t come close to it in quality. The dialog seemed really rushed to me in places. And the performances just seemed very unpolished. Maybe that’s what you get at preview shows. I loved the set and props though, thought they were perfect.

  I really think I would have enjoyed the actual performance more if I had a better seat and could see/hear everything better. And maybe didn’t know the movie so well.

  Reply
• 
  jothemama May 21, 2009 at 9:41 pm

  I am so with you on this.

  I am also very dubious of the concept of films as plays.

  Iffy.

  Reply
• 
  Darren May 22, 2009 at 4:35 pm

  Love love love going to see plays. I go as often as possible. Going to see Shawshank in the matinée tomorrow (awesome seats too).

  Woo!

  Reply
• 
  B May 25, 2009 at 3:24 am

  I think I’ll write a few one act plays, may as well do some drama in college along with everything else. One field I can’t be pretentious in too, when everyone’s 10 times worse. :D

  Reply
• 
  Lottie May 26, 2009 at 7:03 pm

  I thought it was great but our seats were perfect. The Gaiety is finikety like that – only about 50% of the seats are worth anything.

  Matineees all the way.

  Reply