- Free Article: No
- Contents Category: Letters
- Review Article: No
- Article Title: Letters – June 2025
- Online Only: No
- Custom Highlight Text:
To attack a pinata
Having just seen Bell Shakespeare’s Henry 5 in Melbourne – where it has this week opened – and reading so many flattering reviews of the production, I was beginning to wonder what I’d missed. It was therefore heartening to read Jonathan Ricketson’s (online) review which, for me, encapsulated the many flaws of the production as well as its few inspired moments. This was a king who did not seem to have the vigour to attack a pinata, let alone the Kingdom of France. More egregiously, this was a production that appeared to have nothing at all to say.
- Related Article Image (300px * 400px):
- Featured Image (400px * 250px):
- Alt Tag (Featured Image): Letters – June 2025
Diane Stubbings
Improving on Beckett
Billie Whitelaw presented Happy Days at the Universal Theatre in Fitzroy in about 1983. I read that Whitelaw was a noted exponent of Samuel Beckett and ardent about his intentions. The production I saw was Beckett by the book. So, I’m a bit sceptical when I read in Clare Monagle’s review of Happy Days (Sydney Theatre Company, page 45) that Pamela Rabe has somehow improved on Beckett. Considering that she is directing the STC production herself, this seems to be a bit of a vanity project.
Kym Houghton
Comments powered by CComment