I'm sat in a suitably London ish, beautifully appointed kitchen sipping coffee and watching the sky through the picture wall.
We always pick up where we have left off Nu and I and even though she has left for work the house shrieks of her opinions and her laughter.
This past year She has chased away my feelings of shame.
Or so I think as I sip strong coffee in a Scandinavian chic kitchen.
All About Eve was a clever version of my favourite movie. I wondered just how the nuances of those famous close up film shots could be captured in the theatre , you know the ones where Bette rolled her eyes and flicked her hair and when a shiverof hardness crossed Anne Baxter's face for the briefest of moments. So I was intrigued to see that the director Ivo Van Hove has brought into play camera work, great walls of close up shots of the action and cinematic trickery to bring those purely filmic moments of All About Eve to life.
I suspect you will either love of hate the play given where you sit with who is the best Margot Channing.
GIllian Anderson plays Margot rather more tragically than Bette did. There are flashes of homage to the Queen, where Anderson occasionally delivers a line with a diva's panache and spit but for the most part her Margo isn't quite so strident than I was expecting. Lily james' Eve is every bit as good as Baxter's performance was and Monica Dolan as Karen brought a toughness to her role that Celeste Holm couldnt quite reach. Having said this, the famous scene from the movie where Margot opens up to Karen in a snowbound car is wonderfully observed in the play with Dolan stealing the scene with a sudden Show of emotion.
A Stirling version of a wonderful film and even though I walked away happy, I still missed Bette as the cornered Lioness Margot oh and I really missed Thelma Ritter's wisecracking corner-of-the-mouth hacking Birdy
No one could and will out bird Birdy
Glad to hear you enjoyed it and are having a lovely time with your friend Nu. Greetings from Norfolk xx
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like you're having a great time,and no doubt just about now ... starting to miss those doggies of yours. It does seem strange to see a stylish kitchen on here with no dogs piled onto comfy armchairs in the corner.
ReplyDeleteIvo Van Hire? I thought that was a dodgy vehicle hire company based in Glossop.
ReplyDeleteAnd I thought Glossop was only a character's last name in P.G. Wodehouse's "Jeeves and Wooster". Live and learn!
DeleteUnbelievably, don't think I've ever seen the film, but your placing it in such high regard provides the needed impetus. One for my 'bucket list'.
ReplyDeleteI've never seen the film either.
DeleteMe neither.Where have we been!
DeleteI'm just jealous you've seen Gillian Phwoar! Anderson. Personal X Files excluded, sounds wonderfully relaxing plus having the friendship experience that enhances one's personal resilience.Real friends are so important.
ReplyDeleteNu sounds like a wonderful person. I’d love to see the play. Are you familiar with the musical “Applause”? Fun song taking off from the line Fasten your Seatbelts.
ReplyDeleteI saw the play years ago with Anne Baxter playing Margot Channing. How's that for role reversal!
ReplyDeleteCheers
Would love to see the play! The movie is a classic.
ReplyDeleteI’d go just to see Jillian Anderson munching at the scenery.
XoXo
You are very fortunate to have a friend like Nu. I'm a bit envious. -Jenn
ReplyDeleteThe play is currently being live-streamed into theaters. Unfortunately, I found out too late that it was shown here. Hoping that there is a repeat showing.
ReplyDeletePeter's comment brought to mind that, yes indeed, Baxter successfully took on the role of Margo. Loved her just as much as Bacall.
i, too, have never sen the original. glad you had fun!
ReplyDeleteI'd love to see this, though I would probably fall on the Team Bette side. I adore her.
ReplyDeleteI totally loved Thelma Ritter in everything she appeared in, she was a One of a kind, for sure.
ReplyDeleteI ,m on the Bette team too! I have seen this film so many times and it is always fabulous.
What a lovely treat for yourself and Nu as I imagine she enjoys your wit and presence as much as you do hers.
ReplyDeleteI've never seen any version of All About Eve.
Ta for the glimpse of Nu's wonderful kitchen, too.
Hugs!
You could become a film and theater critic!!! You can do it, John - seriously!♥♥♥ You could be paid for enjoying yourself - but I guess that would mean travel away from home. I hope you find all is well when you return to your little family - they're surely missing you.
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ReplyDelete"All About Eve was a clever version of my favourite movie. I wondered just how the nuances of those famous close up film shots could be captured in the theatre..."
ReplyDeleteWhen I think of the original, All About Eve, the dialogue stands out for me more than any of the camera shots, so I think in that sense it would be a natural for the stage.
"GIllian Anderson plays Margot rather more tragically than Bette did"
I've always felt that Davis' Margot always sees herself in dramatic, and hence potentially tragic, terms when she realizes she can no longer be the star she once was, but by the end of the film, she seems to have kind of come to terms with all of that. I think director and screenwriter Joseph L. Mankiewicz really just wanted to satirize the notion of stardom, and asks us not to take it as seriously as Margot, Eve, and that young girl who pops up at the end takes it. I hope that's represented in this play.
"Monica Dolan as Karen brought a toughness to her role that Celeste Holm couldnt quite reach."
I don't recall that character needing to be especially tough, but maybe that's more due to Holm's performance than what Mankiewicz actually intended (though as the director you'd think he'd have some sway over that.)
"I really missed Thelma Ritter's wisecracking corner-of-the-mouth hacking Birdy"
I'm glad SOMEBODY remembers the great Thelma was in that movie!
some of the dialogue was lost on the stage but not that much. most noticeably the party scene lost some of its punch
DeleteI never sew bette's margot as tragic....regretful and sad at times but never tragic
Holm's Karen was the heart of the film but I always wondered why she softened so quickly with eve at the end.....
Birdy was lacklustre in the play
but that is a tribute to ritter
I'm so glad your friend could do that for you - chase away those feelings. A truly good friend is a gift.
ReplyDeleteThe stage adaptation of the film sounds very fun. You have a lovely friend in Nu. x
ReplyDeleteKirk's right, and a very good satire the film is.
ReplyDeleteGlad that your out enjoying yourself with Nu I have seen the movie but the play sounds fantastic and always a greater experience than film for me.
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like a good production, but I may just stick with the movie! I love Nu's kitchen. I wish we had one that nice.
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