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Theatre listings >
The Old Neighborhood
- Scottish Premiere
Playwright - David Mamet
Director - MIcheal Emmans
Designer - Lyn McAndrews and Michael Emmans
Company - Rapture Theatre
Venue - Cottier Theatre Glasgow
Dates - 22
- 26 Oct at 8pm Tickets 013552 36651
Run Time - 1hrs 40 mins no interval
Reviewer - Thelma Good
Note perfect and brittle edged in its balance
The old Neighborhood - Rapture Theatre Production
Innes West as Bobby
© Galen Turner 2002
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Wrap up warmly for the Cottier but you'll soon be transported by this
tightly written evolving and involving story of Bobby, where New York
accents ring true. He returns to his childhood neighbourhood and his friend,
sister and first love and Innes West's Bobby is a man holding a
breaking heart - his own. Tightly directed and acted by the strong cast
which also includes Mike Tibbett's interestingly complex Joey,
the friend who runs a deli.
In the first scene the two talk over old times and Mamet cleverly helps
you fill in their pasts and how they are today. Both Jewish for Bobby's
mother was even if his father wasn't. Grandsons of European refuges, it's
not just the old neighbourhood they hanker after.
Speaking eloquently of how the past can never be retreated to or resolved
the play's well drawn characters move and concern. If you don't know the
New York Jewish words for non-Jewish, Bobby married out, you'll soon pick
up it and others and start see the world from a different angle. One where
strong religious faith and rituals that shaped their ancestors have lain
unused and the aching gap it leaves in their lives. The hanging ends of
the stories, and Mamet's technique of starting scenes in mid flow keep
you involved for these flawed beings are echoes of our own. Bobby's sister
Jolly, is a fury of a woman their parents never gave her what she wanted
unless she pretended she didn't, Aileen Waite plays her with a
bitter, raw power.
And in the final scene, where Bobby sits with Deeny, anyone who has wondered
how life might have been if.... will find tears rise as Deeny talks of
frost and how she never would have a garden. It's the culminating scene,
the edge of desolation atmosphere created by West and Paola
DeRosa is note perfect and brittle edged in its balance.
Rapture Theatre is earning its name, for this production is directed,
designed and acted to transport you on the magic of theatre with a well
chosen play.
© Thelma Good 23 October 2002. - Published on EdinburghGuide.com
Next two Rapture theatre productions in their Autumn season also at Cottier
Richard III - Rapture Theatre Shakespeare's political thriller about
the man who plotted his way to the top of the realm and the throne.
23 - 25 & 27 - 30 Nov at 7:30pm Tickets 013552 36651
The Sail Maker - Rapture Theatre Alan Spence's play set in Glasgow
in the shipyards about Male relationships.
25 Nov at 2pm
26 Nov at 7:30pm
26 - 29 Nov at 2pmTickets 013552 36651
Rapture Theatre 2003 Spring Season
Revival of their production of Mamet's Speed The Plow
Double Top by Ron Rose - Scottish Premiere
Boston Marriage by David Mamet - Scottish Premiere
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