Theatre and Movie Reviews October 2012
Scenes From An Execution
Saturday 20th October. 2012
Scenes from an Execution was both superb and epic. Outstanding acting from lead Fiona Shaw in her depiction as Galactia the Venetian artist (16th Century) who is commissioned by Church and State to paint the celebrated Battle of Lepanto. The epic painting is so realistic in its depiction of carnage that both Church and State are horrified which leads to her incarceration only to be released months later as a celebrity figure with a cult following. Very telling about the artists of the day, their school of thought, how Church and State had power/ influence over how historical events were represented and reproduced in works of art and writing. Comical, provocative, sex and politics.
Love Marilyn. Empire Theatre. Leicester Square.
Sunday 14th October. 2012
Love Marilyn is a documentary directed by Liz Garbus
and expertly edited by Azin Samari. It has been released for the 50th
Anniversary death of once troubled film star, Marilyn Monroe. The film actors
reading excerpts and interpreting her words include Uma Thurman, Glenn Close,
Ben Foster, Marisa Tomei, Jeremy Piven, Viola Davis, Ellen Burstyn, Adrian
Brody and other actors of note. Newly released notes, diary entries and letters
in Marilyn’s own hand writing from Lee Strasberg’s archives talk of hopes in
finding true love, dreams of being a credible actor in New York, accounts from
her everyday life as well as coping with her depression and the obsessive need
for self improvement. She battles head on with 20th Century Fox film
studio asking for dramatic acting roles instead of being cast as the ‘dumb
blonde’ or ‘femme fatal’ but resorts to forming her own production company.
Marilyn was the top box office draw card for 20th Century Fox during her career
but wasn’t receiving the same wages as Elizabeth Taylor and Jane Russell as
seen with the comparative wage slips. Considering the information comes from
the Strasberg estate, it’s obvious that certain information surrounding
Strasberg and his wife’s influence over Marilyn might be have been restricted
for this film. The film also incorporates a multitude of photos spanning her
life and career including her nudes on red velvet, which made their way to the
first issue of playboy. Hugh Hefner got his hands on them and only paid Marilyn
the paltry sum of $50. An essay from Truman Capote and a select group of live
interviews are used incorporating interviews from people who knew Marilyn which
have been expertly woven into the chronological storyline including her two
husbands Joe DiMaggio and Arthur Miller. We have seen this information before
in countless books, movies and biographies but with a new spin on it, this film
isn’t tiresome but quenches our thirst for insights into the elusive starlet whilst
leaving us still mystified about the Marilyn mystique.
Suzi
Quatro Hippodrome Leicester Square
Monday
29th October 2012
There
is no doubt that Suzi Quatro is ‘the’ rock chick supreme and despite her long
time rocker image she can still wear the trademark black leather jump suit.
Looking fabulous for her 62 years the voice has lost its top notes and the keys
of the songs could be taken down a notch. In saying that, there were more
stories, photos and film clips to watch/ listen to instead of her actual
performance, which was limited. It was for me, an insight into the 70’s, 80’s
rock star, her long road to fame, courage at starting her career alone in her
teenage years across the pond in London, the sacrifices, Elvis and how her
image came about. Even though she has performed in theatre her delivery of
dialogue and jokes didn’t’ quite gel and were at times awkward where a
scriptwriter could have made it work seamlessly, as too the sequencing of clips
and photographic images needed a professional touch. Suzi has had a long and
illustrious career on stage, theatre, radio and TV which some of us can only
dream about.
