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The Homecoming
Jan. 31st, 2016 06:28 pmI last saw a production of The Homecoming in September 2011 in the Swan Theatre in Stratford-upon-Avon. I was therefore instantly interested when I learnt John Simm (who, although I know longer follow his television career closely, I really like as a stage actor) was going to be in a performance at the Trafalgar Studios.
I went with friends and we sat in the cheaper back row - £29.50 seats as opposed to about double that everywhere else. It's not a big theatre, so you still get a good view. I was glad we hadn't paid any more.
John Simm played the role of Lenny. When I last saw it Jonathan Slinger was Lenny, and he really captured the slimy nature of the character, and although John Simm was still good, he wasn't up to the same level. At the time Slinger had a broken arm, so he was performing with his arm in a sling - which may have added to his character.
The Homecoming is a Harold Pinter play and I have a tendency to fall asleep in Pinter - something about the way the words are said. And Gary Kemp, as Teddy, failed to keep me awake. That being said Gemma Chan as Ruth, John MacMillan as Joey and Keith Allen as a beautifully camp Uncle Sam managed to hold my attention.
However, the best actor for me was Ron Cook as the father, Max. I've seen Ron Cook in a number of productions - he's not one of the actors I specifically make a point of seeing, but I'm always happy to see his name in the cast list. This time he made the play.
I went with friends and we sat in the cheaper back row - £29.50 seats as opposed to about double that everywhere else. It's not a big theatre, so you still get a good view. I was glad we hadn't paid any more.
John Simm played the role of Lenny. When I last saw it Jonathan Slinger was Lenny, and he really captured the slimy nature of the character, and although John Simm was still good, he wasn't up to the same level. At the time Slinger had a broken arm, so he was performing with his arm in a sling - which may have added to his character.
The Homecoming is a Harold Pinter play and I have a tendency to fall asleep in Pinter - something about the way the words are said. And Gary Kemp, as Teddy, failed to keep me awake. That being said Gemma Chan as Ruth, John MacMillan as Joey and Keith Allen as a beautifully camp Uncle Sam managed to hold my attention.
However, the best actor for me was Ron Cook as the father, Max. I've seen Ron Cook in a number of productions - he's not one of the actors I specifically make a point of seeing, but I'm always happy to see his name in the cast list. This time he made the play.
