Bitter Wheat

[smallhobbit]

There aren't many plays which have a Thursday matinée (Wednesday being more usual) which is why I decided to see Bitter Wheat, a new play by David Mamet, at the Garrick Theatre.  I booked before the reviews came out, and they weren't good.  Nevertheless I decided to go, and if it was dreadful I'd leave at the interval.  I had a seat in he Grand Circle, but there were so many seats unsold I was moved up to the seventh row of the Stalls.

The play stars John Malkovich as Barney Fein, a character based on Harvey Weinstein.  He is a thoroughly unpleasant character, intent on obtaining sexual favours from a new young actress.  Malkovich is brilliant, and the rest of the cast is also excellent.  There can be no sympathy for the character and the play doesn't ask for any.

I was sitting next to Marnie, an American, who in the interval turned to me and said, "I'd love to go back to when I was 23 and tell XY exactly what I thought of him".  We discussed the position of women, and the rise of MeToo.  And agreed that although we couldn't say we were enjoying the play, due to the subject matter, we were rivetted.  The people sitting on the other side of me didn't return after the interval.  David Mamet acknowledged this was a play which would split his audience.

The second act shows Fein's downfall and his refusal to accept the wrongness of his behaviour, and not just of a sexual nature.  The play showed the total self-absorption of the main character, and probably needed an actor of Malkovich's talent to make it work.

I'd recommend seeing the play, but be aware of the basic premise before you go.

Comments

[mafief]

I liked that they had the main character as some slimy bottom feeder that doesn't get saved at the end of the play. It seemed like it brought up lots of things to think about.

[smallhobbit]

Yes, the play worked very well and gave us plenty to talk about.

[corvidology]

I can just imagine how thoroughly revolting John Malkovich would make him as he's such an incredibly talented actor.

[smallhobbit]

He made him revolting but not so you couldn't watch him - a fine line really well trodden.

[margaret_r]

John Malkovich is such a marvelous actor it must have been a pleasure to watch him even in such a controversial role. It's good to go to productions that might make you uncomfortable but also make you think.

[smallhobbit]

It was a real pleasure to see him act. I think it would have been difficult if you'd gone not knowing the subject matter, but being prepared it was well worth seeing.

[debriswoman]

Sounds like an uncomfortable subject...but well portrayed.

[smallhobbit]

Yes, a very difficult subject. But very thoughtfully portrayed and well acted.