Well its not often you will see a play review on this blog, but its all in the name of technology. I went to the cinema last week to see one of the recent live broadcasts of the highly acclaimed, and incidently completely sold out performances of the play Frankenstein, currently on at the National Theatre. I've not seen a broadcast play before and dont even know how often they are done but I have to say I was blown away.
My expectations were admittedly quite low, Frankenstein has never been my monster of choice, my tastes are definately vampiric, and the Holywood version of the creature always seemed frankly rather silly. The play is much closer to the original Mary Shelley novel by all accounts and the whole production is absolutely outstanding. Not exactly original thoughts though, the reviews have been glowing.
So, how about watching a play in a cinema? I thought it would be the worst of both worlds, detached from the atmosphere and the 'liveness' of it and lower quality visuals and sound than you would normally experience in a cinema. It started with an introduction by Emma Freud and then a short 'making of' documentary with director Danny Boyle and the main actors in rehearsals. Then there we were in the theatre, the camera panning all over the place just before the play started and the bizarre scenario of an audience watching an audience, I think they had more munchies and drinks than we did...
The play started with the 'birth' of the creature (we'd seen him in the mini documentary but even so he made quite an entrance) and with the orchestra and lights it was all very atmospheric and dramatic, exactly as if we were there. Five minutes into it I was completely absorbed. Jonny Lee Miller is sensational as the creature, a completely mesmeric performance from the off and I cannot rave too long and hard about him - truly an amazing piece of acting, so clever, so subtle and so energetic. Surely an award or three will be coming his way. I understand Benedict Cumberbatch is just as highly acclaimed in the role (they swap each night) but of course I havent seen his performance.
The cons of the detached viewing were probably balanced out by the pros of the extra camera viewpoints we had that the really live audience didnt. The cameras must have been suitably distant so as not to interfere with the play but we certainly got plenty of intimate shots. The camera shots were varied, lots of wide screen and no visible distortion (which I had expected to see), I guess its similar to filming a sporting event but there were some interesting effects that you dont normally see in a cinema.
To conclude, a great way to spend the evening, and I would definatley go and see another live broadcast in a cinema. Apologies for recommending something that is sold out but there are a few extra cinema dates added for April. They'll probably bring out a DVD!
Tina L2tekkie
Tina L2tekkie
