No Time To Die (2021)

 

No Time to Die (2021) has finally been released in the cinemas, after consecutive delays due to the pandemic.

 

It was worth the wait!

 

Sure, it may not be quite at the same level as Casino Royale (2006) or Skyfall (2012), but nonetheless a much needed upgrade from the disappointing Spectre (2015).

 

But more than its ability to bounce back from their latest entry, it served as a great swan song for both James Bond and Daniel Craig in this series.

 

For over 15 years and across five movies, we’ve been able to witness something which we haven’t seen before: Bond’s character arc.

Since 2006, we have had a level of continuity across all motion pictures which  felt like uncharted territory. Whereas other films before Craig seemed to always present Bond as a finished product, with Craig we saw a development of the character, as well as the world he lives in.

In the first film, we see a depiction of a very young and raw James Bond as he made his mark with MI6. He falls in love and gets betrayed and heartbroken, thus explaining the beginning of his trauma and his difficulty to trust people.

The narrative serves as a catalyst for the sophomore entry Quantum of Solace (2008), where we see him on edge and on a quest for vengeance.

 

“Shoot first, ask questions later”, seemed to be his motto…

 

Some people didn’t like this as it seemed the most recurrent criticism to the sequel in Craig’s Bond era. Bond came off as brute, putting on his muscle and showing very little elegance and class. That, however, feels to me like it was the intention… The point was to show a very fragile Bond in the making, as he processed all these emotions through his drive in getting back at the people that led to the death of the love of his love.

 

Skyfall goes on to explore Bond’s character, by offering us glimpses of his past, while also setting up Spectre, the evil organization behind the main occurrences in previous films. This would of course be the subject of the fourth film of the series, one that ended up being the most disappointing given storyline, the historical meaning behind it, the cast and the success of Skyfall setting it up. 

 

Overall, the expectation was quite high and it failed miserably. You can’t help but wonder how they messed it up so bad, when there was so much juice to squeeze out of it.

 

And then we have No Time to Die.

 

As I started by saying, it is a large improvement over its predecessor, bringing back full circle the character development we’ve been seeing over the years.

 

The emotional depth on this latest and final entry was something that had never reached this kind of level, prompting actress Léa Seydoux to say that she even cried when watching it. Seydoux, back for her second film in the Bond saga, was at the centre of No Time to Die – a film that seemed to bring more women to the spotlight. Ana de Armas’ scene in Cuba was terrific and left audiences asking for more, while Lashana Lynch iteration of the “new 007” showed us she could have easily carried the movie by herself.

 

Need to also mention Ralph Fiennes’ take on M, which for the first time since he took on the role, put his acting skills on display and Jeremy Wright as Felix Leiter, who delivered one of the most important scenes in the film.

 

On top of great character development, good addition of characters and acting, the 25TH Bond film delivers on all the elements that have made the franchise so popular.

 

Beautiful scenery (Italy never looked as good like their display of Maratea), great sense of style (I want to buy the entire Bond wardrobe, but the tan suit standout)), classic one liners (some of them good, others not so much), camp moments, gadgets, chase scenes, plenty of action and - to my surprise - a good theme song from Billie Eilish.

 

Oh, and lots of nods to the Bond movie legacy and his writer, Ian Fleming.

 

But it came with its flaws… many flaws!

 

Rami Malek’s Lyutsifer Safin was – alongside Christoph Waltz’s Ernst Stavro Blofeld – a total dud.

 

Aside from the opening act, the main antagonist never really posed a threat, played into all the silly cliches and just overall fell flat. Some of the dialogues were painful to witness, from his motivation to his exchanges with Bond.

 

There were plenty of incoherent scenes which prompted me to think that we were going down the same “silly” route as the older movies. Specifically where the villain has the upper hand but gives that away in the name of stupidity. Quite honestly, it’s hard not to react as I find these insulting to an audience member… even if we are asked to suspend our disbelief.

 

“Before I kill you Mr. Bond… let me tell you all about my secret plan” – It wasn’t quite this, but it felt like it at points!

 

There were other small moments… lines that didn’t work, scenes that seemed to oddly escalate or others that could have used better acting direction.

 

Oh, and a word on the duration. There was absolutely no need for it to be this long. Could have easily shaved 20 to 30 minutes.

 

I just wished the movie was just a little bit more... tidier.

(See what I did there?)

Nonetheless, despite this small wave of criticism,  it still wasn’t enough to detract us from a great send off to both Bond and Daniel Craig as they deliver their final and very emotional goodbye to the big screens.

 

Looking forward to seeing where producers will take the character next. 

 

What sort of adventures will he embark on? 

 

How will they make the new series standout?

 

But more importantly, who will take on the mantle of the most iconic spy ever to grace our screens…

 

... the one and only:

 

Bond…

 

James Bond.

 

(Please forgive me for this one)

 

Look Up in the Sky! | The Amazing Story of Superman

A while back I watched the Look Up in the Sky! | The Amazing Story of Superman documentary (you can find it at the bottom of this post) , which was released in 2006, around the time Bryan Singer was coming out with Superman Returns.

Not going to lie... I got emotional a few times!

Let me be upfront with you: This is not a groundbreaking documentary, but rather one that primarily serves fans such as myself.

 

With that said, there are still lots of benefits to those who are not as interested or acquainted. 

 

The story-telling that takes us through the origins of Superman and the development (and redevelopment) of the character - while carrying us through the history of the world through that time - is done in a way that easily captures the attention of comic book fans and curious minds alike.

Throw on top of that the archive footage, the John Williams monumental soundtrack (the track Planet Krypton is a personal favorite), some intimate interviews and there's an emotional connection that goes straight from my upbringing, all the way up to adulthood.

If this is news to you, then let me clue you in: 

 

Outside of my family, I have a few selected heroes, in which Superman is one of them!

Yes, I have it in for a fictional character at the age of 36.

I guess that, like many of my "distant" real life heroes, such as Tom Hanks and Mr. Fred Rogers, Superman shares the same core values, always upholding moral principles, standing for truth and justice. These have been passed on to me by my mother in particular and later on nurtured by many elements, including motion-pictures and comic books.

Created in 1938 by Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster - both sons of Jewish emigrants - these two American teenagers from Cleveland, Ohio, helped shape the notion of what a superhero is. 

Combining "god given" powers with human-like qualities, Superman gradually became a success in households across the US and later the world.

Since its genesis, "The Man of Steel" has taken many forms and crossed several platforms.

From newspaper clippings, comic books, radio shows, animated cartoons, a Broadway musical, live-action TV series, video-games and motion-pictures.

Out of all these mediums, I'm not quite sure which one was the first to hit home for me...

I have recollections of watching the 1966 cartoons The New Adventures of Superman, while clenching my fists, stretching my arms and saying "Up, Up and away" as I pretended to fly.

Other cartoons such as The Adventures of Superboy and the ever iconic Super Friends were also other highlights.

"Faster than a speeding bullet", the "Son of Krypton" was unsurprisingly becoming a personal favorite, to the effect that I started dressing up in an improvised Superman costume at the age of 7. 

 

I can almost feel my tiny feet absolutely lost in those massively big red wellie boots that we had lying around the house.

 

But it was sometime before my teenage years that the hero also known as Kal-El would have a resounding effect on me, as I watched - with more mature eyes - the 1978 Superman: The Movie.

Directed by Richard Donner (who was also simultaneously filming the sequel), with a script by The Godfather famed writer Mario Puzo, the movie starred in its illustrious cast well respected names in the industry. 

 

The headline name was movie icon and Academy award winner Marlon Brando, who was strategically approached to play Superman's father, Jor-El, so he could attract big crowds to the cinema theaters. 

 

Brando was reportedly made the world's highest paid actor at the time, having received a whopping $3.7 million for two weeks of work, despite very limited screen-time. The other top-billing name was award-winning actor Gene Hackman, famous for movies such as The French Connection (1971) and The Conversation (1974). 

It was, however, the name Christopher Reeve that would fly highest across cinemas, living rooms and people's imagination. The then unknown Julliard alumni soared to stardom and made audiences across the globe believe a man could fly.

Much to that effect, was the late Richard Donner's vision and work ethic, who always employed verisimilitude - "the appearance of being true or real" - in his cinematic approach. 

  

The story had to have its own honesty. Everybody had to believe it was real, Donner said in a behind-the-scenes interview.

 

Speaking about "Dick" Donner's ability as a filmmaker, Superman's creative consultant Tom Mankiewicz (Herman Mankiewicz's nephew) said:

 

Dick has a talent, because of the things that are in him him as a person. He wants to believe in those myths and when you can make an audience believe that what's happening on the screen, even though its totally extraordinary, that this is actually happening... that's when you have verisimilitude!

Yet, that same ethos could only be fully executed if acted by the right performer that truly embodied the same vision as the director.

Reeve did just that and then some,  taking it beyond what was ever expected.

He became instantly my favorite personification of Superman - a thought shared by many, over future generations. 

 

Never, in any platform, has someone embodied so flawlessly the essence of both Superman and his "mild-mannered" alter-ego, Clark Kent. 

 

Even if the dual-character portrayal asked audiences to suspend their disbelief for a man who all of the sudden becomes unrecognizable by just removing his glasses and changing up his hair, that was only made possible by Reeve's acting ability, who made it believable for the audience that no one would ever suspect that both could be the same person.

The scene alone in Donner's first film, where Clark attempts to reveal his true identity to Lois Lane is one for the ages.

The body language, the change of tone... all done in such a subtle manner, really captures the biggest challenge when playing that character.  

In an interview, Reeve spoke about how he approached his role:

What makes Superman a hero is not that he has power, but that he has the wisdom and the maturity to use the power wisely. From an acting point of view, that's how I approached the part.

Trades that Superman would also use while taking on his Clark Kent persona, who works as a journalist for the "Daily Planet".

Evidently, this isn't a coincidence.

Working in news allowed Kal-El / Clark Kent / Superman to always be a step ahead of the general public by getting breaking news first, but I like to believe, his job also gravitated towards the notion of serving the public with the truth, while also holding powerful people accountable - exactly as he would do as Superman.

Interestingly enough, it was through Superman (and Tintin) comic books that I got interested in journalism as a kid, never imagining that one day I would turn out to be one.

Anyway... I digress. 

Back to the documentary...

My favorite sections - unsurprisingly - revolve around every time Reeve's name is mentioned. 

Not only did he bring to life a character that had me inspired from a very young age, but also Reeve revealed himself to possess a lot of trades that I very much admired and even saw in myself. 

 A few things stood out to me over the years...

Reeve had a knack for being brutally honest, even if that meant creating some possible tension. Nothing seemed more important than telling the truth, or at least, his version of it. 

He also came across as someone who was guided by a moral compass that would lead him into doing what he thought was right. That could be by simply being honest about his feelings and motivations or taking on social causes such as the environment.

His love for the arts was truly a standout. He often would talk about literature, painting, cinema, but it was the passion for his performing craft that really moved Reeve. Acting meant the world to him and there was very little room for compromise if that meant getting in the way of delivering the best performance within his reach. 

There is some interesting archive that pretty much encompass all the things mentioned above from interview segments where he talks about working with Marlon Brando, acting tips and skills and his take on how Hollywood studios have often tarnished essential artistic components over profit.

 

  

  

Having said all of this, the bar was set - and it was high. I was both in awe of Donner's Superman and the man that played it. 

This would often lead me into an internal dialogue about who stands out more as a hero of mine: The character or the actor?

I have come to the realization that they are one and the same, with history showing us that Reeve was the real-life Superman.

In 1995, the actor embarked on his toughest battle to date, after a life-altering accident that left him paralyzed from the neck down.

But even during his darkest times, Reeve found the energy to keep going and expanded on his work as an activist, by campaigning and investing in stem cell research, while advocating for better insurance coverage for people with disabilities through The Christopher and Dana Reeve foundation and the Reeve-Irvine Research Center.

Through a lot of courage, persistence and support, Reeve's pioneering work would break down what many deemed as controversial walls and paved the way for new methods and technology that would allow people to dream of walking again. 

Worth watching Reeve's final public appearance in June 2004, where he spoke about some of his battles and accomplishments through their foundation.

 

It had become clear that the love Reeve poured onto others, was given back many times more over the years. 

 

From the day of his accident, all the day up to his passing, many moments have taken place.

His appearance at the 68th Academy Awards in 1996 is one of those standout occasions.

Another compilation of moments that I will never forget was the reaction across the globe when Reeve passed away on October 10th 2004, just 15 days after his 52nd birthday. 

 

I was in awe of the way people celebrated his life and legacy. 

 

Tribute TV packages and interviews, including with some of his close friends, like Robin Williams - who had shared a dorm room with Reeve during their time at Julliard. 

 

 

 

Newspaper cartoons were a personal favorite, with so many of them truly echoing Reeve's true nature.

 

 

I guess by now you can clearly see how Reeve continues to have a resounding effect in me.

Simple proof is how what initially started as a mere post to share the documentary, has become a small essay on Superman and the man that turned him into a true icon to millions around the world; and as I read back some of the lines I've written, I know in my heart that none of it is doing justice to either the character nor the actor... 

 

But even with that said, I cannot control the urge and stop writing. There is so much more I could be saying and writing, but don't want to continue drifting away from the documentary.

If you are remotely interested in any of this, you should definitely give it a go. If anything, you will get out of it with a larger sense of one of the most iconic pop-culture figures of our history. 

 

 

Duarte Mendonça 1931 - 2021

É de coração partido que partilho que o nosso querido Pai, Duarte Mendonça, faleceu na madrugada desta Sexta-feira dia 13 no Hospital de Cascais aos 90 anos de idade.

Esta partilha estará longe de ser perfeita mas já me conformei com a ideia de que, por muito tempo que passe, a procura das palavras certas nada lhe fará inteiramente justiça. Farei o meu melhor com o que consigo nesta ocasião.

 

Apesar da surpresa inicial, o Pai já se encontrava debilitado faz algum tempo, tendo a situação deteriorado com alguma velocidade no início deste ano e em particular no último mês.

 

Foi sempre num tom “um pouco dramático” que o Pai profetizava que não passava dos 90.

 

"Aproveitem que depois dos 90 já cá não estou", dizia tantas vezes.

 

Nós não ligávamos muito e pedíamos que parasse com os disparates, sobretudo porque tínhamos em conta os hábitos “rigorosamente” saudáveis que manteve toda uma vida. Não seria difícil para nós acreditar que o Pai continuaria a cá estar - pelo menos - para além dos 100…

 

Agora que me recordo dessa "profecia" e numa tentativa de dar alguma leveza ao que aqui escrevo, penso no meu Pai e, teimoso e orgulhoso como é, aposto que mesmo numa altura destas faria questão de nos dizer que tinha razão…

 

... E como ele gostava de ter razão (uma de várias coisas que herdei)!!

 

Aqueles que tiveram a sorte de conhecer o meu Pai, (e / ou tiveram tempo de ler um dos artigos publicados como aquele que deixo no meu post) sabem bem que deixa para trás um legado de uma riqueza imensurável.

 

Levou uma vida dedicada ao jazz, tendo através dessa relação servido como um dos maiores impulsionadores culturais em Portugal, tendo inclusivamente sido reconhecido e galardoado pela Câmara de Cascais e o Ministério da Cultura. 

 

Um de muitos feitos registados em várias plataformas, incluindo um livro sobre a sua carreira.

 

O Pai sempre encarou esses "milestones" (passo a referência a um dos temas mais icônicos tocados com maestria pelo Miles Davis e John Coltrane) com muito orgulho… orgulho esse que era partilhado pela família que sabia que apesar do feito, continuaria a não surtir o efeito de “missão cumprida”.

 

Essa nunca estaria, até que toda gente se tivesse convertido ao jazz - é de facto um amor como nunca vi!

 

O conhecimento enciclopédico era notório e não deixava margem para dúvidas sobre a profundidade da sua paixão.

 

Sabia os nomes de todos os músicos, nomes dos discos e faixas, até o ano de lançamento…

 

Recordo-me de o pôr à prova em várias ocasiões ao tocar umas malhas da minha playlist onde apenas de ouvido recitava a ficha técnica dos músicos envolvidos (tenho alguns destes momentos gravados).

 

Mas apesar do Jazz ser o seu grande amor, com o correr dos anos veio a acrescentar algo mais importante (diria eu) ao seu legado: a família.

 

Criou três filhos das suas duas primeiras relações, todos com as suas diferenças, mas igualmente unidos em muitas semelhanças herdadas do Pai, fosse no feitio ou nos interesses.

 

O notável no meio disto, é que apesar de ter filhos de Mães diferentes, a relação que foi fomentada entre os quatro era e será sempre muito especial. Diria que foi tanto nas diferenças, como nas ideias partilhadas que nos encontrámos e fortalecemos uma relação forte.

 

Esse foi um dos grandes sucessos do nosso Pai. Acredito piamente que este seja o maior legado que deixa para trás. Devo-lhe, entre muitas coisas, essa relação como sendo uma das melhores coisas da minha vida.

 

Enquanto Pai, tinha as suas lacunas (quem não as tem?)… apesar de não ter dúvidas que, se fosse questionado sobre isto, diria sem hesitar que não as tinha. Era perfeito e não cometia erros. A convicção era tal que até nisso o Pai conseguia ter encanto.

 

Eu dificilmente pediria melhor.

 

Foi um Pai fenomenal para com quem estarei eternamente grato por tudo o que tenho.

 

Devo-lhe muito o conforto e privilégio que tive a minha vida toda, onde não me faltou nada, desde a educação, ao desenvolvimento e exploração de outras actividades extra-curriculares, bem como o apoio o fundamental dado a minha Mãe durante tempos mais difíceis (quando nada o obrigaria a ajudar), sempre fazendo questão de estar presente nos momentos e decisões mais importantes da minha vida. 

 

Nem sempre de acordo, é certo, mas muitos foram acompanhados com sorriso na cara.

 

Lembro-me particularmente da sua resistência quando disse que queria tirar jornalismo. Como Pai preocupado, e muitas vezes exagerado, disse-me que ia ser pobre ou acabar no desemprego… ainda assim, pagou-me o curso e apoio-me na ida para Londres, onde até mesmo quando consegui o estágio na CNN, continuou a estar desconfiado… mas pouco depois, encheu-se de orgulho e adorava anunciar ao mundo que eu estava encaminhado.

 

Acredito que, em cima disso, o que lhe trazia maior felicidade era saber que nos meios onde estava integrado, as pessoas pareciam gostar de mim. Saber que tinha ganho a simpatia das pessoas e por tabela ouvir elogios que pudessem estar associados a tal, deixava-o babado.

 

Assim o foi a vida toda, quando ouvia dos meus professores, funcionários da escola, dos meus amigos e dos seus Pais.

 

Isso, confesso, deixava-me feliz.

 

Não que fosse minha intenção fazer tudo para agradar o meu Pai... mas seguramente que a sua validação contava. Sobretudo depois de uma adolescência e de anos mais difíceis, onde fui uma maior dor de cabeça. De certa forma sentia que o estava a compensar por estes períodos mais complicados e a demonstrar que todo o esforço tinha sido bem investido.

 

Felizmente, períodos complicados foram poucos - embora todos eles importantes...

 

Mas os momentos bons, esses são vários...

 

Como os concertos de jazz onde nos sentamos lado a lado.

 

Ou quando tive a oportunidade de o entrevistar num formato "vídeo caseiro" onde falamos da sua vida (ficamos tanto tempo à conversa que nunca cheguei a acabar a entrevista).

 

As férias no Algarve.

 

As caminhadas na praia.

 

Os passeios de carro pela estrada do Guincho.

 

As visitas semanais lá a casa para fazer-lhe companhia a ver o Sporting.

 

As tardes sentados na sala de música a ouvir discos.

 

Os aniversários celebrados religiosamente em Família no dia 5 de Fevereiro.

 

A luta pelas últimas fatias de Blattertorte.

 

São demasiados para partilhar… uns mais caricatos e pessoais, que certamente contarei pela minha vida fora sempre que a saudade apertar.

 

Nem umas horas passaram e já aperta... e o pior é saber que vou ter de viver com isso todos os dias...

 

Mas, por muito triste e solene que seja esta ocasião, procuro tentar arrumar todas as emoções que correm pelo meu corpo enquanto escrevo esta partilha e foco nas coisas pelas quais estou grato.

 

Grato pela vida que levei com o meu Pai por perto... esta é de caras.

 

Quem me conhece bem, basta recuar no tempo para relembrar alguma da ansiedade com que vivia com a "hipótese" de perder o meu Pai mais cedo dado a sua idade avançada. Quando nasci, o Pai já ia para lá dos 50s e até me recordo de vários colegas na escola acharem que era o meu avô.

 

Já com essa consciência, com o decorrer dos anos sempre fui tentando estar preparado para aquilo que parecia ser inevitável. Mas a verdade é que não há nada que nos possa preparar para um momento destes. Por muitos momentos difíceis que tenhamos passado e por pessoas que tenhamos perdido pelo caminho... num momento destes, recomeçamos do zero emocionalmente.

 

Mas aqui estamos nós... Eu com 36 feitos há dias e com a oportunidade de estar com ele para os celebrar, dizendo que o amava depois de trocar abraços e beijinhos, que agora quase que sabem a despedida. Consigo sentir o chão a desabar por baixo de mim e as lágrimas a inundar os meus olhos só de pensar nisso.

 

Gostava de controlar o tempo. De por “pause”, “rewind” e “repeat” um pouco a semelhança do que faríamos com os discos.

 

Sobretudo, gostava de repetir esse momento, um dos nossos últimos, vezes sem conta… mas sei que agora só o volto a repetir nas minhas memórias. Ainda assim, continua a ser algo a que me posso agarrar.

 

"Agarra-te as boas memórias, essas ficam para sempre", li e ouvi de vários amigos.

 

Não sou de acreditar em verdade absolutas, mas essa certamente será uma.

 

Outra coisa que não acredito são os temas adjacentes à religião, como por exemplo a ideia de que o céu existe.

 

Embora não acredite, tenho momentos onde penso muito sobre o assunto... e sendo uma coisa na qual acreditava, numa altura destas nada me traz mais conforto do que imaginar o meu querido Pai a ser recebido pela sua Mãe, que tão cedo perdeu e que tanta falta lhe fez durante a vida.

 

Nisto juntam-se membros da família e amigos de uma vida inteira, como a Tia Maria João ou o Riba de quem íamos falando várias vezes e que muitas saudades deixaram...

 

Tudo isto ao som do Charlie Parker, Dizzy Gillespie, Miles Davis e outros tantos que brindam a sua chegada com boa música e muitas histórias para partilhar.

 

Igualmente espero que o Pai olhe por nós que cá ficamos...

 

Pela sua mulher (que foi incansável - no bom e no mau - durante estes anos todos), os seus filhos e netos, bem como todas as ligações fortes que fez ao longo de toda uma vida.

Tenho pena o meu Pai não consiga assistir a esta enchente de amor e reconhecimento de que o seu nome tem vindo a ser alvo.

 

Desde família, amigos, conhecidos e até desconhecidos, passando pela Presidência da República, bem como vários membros da comunicação social... (Publico, Diario de Noticias, RTP, SIC...)

Mas verdade seja dita, o Pai está bem ciente daquilo que deixa para trás, fruto de uma vida plena e trabalhada à volta daquilo que mais amou. 

 

Caso para dizer que, tal e qual como o Frank Sinatra, também o Pai levou a vida à sua maneira.

 

Resta-me agora levar uma vida plena e feliz, onde o carrego em mim, não só no nome, mas em espírito também, que certamente continuará a perpetuar muito depois de eu cá estar, tal é a força do seu legado.

 

Obrigado por tudo e descanse em paz, querido Pai.

 

//

 

Não posso deixar de agradecer a todos os que já telefonaram e mandaram mensagem. Tanto eu, como o resto da nossa família, estamos gratos pela força, carinho e atenção neste momento delicado.

 

A quem quiser comparecer, o velório será na Segunda-feira a partir das 18.00h e o funeral na Terça-feira às 11:00, ambos no Centro Funerário em Alcabideche. Lá vos espero para que possamos recordar e celebrar a sua vida.

Back at the arts scene in London

This past week was lived on the fast lane, running around from one place to another trying to keep up with a social calendar that almost seemed designed for us to fail, yet we prevailed… or at least so far.

It’s one of those classic examples of trying to eat more than we can chew. 

As soon as I was done with work, we would hit the ground running attending several exhibitions on display across some of the finest art museums in London, later grabbing what would often be a quick meal and then move on to the final event of the day. 

Of those events, three have been plays which I would like to bring up.

*ANNA X*

The first is Anna X at the Harold Pinter Theatre.

A new play by Joseph Charlton and directed by Daniel Raggett, it tells a story heavily inspired by the true life of Anna Sorokin, a woman who pretended to be a wealthy German heiress, scamming New York’s elite before she got caught and arrested.

Sorokin story, which is currently being worked as two different productions for HBO and Netflix, is re-imagined through the characters played by Emma Corrin (fresh off of playing Princess Diana in the Netflix success The Crown) and Nabhaan Rizwan, both in their West End debut.

The play did well with critics and audiences alike, but I have to say it hasn’t impressed me.

Despite enjoying the fast pace narrative, the production level on set and the convincing rotation of characters between the two actors, the combined effort failed to evoke any sort of emotions, nor any memorable moments. In fact, it's a play that I’m certain I will soon forget. 

I have felt and learnt nothing. I did, however, enjoy my time spent at the theatre, particularly as this was my return to the arts scene in London in a very long time. That experience alone, of being seated in that room surrounded by people and watching a performance, was worth the price of admission.

 

*HAMLET*

Next up was the Windsor’s Royal Theatre production of the timeless William Shakespeare tale of Hamlet, portrayed by none other than Sir Ian McKellen, who at age of 82 is revisiting a role he played 50 years ago.

The play didn’t exactly have the smoothest start, after two of its cast-members clashed during the rehearsals period, leading to both leaving the production just days before it opened to audiences.

After managing early turbulations, the play went on to receive lukewarm reviews, which I will include my own as well. 

Director Sean Mathias went for a bold approach and opted to take numerous creative risks, starting with re-imagining the tale in a way that was age, colour and gender-blind, a choice that I was personally pleased with.

Other elements, however, were maybe not as good nor as interesting…

The set is minimal and never alluding to the grandeur of the Kronborg castle which Shakespeare drew inspiration for the story’s setting…

The wardrobe selection questionable, the pacing sometimes off mark and some acting truly jarring and wooden…

Despite all of this, I would say Ian McKellen's performance alone was worth the purchase of tickets.

To witness such talent on stage is an event on its own. 

A few years ago I had the chance to see the veteran actor act alongside Sir Patrick Stewart in Harold Pinter’s play No Man’s Land and remember thinking to myself it was a chance of a life-time to see such stage and screen legends… Come to think about it, having both of them together was just an event of epic proportions. 

Up until then, I had no doubts of his acting talent, but that was surely a confirmation before my very own eyes, which just preemptively determined just how good he could be playing any role.

His Hamlet was very much in line with that.

The delivery impeccable… natural, energetic and filled with purpose.

When a scene called out for charisma, disdain, humour or pain… McKellen delivered each with ease. 

It’s more than a craft he’s worked on his entire career. It is also a gift.

That made up for anything else that was lacking and made this trip to the theatre something I will always cherish. 

 

*OLEANNA*

The third and latest play I saw was David Mamet’s Oleanna at the Arts Theatre in London.

Mamet, a Pulitzer prize winner for his 1984 play Glengarry Glen Ross - which he then adapted and directed into a movie adaption in 1992 - wrote Oleanna around the same year, eventually becoming one of his most successful plays, also adapting it into a movie a couple years later.

The play is a sheer example of theatre at its best. Nothing but amazing writing, delivered by great actors on a simple set. 

That’s all you need. But I can’t stress enough the importance of the writing skills, as it's there that lies the core of the play’s success. Fortunately enough, Mamet has proven time and time again that he’s one of the most talented writers out there.

The dialogues are sharp and poignant. The topic provocative, divisive and timely.

It shines a light on #MeToo, before #MeToo took centre stage within the entertainment industry… a subject Mamet would later revisit in his career with the 2019 play Bitter Wheat, starring John Malkovich in the central role as a “Harvey Weinstein” like character.

In Oleanna though, the setting is not the glamourised Hollywood, but rather a University campus office in the United States, where the author examines the power dynamics between a Professor a student who accuses him of sexual harassment. 

The build-up is tense and creates a certain level of inner conflict. You examine each action carefully and don’t really know which side to take. Its climax later blows up in your face, in one of the most excruciating  scenes I have witnessed on stage.

Actors Jonathan Slinger and Rosie Sheehy are superb and truly make justice to one of Mamet’s finest projects, created to stir emotions and instill debate.

Director Lucy Bailey, who did an excellent job with this West End revival, took on a slightly different approach with this rendition, hoping to balance more evenly the scale between both characters, maybe even adding a more provocative tone to it.

Speaking in an interview with British newspaper The Guardian in mid-July, Bailey addressed the effects of “cancel-culture” and how people, despite the inherent risks, should continue to have tough conversations.

“You have to keep talking. I like to feel that you can offend and be forgiven. And also that offence can provoke. I don’t mean I want to be offensive in any sense – but you can’t be afraid of that. This is what David Mamet is saying: he’s very provocative and if we get frightened of being provocative then the status quo will suddenly solidify and none of us want to be in a position where we are not able to question it.”

In conclusion, out of the three that I’ve seen, it is definitely the one I most urge you to go and watch.

It is the kind of play that is perfectly aligned with my thoughts on what makes theatre great.

The ability to tell stories, be it in the most simplistic of ways or with a full layer of creative and rich resources, that will drive you to think, question and examine yourself and those around you, while offering you perspective in shared or far removed realities.

It is a growing process, not just to escape but to live in the present moment too. It should take many forms and evoke many moods, making you wonder each time what surprises lie ahead.