Review didn’t mention play’s strong points
Joe Scott’s review (March 22) of the Triad Stage production of Ibsen’s “Ghosts” is the most peculiar review the News & Record has ever published. In an 11-paragraph review, he devotes six paragraphs to the sound design and five paragraphs to the actress playing Mrs. Alving.
That’s the review.
Scott says nothing about Ibsen beyond providing the play’s Norwegian title. He doesn’t describe director Preston Lane’s compelling interpretation that almost turns the play into a horror story.
He doesn’t describe the austere, unrealistic playing space or mention the fact that the three acts are performed without intermission to intensify the claustrophobia.
Yes, the sound effects can be distracting, but they are part of an effective, haunting interpretation.
Scott also fails to mention that after the astonishing final scene, the Greensboro audience rose to give a standing ovation to a serious Norwegian play written in 1881.
Frankly, I miss Leslie Mizell. She did her homework, and she was always informative and fair-minded.
Keith Cushman
Greensboro
Comments (4)
To report abuse of the comment feature on this site, please use the feedback form at the bottom of any page.
Get Keith some cheese to go with his whine -
Posted on April 4, 2009 5:52 AM
Excellent points Keith. A play is the combination of many parts, history, script, actors, set, lights, sound and audience.
Posted on April 4, 2009 6:26 AM
Monica, I'm shocked by your comment. Do you go to church on Sundays?
Posted on April 4, 2009 6:50 AM
Were all other Norwegian plays prior to 1881 comedies?
Posted on April 4, 2009 8:30 AM