Comments on: Stovepipe: a new promenade performance by Adam Brace

By: Matt

Matt — Thu, 07 May 2009 18:40:47 +0000

Looks like I’ve missed this one. Shame, sounds like an excellent performance. I love it when the performances are able to really engage and involve the audience. Its strange when you feel like your actually there! Is this on again anywhere else?

By: Sophie

Sophie — Mon, 09 Mar 2009 14:58:29 +0000

I have been quoted above by my beloved but I thought I would add a few more points – the main appeal of Stovepipe for me was the outstanding acting and the fantastic sets. It could well have been a stage performance but it worked equally well as a promenande one – and why not? There is so much going on in theatre that it is really exciting to go and see something a bit different. We were just on the periphery alot of the time but even them you were right up close to the actors and could not help but admire their focus and their ability to merge from one character to the next so seamlessly that you even wonder if it is the same person. Its true that it didn’t go into the politics but maybe it was just a play about people – actually its quite brave to do a play about Iraq and choose not to tackle the wider moral issues. It would have been a far different experience if it had. Also, you can’t compare this with Masque of the Red Death – the only similarity was that you walk around. MOTRD was a sensory experience where the story was secondary and Stovepipe is a definite play with a clear narrative. Anyway, I’m going again!

By: SuzanneP

SuzanneP — Sun, 08 Mar 2009 23:07:21 +0000

I saw this on friday night. First, the other comments. I don’t think that it’s meant to be site-specific, it’s just put on in that space. I don’t know how masque of the red death is site specific either because there’s nothing about an old town hall/theater that has anything to do with the poe story. Not all promenades are the same, some tell stories, some let you find a story. I have to say that I don’t have a problem with the female characters either, the prostitute wasn’t a caricature and the journalist, yeah maybe not really necessary but she seemed like a person. The boss woman seemed like a pretty strong female character you don’t normally see. My problem with the play was the politics – it seemed like it wanted to ignore the issue of the troops, the invasion and take it as a given that what we did was right somehow. It is extremely irresponsible to go into a subject like this and not look at the rights and wrongs of it. It’s like saying it was ok. I was waiting and waiting for something about it and it never comes, then at the end we’re asked to mourn a man who shot civilians. Please!

By: Rax

Rax — Sun, 08 Mar 2009 01:03:48 +0000

Anthony – it’s good but it’s no Casanova!

By: Anthony and Sophie

Anthony and Sophie — Sat, 07 Mar 2009 13:38:42 +0000

Rax….Sophie went to see this last night and said it was fantastic! I’m definitely going to try and see this as promenade performances are amazing – I saw the Masque of the Red Death and it was the single best theatre experience I’ve seen – and being in the business….I’ve seen quite a few! Stovepipe – here I come!

By: Rax

Rax — Fri, 06 Mar 2009 14:37:02 +0000

Hi Ruth

Thanks for taking the time to comment.

Whilst I didn’t catch the Masque of the Red Death, I understand that it was very interactive and encouraged the audience to participate in the action a lot more than Stovepipe did.

However, I don’t think that the promenade medium has to be totally immersive in order for us to enjoy the performance. I certainly felt more involved in the narrative and I would disagree with you on the point that the use of the space was very simplistic. The scene where the civilian ‘coke/pepsi’ smuggler was shot actually made fantastic use of sound and lighting which put you at the centre of the action. The final scene was also a great use of the space and showed-off the set-dressing talent that went on behind the scenes.

I think that some of the dialogue which came from all three female characters actually showed glimpses of more complex personaes which could have been explored further. The role of the journalist was a bit superfluous but i can’t fault the performances.

I certainly didn’t feel that the walkabout was a gimmick – in fact it allowed me to get more from the excellent performances.

Have you seen any other promenade performances other than Masque of the Red Death? I’d be interested in hearing about more which are coming up in London.

Thanks so much for your thoughts…

Rax

By: Ruth

Ruth — Fri, 06 Mar 2009 14:15:55 +0000

I must say I disagree with you on a few points – I was also at the preview last night. I think that while the subject matter is fascinating and important, the play was essentially a stage show which had been ‘transported’ to a site specific show. There was no real reason why it was site specific – we weren’t involved so much as shepherded about. I didn’t feel integrated into the action in the same way that something like Masque of the Red Death forced you to take part – and where everyone saw a different play. Last night we all observed action but there was a very simplistic use of the space.
Another thing that disappointed me was that the one female character had to play mere caricatures: a sexy ballbreaker, a prostitute etc.
However, the main guy was very very strong and I was engaged with the narrative. I just think that they could have gone further to develop the space and the action so that it became more than a gimmic.

By: Stephanie

Stephanie — Fri, 06 Mar 2009 12:24:39 +0000

Great review that does justice to the play! I feel like I went to the Middle East and back in 90 minutes with my favourite soldier!