'The Graduate' - a Review
A lot has been written in the local-media blog-world lately about the London Free Press refusing to run an opinion column by long-time regular contributor Rory Leishman about the production of 'The Graduate" at the Grand Theatre. Or Theatre London. Or whatever they're calling it these days. Censorship, freedom of speech, democracy, ... blah, blah, blah.
Rory was very upset about the full-frontal nudity on stage which comes courtesy of "Mrs. Robinson" as portrayed by 46-year-old star of stage and the small-screen, Sonja Smits. Rory predicts that this is just the first step in the Grand leading us all down the road to Sodom and Gomorrah.
In an exclusive "leak" to Sonny Drysdale Presents, here is part of the hard-to-find column in which Rory predicts what will soon be a coming attraction to the Grand - "One wonders to what they might stoop to next. Perhaps one day soon, they will strew the stage with mattresses and invite naked volunteers from the audience to engage in group sex."
As confirmation of this, he cites a theatre in Montreal where this has recently actually happened - with theatre audiences not only coming on a nightly basis, but twice on Sunday!
Well, this past Saturday, I went to see the closing night performance of 'The Graduate.' And I must say, I am very, very disappointed in the Grand Theatre. Yes, there was indeed full-frontal nudity. But such small portions. Only one scene. And did that one scene have to be so dimly lit?
Sonja Smit's body gets a three thumbs-up rating from me. But as for the rest of her performance, she often sounded like she was imitating Gloria Swanson as 'Norma Desmond' in Sunset Boulevard. Thankfully she compensated for all the hautiness by looking great with her clothes off.
As Benjamin, the character known and beloved because of Dustin Hoffman's protrayal in the 1966 movie version, Andrew Hachey was adequate. He looks about 17 years old. But then, Dustin looked about 30 when he played the college graduate in the movie.
But had Rory actually seen the play, being the womans'-rights booster that he is, he undoubtably would have been more appalled at what the playwright had done to the "Elaine" character, than he was at any nudity on stage.
In the play, an "adaptation" by Terry Johnson of the source material - in this case, both the original novel by Charles Webb and the screenplay by Buck Henry and Calder Willingham - the Elaine character is an empty-headed potential 'Stepford Wife.' And played to perfection by Maria Dinn, who is obviously very familiar with the ouvre of Ms. Suzanne Sommers.
In the novel and the movie version, the Elaine character is probably one of the smartest people in the story. If someone was to whisper the word "plastics" in her ear as a confidential tip, she would have known what to do with it. Unlike Benjamin.
She's no dummy. She's in exactly the same position and emotional state as Ben - and that's why they relate to each other. That's why they fall in love so effortlessly - even tho she's under the misunderstanding that he supposedly raped her mother.
As played by Katherine Ross, "Elaine" was one of the best things in the whole movie. You could easily see why Dustin Hoffman's "Ben" would fall in love with her. They make a great team. But with the play, other than hating Mrs. Robinson, you have no idea what bond these two people could possibly have. In fact, you saw very little emotional connection from any of the characters. Richard Alan Campbell as 'Mr. Robinson,' gave us some of that. But as for everyone else, they were just actors on a stage talking and shouting at each other. Which is why I prefer movies. Or a good TV sitcom.
Other than that, "The Graduate" was a Dynamite Hit Sure to Please the Whole Family! .. Can hardly wait to see their production of 'Pippin' at Christmas!!!
As for Rory's predictions of upcoming shows featuring orgies with the Grand's staff of volunteers - if it involves people like the pleasant-but-firm middle-aged fancey-pants guy who took my ticket or the nice grandmotherly-type who directed me to my seat, well then, I think I'll just pass.
As for London Free Press' editor-in-chief Paul Berton's justification for spiking Rory's column in the first place because it was "misinformed" and "over-the-top," well, since when does that make any difference at the London Free Press - or at ANY newspaper for that matter?
Rory was very upset about the full-frontal nudity on stage which comes courtesy of "Mrs. Robinson" as portrayed by 46-year-old star of stage and the small-screen, Sonja Smits. Rory predicts that this is just the first step in the Grand leading us all down the road to Sodom and Gomorrah.
In an exclusive "leak" to Sonny Drysdale Presents, here is part of the hard-to-find column in which Rory predicts what will soon be a coming attraction to the Grand - "One wonders to what they might stoop to next. Perhaps one day soon, they will strew the stage with mattresses and invite naked volunteers from the audience to engage in group sex."
As confirmation of this, he cites a theatre in Montreal where this has recently actually happened - with theatre audiences not only coming on a nightly basis, but twice on Sunday!
Well, this past Saturday, I went to see the closing night performance of 'The Graduate.' And I must say, I am very, very disappointed in the Grand Theatre. Yes, there was indeed full-frontal nudity. But such small portions. Only one scene. And did that one scene have to be so dimly lit?
Sonja Smit's body gets a three thumbs-up rating from me. But as for the rest of her performance, she often sounded like she was imitating Gloria Swanson as 'Norma Desmond' in Sunset Boulevard. Thankfully she compensated for all the hautiness by looking great with her clothes off.
As Benjamin, the character known and beloved because of Dustin Hoffman's protrayal in the 1966 movie version, Andrew Hachey was adequate. He looks about 17 years old. But then, Dustin looked about 30 when he played the college graduate in the movie.
But had Rory actually seen the play, being the womans'-rights booster that he is, he undoubtably would have been more appalled at what the playwright had done to the "Elaine" character, than he was at any nudity on stage.
In the play, an "adaptation" by Terry Johnson of the source material - in this case, both the original novel by Charles Webb and the screenplay by Buck Henry and Calder Willingham - the Elaine character is an empty-headed potential 'Stepford Wife.' And played to perfection by Maria Dinn, who is obviously very familiar with the ouvre of Ms. Suzanne Sommers.
In the novel and the movie version, the Elaine character is probably one of the smartest people in the story. If someone was to whisper the word "plastics" in her ear as a confidential tip, she would have known what to do with it. Unlike Benjamin.
She's no dummy. She's in exactly the same position and emotional state as Ben - and that's why they relate to each other. That's why they fall in love so effortlessly - even tho she's under the misunderstanding that he supposedly raped her mother.
As played by Katherine Ross, "Elaine" was one of the best things in the whole movie. You could easily see why Dustin Hoffman's "Ben" would fall in love with her. They make a great team. But with the play, other than hating Mrs. Robinson, you have no idea what bond these two people could possibly have. In fact, you saw very little emotional connection from any of the characters. Richard Alan Campbell as 'Mr. Robinson,' gave us some of that. But as for everyone else, they were just actors on a stage talking and shouting at each other. Which is why I prefer movies. Or a good TV sitcom.
Other than that, "The Graduate" was a Dynamite Hit Sure to Please the Whole Family! .. Can hardly wait to see their production of 'Pippin' at Christmas!!!
As for Rory's predictions of upcoming shows featuring orgies with the Grand's staff of volunteers - if it involves people like the pleasant-but-firm middle-aged fancey-pants guy who took my ticket or the nice grandmotherly-type who directed me to my seat, well then, I think I'll just pass.
As for London Free Press' editor-in-chief Paul Berton's justification for spiking Rory's column in the first place because it was "misinformed" and "over-the-top," well, since when does that make any difference at the London Free Press - or at ANY newspaper for that matter?
posted by Sonny Drysdale at 11:03 AM
4 Comments:
Sonny, does your Sunday school teacher know how you feel about full-frontal nudity?
Naturally, I'm going to discuss this matter with Scout Leader Mr. Leishman and don't try to talk me out of it. Expect a police constable or two at your door within a fortnight. If you retract your column I think that this whole messy affair can just dry up and blow away.
cc. Chief of Police Murray Faulkner;
Dianne Haskett
Mike Menear
Ted Wernham
Randy Collins
Dale Mackness
Bret Downe
Oh, for goodness sake's, Butch. YOU know better than to take seriously anything posted on this site. ... Call off the Morality Police - and looking forward to seeing you at the Grand!
Geez Charlie, everyone knows that London wants tuna that tastes good - not tuna with good taste.
I no trow dat Dianne outta da bed to eat da cracker!
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