Two things I just don’t get

I hate people who boast about their ignorance, but sometimes I feel obliged to admit that there are some things I just don’t get. One is Lucy Kirkwood and Ed Hime’s Small Hours in the studio space of the Hampstead Theatre, an intimate theatre installation directed by Katie Mitchell that plays to audiences of 25 at a time, and is thus all sold out. What I don’t get is the point of theatre events that are so small that only a handful of people can enjoy them. Apparently critics have not been allowed to review this piece, which begs the question: how will anyone ever remember it? I certainly won’t — simply because I haven’t been invited to the party! And I’m not alone in making this point. The other thing I don’t get is David Williamson, the Australian playwright. His work, such as I’ve seen, just leaves me cold. This time, however, I am lucky enough to read Alison Croggon’s superb guide to the playwright, his status in Australian theatre culture and her review of his latest play, Don Parties On. This is not only a good read, but a great record of a theatre event, a report from the frontline. Pity we can’t write something similar about Small Hours…

© Aleks Sierz

Alison Croggon David Williamson Don Parties On Ed Hime Hampstead Theatre immersive theatre Katie Mitchell Lucy Kirkwood Small Hours

2 Comments

• 

  Edith commented

  on Thursday 3rd February 2011 at 9:58 am

  Hello Aleks,
  Can you please give me the title of "Alison Croggon’s superb guide to the playwright" Williamson that you mention on Jan. 21. Thanks! Edith

• 

  Aleks Sierz commented

  on Thursday 3rd February 2011 at 10:11 am

  The link is: http://theatrenotes.blogspot.com/2011/01/review-don-parties-on.html