L-R: Ewan McGregor (Henry),Cynthia Nixon (Charlotte),Josh Hamilton (Max), Maggie Gyllenhaal(Annie) Photo: Joan Marcu
There is no denying that a fine cast can make an acclaimed and also familiar play resonate as if one is seeing it for the first time. If this third time for me around the park with Tom Stoppard's cleverly erudite play does not necessarily offer any surprises, the Roundabout production is grand and generally rewarding. It will undoubtedly dazzle those as yet unfamiliar with the renowned playwright's ultra sophisticated wordplay.
I have a fleeting memory of the original Broadway production directed by Mike Nichols in 1984 that boasted a knockout cast that included Glenn Close and Christine Baranski, as well as the strikingly spare but also stunning Donmar Warehouse production that came to these shores in 2000. Now, I'm again amazed by the ability of this play to astonish me, something that this production did for the most part.
There is something to be said for a plot that is so utterly contrived and conspicuously convoluted that we can appreciate its ability to unravel into the ether of time and forgetfulness. Perhaps that is one of the reasons that it appears over time to be better and better. Certainly the current high-profile cast under the direction of Sam Gold has found plenty of plot in which to spar and also make it their own unique arena for endless rounds of verbal fisticuffs. To read the complete review please go to: <a href="http/curtainup.com/The Real Thing html"> The Real Thing </a>
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