aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah!

[mrsronweasley]

But I realized yesterday that I haven't felt this way about any work of art/entertainment/anything in a really long time, and I really, really want to talk about it.

NO, it isn't Supernatural. It's "The History Boys".

More precisely, the production that Tracey and I saw last Friday. It was - unbelievable.

I was telling prettyannamoon in a comment about it, and realized that I am just DYING to talk about it, to EVERYONE. I can't stop THINKING about it. You know that bubbling feeling in your stomach that you get at the very beginning of an infatuation, that excited-nervous-can't-stop-thinking-about-it ripple? That's me, right now. And I haven't felt this way about ANYTHING since, I believe, At Swim, Two Boys. (For those of you who've known me long enough, you know what THAT means. /o\ ANNA, SEE THIS PLAY.)

It was just. It was an amazing live theatre experience. I mean, I KNEW I loved the play (even though I realize that things were changed immensely for the film, right? At least the ending? I keep meaning to just BUY the play and read it, but I'm still all wrapped up in the production.) But this production, from beginning to end, was fucking incredible.

I mean, it wasn't perfect. The actor who played Dakin was GOOD, really good, but sometimes too affected in his facial expressions, to the point of slightly throwing me out of the play every now and then. (Though I did spend the first act wrecking my brain for who he reminded me of and realized, in the intermission, that it was none other than Jonathan Rhys-Meyers, ANNA, SEE THIS PLAY.) Hector was marvelous, but very different from how Richard Griffiths played him in the movie - and RG moved me more. He was sadder, somehow, more beaten down by life, so that when he finally broke down and cried in the classroom, it tore me up inside. In the staged production, it was harsh, but differently. That Hector was stronger.

The scenes I was most worried about in the production were these:

The one on one between Hector and Posner, and the one on one between Dakin and Irwin, in the end.

I needn't have worried. I still love the Hector and Posner scene in the film better (mostly because, like the crying scene, Richard Griffiths acts the HELL out of it. He is so amazing, I don't know how anybody can act like that. He is so human, and vulnerable, and sad, and the perfect reflection of what Posner will become - two sad men who can never quite find their normal, if not rightful, place in life. In the movie, it's like they mirror past and future reflected in the same person, staring at each other through time.) But it was still amazingly done on stage, with Posner a lot more eager to just HEAR what Hector is saying, so desperate to connect. *shivers*

And omg, the scene between Dakin and Irwin in the end. Oh my God. The sheer - want and tension and lust in that scene was incredible. They didn't touch ONCE, and I felt like I was going to melt from the heat. There is one part in particular that both Tracey and I loved that made it go from "omg tension" to "OMG PLEASE KISS RIGHT NOW EXCEPT DON'T BECAUSE THIS IS HOTTER NNNNRGH".

See, they're standing really close to each other, not saying a single word, just looking, and then Irwin invades Dakin's space simply by placing his foot between Dakin's. And it's like a a taut string being plucked. It's incredible. I don't think anybody in the theatre even breathed through that part. It was so simple, and just the hottest, most erotic thing I had ever seen. Just thinking about it is making me shiver.

Everybody in the play is incredible, and different, and STRONG. (Though nobody can beat Frances de la Tour as Tot, NOBODY. *loves her*) The beginning is like a rush of pure energy through the stage, and it doesn't let up from there. I wish this production would stick around forever, I wish that I had unlimited funds and time, so I could study it, all of it, like re-reading a book. I'm just BUZZING with my love for it. I even had a dream, afterwards, that I got to see the set again - even just seeing the SET would make me happy, apparently!

So if there is anybody in Boston who can afford to drop 30-50 bucks to see this AMAZING PRODUCTION, PLEASE DO ANNA, SEE THIS PLAY. They're playing through June 22nd, and it is worth every penny. Ever. Seriously. Go, take someone with you, SEE IT. (ANNA.)

It's just so smart, and evocative, and brilliant, and everything I love about literature. And theatre. And yes. Hold me.

P.S. Totally unrelated: my uncle emailed me a bunch of lolcat pictures. In Russian. I'm pretty sure this means the end is nigh.

Comments

[shayheyred.livejournal.com]

There are plays that translate well into movies, and there are plays that I feel should remain plays, because of their inherent, well, theatricality. Sound of Music may have benefitted from the scope of filming on location, but plays like Equus, Amadeus and 1776 are meant, I think, to be on stage. History Boys tops the list. All depend on theatrical devices (in the case of Equus, the conceit of having actors play horses, which far, far outweighs the impact of actual horses on screen). When I heard HB had been made into a movie, I was mildly disappointed, because when I sat in that Broadway theater and saw all the theatrical elements of visuals, sound, acting, staging in that amazing mix, I thought nothing could surpass it. I still feel that way. And yes, I did see the original cast, so I was very lucky.

Now here's hoping they don't decide to make a film of "Spring Awakening."

[brooklinegirl.livejournal.com]

oh YAY. dude, seriously, I keep THINKING about it. In seeing the movie a second time, I connected to Hector much, much more. I think the scene with him and Posner is so much more CHARGED in the film than in the play - only due to the actors. The actor who played Hector in the play was great, yes, but not as - sad, not as - pathetic isn't the word, but you just FEEL more for the Hector in the movie, he seems to have NOTHING but the teaching, you know?

POSNER, though. God, I fucking LOVED the Posner in the play. I thought that actor kicked ASS at the role - so completely awkward and self-conscious, yet SMART, and capable of a quick turnabout when necessary, and I don't know, he just KILLED me with how good he was, how much - again, not pathetic, but how much more you were able to FEEL for him in the play.

EVERYONE is good in the play, though. You're right that Dakin somewhat overplays it, but wow, the scene with him and Irwin, with the foot - I honestly wasn't breathing. At ALL. So, so fucking hot.

YAY, honey, yay!

[slodwick.livejournal.com]

GOOOOOOOOOD. That scene between Irwin & Dakin is one of THE hottest things that has ever existed, ever, on film or in print. I cannot imagine watching it live.

[aneli8.livejournal.com]

Gah, I WANT TO.

I also have NO MONEY with which to be buying tickets. Dropping 30 to 50 bucks right now is kind of on par with, I don't know... reaching the moon by flapping my hands really hard.

It sounds AMAZING, and if it was something I could justify taking my mom or my sister to, I'd totally beg for ticket money from my parents, but, yeah. Not so much.

Plus, going alone is less fun. I'll live vicariously through your description? And sort of wibble pathetically?

But I'm glad you loved it so much! That is YAY and good!

[lordessrenegade.livejournal.com]

*caves and buys a ticket for Saturday*

I might as well do something fun while the internet is all at con.txt!

[brooklinegirl.livejournal.com]

THAT IS SO AWESOME. seriously, it's SO GOOD, and you will LOVE it. (Two things: the show is LONG, and the seats are a leetle bit hard. I'm seriously bringing a pillow next time.)

[lordessrenegade.livejournal.com]

Heee, thank you! *makes notes to bring a sweatshirt to sit on*

[darthrami.livejournal.com]

P.S. Totally unrelated: my uncle emailed me a bunch of lolcat pictures. In Russian. I'm pretty sure this means the end is nigh.

Ну, правда?


(Okay, so my slang sucks, ignore me.)

I've heard such amazing things about HB, and about the production here in DC that, uh. Ended last week. Oops?

[queenriley.livejournal.com]

Please please talk endlessly of it! I have no real hopes of getting to see it on stage anytime, well, ever, so I'm living vicariously through you. I just love it so much (anybody want to smuggle me to Boston? Anybody? Didn't think so). Your reviews, your descriptions, are as close as I can come to being there. So yeah... keep talking about it!

(and like At Swim, this is obviously well worth the massive love)

[girlmostlikely.livejournal.com]

Don't lie, Liz. It's totally Supernatural!! ;)