Interludes

THE HANGOVER REPORT – Douglas Hodge’s disorienting production of OLD TIMES disappoints

• By drediman
• October 8, 2015
• No Comments

What a shame. On paper, this Roundabout revival of Harold Pinter’s Old Times at the American Airlines Theatre should have been a slam-dunk. Of Pinter’s plays, this one ranks high on the list for me – its depiction of memory as a powerful yet isolating tool is terrifying and brilliantly rendered theatrically. And the three performers here are all rather good. Clive Owen, Eve Best, and Kelly Reilly are all giving carefully calibrated performances that that do Pinter’s brilliant play justice.

Let’s blame director Douglas Hodge and his production team. Mr. Hodge’s flashy, high concept production is baffling and downright misguided. By trying to visualize they mysteries of Pinter’s play – Christine Jones’s set mimics a long exposure photo of the stars, as pretentiously lit by Japhy Weideman – the production undermines the power of Pinter’s play. The droning music by Radiohead’s Thom Yorke (whom I worship) is atmospheric yet distracting. As a fine, fine actor himself, Mr. Hodge should have known better and trusted the material, letting the fine actors do the work.

SOMEWHAT RECOMMENDED

OLD TIMES
Broadway, Play
Roundabout Theatre Company at the American Airlines Theatre
1 hours, 5 minutes (with no intermission)
Through November 29