Word: plays
(lookup in dictionary)
(lookup stats)
Dates: during 1950-1959
Sort By: most recent first
(reverse)
Giraudoux's play, based on the Greek legend of Zeus' rape of Alcmene, wife of Amphitryon, illustrates that neither the wiles of men nor the caprices of gods are effective against the constancy of devotion of a wife (Alkmena.) Jupiter attempts to rape Alkmena but discovers he must reckon with a woman far too intelligent to be led astray by passion...
...Alkmena but conveyed Alkmena's conquetry and supicious insight. She deserves credit for stepping into her role on one day's notice. Paul Fithian's fatuous Amphitryon, Henry Franck's priggish Trumpeter, Ellen Whitman's inappropriately uncosmopolitan Queen Leda contribute to the carnival of characters who romp through the play. Giraudoux's classico-modern play is typical of many twentieth century French plays that use classical myths to reveal unexpected truths about contemporary social or political conditions. Contemporary problems treated as versions of Greek myths not only retain the desirable characteristics of classical drama (strong simplicity and universal suggestiveness...
...whimsical, imaginative and romantic--distilling a sparkling essence of originality and spontaneity. He analyses the psychology of love with occasionally brilliant and penetrating flashes of Oscar Wildean wit, epigrams and repartees, and unmasks man's soul with inquisitive glee, showing sympathy and understanding of human character. His rainbow play sheds a radient vision and has an unmistakably French idiom of graciousness and lightness...
However, Giraudoux fails to maintain a balance between ideas and spicy French sex, and the play becomes bikini. Interspersed with rationalistic salvos are a crescendo of kisses, lovers entwined like vine leaves on a Greek frieze and racy gods until the romp is reduced to a gala Gallic gaiety and the comedy verges on hedonism. Frankly, three hours of the bed become boring...
Bernard Shaw is having quite a week, for he had last night three different productions on the local boards. As the fourth event of the Harvard-MIT Summer Series, Kresge Auditorium was the scene of the formal world premiere of Dear Liar, "a play for two vioces" by Shaw and Mrs. Patrick Campbell...