“We all hope. It’s what keeps us alive.” –Bobby, Speed-the-Plow

Went to see Speed-the-Plow last night at the Old Vic.

Cast
Jeff Goldblum
Laura Michelle Kelly
Kevin Spacey

Let me say– first. Before. Before I get going. As it must. I need to say it. I do.

I’m not one of those feminists that immediately hates Mamet because he is a misogynist. I don’t hate Mamet for being a misogynist. I don’t even hate Mamet. I like Mamet. (The cocksucker) If anything I like Mamet because he is a misogynist.

My Mamet annoyance comes from his being– sometimes (often) a lazy dramatist and not letting his female characters play, finding the same rat-a-tat-ding-a-ling-zing-charge zip-bam-fuck-you-coffee-is-for-closers-boom that he gets when he is swinging his dick with the boys. And what pisses me off— What really winds me up, is I know he can write for chicks. State and Main, sister in theme to Speed-the-Plow, but is 100% funnier and better written, is a Grade A prime example. So David. I know you can do it. I know you know you don’t need a cock to be a fully rounded character.

I walked in the door last night knowing nothing about the play other than it was about the movie biz, Mamet, Silver won the Tony, Madonna and twenty years have gone by since the premiere. (I feel old).

After seeing it last night, what I really don’t understand is? Why. Why in the last twenty years Mamet didn’t smack his forehead and say, “Fuck my Mother. Act Two is a disaster. There is no way anyone will ever be on the chick’s side. I’m stacking the fucking deck. Who in the flying fuckity-fuck can do that monologue and not come off like an unlikable cunt? I’m going to rewrite this cocksucker.”

In other words, it’s a flawed play.

I still had a great time.

The set is gorgeous. Really well done.

Spacey is fantastic. This was the first time I have seen him on stage and the man is kick ass. Our seats were up at the tippy top and his voice and body filled the space. (I could kill myself for not seeing him in The Moon for the Misbegotten.)

Goldbum. Eeeehhh. Not so much. I wonder if I was sitting closer if I would have liked his performance more. Not to say he was bad. Far from it. He moves like a dancer and he has this arch manner that really works. Some of his choices I just felt were off. Act Two, when he throws the glass, he was indicating. Didn’t believe him for 2.5 seconds. That said- there were some moments that were pure gold. When he dangles his foot rather close to hers or when he is rearranging the pillows? Brilliant. He and Spacey bouncing off of each other? Fantastic. Anyway. Maybe I saw him on an off night?

Laura Michelle Kelly. I don’t envy her. This is a hard, hard part. I thought her American accent was impeccable . . . but I wonder. . . if they had her speak with her natural voice, would that have added another colour to the whole thing? Would she have been better equipped to hide an underwritten, poorly realized character? Or was her choice to play Karen as a complete innocent a huge mistake?

Dunno.

Act III is the zinger- as it should be. . . and even though I have issues with Act II there are moments where the spell almost twists you up. Maybe it’s the candlelight. Act I, my favourite moment is when Spacey and Goldblum are preening like two roosters in front of Karen, calling each other and themselves whores. There is also so much fun in seeing how Mamet handles exposition. You never see the man behind the curtain.

I just think it’s a bit of a shame that the play isn’t as well written as it could be. As it should be. I like the themes he is exploring.

I’m giving it a B-. Performances alone however a good solid B+

Anyway. I had a good time at the theatre last night even with my issues with the play. If you get a chance to see it, I’d love to hear what you think.

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