Mauritius (a stamp, a play, an island)

[ellen_datlow]

This evening I attended a new play about what is supposed to be the most expensive postage stamp
in history --scroll down to the second two stamps on the page:
Mauritius stamps

The play, by Theresa Rebeck is about half sisters who are fighting over possession of a valuable family stamp collection.
F. Murray Abraham is funny and scary and very very effective, Alison Pill (who was in The Lieutenant of Innishmore --which I loved)is fine, Bobby Canavale (in Hurley Burley in a kind of similar role) might be a one trick pony, although I've only seen him in the two roles, and Dylan Baker (who was excellent in the movie Happiness) is very good. However, I despised the character of the older sister from the first few minutes she appeared, and I'm still not sure if it's the writing, the directing or the acting of the role that turned me off. She's played by Kate Finneran, who I (apparently) saw in Pig Farm and I honestly don't remember her at all in it.

In any case, I recommend the play. It's nicely produced (except for Finneran--now I have to go read reviews of it).

Comments

[sacredchao23.livejournal.com]

The Lieutenant of Innishmore was a great play. I saw it about four years ago in London and was greatly impressed. Sounds like an interesting piece of work.

[ellen-datlow.livejournal.com]

Yes, I thought it was great, too. Theresa Rebeck has written a bunch of plays I've never heard of except for Omnium Gatherum, co-written with Alexandra Gersten-Vassilaros--a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize--which sounds vaguely familiar. She's written for tv and won the Edgar for it.
The bad news is that she wrote the screenplay for Cat Woman ;-)

[eleanor.livejournal.com]

It's on my list, glad for the personal review.

[ellen-datlow.livejournal.com]

When you see it, let me know what you think of the older sister's role and performance. I may be completely off-base.

[eleanor.livejournal.com]

Sometimes a role is well written and well acted and the character itself rubs you so wrong that yoiu can't get past it. But I'll let you know what I think.

[ellen-datlow.livejournal.com]

Yeah.. and this might be such a case!