"I would prefer to fail gloriously than be too careful or slick. In fact, I get a little suspicious when everybody likes something. I start to think: 'Are we getting bland?' "
--Nicholas Hynter, Artistic Director of The National Theatre--
--Nicholas Hynter, Artistic Director of The National Theatre--
(Editor's Note: Ahh, the wonderful statement of an Artistic Director of a properly subsidized theatre from a country that understands artists and arts organizations contribute to the national workforce. Senator Coburn, can't you go be a member of Parliament, instead of ruining the United States Senate?
Editor's Note, part two: Interesting quote today from Mr. Hytner considering the controversy his new production, ENGLAND PEOPLE VERY NICE is causing at the National. Here are a couple of links...thoughts?)
12 comments:
Oddly enough, if I had not cut the Hynter quote off where I did, it would have continue..."I think: 'Where is Nicholas DeJongh when we need him?'"
Apparently DeJongh, critic for the Evening Standard, was at ENGLAND PEOPLE VERY NICE and didn't like it.
More controversy on the topic of ENGLAND PEOPLE VERY NICE...Of course, now it makes me want to see the play while I am there next month! Apparenlty the British are just as bad talking about these issues as we are...
http://www.guardian.co.uk/stage/2009/feb/14/national-theatre-racism-row
Here's some more http://www.guardian.co.uk/stage/2009/feb/14/national-theatre-immigration-play
Interestingly enough, it all comes from the Guardian...any other papers over there have an opinion??
It seems the play has divided the critics right down the middle so far, which probably makes Mr. Hynter very happy. My tally is prod: The Times, The Telegraph, and Stage. Con: Evening Standard, Guardian, Express...I've yet to see anything from The Independent and The Sunday reviews should also be interesting.
That's the nice thing about English papers, they'll send more than one critic often and have an opening night review and then a review for the Sunday edition as well. Would that our newspapers had the same luxury or interest as well.
I agree with Pogue when they said, 'It seems the play has divided the critics right down the middle so far...' The critics, I have noticed, do have equal views on ENGLAND PEOPLE VERY NICE. This may confuse people's views on the play since some people depend on the major critics to know if the play is worth seeing.
It would be nice to see the actual play so that I could understand my own interpretation; however, I have no idea when I would be able to. There is much controversy on its issues and I really wish I could see it for myself.
More importantly, though, I believe that ENGLAND PEOPLE VERY NICE has done an effective job on bringing up the issues of racism, immigration, power, etc. This piece also stirs up trouble and 'disgusts' others, but I think that they really need to recognize the issues our society still needs to conquer.
It does seem that the critics are split down the middle over this play and as another person put it I can't form my opinion incredibly well if I have not seen it myself however, it seems to be one of those things where something is a bit edgy and people blow it way out of proportion. It does seem to be a touchy subject to speak about but it seems to be one that also needs addressing. Immigration and integration are very easy things to talk about doing but when they are at your door they may not be so easy to deal with. People in the past have reacted badly to a new groups of people moving in near them as the characters do in this and it seems to me that the people who say ENGLAND PEOPLE VERY NICE "disgusts" them they truly don't understand that racism is out there.
ENGLAND PEOPLE VERY NICE has caused quite the controversy. After reading all the reviews I really want to see the play. Given the fact that I am a white American, I don't think that the racism factor will affect me as much as other people. I believe that I would not mind the play because of its racism but instead enjoy it for its jokes. Now if the play were about Americans, I believe I would take offense to it. Since racism is still an issue in America I believe a play such as this one would not be accepted. Though there are cultural differences in England and the United States racism is still present in both and is not appreciated being pointed out.
While not only Hytner, the artistic director of the National Theatre, but also the playwright, Richard Bean, obviously like the play, ENGLAND PEOPLE VERY NICE, some audience members have been dissatisfied because of the jokes that are present in the play. Many audience members have said that there are very racist comments in the play. While I do agree with the quote from Hytner, I also agree with the audience members that have seen ENGLAND PEOPLE VERY NICE because they have the right to an opinion also. I truly like the quote from Hytner because it shows that he, as an artist, has his beliefs and morals that keep his opinions fresh and open to many different artforms.
Although some people do not like ENGLAND PEOPLE VERY NICE, there is no reason why it should not keep running because everyone is entitled to their own opinion.
I can clearly see that Hynter would rather be unique with different ideas no-one has dared to or gone deep enough in, than blend in and be boring. Every director and/or producer of course does care about what people think of their work but only to a certain extent. But Hynter created England People Very Nice as a work of art expressing his own opinions not other people's. Now with this in-mind i do think that the critics and other viewers do have a right to argue if it is politically correct but that if they have that big of an issue with the play then they should get up and leave in the middle of it and not look back on it twice. Causing a big-ordeal is unnecessary. I do want to see the play. i think it sounds interestingly informative, hard but mixed with humor as-well. Criticism is usually a good thing i think some people should tone theirs done a tad because after all it is one play, if it is out in the world or not i do not think their life will dramatically change from it and Hynter wanted a strong unique expression of what he thought. Racism is a harsh factor in the world, while i dont think it is good at all i think people should not be so sheltered by it. After-all it is nothing but Hynter expressing himself and the reality of well, reality.
After reading articles about ENGLAND PEOPLE VERY NICE it is obvious that this play is causing controversy with it's racism and making people who see it feel out of their comfort zone. To me I think that everyone has the right to their own opinion. I also believe that everyones opinion can change. A play so edgy, one that makes you feel out of your comfort zone definitely gets people thinking. I can see why ENGLAND PEOPLE VERY NICE is so controversial but I think people are blowing it way out of proportion. I would personally love to see this play.
I'm really pleased that we have stirred a lively discussion here. Though, unfortunately, we cannot see the ENGLAND PEOPLE VERY NICE (and it's highly unlikely that such a big production will ever play here), we can read the play which, as with most English plays, is published and released by the opening night. It is available online through the National Theatre Bookshop for 8.99pds (that's British pounds, which would roughly translate to about $12.50 (maybe less)in American dollars.
www.nationaltheatre.org.uk/bookshop
By the by, it wasn't Nicholas Hynter who "created" ENGLAND PEOPLE VERY NICE to express his own opinions. The playwright "created" the play. Mr. Hynter, as director, had to interpret the play through his stagign of it as to how it best reflect the vision of the play. Both he and the actors are servants to the play, trying to elicit what it and the playwright are trying to say. The playwright's vision and opinions perhaps reflect those of the director and the other interpreters...
One certainly hopes there is some mutual point-of-view or one is liable to mis-interpret the playwright's intention. But they are trying to find the vision of the play; not impose one on it. Often directors and actors, through their interpretation and examination of the text, can bring forth things that even the playwright didn't know were there which enrich and deepen his vision. All three talents...writing, directing, and acting...are CREATIVE! But the playwright is "creating"; director and actors "interpreting".
Someone once came up to Maureen Stapleton, who was doing a Tennessee Williams play and said, "I love how you created that character." She replied: "Tennessee Williams created her; I only interpreted her."
People have their own opinions and beliefs. Which is how it should be. England People Very nice does bring up racism, but people have their own opinions and beliefs as they should. One thing about England People Very Nice is it makes you think outside the box and outside your comfort level.
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