Oleanna - Theatre Royal Bath / Arts

I liked this production

I went on the fact that Jonathan Slinger was in it and he didn't disappoint. I've been gaining a new perspective on acting and saw that he gives his all to Rosie Sheehy. He doesn't simply act the lines in a set way he devised, he feels natural. Even down to the moments he talks on the phone to someone he has to imagine. Which is why I enjoy nearly every performance I've seen him do since Richard III.

And oh boy does he give the Richard III I remember at the end

Its no surprise the box office was warning someone that if they take a seat in the front row there's a strong possibly something will be thrown in their direction.



Both performances were good. There were times where the two actors rushed the interjections they gave each other. Rosie Sheehy held back at times but still good.

The play I feel is of its time and tame. The discourse on Me Too and accusations has moved on since this play came out. I've heard the characters' arguments before but in the end David Mamet has no argument of his own. Instead he resorts to a superficial ending.

At the very least you get to see that neither character comes out the better for it. You feel bad for the professor's situation but at the same time agree that he is a bit full of himself whilst letting the girl walk all over him and when he does try and stand up for himself he does it in the worst possible way. I couldn't watch at the end of the second scene.

The student meanwhile makes some points but otherwise twists the things he said to suit her narrative. And whilst she accuses him of aggrandizing and acting like he has power over her she does exactly the same thing (though she acknowledges it). And she never stops to see the full consequences of her actions until it is too late.

Okay play held up by wonderful performances