Friday, October 11, 2019

Calling for good theatre in LA

I am struggling to find good theatre in LA. 

I’ve seen copious works and the best was a production of Euripides’ The Bacchae at The Getty, Malibu last year. Mainly because the lead actress was phenomenal. 

Zach and I went to actor Tim Robbins directed play, “1984” an adaption of George Orwell’s novel last night at “The Actor’s Gang” - a theatre house founded by Robbins. 

The production was so bad I (along with others I spied) left at intermission. I never do this - I am a theatre buff! Zach would have stayed, but he too saw its limits so came with me. 

Bereft of the quality theatre we just came to take for granted in Oz. 

Still think the Europeans do it best - saw quality productions of Ibsen’s “Ghosts” in Oslo/& “Hedda Gabler” by a German company as part of the Melbourne International Arts Festival. 

I guess LA is more film/TV acting. To that note - stumbled on a lovely piece of film trivia. The hotel we had a drink at prior was the one used by all the munchkins in “The Wizard of Oz” - they slept three to a bed. 

The film was being made at MGM Studios around the corner (now Sony Studios). The Wizard of Oz would be in my top five favourite films.

Photos:

1. The Actor's Gang theatre space. 
2. Cocktails prior at The Culver Hotel
3 & 4. Window display at The Culver Hotel - Wizard of Oz