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re: INCIDENT AT VICHY: better late than never
Posted by: gad90210 08:44 pm EST 12/19/15
In reply to: INCIDENT AT VICHY: better late than never - AC126748 07:40 pm EST 12/19/15

That is high praise indeed. I loved this production also, and I'm very thankful I got to see it.
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re: INCIDENT AT VICHY: better late than never
Posted by: owk 12:08 am EST 12/20/15
In reply to: re: INCIDENT AT VICHY: better late than never - gad90210 08:44 pm EST 12/19/15

I have to say I completely disagree with the general trend of this thread. I think it's an amazing play -- much under-appreciated in it's time because it is more of a '30s play than a '60s play. And I'd love to see it really well acted and directed. But this struck me as a really B- production in every respect except the set. I wish I had seen the original with Hal Holbrook and Joseph Wiseman, directed by Harold Clurman. This seemed like a pretty weak-tea version.
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re: INCIDENT AT VICHY: better late than never
Posted by: twocents 01:08 pm EST 12/21/15
In reply to: re: INCIDENT AT VICHY: better late than never - owk 12:08 am EST 12/20/15

The set actually teed me off! The men have way too much space to sit in. In the original production, and in Miller's mind, it was one long bench, AFAIK.
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re: INCIDENT AT VICHY: better late than never
Posted by: TomE 06:22 pm EST 12/20/15
In reply to: re: INCIDENT AT VICHY: better late than never - owk 12:08 am EST 12/20/15

I think it's an excellent play that received a very good but uneven production at Signature -- one which made the text sound more clunky and preachy than it has to. I also thought the very last image of the shadow of a train was a heavy-handed touch that detracted from an otherwise effective ending.

As I remember it, the production at TACT five or six years ago was considerably better. However, I did think that Richard Thomas in the current production was a highlight of all the four versions I'm familiar with.
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re: INCIDENT AT VICHY: better late than never
Posted by: AC126748 01:16 pm EST 12/20/15
In reply to: re: INCIDENT AT VICHY: better late than never - owk 12:08 am EST 12/20/15

The play itself is a potboiler crossed with a morality play, and structurally formulaic. The dialogue is often too on the nose; at other times, it strains to be poetic or philosophical. Yet, when done well -- and I believe that in this production, it is done exceedingly well -- it can be engrossing and moving. I'm sorry you didn't feel the same way about the production.
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re: INCIDENT AT VICHY: better late than never
Posted by: Budinsky 12:57 pm EST 12/20/15
In reply to: re: INCIDENT AT VICHY: better late than never - owk 12:08 am EST 12/20/15

While I don't agree that Miller's play is "amazing," I heartily concur with your reaction to the current production, which I thought was a bore from start to finish. I have no idea what posters praising it saw on stage that I missed. Performances were either clichéd, weak or both. Direction was static and unconvincing. I found it difficult to keep my eyes open and trained on the stage.
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INCIDENT AT VICHY:
Posted by: FinalPerformance 09:10 am EST 12/20/15
In reply to: re: INCIDENT AT VICHY: better late than never - owk 12:08 am EST 12/20/15

A shame this play is closing today because so many people will not get to see it. I was able to catch it last night and the cast was terrific.
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re: INCIDENT AT VICHY:
Posted by: twocents 01:10 pm EST 12/21/15
In reply to: INCIDENT AT VICHY: - FinalPerformance 09:10 am EST 12/20/15

It was awesome theater, Final. Even from the second row! ;)
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re: INCIDENT AT VICHY: better late than never
Posted by: AlanScott 05:10 am EST 12/20/15
In reply to: re: INCIDENT AT VICHY: better late than never - owk 12:08 am EST 12/20/15

Have you seen the excellent PBS production from 1973, which is available on DVD?

Great photo of Wiseman and Holbrook at the link. Such an uncharacteristic role for Holbrook.
Link Vichy — Wayne, Wiseman, Holbrook
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re: INCIDENT AT VICHY: better late than never
Posted by: owk 08:14 pm EST 12/20/15
In reply to: re: INCIDENT AT VICHY: better late than never - AlanScott 05:10 am EST 12/20/15

Thanks for the recommendation. I will definitely find it.
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re: INCIDENT AT VICHY: better late than never
Posted by: Ann 07:48 am EST 12/20/15
In reply to: re: INCIDENT AT VICHY: better late than never - AlanScott 05:10 am EST 12/20/15

Thanks very much for mentioning this. Those who still have the DVD option with their Netflix membership can get it there.
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re: INCIDENT AT VICHY: better late than never
Posted by: AlanScott 10:01 pm EST 12/20/15
In reply to: re: INCIDENT AT VICHY: better late than never - Ann 07:48 am EST 12/20/15

The last time I watched it, when I had out of the library a couple of years ago, I thought it held up well. I just recently ordered my own copy of it but it hasn't arrived yet so it's been a while since I've seen it.

Yeah, I don't have Netflix.
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re: INCIDENT AT VICHY: better late than never
Posted by: NeoAdamite 01:41 am EST 12/20/15
In reply to: re: INCIDENT AT VICHY: better late than never - owk 12:08 am EST 12/20/15

But this struck me as a really B- production in every respect except the set. I wish I had seen the original with Hal Holbrook and Joseph Wiseman, directed by Harold Clurman.

I can imagine a stronger production, but I still recommended it to everyone.
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