Mother of Him (Park Theatre)

[theplayer]

Didn't see a thread for this, so I made one.

I bought a ticket this morning for today's matinee. I really enjoyed it. I had no idea it was a revival; or indeed that it was was based on a true story.

Tracy Ann Oberman was amazing!

The cast's Canadian accents were a bit iffy, but that's a minor gripe.

The 90s setting was nostalgic for me, especially the music.

Overall, a well performed serious drama.

[showgirl]

I read the reviews yesterday, then booked. Some weren't too keen but the majority rated this 4 stars - for what ratings are worth.

[showgirl]

I saw the matinee yesterday and was disappointed despite the favourable reviews - though as often I enjoyed talking at the interval to the two ladies next to me about their theatre-going habits. One was relatively local (on the Piccadilly line) but had never heard of the Park Theatre!

Most of the flaws I noted must have been in the writing itself as the motivation of the character around whose actions the story revolves were never explained, an omission so significant that I don't see how it could be overcome while the script is in the present form. This also gave the actor playing the part so little to work with that he came over as largely one-note and unconvincing. However, Tracy Ann Oberman's performance (and this must also largely have been due to the script but partly due to the direction) was far too histrionic and melodramatic for me. She soon reached such a pitch of anger that there was nowhere left to go but to continue the same vein.

I was tempted to leave at the interval but stuck it out as the second act was shorter. Once again, too, the performance started quite late (c 10 mins) with no announcement, explanation or apology. This has happened too often at the Park and in the evening could cause some people considerable inconvenience travelling home, especially if they had travelled from further afield.