The Parkdale Players present David Mamet's Speed-The-Plow at the New Theatre Ste-Catherine, November 18 to 22. Directed by Conall Pendergast, with: Luis Fernandes (Bobby Gould), Jesse Ryder Huges (Charlie Fox), and Jenny Westoby (Karen).
Pulitzer Prize winner (Glengarry Glenn Ross) and two-time Oscar nominee David Mamet pulls no punches in this vicious ride through the highs and lows of the American film industry. Hollywood power brokers Bobby Gould and Charlie Fox are hungry to impress the Studio Head with their potential next big blockbuster. High on their expectations of success, Bobby bets 500$ that he can seduce Karen, his temp secretary. Bobby gets more than he bargained for as Karen has a few plans of her own that might change Bobby’s life forever. It’s the story of a man ambushed by the warring forces of sex, friendship, and love all under a perpetual greed for money.
The title means 'work...to plow under and start anew'... 'Good luck and swift and profitable ploughing.' The original premiered on Broadway in 1988 with Madonna, Joe Mortagnia, and Jon Silver who took home a Tony for his portrayal of Charlie Fox. A 2008 revival at the Old Vic starred AD Kevin Spacey; The Broadway revival in 2008-2009 featured Jeremy Piven in the role of Bobby; territory no doubt very familiar to the actor as he plays the Hollywood agent Arie on TVs Entourage. He was replaced by William H. Macey half way through the limited run.
Bobby and Charlie have a verbal boxing match of the eternal debate of art versus money. The office temp Karen is the catalyst of the debate, and Bobby finds himself on both sides of the dilemma. Like many of Mamet's plays this one highlights the men and their complicated relationships. The women are over-simple objectified characters, like that of Karen. The two main actors deliver rapid-fire dialogue throughout their performance, almost completing each others sentences. Although in general I enjoyed all of the performances, something was missing in their projection; -it was as if the audience deliberately wasn't being included in the conversation. Even seated mid-row in the space we found ourselves stretching our ears to hear the actors clever reparté. The stage-set design and the lighting and sound also worked well. If you are fans of Entourage and Mad Men you will enjoy this too. GO C IT!
The title means 'work...to plow under and start anew'... 'Good luck and swift and profitable ploughing.' The original premiered on Broadway in 1988 with Madonna, Joe Mortagnia, and Jon Silver who took home a Tony for his portrayal of Charlie Fox. A 2008 revival at the Old Vic starred AD Kevin Spacey; The Broadway revival in 2008-2009 featured Jeremy Piven in the role of Bobby; territory no doubt very familiar to the actor as he plays the Hollywood agent Arie on TVs Entourage. He was replaced by William H. Macey half way through the limited run.
Bobby and Charlie have a verbal boxing match of the eternal debate of art versus money. The office temp Karen is the catalyst of the debate, and Bobby finds himself on both sides of the dilemma. Like many of Mamet's plays this one highlights the men and their complicated relationships. The women are over-simple objectified characters, like that of Karen. The two main actors deliver rapid-fire dialogue throughout their performance, almost completing each others sentences. Although in general I enjoyed all of the performances, something was missing in their projection; -it was as if the audience deliberately wasn't being included in the conversation. Even seated mid-row in the space we found ourselves stretching our ears to hear the actors clever reparté. The stage-set design and the lighting and sound also worked well. If you are fans of Entourage and Mad Men you will enjoy this too. GO C IT!
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