Thursday, April 16, 2015

CHURCHILL a One Man Show at New World Stages

I just finished reading Citizens of London by Lynne Olson.  Citizens depicts the dire situation in London under the German blitz in WWII.   Olson's book faults Americans for being way too slow in standing alongside England against the Germans.  In the one actor biopic play CHURCHILL, the actor   speaks directly to the audience about his life & darkest period in history in a cozy "fireside chat" style.  Churchill identifies the audience as American.  He has the utmost admiration for Americans (except for Joseph Kennedy) for their heroic efforts and sacrifices.   I found fault with the play.  Ronald Keaton (Churchill) used an American accent more often than not.  Keaton failed to make a compelling & convincing Churchill.  He played him as amiable and clever but not with the pugnacious, obdurate commander qualities Churchill possessed.  Keaton adapted the play based on The Life & Words of Winston S. Churchill but this adaption of our darkest hours in history felt mundane.  I was never  indebted enough in the play to owe this show a strong recommendation.  

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