cat on a hot tin roof

Last night we went to see the new production of Tennesee Williams' Cat On a Hot Tin Roof at the Lyric. It was amazing :-) Brendan Fraser (The Mummy, Gods and Monsters, Bedazzled) plays Brick, the tortured alcoholic ex-footbal star with a depth and passion I would not have thought him capable. I don't remember coming away from the Mummy movies thinking that his acting was anything special, but last night, on stage, he was remarkable. From the bitter and silent treatment of Maggie, to his impassioned second act discussion with Big Daddy, his treatment of the role of someone steadily getting more drunk was fascinating to watch. It was such a pleasant surprise to see that he wasn't hired just because of who he is. Frances O'Connor (Bedazzled - she was the latin American wife) starred as Maggie, Brick's ambitious wife. We found her to be slightly annoying in the role, but felt that her diction and accent needed a little something. Perhaps it was deliberate, and she was trying for a little neurosis in the part, in which case she carried it off well. Big Daddy, the cancer struck owner of the plantation, was played by Ned Beatty (Lex Luthor in Superman, and hundreds of other movies). His casting was inspired, he suited the role perfectly. The scene where he confronts Brick with the truth about mendacity was one of the best pieces of acting I've seen in a long time. Not since What Lies Beneath has something gotten under my skin to this extent. We have to go see more serious drama than we currently do - which is nothing. The scenery was brilliantly done... two and a half walls of the inside of Brick & Maggie's bedroom, perspectively tapering out twoards the back of the stage. One of the things we had been wondering about was whether they would change the script to be more politically correct - there are several references to blacks as niggers - they didn't. That was a pleasant surprise, the authenticity of the scene set even more. Anyway, if anyone has a chance, go see this production, its well worth the money.