Jerusalem

Tickets and Information

Mark Rylance 1, Jerusalem 0
I saw Jerusalem yesterday and was stunned by the standing ovation that the play received at its conclusion. Yes, Mark Rylance?s performance was brilliant. And the set was very well-designed. But the play as a whole, it seemed to me and to both of my two companions, I might add, left much to be desired. For starters, there?s not much of a plot. Rooster is a washed-up has-been of a daredevil, a drug-dealing, alcoholic, pathological liar and child predator, broken in mind and spirit, and now reduced to relying on a motley crew of mostly teenagers for adulation, companionship and financial sustenance. He lives in relative squalor in a mobile home in the English countryside. But the times they are a?changing. A new residential development is sprouting up within hailing distance of Rooster?s abode and the residents of that new community, understandably, would like to see Rooster gone. It is St. George?s Day in England and the locals are holding their annual county fair and parade. Rooster has received an eviction notice. And the rag-tag group around him are bemoaning the fact that things ain?t what they used to be and that this year?s fair won?t hold a candle to those of the old days, back when Rooster was performing his daredevil motorcycle stunts and shattering his body in the process. There are a number of subplots but they don?t really go anywhere. Rooster?s young son and the child?s mother show up for a brief visit and?nothing. One of Rooster?s hangers-on is planning to emigrate to Australia?or maybe not. A 15 year-old girl has gone missing?oh, there she is. To all of which, I can only say: ?So what.? If Rooster suffers the consequences of his actions, should we pity him? Or even empathize? Not me. So heres the bottom line: If you want to see a single bravura theatrical performance Mark Rylance as Rooster, go to this play. But if youre looking for anything more than that, skip it. Ive posted an expanded review of this play and reviews of a large number of other plays on my blog www.aseatontheaisle.blogspot.com.

Reviewed by alansshows on Monday, Jun 13th, 2011

Too self indulgent and often dull.
Sure the acting is great and its so refreshing to see an original play on Broadway. BUT really!?? This play is way too long and should have been cut to two acts--max two hours. And audiences dont have to be hit over the head with symbolism, ancient Anglo-Saxon and biblical allusions, and over written characterizations of drug dealers, abusive parents, drunks, drug addicts, and totally misguided, lost teenagers who have no redeeming qualities. In fact, this play has the potential of being excellent if it werent so self indulgent. After act one, I kept on asking myself: where is this play going? I asked myself the same question after act two. And when the curtains finally fell, I said to myself: this play went nowhere.

Reviewed by al10029 on Saturday, May 14th, 2011