Susan's Spot #4: Crowds and Critics

We're here in BEAUTIFUL Dun Laoghaire (a seaside resort town for those of you who don't know) and loving it. The theater is right on the water and last night, after we loaded in the set, most of us sat outside and toasted the tour as we overlooked the Irish sea. Just spectacular. I'm extremely happy to report that the load out and the trip to Dun Laoghaire were UNEVENTFUL. We were done loading the set, etc., into vans in basically 90 minutes -- incredible! But with a group this big (and this energetic and helpful), things really do go quickly. We drove here yesterday, with the tech gang coming in a few hours before the rest of us to get the lights and sound prepped. The set load-in here in Dun Laohaire also went more quickly than I expected -- and by 6:30 or so, we were very close to being done.

The big news of the day for many in our group was the discovery of AMERICAN FOOTBALL at a hotel bar in town. The Cowboys played yesterday afternoon in the States and we've got a few folks with us who you might call ... um, what's the word I want.... RABID Cowboys fans -- and they were chomping at the bit to see the opening game of the season for their team. We knew the game would air 9:00 pm Irish time and Richie and Joe started asking around about where we might find a bar showing American football. They got a lead on a place that might be showing the game but I was not optimistic ... we have VERY rarely had success getting American football shown anywhere in Ireland. I can count on one hand, in fact, the times it has worked out. So I didn't even walk with the gang to the hotel bar -- instead, I went back to sit in the courtyard of our beautiful B&B (more on this in a moment). Anyway, sure enough, the game was on at the hotel bar! OH JOY. Not only that, the Cowboys won, of course. We had a few happy campers in Dun Laoghaire last night, needless to say.

We are staying at the FABULOUS Darthogue B&B with the charming Isabella at the helm. We adore her and it's always awesome to come back to Dun Laoghaire to see her and to stay in this B&B, with its courtyard and comfortable beds and homecooked breakfasts. Last night, those on tour who were NOT watching football sat in the courtyard around the picnic table and enjoyed a singalong with KJ and Daniel on guitar. We had to sing somewhat sotto voce given the late-ish hour, but it was grand to relax and enjoy the Irish evening with the bulk of the load-in work behind us. This morning, about half of the company were called to do final touches at the theater to prep the stage, and now there's nothing left but the show tonight. We have about 13 members of the media coming to review the show tonight, which is a tad nervewracking considering its our first night in a new/different performance space. We're meeting at 6:15 tonight, when I'll give notes and the actors will walk the stage and familiarize themselves with entrances, exits, etc. Oh, ahem, I should mention that -- as in Galway -- the show is SOLD OUT. What a thrill for these guys!

Speaking of reviews, one review has already come out in the Irish Times, and it was rather ... tepid. The critic loved Mark (as well he should!), saying his performance makes you forget about Jack Nicholson (quite a compliment), but said the play was dated and that my direction only hit the mark half of the time (?). He definitely doesn't like the script and feels it doesn't hold impact in this day and age anymore, given that the atrocities (electroshock, labotomies) that occur in Cuckoo no longer are permitted and characters like Nurse Ratched don't exist anymore (I don't know about that one). The funniest thing about the review to me was that he says the show no longer has impact when he was part of our opening night audience that leapt to its feet at the end! Clearly they didn't agree. Anyway, obviously the review hasn't affected ticket sales given how well we're selling at Pavilion. We've noticed this before in Ireland -- word of mouth is what sells a show. It isn't like in the States, where people think critics are gods. Irish audiences go by what their friends say, what the word on the street is. It's so refreshing. Anyway, we'll see what the mass of critics tonight have to say, but if the buzz stays as positive as it has so far, I don't think we have anything to worry about, regardless.

(no, Mom, you can't track down the Irish Times critic and give him a piece of your mind. I know your protective bristles are up to hear of anyone criticizing your daughter, but we'll have to agree to let it go, ok? I can take it!)

I guess that's all for now... I'm off to prep my notes for tonight and grab a quick bite before the show. We're here through Wednesday. Thursday is going to be insane, as we drive to Kilkenny, load in, and open all on the SAME day. I think there are two such days like this on this year's tour, and they are a bear. Luckily, we know the Watergate Theatre (aka "The Theater Of My Engagement") like the back of our hands, so at least its familiar territory.