Let's play: "FAR FROM THE MADDING CROWD"

(Far from good. You like that one? Pretty witty if you ask me.)


No offense, but Bathsheba should be way hotter than that.

Three weeks ago (damn, it's been awhile since I updated), we headed out to Richmond. All the way out to the stereotypically quaint little town in Zone 4. The theatre itself is quite awesome to behold. Unfortunately, the same couldn't be same for this adaptation of Thomas Hardy's "Far From the Madding Crowd."

Let's rate this on a scale of 1 to 10 "British actors in Batman (Christian Bale*, Gary Oldman, Michael Caine)" cause Batman is really effing cool*. And that will definitely cancel out the uncoolness of this play.

1.5 CHRISTIAN BALE/GARY OLDMAN/MICHAEL CAINE'S OUT OF FIVE

"Far From the Madding Crowd"
Directed by Kate Saxon
Richmond Theatre
Run ended on Nov. 9

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"Far From the Madding Crowd"
By Matt Levin

The problem with adapting a Thomas Hardy play to stage is that the way Hardy writes makes it almost, well, unadaptable.

Hardy injects so much of his own thoughts, opinions and wit into the narrative that its like another character. When that vital character is missing from the stage version of the play, it feels like a crucial part of the plot is missing too. Even the actors seemed to notice something was missing in an uninspired performance of "Far From the Madding Crowd" at Richmond Theatre.

Kate Saxon's adaptation of the play lacks the passion that Hardy created on paper, while telling the pastoral tale of beautiful Bathsheba Everdene and her strange love quadrangle. The actors look puzzled and unsure of themselves when delivering their lines. The story includes several awkward dance sequences, and despite the play's near three hour run time the plot feels hurried.

The stage itself is the most intriguing aspect of the play. In the historic Richmond Theatre, the set takes a minimalist approach but one that leaves wide-open spaces so multiple scenes can unfold at the same time. Inventive lighting and sound effects also create a nice ambiance. A pleasant atmosphere, however, cannot save a script without a heart. Even the stage, can't compete with the written word. As usual, the book was better.

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Foot notes

*Yeah, he's British. Who knew?!

*Though let's be honest, The Dark Knight is not that grat. Heath Ledger's awesomeness aside, it's like a more complicated version of Saw.