Customer Reviews

The Ceremony of Innocence.

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This play, written at the height of the war in Vietnam, brings out not only different aspects of human nature but also delves into the relationships between nations, their rulers, gives insight into the mind of a leader who doesn't just go blithely to war, fairly, into the minds fo those who would enter war either out of hate or out of simply a feeling for the common defense.
It was given a bravura perfomance on public television at the time by a wonderful cast headed by Richard Kiley, which is now fortunately available on dvd.
With the current war in Iraq, it is timely to read or see this play again. It is very thoughtfully crafted in all aspects.

Well, I initally learned of this drama when I auditioned for a show and we read from it -- and I immediately loved the Queen Mother. After having that taste I purchased it -- but was sadly disappointed. Far from being awful it is obvious why this drama received no rave reviews -- its slow and though we meet characters we never really know them -- though its slow there is too much happening for such a short time -- in short, the work was poorly developed.