My thoughts about movies and TV shows I've been watching

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Tuesday, November 23, 2010

A tragedy that ends up as a comedy : Hamlet, in Slings & Arrows

First episode of Season 2 of "Slings & Arrows" is really or seems to be the final episode of season 1, as the crew wraps the production of Hamlet and indulges in a cast party and which there are various declarations of love, inebriations, fights, and spats - typical cast party. The tragedy ends up as a comedy, as the business manager apologizes for being such a shit, joins in the fun to sing a G&S aria, drunkenly talks about winning the drama award in high school, pledges a great season for next year. Jeffrey and Ellen get together, Kate and Jack leave together for Hawaii, all's right with the world. But on the horizon for the next season is a production of MacBeth, with all the trauma and superstition that evokes among theater people, so we'll see how it goes. The series continues to be warm and amusing, if not an absolute knockout - each episode does have its moments and its vivid sketches of character - perhaps especially of those on the periphery of the show, e.g., the stage manager and the executive assistant. Much of this episode concerned Jeffrey's working backstage during intermission giving actors "notes" for their final performance - some of whom are very resistant and just want to mail it in. Does seem odd to be giving these kinds of notes at the final show - in part it seems the writers just wanted to work in a few more points about Hamlet (OK) or else wanted to demonstrate that theater really matters in a big way to Jeffrey (I think we should get this point by now).

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