Are You Being Served?

Guest · 09-24-2005, 11:10 PM

They say that imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. The show at Buck Creek is a pale imitation. I kept reading how all the people in the cast were big fans of the beloved British sitcom but I had the feeling they had been watching a differert show than I have.Mrs. Slowcombe had the colorful wigs but none of the comedic timing needed for her role.Mr. Humphries had the looks for the role but threw away many funny lines due to lack of volume.Mr. Rumbold would make a great Daddy Warbucks. Mr. Lucas lacked the "Jack the lad" attitude needed for that part and I'm sure half the audience missed his lines due to lack of volume. To say the second act was sluggish would be an understatement.The scene changes were ponderous with almost a half an hour needed for intermission. Kudos to Susan and Lea for lugging those set pieces around and to Will Pullins for giving life to his characters when the main cast didn't. We've come to expect the best from Buck Creek but unlike Mr. Grace I can't say "You've all done very well!"

Guest · 09-25-2005, 07:56 AM

I was so disappointed. !! :'( The lines were funny, they came straight from the BBC production, but where was the timing? Mrs. Slocomb's voice was high and irritating, cues were slow, no pacing, and lines were often muffled, garbled, and too soft. I agree with dd, you did not do very well. Will it get better? I do hope so. Buck Creek audiences are used to being well served. CC

Guest · 09-25-2005, 10:44 AM

What do you say to the director? ??? I could not be honest, I could not be dishonest, saying "good show". It wasn't. Those of us who are fans of PBS are familiar with the pacing, sharp characterizations, and great fun of this series. Timing is everything in comedy, along with the writing. This was a sad opener for BCP.

Guest · 09-25-2005, 03:22 PM

I attended opening night on Friday. Regretfully, it just was not very good at all.

Joe · 09-28-2005, 10:21 AM

It's a hard call... I have seen shows that I didn't feel were very good and it was tough when people in the cast asked me what I thought.

**Eric_Bryant** · 09-28-2005, 10:43 AM

A couple of suggestions:

"That was such a unique interpretation!"
"You did things on stage that I never would have dreamt of doing!"
"That was....(long pause)...(longer pause)...interesting?"

**LizC** · 09-28-2005, 11:08 AM

"You must have worked so hard!"

Joe · 09-28-2005, 12:19 PM

I am always the worst...

I smile and hug and say "You were great".

In other words... I LIE.

I just can't come out and tell people their show was awful.

**Randy** · 10-01-2005, 09:36 AM

This was the first show I saw upon moving to Indy. If this is the level of theater I have moved to, I shouldn't unpack.

The script was great. I can't wait to produce it myself someday.

The dialects weren't consistant in each actor,much less as a cast.

The truly sad thing about this show is that it won't get better over the run, because you can't teach comic timing. Either you have or you don't, and they don't.

Here's hoping that this does not represent the level of theater that I have to look forward to in my new home.

dd · 10-01-2005, 10:10 AM

"Are You Being Served" is not a typical Indy theatrical show. It was an unfortunate slip in Buck Creek's usually fantastic productions. I hear they have almost sold out all of their shows. There is going to be alot of disappointed people after they sit through that show. Wild Bill don't be put off by your first theater experience here. You just happened to hit a lemon on your first try.