Oct. 1 Performance of The Homecoming in Stratford, Ontario

I was hoping by seeing The Homecoming preformed on stage that I would understand it better than I did by reading it. Sadly, that wasn’t the cause. I am now more confused about the plays purpose, who Ruth really is, if this is a play about power, or if Ruth is even the main character of the play than ever. After seeing the play, I think Max is the main character of the play.

This performance of The Homecoming was superbly done. The cast was spot on, especially Brian Dennehy as Max. All of the actors were as I pictured them, except for Ruth; although, to be fair I wasn’t quite sure how to picture her.

Seeing the play live was a great experience. There are so many pauses and lack of stage directions throughout the play, that there was a lot of room for directors to interpret things. I especially liked when they had Ruth sit down and put her feet up on a table after she begins to make her demands after making out with Joey. It really shows the power play that is beginning to take a turn. I liked being able to see what was going on in those pauses as well as how aloof Teddy was during much of the action happening with his wife. I also finally see the play as humorous, because you can see where the sarcasm as well as the physical interactions with the characters.

There were things I didn’t like. Lenny talked a little fast in a few lines and it would have been funnier had he slowed his speech down, especially with the “Don’t hit me with the stick, Daddy” moment. I also wasn’t a fan of how assertive they made Teddy by having him shout a few of his lines. I saw him as meeker than that, but it also gives a larger allusion to him fighting for the little power that he has.

The director’s interpretation of the play was a lot of the action on the stage. The lines and scene order was verbatim the script. However, given the lack of many stage directions (other than pauses) this gives a lot of freedom. Like Sam during the entire last scene downing drink after drink at the bar, where Lenny stood off to the side, and where Sam made his last stand.

All and all, it was an incredibly performance and I was really glad I went despite how unsure I felt about this play. I do feel I have a better appreciation for it now at the very least.