New Theatre Done Right

I've said before that this is not a review site. I maintain that. Everyone else and their dog have a review blog.

However, as the concept of "new theatre" has come up many times here, in both posts and comments, I will say a few words about Home at the End.

I found this play, for the first production of a new play, brilliant. The subject matter was engaging, the differing manners of delivery were breaths of fresh air.  Were there some places where the cup of messages appeared to run over? Yes. Were there some moments of unnecessary philosophy? Sure. But you get that.

The important thing is that the play was new, directed by someone who knows theatre back-to-front and inside-out, and delivered with passionate commitment. If all "new" theatre were as engaging as HatE, (cool acronym, by the way), I don't see a reason for people to avoid the "new".

I suppose that what I consider to be the key to successful "new" theatre, and I'm aware that many people will disagree with me, is that you have to find an engaging way to send an important message, which Everyman did.

Being "new and innovate" for the sake of it, without any important message that the audience can access and relate to, is just artistic masturbation. And if you're just going to artistically masturbate for three hours, all you're going to be left with is sore arms, a chafing shaft and an unpleasant mess in the front row.