C is for The Children's Hour

Have you ever ventured out, into a city that's on fire?  A couple of weekends ago, London had it all, a prestigious boat race, rogue protesters, fire starters, and traffic jams, -and all on the very evening that I had tickets booked for a much 'raved-about' play, 'The Children's Hour.'  Never fear though, despite all of the above hullabaloo-I was determined to reach the theatre in one piece.  Which I did.  Just.

The Children's Hour is a play, set in a boarding school for girls, during the 1930's, in small town New England, USA. The story revolves around the school's founding teachers Karen Wright (played by Keira Knightley), and Martha Dobie (played by Elizabeth Moss), and their daily jousts with a riotous student named Mary, -a particularly nasty young girl who manipulates gossip from her classmates to spread wild rumours about said teachers.

Miss Knightley has a credible American accent in her role as Karen Wright, and contrary to a certain gossip, the girl can actually 'act' her way out of a paper bag.  Ahem, the great thing about theatre is, -there are no slo-mo-close-ups of broody-pouty-eyebrows.  Miss Knightley even received the seal of approval from my very debonair Bestie, who is the biggest Drama Queen this side of the pond!  Like, Perez who?  Also, did I mention Miss Elizabeth Moss? Peggy from Mad Men is wonderful as Martha Dobie.


The theatre production is currently playing in London until the end of April, but don't worry - if you can't get there.  You can always catch the 1961 film version on DVD starring Audrey Hepburn, Shirley Maclaine, and James Garner.   I have my own copy, on loan from debonair Bestie, who by the way 'out-dressed' me that evening.  *mutters to self, Dior-Schmoir* 




A/N:  Happy Monday All!  This weekend has been busy, lots of shopping, impromtu dinners, and walking the hound.  Ooh, and of course editing!  How was yours?   
Talei xox

Comments

Anonymous said…
Theatre. Wow. I haven't been to one of those in ages. Lots of envy coming your way :)

All the best for A-Z!
Denise Covey said…
Hey Talei sounds like a very exciting night out and the play sounded pretty good too. I'm pleased to hear Keira came up trumps. Theatre tries an actor out they say.

Denise<3

http://laussiestravelblog.blogspot.com/2011/04/z-blogging-challenge-c-is-for-columbia.html
Denise Covey said…
Oh let's try again with that link to my A-Z entry:

L'Aussies Travel Blog A - Z Challenge Posts
S.A. Larsenッ said…
I love the theater. Used to be a theater chicky myself, years ago when I was a kid. The show sounds wonderful!
Haven't heard of Children.s Hour, though when I was young there used to be a daily programme on the radio called Children's Hour" mind you there wasn't much TV around then.

Loved the post,
Yvonne.
I haven't heard about this but it sounds fantastic. Any chance they'll come do a production in Paris? Thanks for sharing!
Jessica Bell said…
I miss the Theatre SOOOOO much. Living in Athens, Greece, makes it a little diffucult to go without a plane ticket! :o)
Jeremy [Retro] said…
i want to see this... does it have pirates?
jeremy [iZombie]

explanation:
http://izombielover.blogspot.com/2011/04/c-is-for-comments-and-crazy-charlie.html
I'm new to theater. Most of my friends were never interested. Last spring, I saw Up at Bristol Riverside Theater in Bucks County, Pennsylvania. I really enjoyed it. I laughed and cried. I can't wait to take in another play. Good luck with the challenge.
Danette said…
Somehow I have missed seeing 'The Children's Hour' with Miss Hepburn! I did enjoy the earlier version 'These Three' with Merle Oberon (another very fine actress!) It was more watered down and didn't hint at lesbianism among the two women but was a wonderful example of children who have run amok, nevertheless.

I love Elizabeth Moss and Mad Men and would love to see her in a play and it would be interesting to see Keira Knightly on stage. You are so right there is such a difference- no close ups, no editing- just the audience and the actor(s)! (I personally love stagework but it can be daunting for an actress of film!).
Very impressed with the way this A-Z challenge is taking off and the interesting things people are blogging about.

Unfortunately, I hate Kiera Knightly's acting skills with a passion and hate every movie I've ever seen her in. (Nicole Kidman is another actress I don't like watching - I feel like I get frost bite every time I watch her) Now give me Angelina Jolie and Charlize Theron...
Judy (South Africa)
Talei said…
Damyanthi - I love the theatre, definitely brings acting to life, so to speak. ;-)

Denise, Keira was fine, I'm not a fan of her films so much but on stage, I was pleasantly surprised. ;-)

Salarsen, it was fab! ;-)

Yvonne, many thanks!

Katie, have no idea good lady, I'm not sure its the 'going on tour' type of play though. Come to LONDON!! ;-)

Jessica, le sigh. Athens, birthplace of modern civilisation, must have something? ;-)

iZombie, nope - but you can dress up as one if you want?

Laura, once you go theatre, you never go back...if you know what I mean. *winks*

Danette, the original play was banned but I think the story has weight, its the strength of gossip (via annoying brat) and how it can turn innocent lives upside down. No-slo-mo-close-ups of furrowed-pouty starlets is always a bonus in my picture house! ;-)

Judy, I hear ya. Add Renee Zellweger in there and we have a trifecta. I'm not a fan of glossed up acting on film either but I think Keira was pretty good on stage, infinitely more tolerable vs. film. (IMHO).
Ps: I'm an Angelina fan too, love some of her role choices.
TS Hendrik said…
Sounds like a good show. The movie's pretty good, I watched it a couple years back.
Luana Krause said…
I'm sorry I won't get to London to see the play, but I will definitely check out the movie. LOVE Hepburn!
I love the theatre too. It's always such a treat.
Unknown said…
Ooooh, this looks very neat! I'll have to check out the movie. :)

~Melissa
Reflections on Writing
Melissa Amateis said…
Next time I'm in London, I plan to hit the theatre. (The last time I was there, I had to stay in my hotel room for two days due to food poisoning!).

I do like Keira Knightley. Always did think she was an excellent actress.
Laura said…
Ha! Dior shmior! Love it :) I'd love to catch that play, it sounds brilliant... would be great to catch Miss Knightley minus pout-eyebrow-closeups!
Lx
Talei said…
TS - I shall watch it soon. Love Audrey!

Luana - me too! Enjoy!

Shellie, it's a most excellent treat!

Melissa, yup, the play is great but I think the DVD will be good too.

Melissa M, excellent, glad to hear it my dear! ;-)

Laura, ha. Actually, Bestie was a combo of Lanvin-Schmanvin and Dior. Myself, Chanel-Dior and a number of others but Bestie rocked a certain Dior jacket, I had to acquiesce to his style that evening. x
Talei said…
Hi Lovelies, I have followed back all commenters thus far, except for where there are no links on avatars and I'm unable to. Please come back and holler if I've missed your blog link, its definitely not my intention.

Or, alternatively you can catch moir on twitter: @coco_dubai

Tx
Kath said…
Glad you made it to the theatre and back in one piece - you certainly chose quite an evening to venture out in old London town! The play sounds interesting and I'd love to see it but I don't think I'll manage to get down to London by the end of the month. Shame.
DiscConnected said…
Talei-

Interesting cast.

I have not been to a play in many a moon. Nor a musical for that matter (which I tend to prefer).

The drawback to living in Arizona-we'd never get a play with that kind of star power in the cast.

One of the things I miss about the US east coast...

Larry
Alison Miller said…
I miss going to the theatre - I used to do a bunch of community theatre back in the day, but I don't get to much anymore. That play sounds fabulous!

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