Best Theatre Perfomances of 2008

[ZackNicholsgirl]

Charles Spencer hands out his acting plaudits for 2008.
Sorry to cheat with two doubles on the trot, but it was the way Kevin Spacey and Jeff Goldblum played off each other with the thrilling spontaneity of improvising jazz musicians that made the Old Vic's revival of Speed-the-Plow so special (and far superior to the production now on Broadway)

Source: www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/culturecritics/charlesspencer/3869533/Best-theatre-performances-of-2008.html

[dragonsback]

Spacey and Goldblum received unqualified raves from ALL the high-end Brit critics - The London Times, The Guardian, The Independent - for their high-velocity performances in this play's demanding leads. Those London critics are a tough crowd - not because they're mean-spirited toward Yanks, but because they live and work in the global centre of the theatrical universe. London is where it happens, where the stage is as much a part of life as television is to Americans. These Inner Circle columnists are not easily wowed.

And of course we're not talking about any old production, but an Old Vic production, a theatre company that's a national treasure.

Also it's worth mentioning that American Kevin Spacey has the extraordinary honour of being Artistic Director of this British holy-ground company for a 10-year contract. Amazing! Spacey certainly personally chose Goldblum as his co-star. Huge compliment which I am sure the Blummies here will think is deserved.

The short of it is: between the Old Vic triumph and the critical reception of AR, Goldblum is at the top of his game (while VDO tragically seems to be a the bottom of his) and that energy and lustre should spill over into LOCI. Provided the writers can do justice to the actor who creates the character, or do justice to the character whom the actor serves.

I think you are absolutely dead wrong, blum baby, when you say that most of the posters here won't be watching the JG eps. On the contrary, I suspect it will be an SRO turn-out.

[ZackNicholsgirl]

and what is A SRO? Serious?

[dragonsback]

Dec 22, 2008 1:57:01 GMT -5 ZackNicholsgirl said:

and what is A SRO? Serious?

An event, particularly a play or a concert, so well attended that every seat in the house is sold out, and there's a sign at the box-office that reads "SRO" - Standing Room Only

[caitlen]

Thanks so much for this Blum Baby, wow doesn`t Papa look hot

[jeffan]

Wow, Jeff did receive rave reviews for his performance at the Old Vic and thank you Dragonsback for highlighting Jeff's achievement. He is riding on the crest of a wave! Thank you also Caitlen for you comment. Thanks for posting Blum and I know we would stand all day and night just to get a glimpse of Jeff!

[ZackNicholsgirl]

Aww ok thanks for the explanation Dragonsback!

Oh yes Papa looks certainly Hot with that smile of his! *melts* LOL

AHAH Yes we would Jeffan XD

[jeffan]

Alanat News 2008

American acting got a look in, and how, from Kevin Spacey and Jeff Goldblum, brilliant both separately and together in the Old Vic revival of “Speed-the-Plow,” David Mamet's play about loyalty in the land of the Hollywood hustle here bitingly served up by the British director Matthew Warchus, whose sellout production eclipsed the later, entirely separate Broadway reappraisal of the same play.

[caitlen]

Thanks for the update Jeffan

[jeffan]

Audiences take a shine to West End stars
Record crowds and box office takings recorded

Richard Pulford, chief executive of Solt, cited the stage version of the Tom Cruise and Dustin Hoffman film Rain Man, at the Apollo, and Kevin Spacey and Jeff Goldblum in David Mamet's Speed-the-Plow at the Old Vic, as among the top star draws of 2008.

David Batty
The Guardian, Monday 26 January 2009

www.guardian.co.uk/stage/2009/jan/26/west-end-musicals

[ZackNicholsgirl]

Cool! This is the kind of news I like!

[jeffan]

Theatregoers Choice Awards

Stars such as Kenneth Branagh, Kevin Spacey, David Tennant and Jeff Goldblum have also been nominated in different categories.

He [Stephen Ashfield] said: "I was taken by surprise. It's nominated by people who go to see the shows in the West End so it means a little bit more.

"I grew up watching Jeff Goldblum in Jurassic Park - it's surreal to think I'll be there with that list.

www.eveningtimes.co.uk/news/display.var.2487122.0.scots_stage_star_up_for_top_award.php

[jeffan]

Jeff Goldblum and Kevin Spacey at the Old Vic theatre

signing autographs -

www.youtube.com/watch?v=AAi-O-p_hRE&feature=autoshare_twitter

[DonnaJo]

Thanks Jeffan.

Jeff is so gracious. Not to mention warm, friendly, funny and affectionate. A sweet guy.

[jeffan]

I couldn't describe Jeff better myself Donnajo!