The Lying Lesson

[edjames]

One to be missed!!! A huge disappointment. A dull and underacted two character piece.

 

In short, Bette Davis arrives in Maine to purchase a dilapidated old house. It's a dark and stormy night. Thunder and lightning greet Ms. Davis as she enters. The lights are out. Bette stumbles around with a candle. She locks all the doors and prepares to make the best of it. Suddenly the kitchen window opens and a shadowy figure enters. Ms. Davis has a kitchen knife and announces she will cut the intruder's carotid artery.

 

The intruder is a young local woman who works for the seller. She claims not to know who Bette really is, and Bette plays along when introduces herself as Ruth Elizabeth. Bette's suspicions are aroused and a cat and mouse game begins between the two.

 

It's all fruitless and a bit dull.

 

How Carol Kane and the director missed the obvious is beyond me. Vocally Bette Davis she is not, although physically there is a resemblence thanks to a great wig, makeup and costumes. At the time this play is set, 1981, Ms. Davis had such distinct mannerisms that it is almost inconceivable to overlook them. Certainly they did not want to create an absurd caricature, however, Carol's voice sounds nothing like Davis. Shame.

 

These reviews agree...

 

http://theater.nytimes.com/2013/03/14/theater/reviews/the-lying-lesson-starring-carol-kane.html?ref=arts&_r=0

 

http://www.nypost.com/p/entertainment/theater/not_ready_for_bette_M9922kfsF8iRKcUXSMir3M

[uwsman2]

I agree totally. I went to the last preview. I kept dozing off. It was that slow.

[operalover21]

I agree totally. I went to the last preview. I kept dozing off. It was that slow.

 

I think half the theater was asleep when I was there. There's no bigger crime than dullness. It was a bore. Awful.

 

And to be honest, I thought Carol Kane was dead. She might as well be.