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Underground > Film, TV & Theatre >

Frost/Nixon

15:56 / 02.09.06

Saw this last night, at the lovely Donmar Warehouse. Xoc bought the tickets; I hadn't been aware of this play at all, but apparently it's been getting great reviews.

It's basically a dramatisation of David Frost's interviews with Richard Nixon, following his pardon and getting-off-scot-freeness after the 1972 Watergate scandal. I'm slightly ashamed to say my knowledge of this period of American political history is much sketchier than it ought to be. Nonetheless, I was completely pulled into Frost/Nixon's dynamic, largely as a result of strong central performances by Frank Langella and (especially) Michael Sheen, as Nixon. Knowing Sheen from The Deal (another Grandage-directed drama?), I was initially thinking "ooh, do Blair now!", but he so perfectly captured Frost's vocal tics that Mr Tony was soon banished.

Xoc, having been in his teens at the time of the famous interviews, got more out of the play than I did, I think. Something that narked me slightly was the central theme of two notionally similar men engaging in well-matched gladiatorial televisual combat, with Frost (eventually) skilfully outwitting his opponent. As far as I can see, that all hinged on one of his researchers pulling a bit of evidence out of the hat at the last minute; if he hadn't done that, the final Nixon interview would've presumably been as much of a puff piece as the preceding installments.

But that's a trifling criticism, and not particularly related to Grandage's drama itself. Has anyone seen this? Anyone planning to do so?

23:50 / 02.09.06

Having lived through those very days and the irl broadcasts of the interviews to which we were all hooked, I have to say that Frank Langella is marvellous in this. Sheen's good too but it's Langella who pierces you when you're least expecting it with his portrayal of Tricky Dicky. Doesn't stop you wanting to kick the fuck out of him for the carpet bombing of Cambodia, deftly side-swerved in the interviews. The whole boxing match conceit is utterly cromulent, even though the tv screen montage was hors de combat the night we were there. Brilliant! Go see! £7.50 at the Donmar for standing tickets on the night. £60 a ticket when it hits the West End as it surely must.

01:55 / 03.09.06

I went to one of the previews which, according to my flatmate who's the Deputy Stage Manager on the show, wasn't the best performance they'd ever done (and it did feel a little low-energy and perhaps not as funny as it should have been) but I still really enjoyed it. The two hours (with no interval) practically flew by, and that's got to be a good sign...

***POSSIBLE SPOILERS***

I became pretty gripped after Nixon's late-night phone call to Frost (which is when all the boxing match business really kicks off, isn't it?) and by the time of Nixon's 'admission' I was totally sold by Langella's portrayal. Met Michael Sheen afterwards, via another friend. He was asking if we thought the show made you feel any sympathy for Nixon. And I'd have to say I thought it did, mainly from the sight of Langella conveying a defeated man pondering his mistakes.

I thought the use of video, whilst a little so-so and scene setting at first, was worked into the proceedings very well, giving you the simultaneous experience of studio audience member and of watching the interviews as a TV viewer. And of course it highlighted The Incredible Power of the Close-Up and, like, commented on TV and stuff...

It's Peter Morgan's first stage play and it did feel a bit clunky at times (especially all the little fact-filled monologues from the researcher character). I also had a couple of issues with the sound/music (but then, I would be more aware of that, as it is my profession) like when a piece of music would come in then just sort of fizzle out in a let's-just-move-on kind of way. And the general balance in the surround speakers was a bit loud... The female characters were fairly inconsequential, but I guess it emphasizes how much of a "man's world" it was back then...(?)

But, yes, recommended!

(Oh, BTW Ganesh, The Deal was directed by Stephen Frears, but written by Peter Morgan)

11:17 / 05.02.07

saw this as a late birthday gift with my best mate - he didn't like it too much, felt that it was a tad too theatrical - I'd agree about the actor playing Jim (the younger, bearded guy?) - his range was shouting to shouting a bit louder, which was a shame as he narrated, but apart from that, for me, it was fantastic.

I was told that for the film version, which will feature Michael Sheen, they are thinking of using Gene Hackman for Nixon (Anthony Hopkins was approached, but he declined).