fiendfull's review against another edition
4.0
Birdland is a clever and very darkly funny play about fame and money, written with fast-paced dialogue and an all-consuming main character. Paul is a rock star near the end of a huge tour, riding high on his success and buying only the best to celebrate. Everybody knows his name and he can get whatever he wants. However, as the tour draws to a close, Paul finds things taking a bad turn, with arguments, death, and the proof that he might really be set apart from everyone not only due to his fame, but also his personality.
I saw the play performed at the Royal Court a few years ago and the audience reactions were fascinating - people were gasping and intaking breath as Paul said the wrong thing at the wrong time, and the awkwardness of the laughter was apparent. It is a powerful play that hurtles through the descent from the top, drawing the audience in through Paul's reaction to fans watching him. When read, this element is not so apparent, but the uncomfortable dialogue still makes the unnerving atmosphere that the play has when performed. It is a great play for thinking about fame and how people interact with each other.
I saw the play performed at the Royal Court a few years ago and the audience reactions were fascinating - people were gasping and intaking breath as Paul said the wrong thing at the wrong time, and the awkwardness of the laughter was apparent. It is a powerful play that hurtles through the descent from the top, drawing the audience in through Paul's reaction to fans watching him. When read, this element is not so apparent, but the uncomfortable dialogue still makes the unnerving atmosphere that the play has when performed. It is a great play for thinking about fame and how people interact with each other.
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