Why is Crimp such a scandal?
Friday, May 16th, 2008A couple of weeks ago, The City opened at the Royal Court. It’s the latest play by top Brit writer Martin Crimp in a production by Katie Mitchell, without doubt one of the country’s most distinctive directors. You’d think that critics and audiences would be falling over themselves in admiration. Not a bit of it: carping criticism, some overtly hostile reviews and many puzzled faces in the stalls. So why are Crimp and Mitchell such a scandal? Probably for the same reason that so many Continental plays have such a rough ride in this country. Crimp’s plays are difficult rather than entertaining; complex rather than simple. The horrible truth is that, even in the 21st century, the Brits simply don’t get modernism; they don’t get postmodernism either; in short, they don’t get art!
May 17th, 2008 at 5:38 pm
If the Brits don’t get modernism and/or postmodernism, how did Martin Crimp become a “top” writer in the first place?
May 25th, 2008 at 7:24 am
The reviews I have seen for The City have been rather good and I think it is a little harsh to make such a sweeping generalisation about The British. True, I was also dismayed to see so few people turn out to see such a sublimely acted, directed and written play. I too may have looked a little puzzled when applauding enthusiastically after the final scene, but only until I got to the pub round the corner and my companion and I debated the play enthusiastically for the next hour or so. Isn’t that what art is supposed to do?