This is not a play for everyone. Will Eno's play was a Pulitzer finalist in 2005 (Doubt, a truly excellent play, won). ‘Let the words run.’ The other reason to tune in and donate? The text plays with your mind right away, even as your senses are learning the new language of live theatre filmed. I’ve heard descriptions of Thom Pain (Based On Nothing) as something of an attack on the audience, however I would describe its direct tone as a reality kick, which takes us on a journey to reaffirm just what it means to be alive. Thom plays with predictable audience reactions, flirting and laughing at them but getting away with it because of his sly charm. Writer Will Eno was called “a Samuel Beckett for the Jon Stewart generation” by the New York Times, and the absurdist influence is immediately apparent – it’s in the meditation of the subtitle (based on nothing). rambling monologue with only a few quality lines - skip it, Reviewed in the United States on May 27, 2017. I saw a play today that reminded me why I love words. We all have them, I like the side because there’s a place for my handbag. Who's Your Baghdaddy?, Curveball Creative. Whether the text of this show appeals to you, or doesn’t, this is a performance deserving of respect. After viewing product detail pages, look here to find an easy way to navigate back to pages you are interested in. There’s darkness to begin, a figure barely visible. His physicality is precise, organic and easy to believe; the script may say ‘distracted by lint on the sleeve’ but Schmitz takes that and runs headlong into a one-hand expression of figurative power. Toby Schmitz performs Thom Pain (based on nothing) by Will Eno. Simon Evans’s direction of this production is impeccable. See all details for Thom Pain (based on nothing) - Acting Edition (Acting Edition for... © 1996-2020, Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates. Thom Pain’s despairing monologue follows the transition from childhood into adulthood, and tonight I watched a man try to express the pain of that. Instead, our system considers things like how recent a review is and if the reviewer bought the item on Amazon. Also reflected in the chat was the reverence with which this play is held by some. For more information and tickets, see the Print Room website. It also analyzes reviews to verify trustworthiness. Find helpful customer reviews and review ratings for Thom Pain (based on nothing) - Acting Edition (Acting Edition for Theater Productions) at Amazon.com. Whether the text of this show appeals to you, or doesn’t, this is a performance deserving of respect. Thom’s self-conscious hair rumple and nervous glasses-push fight against the assumed nonchalance of hands in pockets. He says that the audience is welcome to leave – perhaps even better off leaving – but if the level of laughter was anything to go by, then I doubt that’s what anyone was thinking. If you want to rethink what life is about, that is, your life, read it. Thom Pain’s despairing monologue follows the transition from childhood into adulthood, and tonight I watched a man try to express the pain of that. Same for “Thom Pain … (based on nothing)”: Abandon literalism and theatrical convention. Schmitz will fully appear eventually and take the listener on a journey into the mind of this character. His command of the role is assured and bleak, despite an absolutely wicked sense of humour. He appears on stage (there is no set, so think of it as you would a stand up comic, without the humor). He is the only character in this play - it is a 31 page monologue. 212-239-6200 Performances Tuesday-Friday at 8pm; Saturday at 6 and 9pm; Sunday at 3 and 7pm Reviewed in the United States on January 13, 2017, Reviewed in the United States on November 7, 2012. This script was recommended by a friend. She trained at Arts Educational Schools London Sixth Form and graduated with a First in English and Creative Writing from Brunel University, as well as completing a year with MGC Futures and the Soho Young Company. This set-up allows for a new way of seeing. Reviewed in the United States on October 1, 2015. Reviewed in the United States on July 25, 2020. Reviewed in the United States on March 14, 2007, A bloody, brilliant, gnawingly humane cry from the gut. The timing and consideration that have gone into the delivery of the script are so precise and yet don’t come across as ‘blocked’ at all. The match sputters out … a prop fail or is it by design? The lighting designed for a theatrical feel but serving the screen without competing with the main image. Innovative, reliable and artist focused. Thom Pain (based on nothing) Written by Will Eno Directed by Hal Brooks cast: James Urbaniak Lighting design: Mark Barton Scenic consultant: David Korins Running time: 90 minutes without intermission DR2 Theater, 103 East 15th Street. Toby Schmitz performs Thom Pain (based on nothing) by Will Eno. Disabling it will result in some disabled or missing features. The lighting can have a mind of its own and this lack of control, combined with the meandering of Thom’s thoughts, makes for an unpredictable show. Tonight I watched a man “try”. I just don't have the time or energy to go through the return process. It was bittersweet to witness. It’s impossible to not to find yourself enamoured with this play. Such is the rigour of his creation that the engaged watcher is able to buy into the world which the protagonist alone can see. Thom talks about fear as without a definition, but this encapsulates the whole concept of fear and the production; the audience experience lies in the unknown. Review: Michael C. Hall Probes the Despair of ‘Thom Pain’ In “Thom Pain (based on nothing),” Michael C. Hall is best in relaxed moments of semi-improvised interaction with the audience. Veronica Aloess is currently Duty Manager of the Battersea Arts Centre and a freelance writer. However, it is a performance to travel with and cherish. Thom Pain (Based on Nothing) runs at the Print Room until 13 October. "Isherwood's rave made the play a snob hit of 2005. Red Line Productions. This reader's edition was a qualified substitute, at least until I visit the Big Apple again and actually buy a ticket to one of his plays. One man plays are a challenge, and the fact that Light is able to capture an audience for an hour is a testament to his talent. Wry is not cynical, yet the romantic laid bare by the text has an odd appeal. Watch out. Schmitz treats the theatre as full, another textual overlay that takes some applied viewer engagement. Thom Pain (based on nothing) - Acting Edition (Acting Edition for... Thom Pain (based on nothing) - Acting Edition (Acting Edition for Theater Productions). It was bittersweet to witness. She has written subtitles for major production companies and channels including the BBC, and written for publications including The Stage, Broadway Baby and One Stop Arts. To calculate the overall star rating and percentage breakdown by star, we don’t use a simple average. Tickets and information: signaturetheatre.org Filed Under: Gardner , Off-Broadway There's a problem loading this menu right now. There are two companion pieces included, Lady Grey being my favorite of the bonus material. A Pulitzer Prize for Drama finalist, this is a play that mucks with you from the off… beginning as it intends … and then through a full 60 minutes of the surreal in search of an interdependent comic and tragic individuated remembrance. It broke my heart and was thought-provoking in the extreme. Mostly without cinematic intervention – a few subtle overlay feeds late in the piece but with clean switches. The show tells a story about a boy who was attacked by bees and the woman he loved, but becomes frequently distracted along the way in this rambling monologue.