A Strange Loop - a filthy messy masterpiece - review

[@callalily3994]

I think that having a man play Usher's mother is probably a reference to Tyler Perry's "Madea" character -- many of his plays and movies have Perry himself playing the grandmother character.

[@TheatreReviewsWithPaulSeven]

I see. Thank you. I understand now. Maybe I should edit that remark from the review as it seems unfair if that’s the case.

[@finlaycooper5209]

Another great review Paul! I've booked to see this despite also finding the lyrics quite clunky at times, its nice to finally have someone hold a similar criticism as I've not heard it from anyone else :)

[@TheatreReviewsWithPaulSeven]

Thank you Finlay. Please let me know what you think of it. I think I would have enjoyed it more if I’d done more research and been better prepared for its subject matter and rule breaking structure. I’m surprised reviewers have accepted the ‘usher writing a play about an usher writing a play about an usher writing a play’ narrative without commenting on the influence of Hofstadter’s theories about how the mind works in ‘strange loops’.

[@martinfreeman6491]

Hey Paul I missed this on Broadway. Thanks for your thoughts. Love to chat some time but I am in Sf and you England. Every time I am in NYC i meet with a special friend, ex critic and talk about what shows I have seen and the shows he has seen. I saw Coco and Grind he did not. Believe he goes or did go to over 340 show a year. He goes like I do when I am in NYC but he goes everywhere. So glad I found your Chanel. There is a young man very nice on KZbin that does reviews but I must say your are more interesting. So Thank you

[@TheatreReviewsWithPaulSeven]

Thank you. What a lovely comment.

[@shloopy5]

Thank you for the review. Im curious but I might pass.. Is it propaganda bashing like Barbie? I dont think i can take that again. Another production that went "abstract" and "absurd" and "comedic" to excuse the lack of story and substance and just quoted woke talking-points parrot fashion. If i wanted that i would go to a protest or a lecture.

[@TheatreReviewsWithPaulSeven]

I haven’t seen Barbie but I gather it makes fun of the Barbie world but not enough to kill merchandise sales. A Strange Loop is sincere in its look at the pressure to conform. In this case a gay black writer wants to express the truth about himself but is told, in effect, to tone it down. He is full of doubt and self loathing. There’s no real narrative, more a series of scenes. There is a message about being true to yourself but you don’t feel you’re being bashed over the head with propaganda. It’s well done but the subject matter will not be to everyone’s taste. If in doubt, I’d pass.

[@shloopy5]

@TheatreReviewsWithPaulSeven ooh thank you for the reply :) actually very helpful!

[@meredithchandler73]

Interesting review. It sounds like you enjoyed it (for the most part) and also learned some things you didn't know about before. Not bad.