My own "Diana Coates" review.

Hey Y'all.

I saw Diana's show.  I acutally saw it two weeks ago, but I wanted to wait to write my own review until the really important people saw it...aka her family.  Unfortunately I am so busy that I didn't get to see her loves while they were all in town, but D said that they liked it.  (I'm sure they had a lot  more to say than that, but being her truly humble self, that's all she told me.)

But here is my opinion on the whole thing in case you are curious (or not.) 
Here are a few things that I loved about it. 

1. Simple set.  Some stairs and two pillars.  Seriously, simple is always better in my opinion.  Also, good lighting and costumes.

2. After the first five minutes I forgot I was watching only women.  Well maybe I didn't forget, but I certainly didn't care.  I knew the characters and were invested in them and what they each wanted.

3. I thought there were some really interesting directoral choices made.  Simple and maybe even obvious, but at the same time, I don't think that is the "normal" way for Juilius Ceaser to be done.  It just made sense and everyone used the language so well that I never had to stop and figure out what was going on.  (Okay, let's be honest, there is always that one actor that isn't quite on the same level  as everyone else, but don't worry, it wasn't Diana.)

The one thing that left me a little disappointed was the fighting.  Because it is a fighting company that is known for the stage combat, my expectations may have been a little high. 

As for Diana, well in case you haven't heard, she is awesome. You can read about it here, here, and here.  There are plenty more other reviews that are less specific, but they all basically say that the woman who plays Antony is really good.

And I agree. 

After spending almost everyday of my life for the past three years with the same nine people, working and struggling and learning with them...you tend to get to know them pretty well.  But not only did I study, work, and learn with Diana, I am pretty sure all my free time was/is spent with her too.  Late night girl chats, days shopping/rollercoaster riding/movie watching, and hitching rides everywhere with each other (because we were lucky if between the two of us we had one working car) has resulted in me knowing her pretty darn well.  We are besties through and through, she is my sister from another mister if you will, the chocolate to my vanilla (HEHEHEHE!!! I crack myself up).  So to say that I know her skills, her bag of tricks, and am able to predict what she is going to say and what choice she will make is an understatement.

And yet, I was still surprised.  Not that she was good, we all know Diana is a good actor and that she plays power well.  But she was sooo authentic, her choices were so full of ying and yang that I was captivated by the way that Antony's mind works.  I cared so sincerely for him and rooted for him and yet, at the same time, was a little bit put off by the vengefullness of him.  The sheer gut reactions that he had and yet his artful way of keeping his cool was, well...scary and exciting. 

All that to say that she is in her element here.  She is doing what she was made to do.  She takes the stage and the audience watches and listens.  She has "it" and I am so excited to see what her next project will be, because I know she is only going to keep moving up.

That's all.

D if you are reading this...enjoy it and take it as your Happy Birthday present, because you know I am only this nice while being honest in a very great while ;)