Illusions and Dumb Waiters

I saw my first movie in a long while on Friday. The Illusionist. I can't remember the last time I saw a movie, but I'm pretty sure the last time was in 2005.

Given the fact it was a special occasion for me, I introduced Kate to the Everyman theatre in Hampstead. Basically one of those theatres with a wine bar and the options to sit on couches. Nice.

However I think I've lost the magic of the movie theatre. Maybe it was the wrong movie to go to a theatre for (I guessed the pivotal plot twist as it happened, and it didn't particularly have a heap of action), or maybe it was the venue with the more casual approach of sitting on the couch giving it too much of a home feel. I could have bought a DVD or two with my one ticket price, so what really was I getting from the theatre - I don't know? I'm not in a rush to go see another movie.

Two weeks ago I went to the theatre to see the Dumb Waiter.

In complete contrast to the Illusionist, I didn't pick up on probably half of the inferences, I didn't really understand what was happening with the props and I left feeling like I'd missed a huge chunk of the play. Okay, I guessed the outcome about two thirds of the way through, but the whole thing with theatre is the journey and not the outcome.

I googled it when I got home.

I understand it now and can say with some conviction that it is indeed a good show. Only 50minutes long, but a good show nevertheless.

Yesterday I had the thought that the underlying themes of both the Illusionist and The Dumb Waiter are the same. The Illusionist uses pictures, The Dumb Waiter uses words. Crudely (and succinctly) put, its what you don't see/hear that is important, and it is what you do see/hear that misleads you (or at least attempts to). It scares me that I think there are similarities between a Hollywood movie and a play by a respected playwright given how little I respect Hollywood movies, but what can you do?

So, the Illusionist. Good movie, would buy it on DVD, beautifully crafted, good plot, great acting, nice atmosphere. As for the DW, well it's Mr Pinter - good solid theatre whose success will definitely depend on the actors and the ability to decipher the fact that every word, every sound, every prop and every moment with no words is important.

I'm not sure what I'm going to see next.