Every week, I compose listings on the week's new plays for Metromix NY. I'm often disappointed by the titles that playwrights choose for their work, so I'm reviewing their titles now. Not the shows (I haven't seen them yet) just the titles. To read about the content of each show, click through its link to my listings on Metromix NY.
EAST TO EDINBURGH FESTIVAL
There's a sense of adventure to the phrase “East to Edinburgh”. The Scottish capital is world-famous for its theater festival, which lends its excitement and quality to this one. And there's an implied definite article: East to [the] Edinburgh Festival. Not bad, though not great.
THE MIDTOWN INTERNATIONAL THEATER FESTIVAL
“Midtown International” sounds like a hotel. It's the sort of corporate-speak that, on analysis, is a stupid paradox (it's local & it's global!). And who goes to midtown for theater? There's no style called “midtown theater”, it's either “downtown” or “uptown” in NYC. An ugly, utilitarian title that kills the celebratory connotation of “festival”.
PUPPETRY OF THE PENIS
It's hard to believe but this title is strictly descriptive, no metaphor involved. And aside from the alliteration, it's not very poetic: “penis” isn't the most euphonic Latin word, & its long “e” and sibilant “s” jar against the spritely “puppetry”.
SEE ROCK CITY & OTHER DESTINATIONS
This title's playful imperative and allusion to old US postcards (“See beautiful Niagara Falls!”) makes it work. “Rock City” implies a mythic Jerusalem of rock'n'roll where drugs are cheap, sex is cheaper, pants are tight, and the girls are either skanky or androgynous (or boys!). It makes me want to visit, and to find out what the other destinations are.
EAST TO EDINBURGH FESTIVAL
There's a sense of adventure to the phrase “East to Edinburgh”. The Scottish capital is world-famous for its theater festival, which lends its excitement and quality to this one. And there's an implied definite article: East to [the] Edinburgh Festival. Not bad, though not great.
THE MIDTOWN INTERNATIONAL THEATER FESTIVAL
“Midtown International” sounds like a hotel. It's the sort of corporate-speak that, on analysis, is a stupid paradox (it's local & it's global!). And who goes to midtown for theater? There's no style called “midtown theater”, it's either “downtown” or “uptown” in NYC. An ugly, utilitarian title that kills the celebratory connotation of “festival”.
PUPPETRY OF THE PENIS
It's hard to believe but this title is strictly descriptive, no metaphor involved. And aside from the alliteration, it's not very poetic: “penis” isn't the most euphonic Latin word, & its long “e” and sibilant “s” jar against the spritely “puppetry”.
SEE ROCK CITY & OTHER DESTINATIONS
This title's playful imperative and allusion to old US postcards (“See beautiful Niagara Falls!”) makes it work. “Rock City” implies a mythic Jerusalem of rock'n'roll where drugs are cheap, sex is cheaper, pants are tight, and the girls are either skanky or androgynous (or boys!). It makes me want to visit, and to find out what the other destinations are.
No comments:
Post a Comment