Play review: top dog / under dog creative writing examples

Introduction

You might say that plays are getting obsolete with time, and the big screen movies are gaining dominance over other forms of media and entertainment. But the truth is that drama and plays have always been an integral part of entertainment. Even today, in houses, plays are preferred over high-end movies and concerts. Plays make spending time with family easier and fun-filled. Where movies come for a high cost and generally span for about more than a couple of hours, plays are comparatively affordable both time and money-wise. Also, it is often observed that actors in plays perform much well than in movies. There is an almost real touch to the acting that one can relate to as true. Many plays and dramas have had impacts on lives of people. Romeo & Juliet, Funny Girl, Les Miserables, King Lear, Othello, Antigones, Bigriver, Dreamgirls, Godspell, Peter Pam, Phantom of Opera etc. have been some of the plays I have watched and loved. I recently watched a theatrical play by the name ‘ TopDog/UnderDog’ on 16th July 2013 which I would like to talk about.

Critical Review of the Play

The title of the play “ Top Dog / Under Dog’ is authored by Suzan-Lori Parks and brilliantly directed by Jennifer Nelson. Actors Eric Berryman and Ken Yatta Rogers have performed the lead roles in the play.
‘ TopDog/UnderDog’ is a comic play about two Brothers Lincoln and Booth who struggle to seek existence in the world with their outwardly ways. Both these brothers are con-artists and have resorted to second ways of living. They are con-artists practicing card hustling, shop-lifting etc. and lead complex lives coated with rivalry against each other. In the play, Actor Eric Berryman plays Booth and Ken Yatta Rogers plays the brother Lincoln, thereby giving the audience fairly well-done and emotional performances.
Both Lincoln and Booth have seen the so-called hard days in life right since young age. As kids, they were abandoned by parents. When they grew up, fate was tough on them landing them in difficult and awkward situations. As adults, they failed and grieved over lost romantic relationships.

Action Description of Actor

The play starts on a sentimental note when Lincoln has to raise Booth too while both are kids and face hardships. As they grow, Booth, the younger of the two starts to develop feelings contrary to brotherhood and turns envious of Lincoln and that gives rise to enmity amongst the brothers. More so because they fall into a common occupation of card hustling. Lincoln initially teaches Booth the tricks and techniques to ace the occupation but gradually as he learns that Booth is first cheating on him with his profession and then his wife, Lincoln gives up being the smart loving elder brother and that when the real violence begins between them.
The plot is simple one but one that makes you sit back and think. The violence and bitterness in the relationships is something that dwells in your mind and makes you ponder and turn skeptical about your own relationships. I did not much agree with Booth’s character who always tries to find faults in Lincoln. He not only betrays Lincoln but also shreds that last piece of attachment or human relation Lincoln really has in the world that he can call his own. All through the play, Booth portrays a very misguided, selfish, shady and misogynistic kind of character. He constantly fights and insults Lincoln all the time even when Lincoln is trying to be supportive to him. Unpleasant as it seemed to me, it was highly unsuitable to watch it in young teenage company as it tends to leave negative impact on young minds. Booth committing adultery with Lincoln’s wife whom he so loves, devastates Lincoln totally. The story is centered on both the underdogs and their competitive feelings against each other that will hike one as a top dog from another.

Conclusion

Based on the aforesaid facts and action details of the play, it can be safely assumed that although this is a riveting story, it doesn’t leave me with pleasant thoughts. In other words, it can be said that I am left disturbed and distressed although the performances are poignant and convincing. Despite all these, there is lot of learning that one can draw from this play in the real life situations.

Works Cited

1. Parks, Suzan-Lori. Play: Topdog/Underdog. EVERYMAN. 6 Jul 2011 Web. 16 Jul. 2013.