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Blue/Orange

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About this listen

 Winner of the 2001 Olivier Award for Best New Play, Blue/Orange sets the stage for a clash of wills between two psychiatrists: one is a new, inexperienced doctor just starting out, the other is his well-established mentor. The diagnosis and treatment of a young black man named Chris, who claims to be the son of African dictator Idi Amin, sparks a conflict between the two doctors. As Chris becomes a pawn in their battle, listeners are left wondering who, if anyone, is sane in this dark, edgy comedy.©2003 Joe Penhall (P)2006 L.A. Theatre Works Drama & Plays European World Literature

Editor reviews

This award-winning British play reminds one of Tod Browning's "Dracula," in which an attendant of a lunatic asylum turns to a nurse and says, "They're all crazy except me and you. And sometimes I have me doubts about you." In Blue/Orange, two psychiatrists fight over the fate of a black inmate who thinks he's the son of Idi Amin. Underlying the humor and conflict, pragmatism and idealism are at war. A superb three-man cast energetically plays the comic battle of wills before an appreciative studio audience. Effete Daniel Davis, familiar as Niles in TV's "The Nanny," steals the show by the strength of his personality and lyrical delivery. Fine writing, an important subject, and excellent performances make this a thinking listener's treat.
All stars
Most relevant
Great performances of a British play by an American cast. The accents were terrible though!

Worth a listen

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This has recently be revived in London with a female trainee not a male one, altering the feel of the play entirely and making it feel in some scenes much more like David Mamet’s Oleanna.

I enjoyed this LATW performance very much but the accents are problematic for a British listener. Dr Smith’s is fine (although the character is supposed to be a once trendy 70s psychiatrist familiar with RD Laing and Alan Ginsburg) but Dr Flaherty is too posh and Chris, sorry, I am afraid Chris is terrible (unless it was the intention to make the character Australian). Makes Dick Van Dyke seem like Merck Streep.

No problem with the performances otherwise, and a great way of accessing the play

Great play

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This is a very good play executed badly . I’m very sorry to say these accents are awfuuuuuuuul. Sounds like you’re taking the piss out of English people.

These accents are awful

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