Detroit ending question.

[two ladies tickets]

I saw Detroit at The National in London earlier this year and now I keep hearing about the coup de theatre that happens at the end of the New York production. I was jet lagged when I saw the show in London but don't remember anything like that happening at the end, can someone explain what happens? I'm not going to see it in here in New York so spoil away, thanks in advance.

[bjh2114]

I don't know how anyone could see the show and NOT know what people were talking about...

[ClapYo'Hands]

I also saw it at the NT. It was a big thing but the reaction it seems to be getting over there in the states is huge. Either they changed the effect (i.e made it bigger) or American audiences have just lapped it up more. Either way, it's a great play.

[bjh2114]

The effect is almost exactly the same as it was in London.

[ClapYo'Hands]

Which strikes me as odd, as like I said, it's a great effect but it seems to be such a huge thing over there!

[bjh2114]

I really don't think people have been making too big a deal about it to be perfectly honest.

[ClapYo'Hands]

That's just how it appears to me.

[two ladies tickets]

Since the New York and London productions have different designers I thought that maybe the effects and such had changed or were different somehow. When the show started previews in New York there was indeed much talk about the ending on various message boards.

[bjh2114]

I think that's mostly based on the fact that it's surprising that a play written in this style would have an ending like that. I just don't think most people see it coming. I certainly didn't when I saw it in London. I think the reaction has less to do with how the effect is done and more to do with the fact that it's simply wildly unexpected.

[ClapYo'Hands]

You're probably right.

[jayinchelsea]

Talk about a play being overhyped and overrated. Every time the NY Times (read: Ben Brantley) champions a bad play, it's the audience that pays for it, in every conceivable way. I saw DETROIT this week, and the audience response was palpable: they hated it.

[iluvtheatertrash]

Won't get to see it, but sick of hearing about this and not knowing what it is. Can someone post a spoiler or PM me?