Just a quick note (not really a review yet...will write that tomorrow)
It was a very interesting experience and the first thing that I noticed while watching it was that it restoked my love for the original short story in a big way. The beautiful descriptions of the desolate nature that surrounds Jack and Ennis, the simplicity of the story line, the heartwrenching loneliness.
The short story is narrated (the whole story is actually read out) by Jack and Ennis and alternates between a narrator voice (either Jack or Ennis) and real dialogue between the two men. The stage was very sober, just two tall crates and a few beams that they walked on.
I really had to let go of the movie and focus on the fact that this is a stage play that is based on the short story. Jack and Ennis were much more like the Jack and Ennis in the story and I had to get used to that. Everything was much more sober and pure. Jack was very different from how I imagine him now (not how he looks, but his character), I think I have to blame the movie for that.
The play is extremely faithful to the short story, it follows the story completely, they don't leave any dialogue out or add any dialogue, it's exactly like the story.
The translation into Dutch was done with so much love for the original story, it was beautifully done.
When I left the theater I decided to wait and listen to the people talk about the play. Everybody was very enthusiastic but I kept hearing people compare it to the movie. This is inevitable I think, but it's not the right comparison.
If you guys have any questions about the play, let me know and I will answer them as best as I can!