998 posts
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RSC 2019
Jun 23, 2019 11:10:00 GMT
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Post by David J on Jun 23, 2019 11:10:00 GMT
2011 Roxanna Silbert production for me with Paul Chahidi as Lucio, Jodie McNee as Isabella, Jamie Ballard as Angelo and Raymond Coulthard, with his magic card tricks, as the duke
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RSC 2019
Jun 23, 2019 12:25:30 GMT
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Post by Jan on Jun 23, 2019 12:25:30 GMT
Mine is the late 80s RSC version at the Barbican directed by Nicholas Hytner with Roger Allam as the Duke, John Shrapnel as Angelo, Josette Simon as Isabella and a brilliantly funny Alex Jennings as Lucio. I'd happily see Hytner do a Shakespeare a year for the next few years at the Bridge - especially as my daughters are entering the age at which they'd really enjoy them. Saw that one, Jennings stole the show. When will we see his Lear, i wonder? Still nothing at the Bridge to make me go im afraid. Jennings - agree. That production had an interesting design, they were wearing clothes, all consistent, with no historical precedent that I could see at all, so it was set in some sort of entirely imaginary world. I think the best M4M I’ve seen was the Almeida Anna Maxwell-Martin / Rory Kinnear one, but it is very rarely done badly.
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Post by Fleance on Jun 24, 2019 1:41:29 GMT
Venice Preserved, pretty good, dont really think its the lost masterpiece some think it is. However its the kind of play the RSC should be doing. There was a fine production of Venice Preserv'd at the National in 1984, with Ian McKellen, Michael Pennington, and Jane Lapotaire, directed by Peter Gill. The scenes between Hugh Paddick (Antonio) and Stephanie Beacham (Aquilina) were quite amusing.
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Post by Jan on Jun 24, 2019 6:40:52 GMT
Venice Preserved, pretty good, dont really think its the lost masterpiece some think it is. However its the kind of play the RSC should be doing. There was a fine production of Venice Preserv'd at the National in 1984, with Ian McKellen, Michael Pennington, and Jane Lapotaire, directed by Peter Gill. The scenes between Hugh Paddick (Antonio) and Stephanie Beacham (Aquilina) were quite amusing. Given the high quality of the talent involved (Peter Gill excepted) I was a little disappointed by that production, I think the play does not live up to its reputation.
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Post by Fleance on Jun 24, 2019 14:18:56 GMT
There was a fine production of Venice Preserv'd at the National in 1984, with Ian McKellen, Michael Pennington, and Jane Lapotaire, directed by Peter Gill. The scenes between Hugh Paddick (Antonio) and Stephanie Beacham (Aquilina) were quite amusing. Given the high quality of the talent involved (Peter Gill excepted) I was a little disappointed by that production, I think the play does not live up to its reputation. In those more youthful days, I would often go to plays at the NT that I had never heard of, if I liked the cast. I had never heard of Venice Preserv'd and was quite excited by it. My job is sort of theater-related, and years later, I tried to work the play (unsuccessfully) into a project I was working on. Other plays I saw at the NT that I had never heard of but that thoroughly impressed me were Lorenzaccio, Martine, and The Mayor of Zalamea. I'll never forget the curtain going up on Martine: Wendy Morgan in the wheat field, with the most wonderful golden lighting.
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RSC 2019
Aug 10, 2019 15:30:14 GMT
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Post by learfan on Aug 10, 2019 15:30:14 GMT
Saw Measure for Measure today. Really good. Set in the early 1900s,mirrors on the wall upstage that turned to allow access. Lucy Phelps a revelation as Isabella, i havent seen her Rosalind but she is a potential star. Joseph Arkley and Claire Price continue their superb work in Shrew. Fast moving and clear production. Foyer and shop rammed, house full. Very much looking forward to the 2020 season announcement next month.
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Post by lynette on Aug 12, 2019 22:45:58 GMT
Venice Preserv’d - loved it. just what the RSC should be doing, as you say leafan. Can be described by that awful epithet ‘relevant’ without having it shoved down your throat. Great set, great music and well, the acting would have made Otway proud. The programme says he wrote the part of Belvidera for Mrs Barry one of the first actresses on the English stage. Well, Jodie McNee can give her a run for her money. I am not one for violence (much 😁😁 ) but here it was really well done. Never seen better deaths than how they did them at the end. Much better than Titus Andronicus in regard to blood and so on to be honest but of course we are well post Shakespeare and the Civil War not far past in their minds. I think here the direction had that in mind. This was drama with hardly any redemption if any. The death of the friends offset by the horror of the death of Belvidera. Really good stuff.
It was half empty which was such a shame. I know Monday not a good day but apparently it hasn’t sold well. The reviews killed it I fear. With The Provoked Wife, a great double. I fear the empty seats might strike the management too chilly for further similar programming.
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349 posts
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Post by lichtie on Aug 13, 2019 11:32:54 GMT
Venice was half empty when I saw it on a weekend. I suspect it's more of a hard sell given the subject matter even before the reviews. Provoked Wife did better in that regard, but even it wasn't full when I saw it (again a weekend).
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RSC 2019
Aug 13, 2019 12:20:07 GMT
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Post by Jan on Aug 13, 2019 12:20:07 GMT
Venice was half empty when I saw it on a weekend. I suspect it's more of a hard sell given the subject matter even before the reviews. Provoked Wife did better in that regard, but even it wasn't full when I saw it (again a weekend). Hard sell in Stratford. There’s an audience in London but of course there isn’t a suitable theatre for a transfer and they regard the London audience as a cash cow only so we only get their big dull Shakespeares (ironically at massive discounts).
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Post by NeilVHughes on Aug 13, 2019 12:38:08 GMT
It is a shame very few of the Swan productions make it to the Barbican, can only remember The Alchemist in the recent past and have rarely been disappointed with what I have seen in the Swan. On the positive side with the RST and Swan it’s easy to make a 3 play weekend on my quarterly visits to Bardsville.
Definitely missed a trick with The Rover loved it in the Swan and surprised Kunene and the King has not been transferred.
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5,571 posts
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Post by lynette on Aug 13, 2019 13:01:22 GMT
Venice was half empty when I saw it on a weekend. I suspect it's more of a hard sell given the subject matter even before the reviews. Provoked Wife did better in that regard, but even it wasn't full when I saw it (again a weekend). Hard sell in Stratford. There’s an audience in London but of course there isn’t a suitable theatre for a transfer and they regard the London audience as a cash cow only so we only get their big dull Shakespeares (ironically at massive discounts). Why such a hard sell in Stratford? Lots of the ‘elite’ in the Midlands, you know. I and I’m sure, you too , have been at plays with full houses when the play is obscure and ‘difficult’. I think it is more a case of ‘no sell’. I don't see a lot of real publicity out there, lots of printed pamphlets but where are they circulated and more needed on t’internet’ and frankly on the television. Those morning and late afternoon local magazine type progs could get the word out. And schools of course. They like the mainstream on the GCSE syllabus but this play in particular would be brilliant for A level guys - the post Willie refs were unending. I see it as a perception problem.
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349 posts
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Post by lichtie on Aug 13, 2019 13:28:14 GMT
I've actually seen quite a lot of younger people on the cheap tickets in the Swan. So they're getting the message in part at least. Personally, I don't think their website is really up to scratch in terms of selling something obscure or new.
Clearly they can transfer some small venue things as well given that #WeAreArrested is getting a second life in London at the Arcola. Maybe there is scope for future collaboration there?
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Post by lynette on Aug 13, 2019 22:54:03 GMT
Yes, Arcola perfect for TheOtherPlace stuff.
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RSC 2019
Aug 13, 2019 22:55:25 GMT
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Post by learfan on Aug 13, 2019 22:55:25 GMT
Venice was half empty when I saw it on a weekend. I suspect it's more of a hard sell given the subject matter even before the reviews. Provoked Wife did better in that regard, but even it wasn't full when I saw it (again a weekend). Hard sell in Stratford. There’s an audience in London but of course there isn’t a suitable theatre for a transfer and they regard the London audience as a cash cow only so we only get their big dull Shakespeares (ironically at massive discounts). It was undercast imo. Fairly unknown play, was always going to be a hard sell, but glad they did it.
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5,571 posts
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Post by lynette on Aug 22, 2019 22:29:36 GMT
Just seen Measure for Measure, the strongest of this season’s Shakespeares I think. Lovely setting in Vienna’s Belle Époque, pared back set, good use of sound and lighting, all what you would expect from GD. His interpretation of Isabella and the Duke at the end is in line with most of the productions I have ever seen. Useful that Shakespeare gives her no words at that end, such an eloquent character becomes quite dumb. Lucius clever interpretation, a flaneur, devoid of any morals at all in a story where you are hard pressed to find your way, find firm ground amid the deception. This is today’s play, not only for the sexual theme but for the theme of justice and good governance. Bernadine is probably one of my favourite characters in all of Shakespeare. We are told he is a murderer, has served nine years ( which today would have him released I expect) and he simply defies authority, refuses to be executed.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 23, 2019 20:09:31 GMT
I went last weekend with Rush tickets for Venice Preserved and Measure for Measure. I really loved the first half of Venice Preserved, but then it seemed like a different play in the second half. Lots of characters seemed to disappear and I was a bit confused by the end. Overall though, I really liked it.
The people next to me hated it and left at the interval. They seemed quite put out by the trolley full of dildos.
I didn't enjoy Measure for Measure much. It isn't a play I know, and I got a bit bored and found myself looking at my watch. I thought some of the characters were quite panto, and I know that I never need to see another comedy idiot Shakespearean policeman getting his words muddled.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 23, 2019 20:10:09 GMT
Oh, and one thing I noticed - the programmes no longer have a list of all the plays, with the ones they've done greyed out. Interesting.
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Post by lynette on Aug 23, 2019 20:59:08 GMT
I expect there was a thing about the ‘policemen’ such as they were at the time, the ‘watch’ as it is called in Much Ado, that it was made fun of. Mr Plod, eh?
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Post by bgarde on Aug 23, 2019 21:34:17 GMT
I found Measure For Measure the most moving thing I've seen in a while - it will stay with me and gives quite a bit to think about after. Definitely my favourite of the RSC productions I've seen this year.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 23, 2019 21:55:38 GMT
I expect there was a thing about the ‘policemen’ such as they were at the time, the ‘watch’ as it is called in Much Ado, that it was made fun of. Mr Plod, eh?
Didn't Shakespeare keep putting them in to keep Will Kemp happy?
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998 posts
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Post by David J on Aug 23, 2019 22:30:20 GMT
Oh, and one thing I noticed - the programmes no longer have a list of all the plays, with the ones they've done greyed out. Interesting. Here tonight and they now have these round pictures up in the foyer of all Shakespeares plays, with the ones they’ve done filled with a production photo (except AYLI, MM and TS oddly). The rest are greyed out
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RSC 2019
Aug 24, 2019 6:12:48 GMT
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Post by learfan on Aug 24, 2019 6:12:48 GMT
Oh, and one thing I noticed - the programmes no longer have a list of all the plays, with the ones they've done greyed out. Interesting. . Yes, thats annoyed me, also some programmes have had a potted production history and some haven't. All very peculiar.
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RSC 2019
Aug 24, 2019 6:15:07 GMT
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Post by learfan on Aug 24, 2019 6:15:07 GMT
Oh, and one thing I noticed - the programmes no longer have a list of all the plays, with the ones they've done greyed out. Interesting. Here tonight and they now have these round pictures up in the foyer of all Shakespeares plays, with the ones they’ve done filled with a production photo (except AYLI, MM and TS oddly). The rest are greyed out To be fair those pendants, i believe they are called, have been there some weeks. As in another thread, i have queried wuth them why Pericles is included.
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5,571 posts
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Post by lynette on Aug 24, 2019 16:23:04 GMT
I expect there was a thing about the ‘policemen’ such as they were at the time, the ‘watch’ as it is called in Much Ado, that it was made fun of. Mr Plod, eh?
Didn't Shakespeare keep putting them in to keep Will Kemp happy?
Yes indeed, him or maybe others we don’t know about. Lovely to think of an apprentice nudging his mate, saying, ‘Here he comes, now we’ll have a laugh’.
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Xanderl
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Not always very high value in terms of ticket yield or donations
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Post by Xanderl on Sept 27, 2019 8:39:35 GMT
As part of their £10 Friday Rush they are doing rush tickets for their tour dates at the Lowry - book through this link and you can get them www.rsc.org.uk/rush-ticketsAlready active although the normal rush starts at mid-day.
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