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Post by tonyloco on Mar 5, 2020 11:55:37 GMT
Thinking about The Merchant of Venice, I saw a totally traditional production in Sydney in the late 1950s starring Robert Helpmann as Shylock and Katharine Hepburn as Portia.
These days I expect Hepburn would play Shylock, but would Helpmann play Portia? Probably! 
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Post by tonyloco on Mar 5, 2020 22:53:36 GMT
Katharine Hepburn as Portia And yet again our beloved tonyloco drops a jealousy bomb on us all from on high... oh wow, Tony, just, wow! Yes. It was in 1955 and a complete company from the Old Vic toured Australia with rather lavish traditional productions of The Merchant of Venice, Measure for Measure and The Taming of the Shrew. Robert Helpmann and Katharine Hepburn played the leads in all three plays and they were directed by Michael Benthall. It was a six-month tour of all the capital cities. As a wide-eyed 18-year-old I saw all three productions and was blown away by the magnificence of it all. In the 1950s the professional theatre in Sydney did very few productions of Shakespeare or the classics so this visit of the Old Vic with three Shakespeare Plays was a major theatrical event and to get to see Helpmann and especially Hepburn in those iconic roles was something really special – and they didn't disappoint. In those days nobody worried about the morality of these particular plays regarding their treatment of women or Jews – they were just plays for entertainment – and the season was warmly welcomed by the critics and the public alike and my memories of seeing the plays remain vivid some 65 years later. |
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Post by showgirl on Mar 6, 2020 4:56:00 GMT
No concerns re travel or ticket cost but Tracy Ann Oberman does give me pause as in the last production in which I saw her (Mother Of Him, last autumn at the Park Theatre), she gave a very one-note performance which made the play a slog to endure. It may have been the direction (or lack of it) but I will wait for the reviews this time.
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Post by Jan on Mar 6, 2020 7:35:18 GMT
Yes. It was in 1955 …… ….. In the 1950s the professional theatre in Sydney did very few productions of Shakespeare or the classics so this visit of the Old Vic with three Shakespeare Plays was a major theatrical event Have you read "Inside Trader" by Trader Faulkner (Australian actor born 1927) ? He reports on the visit by Tyrone Guthrie to Australia in 1949 to advise them on setting up a National Theatre - his report was rather disobliging ! "At that time Tyrone Guthrie was visiting Australia to advise on the possibility of forming an Australian National Theatre. In Britain, Guthrie had directed all the greats – Olivier, Guinness, Gielgud, and Richardson – in some of the most famous productions of the 1930s and 40s. In Australia, however, he was intensely disliked for having candidly told his hosts, ‘Well, ladies and gentlemen, as regards an Australian national theatre, you’re simply not yet ready. So you’d better put that idea down the lavatory and pull the chain.’ This was said at a reception in his honour, after his having seen what Australia had to offer theatrically." |
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Post by tonyloco on Mar 6, 2020 10:55:12 GMT
Yes. It was in 1955 …… ….. In the 1950s the professional theatre in Sydney did very few productions of Shakespeare or the classics so this visit of the Old Vic with three Shakespeare Plays was a major theatrical event Have you read "Inside Trader" by Trader Faulkner (Australian actor born 1927) ? He reports on the visit by Tyrone Guthrie to Australia in 1949 to advise them on setting up a National Theatre - his report was rather disobliging ! "At that time Tyrone Guthrie was visiting Australia to advise on the possibility of forming an Australian National Theatre. In Britain, Guthrie had directed all the greats – Olivier, Guinness, Gielgud, and Richardson – in some of the most famous productions of the 1930s and 40s. In Australia, however, he was intensely disliked for having candidly told his hosts, ‘Well, ladies and gentlemen, as regards an Australian national theatre, you’re simply not yet ready. So you’d better put that idea down the lavatory and pull the chain.’ This was said at a reception in his honour, after his having seen what Australia had to offer theatrically." Brilliant! No, I am not familiar with "Inside Trader" but I will look it out I think Guthrie was talking sense, but he might have expressed it a bit more politely. In fact, in 1954 the Elizabethan Theatre Trust was established as a kind of Australian National Theatre but as well as drama they also supported opera and ballet in which they were more successful than drama. But before I left Australia in 1960, the Trust had put on, amongst other plays, a production of Medea starring Judith Anderson, Julius Caesar (Shakespeare), Ray Lawler's Australian play The Summer of the Seventeenth Doll and a memorable version of Long Day's Journey into Night which was quite overwhelming. But in 1949 the commercial theatre, certainly in Sydney, was putting on only the latest American musical comedies, usually with imported stars, and the flimsiest West End comedies so I can imagine how Guthrie felt after he saw the state of commercial theatre there at that time. But in defence of my Aussie pals, I should say that there were some outstandingly good local actors and actresses who worked on the radio and Guthrie may not have been aware of this. Sorry but I seem to have hijacked this thread away from Tracy Ann Oberman as Shylock! |
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Post by Jan on Mar 6, 2020 13:24:29 GMT
Sorry but I seem to have hijacked this thread away from Tracy Ann Oberman as Shylock! No, just gone in a fascinating direction with it is all . Quite. As this production hasn’t opened yet we are just the support act entertaining the audience before the main event. At one point Trader Faulkner felt that he had been slighted by Trevor Nunn who had not offered him work, here is his magnanimous explanation: “That was the last I ever saw of him {Trevor Nunn}. I regret still that we never really worked together. I admire his work as a theatre and opera director. He and Peter Hall have followed similar career paths, and when you’re in those powerful positions no consideration can be given to secondary issues like friendship or loyalty.” |
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Post by Jan on Nov 20, 2021 16:50:37 GMT
This production which was postponed due to COVID is being revived in early 2023. I read a comment up the thread about whether given her lack of Shakespeare experience Shylock was a good choice for her. I was reminded of when Dustin Hoffman approached Peter Hall for his first (I think) Shakespeare role and suggested Hamlet. Hall was horrified and using all his diplomatic skills steered him towards Shylock instead which they eventually staged in the West End. The role of Hamlet has 1476 lines. Do you know how many lines Shylock has ? Have a guess .... 79 |
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Post by oxfordsimon on Nov 20, 2021 17:55:49 GMT
The costumes from the Hoffman production were donated to the wardrobe I used to run. Hoffman was tiny!
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Post by londonpostie on Nov 20, 2021 18:02:22 GMT
This production which was postponed due to COVID is being revived in early 2023.
God, I adore TAO. She could read my Council Tax demands and I'd weep with joy: sign me up!
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Post by lynette on Nov 20, 2021 20:49:02 GMT
This production which was postponed due to COVID is being revived in early 2023. I read a comment up the thread about whether given her lack of Shakespeare experience Shylock was a good choice for her. I was reminded of when Dustin Hoffman approached Peter Hall for his first (I think) Shakespeare role and suggested Hamlet. Hall was horrified and using all his diplomatic skills steered him towards Shylock instead which they eventually staged in the West End. The role of Hamlet has 1476 lines. Do you know how many lines Shylock has ? Have a guess .... 79 Interesting this isn’t it because one of the qs people ask is who is the Merchant of Venice, Antonio or Shylock. I don't think Willie was too bothered about titles ( Henry 1, Henry II Henry III ) but it is a good question. You could almost take it as a critique of the whole mercantile system in Venice, the commercial attitude of the people, the way women are in fact chattels to be given by fathers etc. Great stuff. Shylock’s lines are pretty good, meaty stuff. He does actually weigh up the value of cash against his daughter. It is brilliantly done . Stating the obvious here but in so few lines. |
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Post by kate8 on Nov 8, 2022 21:13:23 GMT
This is at Watford Palace Feb-March and then HOME Manchester.
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Post by Rory on Nov 8, 2022 21:46:59 GMT
Is Tracy-Ann Oberman leaving Noises Off early then?
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Post by profquatermass on Nov 8, 2022 21:58:13 GMT
Im sure Ive seen a female Shylock at the Globe - in one of those stripped down touring productions
This one vould be great
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Post by Jan on Nov 9, 2022 7:04:15 GMT
I see the RSC are somehow connected to this production.
"Erica Whyman, acting Artistic Director of the RSC says "The RSC has been privileged to play a small part in the development of this passionate project, which is such a timely reading of Shakespeare's play. I have no doubt that Merchant 1936 will be an urgent and powerful event in the theatre, revealing the painful injustice of our own time as well as a very important piece of our history.""
Originally it was supposed to be playing Kingston too but no confirmation of that this time.
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Post by kate8 on Nov 9, 2022 8:31:26 GMT
Is Tracy-Ann Oberman leaving Noises Off early then? She must be missing at least the last two weeks of Noises Off. |
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Post by zahidf on Mar 20, 2023 11:18:32 GMT
At Wiltons music Hall 7 - 11 November
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Post by lynette on Mar 20, 2023 17:19:32 GMT
At Wiltons music Hall 7 - 11 November Great venue. Cable street v near the Music Hall and the interior should provide very atmospheric effect. It will be like the actors are people coming off the streets of the very place T-A O is referencing. |
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Post by londonpostie on Mar 20, 2023 17:43:35 GMT
At Wiltons music Hall 7 - 11 November
Thanks.
I'm in for Friday. Short run, selling well. Def one to catch.
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Post by Steve on Mar 20, 2023 23:31:18 GMT
That's a very short run for this, and it's worth it! I saw it at Watford Palace, and I loved it, for how unique it is, and for what it has to say. Some spoilers follow. . . The material Shakespeare intended to be funny isn't funny in this, so don't book a ticket for the jokes. There is just no way you can laugh it up in approbation with people wearing Fascist uniforms in 1936. Some of the comedy has been abridged and that which remains doesn't play as funny, but as sinister. That said, this felt like a genuinely original take, bringing the action home to London, with Mosley at his zenith. Antonio's seeming gentleness and charm is especially sinister, when he's got his armband on, putting me in mind of prominent Nazis who also considered themselves cultured and refined (with a side of genocide, of course). I had stage seats at the Palace, and I don't see stage seats on sale here. Those seats had a special function and meaning at the Palace, so I wonder whether there will be stage seats for this, or whether the function and meaning will be transmitted in another way. At the end, Tracy-Ann Oberman took my hand and asked for support, from myself and the other 9 stage seats, against Mosley's Fascists. We formed a line and helped hold a banner opposing the Fascists, and the theme revealed itself that the only way to stop fascism from rising again, is, of course, for good people to join in speaking out against it. I was overwhelmed with tears. It's a key part of what makes the production distinctive and special. 4 stars from me. |
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Post by showgirl on Mar 22, 2023 4:32:48 GMT
I also saw this in Watford recently and am sure the London date has only just been announced as though at the time there were references to a tour to follow, only the Stratford run had been listed. Watford would still have been the easier travel option for me than Wiltons - and a better space imo.
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Post by david on Mar 25, 2023 22:24:37 GMT
First show of my Manchester weekend. Having previously only seen the Jonathan Pyrce / RSC version on tour when it played at the Liverpool Playhouse, this new version running at MCR HOME from Brigid Larmour and TAO really was a great watch. Moving the plot to 1936 London was a great idea and as the creatives noted in the programme notes it allows an examination of the social and political issues surrounding antisemitism and prejudice. The use of video projections (as well as the use of the on stage audience members at the end) help to reinforce the message and the experience of the real life people connected to the Battle of Cable St and the people associated with Mosley. It really is powerful stuff to watch over the 2hr run time and Steve noted, with this version, the humour that has been retained from the original text has been curtailed and has more darker meaning here. For me it certainly gave me food for thought to chew over and to do further rereading on post show. Rating - 4⭐️ |
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Post by Jan on Nov 8, 2023 7:16:27 GMT
This is now at Wiltons. It is very good and worth seeing. As is fashionable these days it is cut heavily to 2hrs which includes an interval. They have done this mostly by compressing scenes rather than cutting them although the character of Old Gobbo has been eliminated which is a big plus in my book. The reduced running time doesn't really detract from the play at all.
Other than that it is a rather conventional almost old-fashioned production - it reminded me of Trevor Nunn's 1999 NT production set in 1930s Berlin. Shylock is presented as a sympathetic character and everyone else isn't and that is just an extreme case of the usual modern interpretation - the one production I remember where Shylock was presented as an out-and-out villain swiftly ran into problems. It is very well acted throughout with a good set and costumes.
Personally I could have done without the framing device and curtain speech but I suppose as the theatre has had to employ visible extra security at the door for this one it is relevant in a way they couldn't have imagined when the production was conceived.
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Post by Jon on Nov 11, 2023 12:45:02 GMT
Given Trafalgar is one of the producers, I wonder if a run at the Trafalgar Theatre could work? It has sold very well at both Wilton's and Watford.
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Post by Being Alive on Nov 11, 2023 14:08:58 GMT
It sold very badly in Bromley though, so I'm not sure that a London run really is all that likely.
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Post by Mr Snow on Nov 13, 2023 20:10:46 GMT
This is now at Wiltons. It is very good and worth seeing. As is fashionable these days it is cut heavily to 2hrs which includes an interval. They have done this mostly by compressing scenes rather than cutting them although the character of Old Gobbo has been eliminated which is a big plus in my book. The reduced running time doesn't really detract from the play at all. Other than that it is a rather conventional almost old-fashioned production - it reminded me of Trevor Nunn's 1999 NT production set in 1930s Berlin. Shylock is presented as a sympathetic character and everyone else isn't and that is just an extreme case of the usual modern interpretation - the one production I remember where Shylock was presented as an out-and-out villain swiftly ran into problems. It is very well acted throughout with a good set and costumes. Personally I could have done without the framing device and curtain speech but I suppose as the theatre has had to employ visible extra security at the door for this one it is relevant in a way they couldn't have imagined when the production was conceived. Agreed. After seeing to many polite and reverential Shakespeare productions, this one had real punch to it. However As someone said above, the characters wearing Nazi armbands were dangerous and seductive, whereas the projected images were way to obvious. At Wiltons with the final curtain Ms Oberman made a speech which made several references to the "Battle of Cable Street and Oswold Mosley. Either the following guys are wrong podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/oswald-mosley-fascist-leader/id1537788786?i=1000629007957or she was incorrect to say e.g. The battle was not the beginning of the end for the Blackshirts they had been in decline for a few years and indeed it gave them a sort of afterlife in the east end. Mosley and Hitler were not friends. The conceited Mosley rather looked down on Hitler. The fighting was between the anti-fascist protesters and the police (sound familiar/). The two rival marchers never met. Now, perhaps more than ever accuracy is important. Reservations above aside, a worthwhile night out. Congratulations on a brave production. |
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