171 posts
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Post by moelhywel on Nov 17, 2017 19:06:50 GMT
I was at the first preview of Imperium Part 1 Conspirator last night and be prepared it is long. It's the first time I can remember there being a play with two intervals at Stratford. This makes it 3 hours and 40 minutes long, approximately. It's a hell of a role for Richard McCabe as Cicero, who is excellent and is hardly ever off stage. The set is a large set of steps with a mosaic of a pair of eyes on the back wall. There are also occasional uses of things rising up from the floor. I've never read the Robert Harris books on which the plays are based, or knew hardly anything about Cicero, so I came to it with a completely open mind. It comes over very clearly and is "told" by Cicero's secretary Tiro, well played by Joseph Kloska. I also thought Joe Dixon as Catiline and Peter de Jersey as Julius Caesar good. Look out for a Donald Trump Pompey played by Christopher Saul, although quite why I'm not sure. It did raise some laughs however. Hopefully it will be tightened up as the run progresses as it really is too long but I'm not sure where this could happen. I'll be interested to see how Part 2 turns out.
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Post by oxfordsimon on Nov 17, 2017 19:36:34 GMT
Did it feel like a satisfying single evening?
Am intrigued by the fact that they are doing 3 stories over 2 performances and wondered if you felt that the end of the first 1.5 stories felt like a whole rather than leaving you hanging.
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171 posts
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Post by moelhywel on Nov 17, 2017 20:03:31 GMT
It didn't leave you hanging so could be viewed just as a play by itself. As I said, I haven't read the books but I think that Part 1 covered the first two books and Part 2 will be the final book. The play seems to start a long way into the first book, with Tiro basically giving us a synopsis of what went before. Part 1 ends with Cicero's downfall and Caesar's rise to power so there seems to be a natural break in the story.
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Post by oxfordsimon on Nov 17, 2017 20:06:26 GMT
Thanks - I thought it was an odd choice to describe the adaptation as they did - rather than as just Part 1 and Part 2 - but glad it works as a whole
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5,707 posts
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Post by lynette on Nov 17, 2017 23:10:44 GMT
Hope Richard McCabe does well. Remember his Puck in the chewing gum Dream, anyone?
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1,119 posts
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Post by martin1965 on Nov 18, 2017 5:20:39 GMT
St Trinians more like! Yes he was sensational in that. Ive liked him ever since but as i dont know the books at all im not going to this.
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Post by theatremad on Nov 18, 2017 8:21:23 GMT
So looking forward to this
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Post by Jan on Nov 18, 2017 8:56:02 GMT
Hope Richard McCabe does well. Remember his Puck in the chewing gum Dream, anyone? Of course. Very good. |
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903 posts
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Post by bordeaux on Nov 18, 2017 11:19:01 GMT
Hope Richard McCabe does well. Remember his Puck in the chewing gum Dream, anyone? Yes, indeed. I'd also add that the Rude Mechanicals' performance of Pyramus and Thisbe in that production (directed by John Caird) is probably the funniest 15-20 minutes I've ever spent in a theatre in my life. |
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Post by theatremad on Nov 28, 2017 9:14:45 GMT
First thoughts are wow. Fab show and great set. Full thoughts after Thursday and Part II
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5,707 posts
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Post by lynette on Nov 28, 2017 16:34:56 GMT
O goody. I’m doing the double just before Xmas.
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Post by theatremad on Dec 2, 2017 9:33:53 GMT
OK full download.
First of all, credit to the design team, every element of the design works. Costumes look fab, the sound design is cracking, lighting is gorgeous, music I'd happily buy a CD of. The set design gives a new look to the Swan, the first couple of rows of the Swan have a much more immersive experience than ususal. Only warning I'd have is that if you're in Gallery 2 back row especially towards the back of the theatre you may miss a bit of the design.
No weak links in the cast, every cast member has their part to shine in, and like Shakepeare's Romans there's some great parts for women.
So Part 1 goes from Verres' trial to Clodius taking power, Part 2 picks up from Cicero's return to Rome to his demise. All told over 6 plays, which are presented in two performances:
Part One - Conspirator: Cicero, Catiline, Clodius
Part Two - Dictator: Caesar, Antony, Octavian
Both parts are fab, but I'd almost say I prefer Dictator over Conspirator, but it is only by a hair's breadth.
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294 posts
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Post by dani on Dec 2, 2017 11:29:26 GMT
How are the running times now looking?
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Post by theatremad on Dec 2, 2017 11:37:43 GMT
How are the running times now looking? Part One (seen monday) came out about 10.40pm Part Two (seen thursday) came out about 10.10pm Personally didn't feel as long as that but that's me |
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Post by Deleted on Dec 2, 2017 12:28:33 GMT
How are the running times now looking? Part One (seen monday) came out about 10.40pm Part Two (seen thursday) came out about 10.10pm Personally didn't feel as long as that but that's me If you saw The Wolf Hall Double Bill Can you advise how it compares to that please? I would imagine Imperium to be more dramatic and tense As well as the actual staging costumes and set to be more striking and brighter I am taking some children And now I am worried they won’t be able to follow it And will get bored Thanks for your help |
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Post by theatremad on Dec 2, 2017 13:21:22 GMT
I think it's on absolute par with that, possibly even better. It is a mixture of tense and easier scenes. Can I ask how old the children are as easier to answer?
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Post by Deleted on Dec 2, 2017 14:36:24 GMT
I think it's on absolute par with that, possibly even better. It is a mixture of tense and easier scenes. Can I ask how old the children are as easier to answer? 9 10 and 16 |
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Post by theatremad on Dec 2, 2017 14:40:51 GMT
Really hard to answer as I know when I was 9 I was reading Suetonius. Scenes are quite punchy and short.
Few things usually warned against for children and relevant answers:
- Nudity: no outright nudity that I can remember, and where flesh is bared it's not gratuitous
- Swearing: not a massive issue but the F word is said a few times
- Blood: remarkably bloodless show, even Caesar's death is underplayed
- Sexual Nature: Nothing overt but suggested
I personally would say go for it if they're mature for their age, this certainly however is not a show for the giggling type.
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Post by Deleted on Dec 2, 2017 16:34:10 GMT
Really hard to answer as I know when I was 9 I was reading Suetonius. Scenes are quite punchy and short. Few things usually warned against for children and relevant answers: - Nudity: no outright nudity that I can remember, and where flesh is bared it's not gratuitous - Swearing: not a massive issue but the F word is said a few times - Blood: remarkably bloodless show, even Caesar's death is underplayed - Sexual Nature: Nothing overt but suggested I personally would say go for it if they're mature for their age, this certainly however is not a show for the giggling type. Okay thanks for your time Very helpful They are very sophisticated people They may enjoy it then I have the script and as you say Seems scenes are short and punchy on the whole Very excited about it |
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Post by theatremad on Dec 2, 2017 17:00:05 GMT
Really hard to answer as I know when I was 9 I was reading Suetonius. Scenes are quite punchy and short. Few things usually warned against for children and relevant answers: - Nudity: no outright nudity that I can remember, and where flesh is bared it's not gratuitous - Swearing: not a massive issue but the F word is said a few times - Blood: remarkably bloodless show, even Caesar's death is underplayed - Sexual Nature: Nothing overt but suggested I personally would say go for it if they're mature for their age, this certainly however is not a show for the giggling type. Okay thanks for your time Very helpful They are very sophisticated people They may enjoy it then I have the script and as you say Seems scenes are short and punchy on the whole Very excited about it No worries, have a fab time. I'm sure they'll love it |
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Post by Deleted on Dec 2, 2017 17:16:02 GMT
Okay thanks for your time Very helpful They are very sophisticated people They may enjoy it then I have the script and as you say Seems scenes are short and punchy on the whole Very excited about it No worries, have a fab time. I'm sure they'll love it More worryingly My mother is coming I hope it’s easy to follow!!! |
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Post by theatremad on Dec 2, 2017 19:48:17 GMT
No worries, have a fab time. I'm sure they'll love it More worryingly My mother is coming I hope it’s easy to follow!!! The two programs appear to have excellent precis of each seperate play within each part. Or appear to as I don't read the plot precis in programs as a rule as I like it to be a surprise. |
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Post by Polly1 on Dec 2, 2017 23:02:32 GMT
I was concerned about Parsley being in charge of children! But if his mother is going to be there, it should be ok  |
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Post by Deleted on Dec 2, 2017 23:06:23 GMT
I suspect that the 16-year-old will actually be in charge of the party.
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Post by Deleted on Dec 3, 2017 0:19:10 GMT
More worryingly My mother is coming I hope it’s easy to follow!!! The two programs appear to have excellent precis of each seperate play within each part. Or appear to as I don't read the plot precis in programs as a rule as I like it to be a surprise. And it was coherent to follow? |
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