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Post by firefingers on Apr 17, 2018 10:00:40 GMT
1. A musical adaptation of Kwame Kwei-Armah and Shaina Taub’s Twelfth Night, prev shown at the Public Theater in New York 2. The Convert by Danai Gurira of Black Panther fame 3. Kate Hewitt directing Stephen Adly Guirgis’s Jesus Hopped the ‘A’ Train October to March in the main house Yawn. Following Norris in his devotion to USA theatre - all 3 with a USA writer credited - what is it with their obsession about USA ? Yes, the last thing with a British writer in the main space was The Jungle. Brothers Size, The Inheritance, Fun Home, The Convert and Jesus Hopped the “A” train are all American, with Twelfth Night being a mix of American and British. Could do with a bit more diversity there I think. Though I am a sucker for Guirgis so well be seeing “A” train for sure. |
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Post by Deleted on Apr 17, 2018 10:39:03 GMT
Calling our old chum Cardinal Pirelli - interested in your opinion - anything here indicate the YV's reputation as a home for directors' theatre is being maintained ? Looks very writer-based to me. If this is becoming a writer’s Theatre All well and good in my opinion - as long as priority is given to homegrown talent. And I am sick of ADs thinking that diversity means doing plays by African American writers while ignoring black playwrights who have stories to tell about the British experience. |
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Post by crowblack on Apr 17, 2018 10:56:09 GMT
Just tried to book and was asked to buy membership, which I already have, then rang up and was told it wasn't showing, and did I have a screenshot of th etransaction? (who takes a screenshot when they buy something?) . Also, no lucky dip tickets showing, which was one of the things I bought membership for. Humph. I want to see 'Jesus hopped' but based on this year's experience when weather stopped me travelling to things in Jan and Feb I might just wait.
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Post by Jan on Apr 17, 2018 10:59:26 GMT
Calling our old chum Cardinal Pirelli - interested in your opinion - anything here indicate the YV's reputation as a home for directors' theatre is being maintained ? Looks very writer-based to me. .... while ignoring black playwrights who have stories to tell about the British experience. Which is particularly odd as the AD's own breakthrough play was exactly that. |
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Post by Deleted on Apr 17, 2018 11:05:33 GMT
Calling our old chum Cardinal Pirelli - interested in your opinion - anything here indicate the YV's reputation as a home for directors' theatre is being maintained ? Looks very writer-based to me. Disappointing isn't the word. If anyone read my 'unpopular opinions' thread comment recently, how rubbish nearly all of modern American playwriting is, this is about as worrying for the future direction of the YV as can be.
Not just writing based but recent American writing? Structurally/theatrically years behind Europe. Kushner is fine but most others have no vision beyond some people in a room (or two) talking. An Annie Baker, pushing into hyperrealism, can do that but generally it looks like cinema's poor relation . The young directors look promising but there's no sense of reflecting the tradition of using well established, innovative directors like Van Hove, Mitchell, Stone, Andrews etc.
Raiding a culture whose dominance of cinema needs no further assistance in terms of cultural exchange and understanding is not the way to go. There's probably now an opening for a true director's theatre in London, but where?
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Post by MrBunbury on Apr 17, 2018 11:51:21 GMT
Maybe I am the only one, but I am not disappointed by the new season. A multiethnic "Twelfth night" sounds nice (the video on Youtube is entertaining). I agree with hoping that the future programming will not be US- or UK-centered because one of the strengths of Lan's era has been being open to directors, companies, and plays from all over the world, but it seems too early to judge Kwei-Armah.
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Post by jamb0r on Apr 17, 2018 12:05:07 GMT
Ashamedly I was a little disappointed when realising that the big 'BRING IT ON' branding they are using to announce this season doesn't actually mean that 'Bring It On' the musical is being included in the lineup
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Post by jasper on Apr 17, 2018 15:55:12 GMT
1. A musical adaptation of Kwame Kwei-Armah and Shaina Taub’s Twelfth Night, prev shown at the Public Theater in New York 2. The Convert by Danai Gurira of Black Panther fame 3. Kate Hewitt directing Stephen Adly Guirgis’s Jesus Hopped the ‘A’ Train October to March in the main house Yawn. Following Norris in his devotion to USA theatre - all 3 with a USA writer credited - what is it with their obsession about USA ? I cannot think why they are obsessed with USA. Never mind I will turn off Sky Atlantic, hop into my Ford and go see the latest movie blockbuster before going to MacDonald's for a bit to eat. Then home to watch the news about Trump's latest tweet and give my opinions for Cambridge analytica on Facebook. |
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Post by Jan on Apr 17, 2018 17:14:49 GMT
Yawn. Following Norris in his devotion to USA theatre - all 3 with a USA writer credited - what is it with their obsession about USA ? I cannot think why they are obsessed with USA. Never mind I will turn off Sky Atlantic, hop into my Ford and go see the latest movie blockbuster before going to MacDonald's for a bit to eat. Then home to watch the news about Trump's latest tweet and give my opinions for Cambridge analytica on Facebook. They should stop lecturing us that our future lies in Europe then as they’re obviously not that interested in it. Contemporary German drama doesn’t get much of a look in in London compared with USA writers for example. |
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Post by Phantom of London on Apr 17, 2018 18:18:15 GMT
No one is going to get what they wish for, me very included, as I was hoping for August Wilson.
But no other city in the world has a vibrant drama scene like London, so really as dissapointing as this announcement maybe we are all spoilt for choice.
Also there is a small musical coming up, that will be hot favourite to win a Olivier next year - Fun Home.
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Post by viserys on Apr 17, 2018 19:16:34 GMT
Far inferior to Eclipsed What a stupid choice for a main house A critically acclaimed play with one of the stars from the third biggest films of all time?
Makes perfect sense for the main house
Is Danai Gurira actually starring in this or did she "just" write it? I'll probably book for A-Train, have been wanting to see this for a long time. |
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Post by Deleted on Apr 17, 2018 19:54:44 GMT
Yawn. Following Norris in his devotion to USA theatre - all 3 with a USA writer credited - what is it with their obsession about USA ? Yes, the last thing with a British writer in the main space was The Jungle. Brothers Size, The Inheritance, Fun Home, The Convert and Jesus Hopped the “A” train are all American, with Twelfth Night being a mix of American and British. Could do with a bit more diversity there I think. Though I am a sucker for Guirgis so well be seeing “A” train for sure. And also the Twelfth Night being the work of the KK-A. Pretty poor show for the only British talent to be that of the AD. |
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Post by firefingers on Apr 17, 2018 20:06:01 GMT
Yes, the last thing with a British writer in the main space was The Jungle. Brothers Size, The Inheritance, Fun Home, The Convert and Jesus Hopped the “A” train are all American, with Twelfth Night being a mix of American and British. Could do with a bit more diversity there I think. Though I am a sucker for Guirgis so well be seeing “A” train for sure. And also the Twelfth Night being the work of the KK-A. Pretty poor show for the only British talent to be that of the AD. Perhaps they can count Bill Shakespeare for Twelfth so it becomes 2/3rd British? Hopefully a very comprehensive programme of British writing is planned for the Maria and the other space I forget the name of. |
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Post by Deleted on Apr 17, 2018 20:27:28 GMT
Clare.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 18, 2018 1:10:57 GMT
I have just read the blurbs for the plays and notice that three of the four plays have some kind of religious focus. I like not that.
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Post by Jan on Apr 18, 2018 5:45:39 GMT
Calling our old chum Cardinal Pirelli - interested in your opinion - anything here indicate the YV's reputation as a home for directors' theatre is being maintained ? Looks very writer-based to me. Disappointing isn't the word. If anyone read my 'unpopular opinions' thread comment recently, how rubbish nearly all of modern American playwriting is, this is about as worrying for the future direction of the YV as can be.
Not just writing based but recent American writing? Structurally/theatrically years behind Europe. Kushner is fine but most others have no vision beyond some people in a room (or two) talking. An Annie Baker, pushing into hyperrealism, can do that but generally it looks like cinema's poor relation . The young directors look promising but there's no sense of reflecting the tradition of using well established, innovative directors like Van Hove, Mitchell, Stone, Andrews etc.
Raiding a culture whose dominance of cinema needs no further assistance in terms of cultural exchange and understanding is not the way to go. There's probably now an opening for a true director's theatre in London, but where?
I remember once you said his programming when he was in Baltimore was quite conservative. What did he put on in his first season there ? I'm guessing it wasn't 100% UK writers (just testing the argument that he's programming what he knows best based on his recent past). |
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Post by jek on Apr 18, 2018 7:08:50 GMT
I recently booked to see the Watermill Theatre production of Twelfth Night (which I understand has a heavy focus on jazz music) when it lands at Witon's Music Hall in September. (I'm a Wilton's member, general booking opens next week.) So I think I will probably also book for the Young Vic version as a compare/contrast. Really pleased to see Jesus Hopped the A train coming. I'm hoping my non theatre going sons (aged 20 and 18) will agree to come to this as they absolutely loved the Motherf***er with the Hat when it was on at the National. I saw a student (Rose Bruford) production of Stephen Adly Guirgis' Our Lady of 121st Street at Stratford Circus and will welcome seeing more of his work.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 18, 2018 7:37:26 GMT
Disappointing isn't the word. If anyone read my 'unpopular opinions' thread comment recently, how rubbish nearly all of modern American playwriting is, this is about as worrying for the future direction of the YV as can be.
snip
I remember once you said his programming when he was in Baltimore was quite conservative. What did he put on in his first season there ? I'm guessing it wasn't 100% UK writers (just testing the argument that he's programming what he knows best based on his recent past). There's a list here. Very safe, almost wholly American.
www.centerstage.org/plays-and-events/production-history/full-list
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Post by Jan on Apr 18, 2018 8:31:16 GMT
I remember once you said his programming when he was in Baltimore was quite conservative. What did he put on in his first season there ? I'm guessing it wasn't 100% UK writers (just testing the argument that he's programming what he knows best based on his recent past). There's a list here. Very safe, almost wholly American.
www.centerstage.org/plays-and-events/production-history/full-list
Interesting - entirely consistent with his YV programming. The classic revivals in that list are very boring, I wonder if Billington will approve of his programme. |
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Post by Deleted on Apr 18, 2018 9:09:58 GMT
To be fair, don't you have to play it pretty safe and conservative in the USA? My experience (admittedly limited) is that it's quite a boring place to be a theatregoer - occasionally they do something exciting and that gets a lot of attention so we might get the impression that it's all like that, but it really isn't.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 18, 2018 9:10:00 GMT
I am actually quite concerned that he says that he wants the plays he has programmed to be considered part of the canon. Which canon? American or British? If the latter surely he should consider British playwrights who welcomed his appointment as a positive step forward for diversity. His previous programming certainly did nothing to introduce such writers to audiences in Baltimore. In fact, in this regard his work is more disappointing than most other ADs.
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Post by zahidf on Apr 18, 2018 9:22:56 GMT
He has announced 3 main house plays, 1 clare space play and some community stuff
I think its a little early to judge. I remember people complaining about the first Almedia season a few years ago from Goold and that's turned out fine!
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Post by Deleted on Apr 18, 2018 9:37:28 GMT
He has announced 3 main house plays, 1 clare space play and some community stuff I think its a little early to judge. I remember people complaining about the first Almedia season a few years ago from Goold and that's turned out fine! But surely you set out your stall according to what you programme in the main house? Even if the programming of the smaller spaces is better a statement is being made here about the relationship of those plays/playwrights to their American counterparts. I think I have said enough on this subject and will confine myself to the wonderful gripes threads for a good old rant (I should also get back to work!) |
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Post by Deleted on Apr 18, 2018 9:46:15 GMT
He has announced 3 main house plays, 1 clare space play and some community stuff I think its a little early to judge. I remember people complaining about the first Almedia season a few years ago from Goold and that's turned out fine! Goold's first six months were - 1984, King Charles III, Mr Burns. Two of those have gone on to have international success.
I do understand what he is trying to do regarding intersectionality but it is a British theatre and one which has a particular role in training and programming directors who are pushing theatre into new and different directions. Why not programme British BAME theatremakers? Why not a Shakespeare adaptation from a not as widely produced play? He said that he wanted to showcase American plays because the UK thinks primarily about its musicals but there's a very good reason for that - American musical theatre is way ahead of the British equivalent and vice versa regarding plays.
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Post by zahidf on Apr 18, 2018 10:26:56 GMT
He has announced 3 main house plays, 1 clare space play and some community stuff I think its a little early to judge. I remember people complaining about the first Almedia season a few years ago from Goold and that's turned out fine! Goold's first six months were - 1984, King Charles III, Mr Burns. Two of those have gone on to have international success.
I do understand what he is trying to do regarding intersectionality but it is a British theatre and one which has a particular role in training and programming directors who are pushing theatre into new and different directions. Why not programme British BAME theatremakers? Why not a Shakespeare adaptation from a not as widely produced play? He said that he wanted to showcase American plays because the UK thinks primarily about its musicals but there's a very good reason for that - American musical theatre is way ahead of the British equivalent and vice versa regarding plays.
I'll see what's on in the Maria and Clare first, but have the directors been announced? The casts will certainly be British
I just remember at the time a lot of complaints about Goold's first season. and most first seasons recently it seems...
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