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Post by learfan on Jun 7, 2019 14:05:37 GMT
if The Boy in the Dress is not the next Matilda, this is going to put a very large dint in the bottom line for the year. Big risk - even with the names in the writing team. Doran has to go soon - for the sake of Shakespeare and creativity. For the sake of Shakespeare!!! Your opinion of course but he will see his ten years out and i imagine go in 2023. |
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Post by David J on Jun 7, 2019 17:10:09 GMT
Dorans got Errors, Alls well, Pericles, Winters Tale, Henry VI and Richard III left to do
Pericles, Winters Tale, and Errors seem like an apt group for a ‘lost families in far off lands’ season
Obvioulsy were going to have a summer/winter devoted to Henry VI. Assuming that’s in 2022 and Richard III ends the tenure in 2023 that leaves four plays to fill up two years
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Post by lynette on Jun 7, 2019 18:47:13 GMT
I’ll be honest, I’m a big fan of the RSC as you can prob gather from my posts but I also think this concentration of talent and money on the Dress is foolhardy. It is not necessarily going to the a big hit. I mean I hope it is for the finances need it to be but the RSC should be all about Shakespeare as has been said here. I think that they should keep doing the plays that young people need to see, the GCSE curriculum and try to widen that curriculum and do everything that can be done to widen the access of children to Shakespeare. They do so much but more is dreadfully needed. Just recently there has been a thing about Macbeth. Apparently some of the qs on the exam were about the porter at the gate and teachers complained because they didn’t bother to look at that character and incident. Well, going to see a decent production would have at least made them look it up! Not to mention the explanatory programmes which I found v useful in my student days. I loved Matilda, saw it twice but I’m not so inclined towards the Dress so I suppose they are hoping for the big Xmas treat this winter to get it on the map. I deplore the book stand focusing on Walliams. I saw there a couple of books which I was going to complain about, differentiating girls' and boys' stories, heroes and rebels. You can guess to whom the rebels were addressed. Yes, girls. I was appalled. Girls have to be rebels? But boys heroes? A lot of work to be done in the marketing department. 😁
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Post by learfan on Jun 7, 2019 21:14:59 GMT
Dorans got Errors, Alls well, Pericles, Winters Tale, Henry VI and Richard III left to do Pericles, Winters Tale, and Errors seem like an apt group for a ‘lost families in far off lands’ season Obvioulsy were going to have a summer/winter devoted to Henry VI. Assuming that’s in 2022 and Richard III ends the tenure in 2023 that leaves four plays to fill up two years Pericles isnt in the Folio. So there's the second tetralogy plus the four others, i reckon it finishes summer 2021. |
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Post by learfan on Jun 7, 2019 21:18:45 GMT
I’ll be honest, I’m a big fan of the RSC as you can prob gather from my posts but I also think this concentration of talent and money on the Dress is foolhardy. It is not necessarily going to the a big hit. I mean I hope it is for the finances need it to be but the RSC should be all about Shakespeare as has been said here. I think that they should keep doing the plays that young people need to see, the GCSE curriculum and try to widen that curriculum and do everything that can be done to widen the access of children to Shakespeare. They do so much but more is dreadfully needed. Just recently there has been a thing about Macbeth. Apparently some of the qs on the exam were about the porter at the gate and teachers complained because they didn’t bother to look at that character and incident. Well, going to see a decent production would have at least made them look it up! Not to mention the explanatory programmes which I found v useful in my student days. I loved Matilda, saw it twice but I’m not so inclined towards the Dress so I suppose they are hoping for the big Xmas treat this winter to get it on the map. I deplore the book stand focusing on Walliams. I saw there a couple of books which I was going to complain about, differentiating girls' and boys' stories, heroes and rebels. You can guess to whom the rebels were addressed. Yes, girls. I was appalled. Girls have to be rebels? But boys heroes? A lot of work to be done in the marketing department. 😁 We must have passed one another in the RSC at some stage over the years L. |
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Post by lynette on Jun 10, 2019 17:07:27 GMT
I’m sure we have, learfan.
Just wondering if the RSC knows there will be another Williams show on at Xmas, about the Grandpa character. Will this show compete, especially if developed into a year round show?
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Post by theatremad on Aug 7, 2019 14:34:53 GMT
Had a minor rant on Twitter about this.
The only theatre with plays in from September until February will be the Swan, TOP won't even get a second new work festival. And leaving us with the musical in RST.
Turns this winter into a joke for plays. Usually get at least 6 plays over winter period based on last few years, will be a grand total of 3. |
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Post by Deleted on Aug 7, 2019 17:02:21 GMT
Had a minor rant on Twitter about this.
The only theatre with plays in from September until February will be the Swan, TOP won't even get a second new work festival. And leaving us with the musical in RST.
Turns this winter into a joke for plays. Usually get at least 6 plays over winter period based on last few years, will be a grand total of 3. Is that the tweet where the RSC's response to a complaint about a lack of plays was "Hey we've got a comedy festival though!" Presumably some of this is down to declining subsidy levels, and if I recall correctly it's only comparatively recently that they've had anything at all on over the winter - older RSC hands can no doubt clarify this! But yes, they do seem to be putting a lot of eggs in one basket with The Boy in the Dress. Which as far as I can see has sold very well for matinees and the Christmas week, as you'd expect, but not particularly well outside of that. No idea how that compares with pre-sales for Matilda. |
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Post by cirque on Aug 7, 2019 17:39:43 GMT
RSC win. I can’t contemplate going back for a long time. They have alienated the audience that followed them, do ask front of house about the dislike of trad audience.... the winter season is a cop out.....from end August until March only one Shakespeare in the whole complex. Trailer does not give me any hope...... the two new Swan plays will empty the house....new plays rarely get decent audiences here and should debut in TOP and,if successful,upgrade subsequently.
Everything at Stratford now shrieks of a desperation to discover a new audience....prove they are as cool as cucumbers....which they are not and pretend they have the youngest,most diverse audience in the country.Its phoney....Shakespeare and his contemporaries do not live here any more and it is with regret that I am stopping going to the RSC. Maybe one day if a new team take over with vision and a desiire to stage the plays then I will go back. RSC won’t care but many of us have simply had it. Greg bounded onto stage when he took over claiming Shakespeare was now at the core.....promises of restoring powerful actors to lead,contemporaries in Swan....new work in TOP.......it all sounded so good. This season strikes me as most depressing attempt to neutralise the plays.....summed up by The 7 Ages of a Soul.....and cutting Rosaline ‘s conjuring of the men at epilogue to As You.
How very sorry this all is.....
I often wonder what charter demands of this company.
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Post by learfan on Aug 7, 2019 23:13:07 GMT
Not me, im going to Measure for Measure Saturday and have already booked for KJ and the interesting sounding Museum in Baghdad. I agree it is risky concentrating on Boy... as the sole main house offering, but it is one single season! To answer another poster the RSC have performed through the winter in Stratford for decades. The 2020 season will be announced next month, hoping for Henry 8,Alls Well, and a jacobethan or two in the Swan, Edward II is definitely due following the other recent Marlowes. Each to their own but im sticking with them.
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Post by showgirl on Aug 8, 2019 4:35:30 GMT
As someone who has only started visiting in the last couple of years, albeit in summer, and having to stay overnight due to trains, making it more expensive, I find the winter programme quite appealing (NOT the Shakespeare, though, as ever!) but am wary of booking for that time of year. It's one thing to drive up for a matinee in the early morning in summer daylight but doing so in winter, not only in darkness but possibly rain/snow/ice/fog is another matter - and not a very green method of travel at any time. I wish the RSC was more public-transport-friendly as though some of their matinees are helpfully early (I've attended 3 in the lovely Swan, all with 1.30 pm starts), there is literally only one connecting train from London for day-trippers, which s far too uncertain.
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Post by learfan on Aug 8, 2019 5:33:37 GMT
Hmmm, are you only looking at leaving from Euston? Marylebone is a much better option, a quick glance at trainline shows a number of trains on a Saturday, admittedly you have to change but there it is. SUA station is not on a mainline service, at the moment anyhow. By road the M40 is an easy drive even in winter, I've done it many times. Before that was finished you got a train to Coventry and a bus took you to SUA! Too many posters like to give the impression the RSC is based in Inverness rather then 90 miles from London.
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Post by mistressjojo on Aug 8, 2019 5:36:58 GMT
As someone who has only started visiting in the last couple of years, albeit in summer, and having to stay overnight due to trains, making it more expensive, I find the winter programme quite appealing (NOT the Shakespeare, though, as ever!) but am wary of booking for that time of year. It's one thing to drive up for a matinee in the early morning in summer daylight but doing so in winter, not only in darkness but possibly rain/snow/ice/fog is another matter - and not a very green method of travel at any time. I wish the RSC was more public-transport-friendly as though some of their matinees are helpfully early (I've attended 3 in the lovely Swan, all with 1.30 pm starts), there is literally only one connecting train from London for day-trippers, which s far too uncertain.There is a 9.am National Express coach from London that gets you to SuA in time for the matinee. There's also usually a 6.30pm return to London. Takes a bit longer than the train, but the coach station in SuA is closer to the theatres. |
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Post by theatremad on Aug 8, 2019 7:36:58 GMT
Had a minor rant on Twitter about this.
The only theatre with plays in from September until February will be the Swan, TOP won't even get a second new work festival. And leaving us with the musical in RST.
Turns this winter into a joke for plays. Usually get at least 6 plays over winter period based on last few years, will be a grand total of 3. Is that the tweet where the RSC's response to a complaint about a lack of plays was "Hey we've got a comedy festival though!" Presumably some of this is down to declining subsidy levels, and if I recall correctly it's only comparatively recently that they've had anything at all on over the winter - older RSC hands can no doubt clarify this! But yes, they do seem to be putting a lot of eggs in one basket with The Boy in the Dress. Which as far as I can see has sold very well for matinees and the Christmas week, as you'd expect, but not particularly well outside of that. No idea how that compares with pre-sales for Matilda. It was that one. Im a huge fan of them but the lack of plays this winter has dented my feelings. |
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Post by showgirl on Aug 8, 2019 7:47:01 GMT
Thank you both for the travel suggestions. Yes, I was looking at Chiltern from MYB but on a weekday as then I can get the senior concession on my RSC ticket but can't leave my home station (south of London) until after 9 am. I will look at coaches and Saturday trains but weekends are prone to engineering work and the theatre tix are dearer.
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Post by learfan on Aug 8, 2019 8:32:33 GMT
Coaches will obviously be cheaper but they take ages. Up to you of course but if i had use of a car i would def drive.
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Post by lynette on Aug 8, 2019 14:20:12 GMT
Is that the tweet where the RSC's response to a complaint about a lack of plays was "Hey we've got a comedy festival though!" Presumably some of this is down to declining subsidy levels, and if I recall correctly it's only comparatively recently that they've had anything at all on over the winter - older RSC hands can no doubt clarify this! But yes, they do seem to be putting a lot of eggs in one basket with The Boy in the Dress. Which as far as I can see has sold very well for matinees and the Christmas week, as you'd expect, but not particularly well outside of that. No idea how that compares with pre-sales for Matilda. It was that one. Im a huge fan of them but the lack of plays this winter has dented my feelings. I think they are missing the half term to get Dress going. That is a shame because word of mouth is v valuable and it would catch the booking for winter treat for family. It is true that the winter used to be without shows but that was a very long time ago. |
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Post by Jan on Aug 8, 2019 16:18:48 GMT
Had a minor rant on Twitter about this.
The only theatre with plays in from September until February will be the Swan, TOP won't even get a second new work festival. And leaving us with the musical in RST.
Turns this winter into a joke for plays. Usually get at least 6 plays over winter period based on last few years, will be a grand total of 3. Is that the tweet where the RSC's response to a complaint about a lack of plays was "Hey we've got a comedy festival though!" Presumably some of this is down to declining subsidy levels, and if I recall correctly it's only comparatively recently that they've had anything at all on over the winter - older RSC hands can no doubt clarify this! But yes, they do seem to be putting a lot of eggs in one basket with The Boy in the Dress. Which as far as I can see has sold very well for matinees and the Christmas week, as you'd expect, but not particularly well outside of that. No idea how that compares with pre-sales for Matilda. I think declining subsidy levels on their own are a red herring - if you look back the number of plays they produce and stage in a year has declined far more dramatically than their subsidy has decreased. I suspect the economic issue is that they have become a bloated bureaucracy with large staff numbers and massive fixed costs as a result, and funding of peripheral areas like education and so on being maintained and increased. My guess is The Globe stage a similar number of plays to the RSC in a year with a much smaller budget and no subsidy. I think when Doran leaves (if he does) they need a really radical shake-up but for the moment I’m at a loss to think of anyone who could (or would want) to do that. I think what is clear though that the managed decline in the RSC that Doran has delivered is developing into a crisis. |
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Post by cirque on Aug 8, 2019 17:43:53 GMT
You are right.
We all value education depts but RSC out of proportion......as is attempt to bring in Birmingham crowd who are well served in the city.
It is worrying to see £15 tickets for August Measure For Measure and a magazine theatre article nominating As You as the one to miss this week in a round up by Billington.
Just to walk through the foyers,front of house etc reveals the drop the place has made. I actually think Doran cares about Shakespeare but he is surrounded by a cohort who have clear agenda....he seems unable to bring his passions to the stage these days.
Why should Comedy Festival work here rather than a club setting.......why must Boy in the Dress take over for so long rather than over Christmas and New Year season.
I do feel the company is,as you suggest,nearing crisis point.
Next year...possibly more attempts to hook the young through video games, really......the USP of RSC was unique,innovative,memorable and often radical exploration of the plays...not token young people’s shows.
Agree Globe doing much,much more with a clear and quite radical approach.Have some problems with casting decisions but it’s alive to change and feels that classical reinvention is happening rather than RSC believing that they are leading the way. Only the way to being a memory.
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Post by fossil on Aug 8, 2019 20:06:15 GMT
Thank you both for the travel suggestions. Yes, I was looking at Chiltern from MYB but on a weekday as then I can get the senior concession on my RSC ticket but can't leave my home station (south of London) until after 9 am. I will look at coaches and Saturday trains but weekends are prone to engineering work and the theatre tix are dearer. I though I would point this out in case you are referring to the Senior Railcard time restriction. For rail tickets to stations outside the south east area (i.e. Stratford-Upon-Avon) the morning senior railcard time restriction does not apply. I have used my senior railcard to travel (setting out at 7.30am) to Stratford for a midweek matinee booking from my local North London station through to Stratford via MYB for about £9 for an Advance ticket with the return journey being a few pounds cheaper. The last time I went I actually travelled to Leamington Spa for the outward journey as there is a greater selection of trains. There is then a local bus that goes from opposite the station to Stratford for which I use my senior bus pass. I find this useful to plan for connecting buses when travelling to theatres outside London. www.travelinesoutheast.org.uk/se/XSLT_TRIP_REQUEST2?language=en&timeOffset=15 |
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Post by David J on Aug 23, 2019 22:37:45 GMT
Dorans got Errors, Alls well, Pericles, Winters Tale, Henry VI and Richard III left to do Pericles, Winters Tale, and Errors seem like an apt group for a ‘lost fa milies in far off lands’ season Obvioulsy were going to have a summer/winter devoted to Henry VI. Assuming that’s in 2022 and Richard III ends the tenure in 2023 that leaves four plays to fill up two years Pericles isnt in the Folio. So there's the second tetralogy plus the four others, i reckon it finishes summer 2021. 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 Pericles is up there so its clear they're going to do it. So not only are they giving up on doing all the plays in the main theatre they're not sticking to the First Folio either. Anyway I'd love to see another Pericles. All three parts of Henry VI are there too so hopefully that means they're not doing a reduced version ALA the Sam Wanamaker production. They just need to get a visionary director to do it. |
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Post by learfan on Aug 24, 2019 6:08:55 GMT
Pericles isnt in the Folio. So there's the second tetralogy plus the four others, i reckon it finishes summer 2021. 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 Pericles is up there so its clear they're going to do it. So not only are they giving up on doing all the plays in the main theatre they're not sticking to the First Folio either. Anyway I'd love to see another Pericles. All three parts of Henry VI are there too so hopefully that means they're not doing a reduced version ALA the Sam Wanamaker production. They just need to get a visionary director to do it. Maybe they are but it isnt in the folio so still think its an error. Re the Henries i wouldn't read too much into the pendants, the plays are listed as published. We'll know soon enough when they announce the 2020 season next month. |
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Post by David J on Aug 24, 2019 6:16:55 GMT
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 Pericles is up there so its clear they're going to do it. So not only are they giving up on doing all the plays in the main theatre they're not sticking to the First Folio either. Anyway I'd love to see another Pericles. All three parts of Henry VI are there too so hopefully that means they're not doing a reduced version ALA the Sam Wanamaker production. They just need to get a visionary director to do it. Maybe they are but it isnt in the folio so still think its an error. Re the Henries i wouldn't read too much into the pendants, the plays are listed as published. We'll know soon enough when they announce the 2020 season next month. Well, given how inconsistent Gregory Doran has been it could go either way We can at least have Pericles in the swan |
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Post by Jan on Aug 24, 2019 7:57:27 GMT
Pericles isnt in the Folio. So there's the second tetralogy plus the four others, i reckon it finishes summer 2021. 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 Pericles is up there so its clear they're going to do it. So not only are they giving up on doing all the plays in the main theatre they're not sticking to the First Folio either. Anyway I'd love to see another Pericles. All three parts of Henry VI are there too so hopefully that means they're not doing a reduced version ALA the Sam Wanamaker production. They just need to get a visionary director to do it. They’re not getting a visionary director though are they - Doran will direct them. It is the only chance he has to direct Henry VI and you assume he has an ambition to direct all the plays in the canon. Also he’s directed all the other history plays in this cycle. I think he’s unsuited to directing Henry VI, he’s far to literal, it will be all plastic armour and manly hugs. I wonder if the RSC have even approached Robert Icke to direct anything ? |
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Post by learfan on Aug 31, 2019 10:54:08 GMT
The announcement of the 2020 season must be imminent. The mainhouse offerings pick themselves with only four plays left in the folio other than the second tetralogy which i think Doran will finish the project off with. Casting will be interesting, will there be another ensemble? Am hoping for some good stuff in the Swan. After successfully predicting Middleton in the Sam Wanamaker, Edward II must be due to complete the Marlowe journey. Something rare like Athiests Tragedy perhaps? Anyone out there got any news?
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