|
Post by oxfordsimon on Jan 17, 2024 16:28:05 GMT
The last direct train to London leaves Stratford at 21.33 so is unlikely to be of much use
|
|
|
Post by marob on Jan 17, 2024 16:36:57 GMT
Never been. I’d like to, but looking into the trains it’s 4 hours going and 3 hours coming back.
|
|
|
Post by Jan on Jan 17, 2024 16:40:56 GMT
The last direct train to London leaves Stratford at 21.33 so is unlikely to be of much use That’s an anomaly. I think it’s the only direct train in either direction ?
|
|
jay
Auditioning
|
Post by jay on Jan 17, 2024 16:52:43 GMT
Anyone else find the new season underwhelming? I thought the new AD's would come out of the hurdles with some brave new vision for the company, having tempted some big names and some company stalwarts back into the fold. The casting - the little there currently is - is, for me, decent , but nothing to warrant a trip to Stratford for. ( Although the Ukranian King Lear sounds extraordinary. ) Harvey not directing at all - while Evans, in his first year of running the company, takes time out to cast himself in a chunky lead role! I'll be intrigued to see how that partnership pans out - there is bound to be a level of competitiveness- and historically co-directors of anything seem to struggle with who is 'top-dog'. The RSC needs to shake itself out of the stupour left by Doran and Whyman - this new start shows glimmers of hope but bigger bold decisions are needed I fear....
|
|
|
Post by marob on Jan 17, 2024 16:55:56 GMT
Harvey not directing at all - while Evans, in his first year of running the company, takes time out to cast himself in a chunky lead role! I'll be intrigued to see how that partnership pans out - there is bound to be a level of competitiveness- and historically co-directors of anything seem to struggle with who is 'top-dog'. The RSC needs to shake itself out of the stupour left by Doran and Whyman - this new start shows glimmers of hope but bigger bold decisions are needed I fear.... She’s directing Pericles.
|
|
279 posts
|
Post by fossil on Jan 17, 2024 17:46:29 GMT
I have found travelling from London to Stratford by rail can be ok but for matinees only. I always go changing at Leamington Spa.
On Saturday by train from Marylebone there are nicely timed trains: dep 9.02 - arr 11.13 outward and 17.31 - 19.45 return with a change at Leamington Spa.
For weekdays the train timings are useless but I have travelled to Leamington Spa in the past and then taken the half hourly X18 bus to Stratford from opposite the station which takes about 40 minutes. The bus is also useful on a Saturday if the connection at Leamington is missed.
There was one time our train from London broke down at Gerrards Cross and the station staff were exceptional. After discovering that about 20 of us were going to miss our Stratford connection they arranged for the next fast train to make an extra stop for us. When we got to Leamington Spa there were several taxis waiting (at no charge to us). We had the added bonus of being dropped very near the theatre.
|
|
2,349 posts
|
Post by zahidf on Jan 17, 2024 20:30:47 GMT
I might stay over and do a couple of plays. Did it 9 years ago or so, had fun
|
|
|
Post by cavocado on Jan 18, 2024 13:02:08 GMT
The last direct train to London leaves Stratford at 21.33 so is unlikely to be of much use That’s an anomaly. I think it’s the only direct train in either direction ? I see As You Like It has some 5pm starts, which presumably will finish by 8pm, so it would be possible to combine that with a matinee for a 2 show day trip that fits around train schedules.
|
|
|
Post by cavocado on Jan 18, 2024 14:55:36 GMT
That’s an anomaly. I think it’s the only direct train in either direction ? I see As You Like It has some 5pm starts, which presumably will finish by 8pm, so it would be possible to combine that with a matinee for a 2 show day trip that fits around train schedules. Just noticed AYLI is a short family-friendly version, 1hr 20, so very travel-friendly!
|
|
|
Post by kate8 on Jan 18, 2024 15:14:52 GMT
I've only just managed to look at the announcement and I'm excited by the quantity of plays announced, especially after the last year or so. School for Scandal and Merry Wives are sharing the RST - i wonder if they’ll share cast members too? Hopefully Goold and Daldry signal a bigger welcome for outside directors, and I'm looking forward to seeing Luke Thallon and Will Keen. I wonder what wider casts will look like - hoping for lots of experienced Shakespeare actors in smaller roles. I also like the inclusion of ballet and the Ukrainian Lear - hopefully will help get back that sense that it’s a centre for all things Shakespearean.
I didn’t go to the Garden Theatre for Comedy of Errors and thought it seemed a bit of a vanity project which delayed full reopening, but am pleased to see it open alongside the Swan and RST and used for a more child-friendly production.
It’s a promising start in my view. Stratford hospitality business owners must be breathing a sigh of relief at a schedule which might entice visitors back for more than just a 3 hour visit to the town.
|
|
18,845 posts
|
Post by BurlyBeaR on Jan 23, 2024 15:08:22 GMT
Single thread with all historic RSC new season discussions across multiple threads merged.
|
|
|
Post by adamkinsey on Jan 23, 2024 16:23:45 GMT
I'm assuming Merry Wives is a revival of the "Essex" setting of a few years back based on the artwork? Enjoyed it OK but wouldn't go back to see it again. Had it been a new production it would have been the one thing in this line up I'd have booked for.
|
|
1,008 posts
|
Post by talkstageytome on Jan 23, 2024 19:38:16 GMT
I'm assuming Merry Wives is a revival of the "Essex" setting of a few years back based on the artwork? Enjoyed it OK but wouldn't go back to see it again. Had it been a new production it would have been the one thing in this line up I'd have booked for. Different creatives, it's a new production
|
|
2,349 posts
|
Post by zahidf on Jan 28, 2024 10:40:31 GMT
|
|
|
Post by cavocado on Jan 28, 2024 10:58:56 GMT
That makes me feel quite excited about the RSC again. Also good to hear that they are interested in the public transport issues!
|
|
5,593 posts
|
Post by lynette on Jan 28, 2024 14:40:48 GMT
Thanks for posting. Interesting interview and i liked the comment about how education works in the notes from other directors below. I too feel that altered or in some way reduced shows for kids never work. The real thing does.
|
|
|
Post by Jan on Jan 28, 2024 14:59:21 GMT
Thanks for posting. Interesting interview and i liked the comment about how education works in the notes from other directors below. I too feel that altered or in some way reduced shows for kids never work. The real thing does. Odd they would ask Brian Cox - he was there for a couple of years in the 1980’s purely as a one-off, was involved in a production with some off-stage issues, and never went back. Pretty much exactly the same at the NT, where he notably disliked being part of a company despite his comments here.
|
|
|
Post by iwant2beatthetheatre on Jan 30, 2024 11:07:13 GMT
Does anyone know what time tickets go on sale on 8th Feb please? I can see the date mentioned everywhere but no times.
|
|
|
Post by kate8 on Jan 31, 2024 8:17:53 GMT
Does anyone know what time tickets go on sale on 8th Feb please? I can see the date mentioned everywhere but no times. I’m a subscriber and can book from 10am on 6th, so I assume it will also be 10am on the 8th for the general sale.
|
|
|
Post by iwant2beatthetheatre on Jan 31, 2024 8:39:16 GMT
Does anyone know what time tickets go on sale on 8th Feb please? I can see the date mentioned everywhere but no times. I’m a subscriber and can book from 10am on 6th, so I assume it will also be 10am on the 8th for the general sale. Thank you 😊
|
|
279 posts
|
Post by fossil on Jan 31, 2024 10:43:59 GMT
Members booking is a mess. Pages taking forever to load. Errors. Payment hanging. I can't take this stress!
|
|
279 posts
|
Post by fossil on Jan 31, 2024 12:24:39 GMT
Finally managed to book for Buddha and Pericles. Only took two and a half hours. Long waits and numerous errors on loading seating plans and then errors after payment details entered at the checkout.
Booking opens for the National and the Open Air tomorrow, both at noon. Hopefully that should be more straightforward.
|
|
279 posts
|
Post by fossil on Jan 31, 2024 17:15:36 GMT
At 4.30pm I can see that the RSC web site now has a queueing system in place so I suspect general booking will be a lot better. Perhaps this did not kick in this morning. I feel quite sorry for box office staff on days like this.
|
|
356 posts
|
Post by lichtie on Jan 31, 2024 20:02:13 GMT
THe queue kicked in just before 2pm, by which time I'd only just managed to get one seat in the basket in 4 hours. 30 minutes later it all went perfectly smoothly!
|
|
|
Post by oxfordsimon on Jan 31, 2024 20:24:50 GMT
I guess it is a good sign that the new season is popular enough to generate queues.
But this has happened enough times in the past for them to have better anticipated likely IT demands!
|
|
|
Post by aspieandy on Jan 31, 2024 20:36:35 GMT
The Co-ADs were interviewed on BBC Radio 4's Front Row last evening which I found interesting. I will be booking for Pericles which I have seen but not at the RST, and the Garden Theatre for ASYLI.
Link to the interview, which begins at 20-minutes. Continues for about 11-minutes. That leads to an interesting interview involving Othello with a poetry prize winner:
|
|
351 posts
|
Post by cirque on Feb 7, 2024 19:28:11 GMT
Stratford today feels very positive. Staff much happier and excitement about new season.Have yet to complete the EW plans but from April looks thrilling. Fingers crossed
|
|
261 posts
|
Post by theatrenerd on Mar 11, 2024 23:43:25 GMT
Technically this isn’t part of Evans/Harvey’s new season, but just got in from seeing A Midsummer Night’s Dream and thought it was a really enjoyable production. Very funny, great performances all round, especially by Matthew Baynton as Bottom, loved the design and effects too. Would recommend catching in its last couple of weeks or hopefully they’ll film it or transfer to London!
|
|
|
Post by Jan on Mar 12, 2024 11:07:55 GMT
Would recommend catching in its last couple of weeks or hopefully they’ll film it or transfer to London! They won't transfer it - there is no obvious theatre for it and their Barbican residency is over until the end of the year. The new regime have been notably silent on their plans for touring in general and London in particular, probably with good reason as Doran over-promised and under-delivered. My guess is that the next Shakespeare we'll see from them in London is the Rupert Goold Hamlet which I'm guessing he required a guaranteed transfer for - that would make it 5 years since they last did Shakespeare in London.
|
|
4,596 posts
|
Post by Someone in a tree on Mar 12, 2024 11:48:59 GMT
Recently an RSC Hamlet went to Hackney Empire. Im not sure how it went down but i suspect the venue is good fit for large scale Shakespeare productions.
The Empire does have large gaps in its scheduling so it could work assuming ACE wants to fund it.
|
|