3,469 posts
|
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.
|
|
|
|
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.
|
|
453 posts
|
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. |
|
|
|
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. |
|
3,469 posts
|
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.
|
|
|
|
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.
|
|
5,582 posts
|
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. |
|
|
|
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. |
|
348 posts
|
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.
|
|
277 posts
|
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 |
|
1,001 posts
|
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. |
|
|
|
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. |
|
1,001 posts
|
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 |
|
|
|
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 ? |
|
|
|
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?
|
|
Xanderl
Member
Not always very high value in terms of ticket yield or donations
|
Post by Xanderl on Aug 31, 2019 13:53:07 GMT
More from the Walliams first folio in the main house, the Swan will focus on his contemporaries such as Lucas and Tate
|
|
|
|
Post by theatremad on Sept 3, 2019 11:37:21 GMT
More from the Walliams first folio in the main house, the Swan will focus on his contemporaries such as Lucas and Tate Nearly wet myself at that comment, very good |
|
|
|
Post by theatremad on Sept 3, 2019 11:39:29 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? Sadly I think you're right about the second tetralogy being left until last (first in order of writing I seem to remember). Love a proper season in the Swan not a play on its own then a couple for the rest of the year.
And please not a repeat of the disaster that was this years summer offering.
Any anniversaries due?
|
|
348 posts
|
Post by cirque on Sept 3, 2019 16:34:24 GMT
I think it is beyond hope that anything will change.The upcoming Swan Winter will empty the house.
Rumour that the master plan for folio has been dropped.
Sub standard directors for high level classical work and new plays that should be tested in studio thrown on bigger stages by arrogance of artistic planners.
Even a couple of years ago there was more hope than today.Look at King John trailer and food fight warnings from box office......
But as they will tell you...as told me....well,we have a Comedy Festival.
Indeed you do.
|
|
|
|
Post by learfan on Sept 3, 2019 16:58:00 GMT
I think it is beyond hope that anything will change.The upcoming Swan Winter will empty the house. Rumour that the master plan for folio has been dropped. Sub standard directors for high level classical work and new plays that should be tested in studio thrown on bigger stages by arrogance of artistic planners. Even a couple of years ago there was more hope than today.Look at King John trailer and food fight warnings from box office...... But as they will tell you...as told me....well,we have a Comedy Festival. Indeed you do. How can the folio plan be dropped when it is almost finished?? Dont think so. The Swan winter is interesting enough. But they shouldn't have cleared the mainhouse decks for the Musical. |
|
453 posts
|
Post by mistressjojo on Sept 3, 2019 17:27:05 GMT
For those of you wanting Pericles, the fairies tell me you're in luck.
|
|
|
|
Post by Jan on Sept 3, 2019 19:41:02 GMT
Leaving aside those directed by Doran, which have been the best Shakespeare productions in this complete works cycle ? It’s hard to think of any that have risen above the mediocre. Of course most of Doran’s didn’t either. A very disappointing spell as AD. Meanwhile look at the Almeida which has thrived under Rupert Goold who lost out to Doran in opaque circumstances for the RSC AD job.
|
|
Xanderl
Member
Not always very high value in terms of ticket yield or donations
|
Post by Xanderl on Sept 3, 2019 20:04:04 GMT
Leaving aside those directed by Doran, which have been the best Shakespeare productions in this complete works cycle ? It’s hard to think of any that have risen above the mediocre. Of course most of Doran’s didn’t either. A very disappointing spell as AD. Meanwhile look at the Almeida which has thrived under Rupert Goold who lost out to Doran in opaque circumstances for the RSC AD job. i would say the Iqbal Khan Othello with Hugh Quarshie and Lucian Msamati, and the Simon Godwin Hamlet with Paapa Essiedu. |
|
1,001 posts
|
Post by David J on Sept 3, 2019 21:04:24 GMT
Leaving aside those directed by Doran, which have been the best Shakespeare productions in this complete works cycle ? It’s hard to think of any that have risen above the mediocre. Of course most of Doran’s didn’t either. A very disappointing spell as AD. Meanwhile look at the Almeida which has thrived under Rupert Goold who lost out to Doran in opaque circumstances for the RSC AD job. i would say the Iqbal Khan Othello with Hugh Quarshie and Lucian Msamati, and the Simon Godwin Hamlet with Paapa Essiedu. I'd also count Love's Labours Lost and Much Ado About Nothing. Troilus and Crossida was also a rare moment when Doran gave a sh*t. Meanwhile in the Swan Theatre we had some brilliant productions of The Jew of Malta, The Rover, Snow in Midsummer and some good productions of The Roaring Girl, Arden of Faversham, Volpone, Don Quixote, The Alchemist, Vice Versa, Dido Queen of Carthage, The Fantastic Follies of Mrs Rich, Timon of Athens, Tamburlaine, Tartuffe, The Provoked Wife. The Swan productions are the only ones I go up to Stratford for these days. It feels like Doran left the theatre to let directors stretch their muscles and put some creativity and effort in their productions. Even the average and bad productions felt more lively than most of the shows in the main theatre. Watching the productions it was clear how much the casts were having a good time And its also where most veteran or previous RSC actors and directors work nowadays. What did we get this year? Jonathan Slinger, Alexandria Gilbreath, Caroline Quentin, Jodie McNee, Phillip Breen, Rufus Hound, John Hodgkinson. Not that there weren't some noteworthy performances in the main theatre, Lucy Phelps and Sandy Grierson in particular. Going to the Swan Theatre feels like an event in itself and I hope that continues By the way I was reminded that this year is the 250th anniversary of David Garrick's Shakespeare Jubilee. Apart from the two Swan productions of plays he took part in, that fact seems to have gone by with little fanfare. |
|
1,001 posts
|
Post by David J on Sept 3, 2019 21:23:29 GMT
|
|
|
|
Post by Jan on Sept 4, 2019 5:59:11 GMT
Leaving aside those directed by Doran, which have been the best Shakespeare productions in this complete works cycle ? It’s hard to think of any that have risen above the mediocre. Of course most of Doran’s didn’t either. A very disappointing spell as AD. Meanwhile look at the Almeida which has thrived under Rupert Goold who lost out to Doran in opaque circumstances for the RSC AD job. i would say the Iqbal Khan Othello with Hugh Quarshie and Lucian Msamati, and the Simon Godwin Hamlet with Paapa Essiedu. I think of the directors only Simon Godwin really emerged as a major talent during Doran's reign (early on his Two Gentlemen of Verona was highly regarded, Hamlet, then Timon of Athens), but where is he now ? Two big Shakespeares at the NT then off to USA. There was a time when the RSC would lock in a top Shakespeare director so they wouldn't get poached by the NT. |
|
Xanderl
Member
Not always very high value in terms of ticket yield or donations
|
Post by Xanderl on Sept 4, 2019 6:09:58 GMT
Well I'm hoping Godwin went off to the USA to get experience of running a building so he can then stage a triumphant return to rescue either the RSC or the NT. He'd certainly be my top pic to take over from Doran.
|
|
|
|
Post by theatremad on Sept 4, 2019 8:22:18 GMT
For those of you wanting Pericles, the fairies tell me you're in luck. Yay will be a good season just for that, love this play |
|
|
|
Post by Jan on Sept 4, 2019 10:09:48 GMT
Well I'm hoping Godwin went off to the USA to get experience of running a building so he can then stage a triumphant return to rescue either the RSC or the NT. He'd certainly be my top pic to take over from Doran. Yes he would be a good choice, even though he appears to be the only choice (given how few directors seem to want to run a building these days). NT is a separate problem that I don't think Godwin is the answer to. |
|
|
|
Post by Jan on Sept 4, 2019 10:13:35 GMT
For those of you wanting Pericles, the fairies tell me you're in luck. Yay will be a good season just for that, love this play Yes me too. One of those which is much better in performance than on the page. Seen it 8 times but have missed the most recent few productions. |
|
