351 posts
|
Post by cirque on Dec 2, 2018 8:57:43 GMT
good casting at rsc.
wonder what main house will bring.......
|
|
351 posts
|
Post by cirque on Nov 11, 2018 13:47:18 GMT
Clearly branded as Mad Max take but apart from token bikes etc at start nothing else really.A big problem for theatre trying to hook young audiences is attempting to play their way-music,games,fashion etc...but-of course-their world is constantly changing so that the fluidity makes so called contemporary look dated very quickly.Same with rhythms and styles of speech.....what theatre can do is play the timelessness of work like this so that audiences can do their own joining up.You can be contemporary without selecting once thought popular images.Theatre will not replicate their world but can open up perspectives.I do believe this is the RSC trap.
Maria Ahberg's club settings reflect a rather dated type of club...the greatest resource is the power of the actor without falling back on 'nudge nudge'imagery.
Troilus shows RSC can create work of importance and value....yet,this looks dated as the Mad Max trailer from 1985 above shows and apocalyptic settings get tiresome.....I would love to see this Troilus in rehearsal clothes as a one off.Stripped of the visuals may well be very revealing.
Contemporary realisations can work..Icke/Scott Hamlet,Van Hove Roman Tragedies/Kings of War......RSC do not have right now a pool of directors or list of guests that are comfortable with the process.That's why so often it all feels just wrong.Does the use of school groups as Prologue in Romeo at Barbican illuminate the play..? I don't think so....
I think bravery is needed by RSC....brave to take their house dramatist and explore for everyone,without the tagline young people must understand everything. How many of us at 15 got it...its a growth process.
Dont want to seem preachy because that gets into RSC territory but do want to see this company as world leaders again which,right now,seems a long way off.
|
|
351 posts
|
Post by cirque on Nov 11, 2018 10:52:39 GMT
This is a good production....certainly worth seeing as it will possibly be the last time such a title is seen on Main Stage.
They are virtually giving tickets away and thats sad for such good work but,in all honesty,RSC have headed out on collision course with their audience by clearly stating that the young generation are their target and the older and,of course,long time loyal audiences are disliked.RSC needs to cater across the ages and perhaps try to pull back those who have abandoned them in dismay.
Troilus works as does Tamburlaine.....fine work but simply not selling at all.
Do feel Greg needs to reinstall his passion and leadership-seems now that Erica Whyman is Artistic Director and Greg doing the odd passion project.
Who knows ?
|
|
351 posts
|
Post by cirque on Oct 11, 2018 21:53:40 GMT
And an alcoholic to play Clarence......
|
|
351 posts
|
Post by cirque on Sept 21, 2018 12:07:28 GMT
so why the sudden eruption of Tartuffe..s
Think Peer Gynt retitled Peter Gynt is also in season.
|
|
351 posts
|
Post by cirque on Sept 16, 2018 12:03:23 GMT
In todays Observer Greg Doran emphasises that RSC will now place musicians on stage-where they can be appreciated and the music live experience better support the work.It reads like GD has just realised this and changing policy.
Which,of course,is a little late. Peter Hall/Raymond Leppard then Guy Woolfenden/Michael Tubbs placed musicians on stage for most RSC shows throught the history of company....still mostly on stage.Not so much in costume these days but certainly present.It was always a feature to see and enjoy RSC live music.
There seems to be a trend of RSC statements suggesting they have broken the mould of today....lets think
2019/20 company Diversity....yes,Michelle Terry has completed first season with Shakespeares Globe introducing her diverse ensemble.
Globe-musicians always visible and a feature of work regardless of period setting etc.
Gender blind casting ...again its not new
Permanent set design for season......Nunn installed one in 1977,I think it was.This one is almost a copy.
I do wish RSC would stop being arrogant and suggesting their ground breaking when,to my mind,many before have made the decisions.
|
|
351 posts
|
Post by cirque on Sept 12, 2018 8:06:01 GMT
take a look at RSC trailer for Troilus
Its the return of the ninja turtles........
|
|
351 posts
|
Post by cirque on Sept 10, 2018 8:12:16 GMT
Male Katherine
Globe set the model.
|
|
351 posts
|
Post by cirque on Sept 8, 2018 7:11:58 GMT
Otway
|
|
351 posts
|
Post by cirque on Aug 28, 2018 9:15:15 GMT
Thrilling ,intelligent work.So pleased to find an RSC on top form after a long while of rather lack lustre work.Maybe just me but think Tamburlaine represents a very different RSC.
|
|
351 posts
|
Post by cirque on Aug 14, 2018 12:30:17 GMT
Some strong casting announced today-great to see Oliver Ford Davis back again.
50/50 parity casting is made big thing-Susanne Bertish as Agammenon should be great.Only grip is highlighting deaf actrress as this seems to shout look at us,especially when Globe already ahead.
Will look forward to this living instrument production.
|
|
351 posts
|
Post by cirque on Aug 6, 2018 13:10:56 GMT
Mine
Robert Lepage. Transfer Coriolanus from other Stratford Ivo van Hove
Imagine a Lepage Pericles and V H Measure For Measure
Robert Icke
Sally Cookson. Yes....devises a lot but exciting prospect
Michael ?Boyd. But he won't
Katie Mitchell. She won't
Elizabeth Freestone
All be interesting to see at RSC but they won't and RSC will not deviate from usual roster ..........
Future AD. Don't think it's an attractive post anymore.....Goold would have been wonderful but alas too late.
It is Shakespeare's house so someone with a passion but also a dynamic approach that is not simply using contemporary music etc....rather a director who can illuminate through understanding and also attract good actors on board.Talent this season not great at all.
|
|
351 posts
|
Post by cirque on Aug 1, 2018 11:22:47 GMT
lots of Rush tickets available.
Dont think it would work in London......very much an industry show and no real appeal to wider audience.
Simply my opinion.
|
|
351 posts
|
Post by cirque on Aug 1, 2018 11:20:46 GMT
please theatre marketing depts......stop calling so much work 'love letters' to everything and everybody.
bored now.
|
|
351 posts
|
Post by cirque on Jul 26, 2018 12:54:49 GMT
so......a Warwickshire theatre has changed character names in Aladdin to avoid racist accusations.
I really think I've had it.
|
|
351 posts
|
Post by cirque on Jul 13, 2018 15:22:09 GMT
Richard 11 to be all female/multi racial company.
Thoughts...?
|
|
351 posts
|
Post by cirque on Jul 6, 2018 18:41:24 GMT
Of course...with the increasing number of so called Chilled Performances,audiences can get used to wandering around,talking,phones,etc.......on one hand we say-come and be yourself.....then chide for doing so.
Its gone too far.
|
|
351 posts
|
Post by cirque on Jun 29, 2018 15:41:47 GMT
RSC now,for me,basically a beefed up education project.It was a world beating ensemble.
Not just Doran....through the whole ranks of admin etc.
|
|
351 posts
|
Post by cirque on Jun 27, 2018 11:37:59 GMT
Looking at Imperium it seems that Greg Doran has a fantastic core of actors who could play in the Troilus and Cressida company at Stratford.Hope RSC casting share these thoughts .Certainly feels like ensemble.
|
|
351 posts
|
Post by cirque on Jun 18, 2018 12:47:45 GMT
But still a rather exciting exploration. Similar with RSC Swan......minority Eliz and Jacobean plays plus experiments in language etc.Thats now all but abandoned with shows like Miss Littlewood coming in.i regret that but guess the planning has to be realistic although don't see Littlewood drawing a largely tourist crowd. Back to Wanamaker...great to see Marlowe with Shakespeare in tandem and idea of festival themed surround is enriching.CAsting the eye across London this winter there is so much of all genres that I don't want to see Globe duplicate which is what happened with ER when most of the shows could have sat well elsewhere. We shall see and,of course,my thoughts are my own initial response to the announcement. Believe that Michelle Terry does have an intelligent plan.
|
|
351 posts
|
Post by cirque on Jun 18, 2018 12:22:22 GMT
Personally think this season is most exciting for years....of course,time and casting/creatives will tell but ,to me,seems to be exactly what Wanamaker is for .
Hated old white man signs off
|
|
351 posts
|
Post by cirque on May 25, 2018 16:26:07 GMT
Just beginning to wonder if this is going to work.
Quite a few people like to select their play in advance and not take pot luck.....perhaps one Twelfth Night too many when one really wants a Shrew.
Quite like to make my own selection....any thoughts../
|
|
351 posts
|
Post by cirque on Apr 30, 2018 7:38:45 GMT
Now. Back to Hamlet
|
|
351 posts
|
Post by cirque on Apr 27, 2018 16:10:19 GMT
great to hear this
|
|
351 posts
|
Post by cirque on Apr 27, 2018 15:32:44 GMT
Any thoughts on the opener.....?
|
|
351 posts
|
Post by cirque on Mar 23, 2018 11:09:04 GMT
I suggest there is no problem with the Olivier whatsoever.
Yet many problems.
The Olivier space is designed for epic work and large themes.Worlds great drama in reimagined and engaging styles.From earliest days in this space much magnificent work has been developed covering Greek Drama,Shakespeare,Jacobean,Restoration and contemporary.Of course many large musicals have also won acclaim-Follies being a perfect example.
However many Directors fail to grasp the requirements of the space.I recall at RSC no young director wanted the main house and fought for The Other Place or Swan Theatre.This fear spread to actors feeling unable to cope with the large space and experiments in reducing scale developed.
There remains an essential fear in planning that in order to be successful one has to ensure mass appeal and often results in catastrophe as with the current Macbeth.The calls should not be for Norris to go but to engage in a discussion with Directors who want to think big and be bold.Hall,Nunn,Hytner,etc....and many more have swept audiences along with stunning work born from a passion.War Horse is a prime example of a bold drama that took everyone by surprise...all ages....
As many of todays writers love smaller spaces for engagement there is little opportunity to test the large scale.Very bad idea to place new writer onto Olivier....
There is some rather silly dialogue going on......programme Olivier as community space.What utter nonsense for.perhaps,our greatest arena for theatre.The answer is to consider the great and ,of course,potential discoveries planning a repertoire that excites and challenges.The design factor could be explored through a semi permanent space design to house a repertoire as with early Travelex days.This would certainly allow easier changeovers and flexibility.
Of course,we can all plan academic seasons as we dont have to balance the books but there is a rich seam of work waiting to be developed on the Olivier stage and surely Directors who want to engage with this democratic space.
Great Drama will reignite the Olivier.Lets not talk of the space being the problem,rather accept that here we have one of the greatest spaces anywhere and its time to bring it back to the fore.
|
|
351 posts
|
Post by cirque on Mar 9, 2018 10:48:26 GMT
This is an utter and catastrophic mess.
I should write with logic and a sense of awareness for Directorial conceit etc.
My anger forbids it.There is no understanding of the importance of creating a society dominated by elite blood and religion....the world is a gym inhabited by 'grunts' and reducing the play-one of the strongest in the Jacobean canon to a nonsense.Dont quote Tarantino blood letting-he has a purpose.In this nonsense the actors slip,slide and snarl their way only standing when they are not slipping.
The work is a disgrace and an insult to audiences.
Sorry anger forbids anything more this morning.
|
|
351 posts
|
Post by cirque on Mar 8, 2018 10:11:24 GMT
superb Macbeth on in Paris...Odeon.Worth a Eurostar trip.
|
|
351 posts
|
Post by cirque on Mar 8, 2018 9:43:45 GMT
Well.....like to be a fly on the wall in RSC admin today.....looks like they cant fail.
Interesting interview today with new Duchess in The Stage seeming to suggest Erica Whyman is the great boss.Come on Greg...show some spirit.
|
|
351 posts
|
Post by cirque on Mar 4, 2018 12:13:08 GMT
overheard front of house saying to someone who couldnt get tickets.....its mainly schools,Macbeth is on syllabus.We do seem to cater more for schools at RSC these days.
Perhaps explains the popularity.
|
|