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Post by oxfordsimon on Aug 3, 2017 22:10:04 GMT
Not all actors (whether they are big names or not) live in London!
Yes, a lot of the theatrical focus in the UK is located within the M25 but not everyone lives there as well.
Emma Rice has recently made a big thing of the fact that she still lives in Bristol!
I don't know where David Tennant currently lives - but I know that Patrick Stewart and Ben Kingsley both have Oxfordshire bases and have managed pretty well with London and non-London careers over the years.
The RSC does look after their actors when they are in residence in Stratford - so I am sure that family commitments are part of that planning. And, of course, the repertory nature of the programming in the RST and the Swan means that big named actors are only going to be working part of the week and thus can be elsehwere the rest of the time.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 3, 2017 22:35:19 GMT
If I was a younger more adventurous choice I wouldn't want Doran hanging around advising me. At present I really have no clue who could take over from him, or more importantly who would want to - certainly no one young and adventurous springs to mind. We have commented on it before but it is quite surprising how the ultimate company man like Doran has proceeded to completely abandon the idea of the RSC being a company (a group of actors and directors who commit to the RSC on a long-term basis). The RSC ensemble seems to have had a number of actors returning for seasons more in recent years than a few more years back. I certainly seem to notice regular names in a lot of productions - James Corrigan springs to mind. Sadly the old tradition of having young actors start off as "Spear Bearers" and gradually work their way up through the company over a decade or so seems to have gone. I once heard that the RSC or NT were going to offer 3 year contracts but talent were reluctant to commit in case they missed out on bigger roles especially on screen. Derek Jacobi for instance spent 8 years with the NT then a similar amount of time with RSC earlier in his career as he worked his way up the ensemble. |
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Post by Deleted on Aug 3, 2017 22:47:42 GMT
The RSC ensemble always used to stay in the cottages opposite the theatre and there used to be a big charge from them to the SD just before the half hour call. I think some now stay further down towards TOTP.
I would have thought a stint in Stratford would be attractive to a lot of actors, being in a nice quiet town for a set period. I'd think that would be preferable to living out of a suitcase on tour. A lot of the company would actually move to the area in the days of longer term commitments - Timothy West even lived on his barge near the theatre apparently.
The RSC must have a good income stream from Matilda so that should shield them to a decent degree from grant cuts.
I've enjoyed the recent Mischief Festivals at TOTP and the venue is developing as an education zone as said previously as well as being a rehearsal space so it is being put to decent use.
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Post by samuelwhiskers on Aug 3, 2017 23:40:22 GMT
I used to live on the same road in West London as David Tennant + family. He doesn't seem to have any problem buggering off to the US for six months for screen jobs (they have nannies, so I guess his wife is fine alone), but SuA might be a bit too close to get away with that. Or not pay enough, more's the point. Bertie Carvel lived on a boat too when he was doing Matilda. Presumably not the same boat, but you never know.. If they had a London base they could originate some productions in London to run for a whole season then transfer for a short season in Stratford, treat it like a tour. Even when they were at the Barbican for 12 months a year, and then 6 months, they never really did that though. They actually rehearse some of their productions in Clapham as far as I know, used to anyway, to reflect the fact the actors and directors live in London. There is an account somewhere of an ill Robert Stephens after a Friday Stratford performance of King Lear queuing for the bus to Coventry to get the last train back to London for the weekend. At the same time the directorate (Noble?) were in the habit of flying first class to USA to arrange transfers. Back in the dark ages before the M40 extension and Chiltern trains. I was on a bus back to Cov with Robert Stephens after a performance of Julius Caesar! You then connected with train to Euston, seems mad now but if you didnt have a car that was the only way from London!! And now we think we're hard done by if we get stuck with one of the blue Chiltern trains instead of the far superior black ones. The first time I ever had a meeting with the RSC I had to get up at about 5am to catch the train, then discovered all the people I was there to meet had travelled up on the same train. Then we all promptly went back to London again. Oh well, nice to have a little jaunt. |
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Post by Deleted on Aug 4, 2017 0:03:50 GMT
Only in the last few years have you been able to get a train from Stratford to Birmingham later than 7.30pm. The 11:30pm train is ideal for any longer RSC Production so you can relax, maybe pop into the Duck before a steady walk back to station.
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Aug 4, 2017 8:27:16 GMT
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Post by Jan on Aug 4, 2017 8:27:16 GMT
If working there is such a problem why not resite the RSC to Stratford in London and pretend Shakespeare was born there? The actors can then complain about the high cost of living in London if they still need something to grouse about. No one says working there is a hassle. To be honest they all seem to have a great time. The problem is simply the logistics of those with dependents and commitment in London being reluctant to sign up for six months and be away from family. I think anyone can understand that. You are wrong. As I said, I know an actor (single) currently working for them. They said spending so long in Stratford is inconvenient and boring - "stir crazy" was an expression used - and that opinion is not unique. |
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Post by lucky700 on Aug 4, 2017 9:44:44 GMT
I used to live on the same road in West London as David Tennant + family. He doesn't seem to have any problem buggering off to the US for six months for screen jobs (they have nannies, so I guess his wife is fine alone), but SuA might be a bit too close to get away with that. Or not pay enough, more's the point. More is the point and they do have the money to get help. Much like Damien Lewis and Helen McCrory. Know their previous nanny/pa/a bit of housekeeping. Apparently they are lovely but he is gone a lot but they try there best to be with the kids. Her particularly. No one says working there is a hassle. To be honest they all seem to have a great time. The problem is simply the logistics of those with dependents and commitment in London being reluctant to sign up for six months and be away from family. I think anyone can understand that. You are wrong. As I said, I know an actor (single) currently working for them. They said spending so long in Stratford is inconvenient and boring - "stir crazy" was an expression used - and that opinion is not unique. I was being optimistic - though as it's not life I don't know why. In fairness some of them do seem to enjoy their time but air guess that has a lot to do with how much they bond and spend time with the other actors in the company that year. They work so much though I don't know how you could be stir crazy though unless you aren't in many plays. |
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Aug 5, 2017 7:34:52 GMT
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Post by Jan on Aug 5, 2017 7:34:52 GMT
What Jan the man says is correct: actors hate having to live up there. There's so little for them to do and if they're not having much fun creatively what's the point? Remember too that all the actors you see interviewed want to work for van Hove and Simon Stone and Robert Icke. The house gang of Chris Luscombe and Simon Godwin and Greg really don't rock the same kind of moves. Plus they want to work in London where they are more visible to agents and casting directors and where the more in demand ones can do voice over, filming and radio work during the day (and auditions) |
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Post by Deleted on Aug 5, 2017 9:15:01 GMT
Actors are not a monolithic entity who are all of one mind and choice is also a luxury for most. It's like saying that all footballers want to play for Barcelona and are unhappy having to play for Celtic. it's something to aim for but human beings know that they get the work they can and make the most of it.
There is life, and work, outside London!
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Aug 5, 2017 11:56:56 GMT
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Post by Jan on Aug 5, 2017 11:56:56 GMT
Actors are not a monolithic entity who are all of one mind and choice is also a luxury for most. It's like saying that all footballers want to play for Barcelona and are unhappy having to play for Celtic. it's something to aim for but human beings know that they get the work they can and make the most of it. There is life, and work, outside London! You are assuming actors are a monolithic entity who all make the most of it. Plenty of actors moan about living in Stratford, even McKellen has complained that when he was there the local community never thought to invite him to anything during the day to relieve the boredom. Of course I agree there's life for an actor outside London, they'd all leave immediately if they got a job in Hollywood. |
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Post by Deleted on Aug 5, 2017 12:46:45 GMT
Of course I agree there's life for an actor outside London, they'd all leave immediately if they got a job in Hollywood. Where they'd moan about life in Los Angeles. Anyway, this thread has inspired me to have another look at what the RSC is up to and I've booked this morning to see Queen Anne at Theatre Royal Haymarket next week and Kingdom Come at The Other Place next month. Thanks for the prompt, folks. |
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Aug 5, 2017 17:56:20 GMT
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Post by martin1965 on Aug 5, 2017 17:56:20 GMT
Of course I agree there's life for an actor outside London, they'd all leave immediately if they got a job in Hollywood. Where they'd moan about life in Los Angeles. Anyway, this thread has inspired me to have another look at what the RSC is up to and I've booked this morning to see Queen Anne at Theatre Royal Haymarket next week and Kingdom Come at The Other Place next month. Thanks for the prompt, folks. Dont come running to me! I saw QA in the Swan and it was dull dull dull. I couldnt believe when i saw it was transferring! |
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Post by Deleted on Aug 5, 2017 18:07:13 GMT
Well, it was popular popular popular in the Swan and I've enjoyed several other plays written by Helen Edmundson and other productions directed by Natalie Abrahami. And I'm already in the locality of the theatre, with no need for special travel, and there are very good tickets at half price, so I'm willing to go in with a good heart.
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Post by lynette on Aug 5, 2017 18:43:59 GMT
Well, it was popular popular popular in the Swan and I've enjoyed several other plays written by Helen Edmundson and other productions directed by Natalie Abrahami. And I'm already in the locality of the theatre, with no need for special travel, and there are very good tickets at half price, so I'm willing to go in with a good heart. In the locality, eh? Drinkies sometime? |
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Post by lynette on Aug 5, 2017 18:46:30 GMT
Of course I agree there's life for an actor outside London, they'd all leave immediately if they got a job in Hollywood. Where they'd moan about life in Los Angeles. Anyway, this thread has inspired me to have another look at what the RSC is up to and I've booked this morning to see Queen Anne at Theatre Royal Haymarket next week and Kingdom Come at The Other Place next month. Thanks for the prompt, folks. That Kingdom Come looks really interesting. Sadly I will be out of the country( airport security allowing) for its short run. The two shorties we saw earlier were really good especially the one called Myth. |
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Aug 5, 2017 19:52:47 GMT
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Post by martin1965 on Aug 5, 2017 19:52:47 GMT
Well, it was popular popular popular in the Swan and I've enjoyed several other plays written by Helen Edmundson and other productions directed by Natalie Abrahami. And I'm already in the locality of the theatre, with no need for special travel, and there are very good tickets at half price, so I'm willing to go in with a good heart. Dont say i didnt warn you. Rover would have been a better bet for a transfer imo. |
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Post by Deleted on Aug 5, 2017 21:53:37 GMT
Dont say i didnt warn you. Rover would have been a better bet for a transfer imo. Ha, I saw The Rover, The Two Noble Kinsmen and The Seven Acts of Mercy in the Swan and, for different reasons, none of them was to my taste. I thought that The Rover was treated far too light-heartedly as a charming romp and it paled in comparison with Ned Bennett's production of a new play based on The Rover which was totally in-yer-face and exuberant with the sexual humiliations, attempted rapes, lusts, etc., etc.. |
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Post by Deleted on Aug 5, 2017 22:00:02 GMT
That Kingdom Come looks really interesting. Sadly I will be out of the country( airport security allowing) for its short run. The two shorties we saw earlier were really good especially the one called Myth. Regrettably, I missed the Myth double bill - trying to reduce my theatre-going, but I'm lapsing back into it again now. But I enjoyed last year's double bill and the two double bills a couple of years before. Kingdom Come at first sounded as if it might be too historical to interest me, but I've now been swayed to see it by the RSC's confidence in presenting it, and the hope that it will be theatrically exciting. |
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Post by Deleted on Aug 5, 2017 22:05:28 GMT
In the locality, eh? Drinkies sometime? Alas, not based in the locality - just there for one afternoon and have decided to stay on to see Queen Anne in the evening before going home again. |
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Post by samuelwhiskers on Aug 6, 2017 18:28:26 GMT
Dont say i didnt warn you. Rover would have been a better bet for a transfer imo. Ha, I saw The Rover, The Two Noble Kinsmen and The Seven Acts of Mercy in the Swan and, for different reasons, none of them was to my taste. I thought that The Rover was treated far too light-heartedly as a charming romp and it paled in comparison with Ned Bennett's production of a new play based on The Rover which was totally in-yer-face and exuberant with the sexual humiliations, attempted rapes, lusts, etc., etc.. 100% agree. Tonally it was all over the place. I saw Vice Versa the other week which was another patented RSC historical romp. Fun and impeccably well done, but the script was like someone had chucked the entire Carry On canon into a random word generator. |
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Post by loureviews on Aug 7, 2017 9:46:06 GMT
Sher's Falstaff would have been much better suited to Merry Wives than it was to the Henry IVs. Either that or I'm projecting because it was so bad I'd like to have seen him tipped in the river... I thought he was a fantastic Falstaff, but whatever floats your boat. |
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Post by Deleted on Aug 7, 2017 10:15:30 GMT
Sher's Falstaff would have been much better suited to Merry Wives than it was to the Henry IVs. Either that or I'm projecting because it was so bad I'd like to have seen him tipped in the river... I thought he was a fantastic Falstaff, but whatever floats your boat. Roger Allam. I've seen at least 10 Falstaffs across the various plays and none of the others have held a candle to Roger Allam's. |
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Post by Deleted on Aug 7, 2017 10:16:37 GMT
I thought he was a fantastic Falstaff, but whatever floats your boat. Roger Allam. I've seen at least 10 Falstaffs across the various plays and none of the others have held a candle to Roger Allam's. Seconded. (Admittedly I haven't seen nearly so many but I find it very difficult to imagine anyone coming close) |
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Post by samuelwhiskers on Aug 7, 2017 10:26:27 GMT
I saw Simon Russell Beale do a bit of Falstaff on stage and he was so wonderful.
Wish I could have seen Roger Allam!
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Post by Deleted on Aug 7, 2017 10:30:55 GMT
I wanted nothing more than to see Simon Russell Beale's Falstaff, and I was so excited when he was cast in Hollow Crown, but it just didn't work for me. I want to offer some really clever analysis as to why that might have been (SRB's better at stage acting, Richard Eyre's direction was lacking, Falstaff is such a theatrical character that TV will always serve him poorly, whatever), but I honestly think it's because I'd already seen Roger Allam smash it out of the park. I might have to make a new rule for myself not to bother seeing any productions of a Shakespeare play once I've seen Roger Allam do it, because I found SRB a disappointing Prospero in the wake of Roger Allam's portrayal as well. And I love Simon Russell Beale, I promise!
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