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Post by David J on Nov 26, 2016 22:34:30 GMT
First of all I'd like to say that this was a fantastic, energetic and imaginative production this is. With one of the best ensemble work ive seen this year
Now I'd rate the productions as
1. The Tempest 2. Julius Caesar 3. Henry IV
I love seeing Shakespeare presented in different periods and settings. The Merchant of Las Vegas, an African Julius Caesar e.t.c.
I liked the idea of these plays reflecting the lives of these prisoners taking part. At the same time it did feel like these productions were trying to achieve multiple things at once.
For one they were endeavouring to keep the plays grounded in the prison setting. Julius Caesar is presented as this top-dog that all the inmates look up to, returning after committing crimes on parole. Then you see these developing prison power politics, and I was half expecting a staged prison riot after Antony's speech. Instead the break the prison image by turning to guerilla warfare
So after keeping up the prison pretence all I saw was the premise of these prisoners putting on Shakespeare. And at the same time they were trying to draw parallels with themselves and the characters they were playing
Henry IV is still good but to me it is the weakest. The biggest reason being that they had to cram two plays into 2 hours. Understandably they stick to part 1, with only four scenes from part 2. But still the ending feels rushed, and they had less time to present parallels between the characters and the prisoners. The girl playing Hal still does an excellent job showing how her prison character wants to move on, and you get hints about her relationship with the prisoner playing Falstaff. But still the whole relationship is glanced over which makes the ending feels like it comes out of nowhere. Also I'd have liked to have seen more about the prisoner playing Mistree quickly considering what happens to her half way through, but nothing comes of it
And that Quickly moment, along with a couple of similar moments in JC and HIV goes back to my point about these productions attempting multiple things at the same time. They can only do a Shakespeare play and then stop a few times to remember no us that they're making parallels with the prison setting. Sometimes the plays and the setting gel and others they don't
Then you get to The Tempest and then Phyllida Lloyds vision really comes into fruition. It's the most personal of the three plays. Harriet Walter plays a woman in jail for life and playing Prospero you see the anger she harboured for those who put her here.
The prison is her island and all of a sudden the play and the setting neatly fits together. The court of Milan is put through the same experience she had when arriving in prison and is at her mercy.
But at the same time this is a Prospero who will never be able to leave the island and Walter gives the most pained and shattering "rounded of with a sleep" soliloquy I've seen so far. But you sense that she has come to find spiritual peace over the years, and the ending is so heartfelt
Walters performance is one of the best I've seen this year (along withTim McMullans Prospero. Praise also goes to Jade Anouka who gives nothing but a stellar performance as Antony, Hotspur and Ariel
I still wholeheartedly recommend the whole trilogy but if you hand to go to one, The Tempest would be the one
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371 posts
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Post by popcultureboy on Nov 26, 2016 23:57:26 GMT
Is The Tempest 105 or 120mins? What is the running time for Julius Caesar? Julius Caesar - 120 mins Henry IV - 135 mins Tempest - 105 mins
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1,064 posts
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Post by bellboard27 on Nov 27, 2016 9:20:47 GMT
Susannah Clapp gives the trilogy 5 stars and calls it one of the most important theatrical events of the last 20 years. I am there for the day next Saturday (thanks to everyone for the feedback).
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2,389 posts
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Post by peggs on Nov 28, 2016 17:50:09 GMT
Thinking about this makes a rather silly grin want to appear on my face. I loved JC when I first saw it, wasn't quite so thrilled about HIV but sufficiently to buy a trilogy ticket in order to see the Tempest. JC was as good as I remembered, a few tweaks from the original and some casting changes but it still had the same energy filled, easy to follow, compelling quality that sucked me in last time. Harriet Walter again superb but when isn't she. Henry IV had either improved from what I remembered or perhaps knowing what to expect I didn't miss some of the cut bits from the second part. I didn't remember it being so funny and yet so painful at the same time. Jade Anouka was on fire as Hotspur, all firey passion and rash courage, this was a part she seemed born to play and has to be the best Hotspur I've ever seen. The tempest I did initially think was the weakest but I think that’s as it was new to me so I’m still processing it and has been commented it has the strongest links prison character setting wise. It was both full of joy and piercing sadness and isolation. I think these plays had so much to say through a female cast and the prison setting and as an all in one day experience it was really strong (plastic seats aside did get a bit uncomfy but all had all that extra cold weather clothing to sit on).
Others before have eloquently reviewed much better than I could a lot of what I felt but I’d strongly recommend it.
On a practical note there were some no shows on Saturday and some of those were free under 25s from talking to other people however since they wanted to fill the front row and threw myself at the available seat as fast as possible I can’t complain as it meant I had a great view although I don’t think there are any bad seats here, I was pleasantly surprised how good my corner seat was before I moved. Spent the intervals with the person I met sitting next to me having long conversations about theatre and about how our friends and family thought us mad when we describe what we see, most satisfying.
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393 posts
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Post by altamont on Dec 3, 2016 13:42:50 GMT
Just finished Julius Caesar - utterly superb and totally justifying its standing ovation. And to think that that is just part 1 of 3. I am normally a traditionalist when it comes to Shakespeare but this is so vivid and alive.
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1,064 posts
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Post by bellboard27 on Dec 5, 2016 15:59:16 GMT
Went to the Trilogy on Saturday. I must say that much of what David J said earlier corresponds to my feelings.
Overall I had a great day. There are some good performances. I particularly liked Jade Anouka as Anthony, Hotspur and Ariel.
I agree that the prison context is oddly used. All 3 are interrupted by the prison officers, so breaking the action of the plays (this is much worse in The Tempest). However, this is a minor grumble!
I would rate the productions as Julius C., Henry IV and Tempest in that order (the order presented!).
Previous reports of running times are accurate. However, all 3 started exactly 10 minutes late (due to leading the audience in very close to start time). Still, with The Tempest running under 2 hours, we were out at 10 pm.
The common space is shared with Lazarus, but the start times are staggered, so making it easier for bar and toilets.
For info, Julius C was at about 90% occupancy and the other 2 at 95%.
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Post by Deleted on Dec 17, 2016 22:26:06 GMT
A triumphant last trilogy day with some of the cast in tears of joy and emotion at the end
I did miss the Julius Caesar this morning as I saw it twice at the Donmar
Partly I was too tired and partly I was sad Frances Barber didn't continue with the ensemble and I think she only ever featured in JC
The loss of Cush Jumbo is also a shame (although at least she missed the leaden Saint Joan she was supposed to be in)
These are minor niggles but I decided to miss JC because of them
My preference is:
Henry IV Julius Caesar The Tempest
Having seen the RSC bells and whistles Tempest so recently didn't help and I find it quite a silly play to begin with
I have always disliked Henry IV as all the productions I have seen of it are stodgy and boring
The Donmar version is the only one which brings clarity and much needed brevity It is also the best play of the three which allows each actress to shine as an individual
Talk about diversity in casting- this project is the best example of the broadest range of talent and accents I think I have ever seen and it works so so well
They were filming all three plays today and the audience reaction at the end was rapturous
At the time of Henry IV at The Donmar Phylida Lloyd had not decided what the third play would be for certain
I once asked her if it could be Macbeth and was a little disappointed at the actual selection
Come to think of it
How come Macbeth doesn't get staged that often
The NT or Donmar not done for ages
And Almeida not a proper version other than some bastardised thing if I recall correctly?
It's a much better play than Hamlet and that gets done all the time!
On a final note
The seats were not good Rock hard
It's a bit unfair for those who paid £150 to see this
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Post by Deleted on Dec 17, 2016 23:28:39 GMT
Macbeth is reasonably tedious, and the Globe and RSC do it all the time. It's also reasonably safe as a West End or other major theatre or fringe theatre production. I've seen three different productions of it this year alone courtesy of Punchdrunk (sort of), the Young Vic, and the Globe. If you're not seeing enough Macbeths for your liking, then it's you who's not making the effort, not the theatres.
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2,706 posts
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Post by Cardinal Pirelli on Dec 17, 2016 23:37:49 GMT
I was there too today so missed you again, Parsley. Timely seeing it at this point, too, given the happenings in Birmingham.
More thoughts to come later about forgiveness, prisons both physical and mental and where the nation stands now. You could have paid £50 for the day, by the wat, and had just as good a view on the (not very far) back row. I'd also put The Tempest at the top, JC second and Henry IV a little further back; partly concept but also given the relative proportion of how much Harriet Walter you get.
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Post by Deleted on Dec 18, 2016 0:20:15 GMT
Macbeth is reasonably tedious, and the Globe and RSC do it all the time. It's also reasonably safe as a West End or other major theatre or fringe theatre production. I've seen three different productions of it this year alone courtesy of Punchdrunk (sort of), the Young Vic, and the Globe. If you're not seeing enough Macbeths for your liking, then it's you who's not making the effort, not the theatres. As mentioned It's not been done at the NT Donmar or Almeida The YV version was hardly well received or a faithful staging I don't do The Globe The RSC last staged it in 2011 and before that 2004 So it's not staged "all the time" I wish people would check their facts first
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Post by Deleted on Dec 18, 2016 0:22:33 GMT
I was there too today so missed you again, Parsley. Timely seeing it at this point, too, given the happenings in Birmingham. More thoughts to come later about forgiveness, prisons both physical and mental and where the nation stands now. You could have paid £50 for the day, by the wat, and had just as good a view on the (not very far) back row. I'd also put The Tempest at the top, JC second and Henry IV a little further back; partly concept but also given the relative proportion of how much Harriet Walter you get. Yes I paid £50 The person next to me £150 Was there dynamic pricing here? Must have been Also there was a major error on my ticket Said Tempest started 2030 when in fact it was 2000 Only made it as they were running so late for each play
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Post by mikey on Dec 18, 2016 0:28:10 GMT
I was there today, was an incredible experience to see all three plays in one go. What a terrific cast.
Really loved Sophie Stanton as Falstaff and Caliban.
As some other people have already commented on, I don't think The Tempest utlised the prison setting as well as the previous two plays.
I do agree that there was no need for dynamic pricing when all seats would have given very good views, I'd imagine.
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Post by Deleted on Dec 18, 2016 0:29:12 GMT
I was there today, was an incredible experience to see all three plays in one go. What a terrific cast. Really loved Sophie Stanton as Falstaff and Caliban. As some other people have already commented on, I don't think The Tempest utlised the prison setting as well as the previous two plays. I do agree that there was no need for dynamic pricing when all seats would have given very good views, I'd imagine. What row were you in please?
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Post by Deleted on Dec 18, 2016 0:30:41 GMT
I was there today, was an incredible experience to see all three plays in one go. What a terrific cast. Really loved Sophie Stanton as Falstaff and Caliban. As some other people have already commented on, I don't think The Tempest utlised the prison setting as well as the previous two plays. I do agree that there was no need for dynamic pricing when all seats would have given very good views, I'd imagine. What row were you in please? I think the dynamic pricing came into play after the reviews came out During the incredibly long preview period they were papering all 3 plays That stopped soon after the 5 star reviews and the gushing press quotes were used in advertising!
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Post by Deleted on Dec 18, 2016 0:31:12 GMT
Macbeth is reasonably tedious, and the Globe and RSC do it all the time. It's also reasonably safe as a West End or other major theatre or fringe theatre production. I've seen three different productions of it this year alone courtesy of Punchdrunk (sort of), the Young Vic, and the Globe. If you're not seeing enough Macbeths for your liking, then it's you who's not making the effort, not the theatres. As mentioned It's not been done at the NT Donmar or Almeida The YV version was hardly well received or a faithful staging I don't do The Globe The RSC last staged it in 2011 and before that 2004 So it's not staged "all the time" I wish people would check their facts first I don't know what to tell you except I've seen it fifteen times over the last few years in a variety of venues and guises, which is a more than reasonable production rate for *any* play. Is it done as often as Hamlet, Lear, or As You Like It? No, of course not, *nothing* is done as often as Hamlet, Lear, or As You Like It. Has it been done of late in the small handful of specific theatres you name in your post? No, it is indeed a correct fact that it hasn't been done of late in the small handful of specific theatres you name in your post. But if you chill your li'l boots the next production will be along in no time at all, and I don't see why your refusal to patronise a particular theatre should count against the number of productions that exist of a particular play, that's a very strange point to make. By the by, there is this forthcoming at the National: www.nationaltheatre.org.uk/shows/macbeth but I expect you'll have some equally strange point to make for why this one doesn't count either. Honestly, "check their facts", like I don't keep detailed records of all my theatre-going and am just pulling nonsense out of thin air.
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Post by Deleted on Dec 18, 2016 0:35:21 GMT
As mentioned It's not been done at the NT Donmar or Almeida The YV version was hardly well received or a faithful staging I don't do The Globe The RSC last staged it in 2011 and before that 2004 So it's not staged "all the time" I wish people would check their facts first I don't know what to tell you except I've seen it fifteen times over the last few years in a variety of venues and guises, which is a more than reasonable production rate for *any* play. Is it done as often as Hamlet, Lear, or As You Like It? No, of course not, *nothing* is done as often as Hamlet, Lear, or As You Like It. Has it been done of late in the small handful of specific theatres you name in your post? No, it is indeed a correct fact that it hasn't been done of late in the small handful of specific theatres you name in your post. But if you chill your li'l boots the next production will be along in no time at all, and I don't see why your refusal to patronise a particular theatre should count against the number of productions that exist of a particular play, that's a very strange point to make. By the by, there is this forthcoming at the National: www.nationaltheatre.org.uk/shows/macbeth but I expect you'll have some equally strange point to make for why this one doesn't count either. Honestly, "check their facts", like I don't keep detailed records of all my theatre-going and am just pulling nonsense out of thin air. The last proper high profile one I saw Was Branagh And before that Patrick Stewart Compared to the Lears and Hamlets we have had to endure Paltry
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Post by Honoured Guest on Dec 18, 2016 10:15:19 GMT
Compared to the Lears and Hamlets we have had to endure Paltry No one has to endure anything. We all see a personal selection of the available productions. Even individual critics make such choices.
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Post by Jan on Dec 18, 2016 13:32:12 GMT
How come Macbeth doesn't get staged that often The NT or Donmar not done for ages And Almeida not a proper version other than some bastardised thing if I recall correctly? It's a much better play than Hamlet and that gets done all the time! You have forgotten Simon Russell-Beale's eminently forgettable, and conventional, Macbeth which was at the Almeida in 2005. Same year as Stephen Dillane's one man version at the same venue I think. Over the years Macbeth has been staged quite often, significantly more often than As You Like It for example (despite the comment further up this thread). The last one I saw was John Heffernan at the Young Voc. Tempest is one of the most frequently staged. Of the more famous plays in the canon the ones that get staged surprisingly infrequently are Romeo & Juliet and Antony and Cleopatra (both are hard to cast I think).
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Post by lynette on Dec 18, 2016 16:36:17 GMT
Macbeth is a GCSE set book probably because it is short and Shakespeare, ever considerate of the struggling student, sign posts everything so well! The best Macbeth I've seen was the one at Stratford where they made the witches children. We don't get at all bothered these days about evil witches which still were a reality, just, to the Jacobean audience, but we are very frightened of evil children in the modern world. It was chilling and of course fitted into the child metaphor strand in the play. But it is hard to get right on stage for all sorts of reasons: hence I think the suspicions surrounding it.
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