421 posts
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Post by schuttep on Jul 4, 2017 14:26:14 GMT
The RSC seems to be shying away from casting major acting talent (yet charges ridiculous prices for their shows). I paid £45 top price to see both Titus and Salome. That's substantially cheaper than the National's top prices and West End pricing. |
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2,480 posts
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Post by zahidf on Jul 4, 2017 15:48:44 GMT
I thought last years Cymberline was excellent, as was a Taming of the Shrew they did recently.
Tempest in July had got god reviews as well
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Post by Deleted on Jul 4, 2017 18:53:39 GMT
Yes, I really liked Cymbeline too. And I would strongly disagree that the RSC skimp on casting talent. You don't need a big name to get talent (although aren't David Tennant, Antony Sher, Gillian Bevan, David Troughton, Rufus Hound etc big names?) - I've seen several superb actors at the RSC recently who aren't household names but who are certainly extremely talented - what about Paapa Essidou, Alex Hassell, Sam Marks, Sandy Grierson, Lucy Ellinson, Ayesha Dharker, James Corrigan, Nia Gwynne...? Or does talent only cover someone who's been on telly a lot?
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2,389 posts
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Post by peggs on Jul 4, 2017 21:20:59 GMT
Having said that though, the opening section with the hoodies running about, looting and having a f***ing bizarre dance-off with the cops, was almost unbearably naff. They did well to recover from that. Won't see this as not near Stratford and rather too much gore in this particular play for me but bee your description alone of the opening has my curiosity piqued quite successfully. |
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Post by bee on Jul 5, 2017 5:59:32 GMT
Having said that though, the opening section with the hoodies running about, looting and having a f***ing bizarre dance-off with the cops, was almost unbearably naff. They did well to recover from that. Won't see this as not near Stratford and rather too much gore in this particular play for me but bee your description alone of the opening has my curiosity piqued quite successfully.
As well just as being rubbish, it was like something that had been imported from a different play, as if someone in the RSC office had picked up a few pages of someone else's printout at the photocopier when they were printing out the scripts to hand out to the cast.
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5,690 posts
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Post by lynette on Jul 5, 2017 15:16:24 GMT
You are right. They need to sustain the political idea throughout. I think this director will learn from this.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 5, 2017 17:39:42 GMT
The beginning bits (not the dance off, that was WEIRD) was very similar to the people's theatre part of the Sheffield Julius Caesar recently, except that in Sheffield it was much better done and it worked, and it was sustained through the play and was part of it. When Titus started and there were random ordinary people wandering around in hoodies, pushing prams, watching the politicians doing stuff, my friend and I both said 'ooh, they saw JC in Sheffield then!'. But then I think the whole selfie taking/filming the politicians thing just went on far too long with no purpose. But then after the play got going, they seemed to forget all about them! The whole point in Sheffield is that the ordinary people were initially there observing, then getting sucked up into cheering for Caesar, and then manipulated into a terrifying mob who became a major character in their own right.
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Post by crabtree on Jul 5, 2017 21:53:39 GMT
I still remember John Hopkins, in the swan production 3 or 4 years ago, rising splendidly naked from the bath, save for his gold laurel crown on his head. A touch of genius. And yes, those last five violently choreographed minutes.
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2,480 posts
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Post by zahidf on Jul 6, 2017 9:04:33 GMT
Seems to have been getting very good reviews so far
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5,690 posts
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Post by lynette on Jul 6, 2017 14:11:39 GMT
Telegraph a bit sniffy saying it is as if Troughton is trapped in a student production. Guardian more appreciative. There is a temptation to dwell on he gore and the story about people fainting and being sick.
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1,119 posts
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Post by martin1965 on Jul 6, 2017 14:37:18 GMT
Telegraph cant have it both ways! They put the production on the front page and then inside give it a sniffy review. Times is good. Surely Troughton will play Lear soon?
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Post by Deleted on Jul 6, 2017 15:45:51 GMT
Mansplain Warning
The front page is News
The review inside is Arts
Different editors, different agendas.
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5,690 posts
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Post by lynette on Jul 7, 2017 21:17:45 GMT
Telegraph cant have it both ways! They put the production on the front page and then inside give it a sniffy review. Times is good. Surely Troughton will play Lear soon? ''Twas indeed an audition for Lear. Can't wait. |
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Post by Deleted on Jul 8, 2017 10:32:25 GMT
David Troughton is already playing Lear (Tony Archer) with his Fool (Pat) on the verge of dividing their realm (Bridge Farm) between surviving children (Helen and Tom) and favoured grandchild (Johnny).
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353 posts
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Post by cirque on Jul 10, 2017 8:25:53 GMT
Best of Romans.......why spoil this with naff opening movement sequence where RSC once again try to be street kids in hoodies etc.Just nonsense and in a show like this not needed.Central core is very strong and whole show is full on. Thought Coriolanus was going to be pre Rome but now seems to be post Rome in future society.......clearly the contemporary Titus has influenced others.
Any news on new Globe AD......would have thought announcement due.
I agree Troughton would make excellent Lear but possibly missed the boat if RSC continue to do full canon over the years.......maybe best rethought to allow casting to reflect timely readiness.Cant see the idea continuing without bringing in Swan.......with empty houses for Romans imagine Timon and Percles .......unless very reduced runs are planned.
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Post by lynette on Jul 10, 2017 14:58:44 GMT
He doesn't have to give us his Lear at the RSC.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 10, 2017 15:04:47 GMT
I wouldn't mind if he didn't give us his Lear at all, surely there are better roles for this brilliant actor.
The RSC have just done it, the Globe are doing it this year, the National did it in 2014, the Almeida and Tobacco Factory in 2012 (along with the previous RSC production), so it's probably the Donmar's turn to bring it out again next. Otherwise we could ask the Bridge Theatre very nicely, or we can just give it another three years or so before the RSC is ready to do it yet again.
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1,119 posts
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Post by martin1965 on Jul 10, 2017 17:32:59 GMT
He doesn't have to give us his Lear at the RSC. Exactly, indeed cant see it being done again at SUA under Doran unless they get someone amazing. |
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Post by Deleted on Jul 10, 2017 17:37:49 GMT
Is Gregory Doran likely to stay long beyond his Complete Shakespeare Cycle?
That would seem a natural departure point.
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295 posts
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Post by fossil on Aug 27, 2017 18:26:11 GMT
A bit naughty of Troughton this. Captioned performance last week. David Troughton hesitates over the last word of a line, does this again. Looks up at the captioning and then repeats the line with the correct word.
The production was disappointing. It just did not seem to work as modern dress and some of the directors ideas just jarred. For example, what was the point of the opening sequence having a hoodies fight scene choreographed to music? Ok for West Side Story but not for this play.
Before the performance I checked and could see plenty of unsold seats in the stalls. In the theatre the stalls were quite full but the upper level was empty so I guess some lucky people got their seats upgraded.
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Post by Deleted on Sept 3, 2017 9:35:22 GMT
Saw this last night. First part of the first act not at all good but once the blood and gore started it picked up. The second act was riveting with worthy performances from some of the supporting cast. David Troughton was way above the general cast - almost like a real actor playing in an amateur production at times. On the whole a very satisfactory evening at the theatre.
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1,119 posts
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Post by martin1965 on Sept 3, 2017 12:17:57 GMT
Saw matinee yesterday. Troughton excellent. They played up the black humour and lots of satisfying gore!
Martin Hutson follows up his Cassius with good performance as Saturninus. Underpowered Aaron only iffy point.
Odd moment in second half when audience member refused to hand back baby to Lucius and cast had to ad lib😵
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Post by lynette on Sept 3, 2017 21:43:02 GMT
Saw matinee yesterday. Troughton excellent. They played up the black humour and lots of satisfying gore! Martin Hutson follows up his Cassius with good performance as Saturninus. Underpowered Aaron only iffy point. Odd moment in second half when audience member refused to hand back baby to Lucius and cast had to ad lib😵 How interesting. I've often wondered why the audiences are so compliant. |
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Post by Jan on Sept 4, 2017 7:14:36 GMT
Saw matinee yesterday. Troughton excellent. They played up the black humour and lots of satisfying gore! Martin Hutson follows up his Cassius with good performance as Saturninus. Underpowered Aaron only iffy point. Odd moment in second half when audience member refused to hand back baby to Lucius and cast had to ad lib😵 Ha ha - well done - first strike in a campaign to get the RSC to stop involving the front row of the audience in feeble bits of business. |
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Post by Deleted on Sept 4, 2017 9:47:07 GMT
In the early years of the Swan,I attended a jolly, raucous show in which, early on, Guy Henry's character chased another through the audience at Ground level. I decided to take the side of the person being chased, so I pressed my feet firmly on the back of the seat in front and blocked Guy Henry's path. I hadn't yet oriented myself in the play and I didn't have much clue who either character was. Guy Henry looked a bit bemused and tried to charm his way past me but I didn't relent so he had to give up his chase and return to the stage where he pointed at me and sneered that I thought he was a "baddie". Actually, I thought he was a posh git, but there we are...
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