898 posts
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Post by bordeaux on Jul 31, 2017 7:24:07 GMT
Yes, but the RNT is three big auditoriums, so running it as a one man band just isn't an option and the idea of a 'National Theatre' demands a vision rather than just a string of titles. For somebody supposedly trying to shake things up, it seems he's keen to lumber the most interesting directors with dull material. Longhurst with Amadeus (compare the recent Gloria to see Longhurst on a better play), Icke with Red Barn (easily the least interesting play Icke's done), Cooke with Follies (again, a commercial title). And yes he's employed Ivo, who is anyway the flavour of the month in every other theatre too, but no sign of Joe Hill Gibbons, Blanche McIntyre, Benedict Andrews, Luc Bondy, Karin Beier, Simon Stone at all. Sad to have to tell you that Luc Bondy died in 2015. A great director of theatre and opera. |
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77 posts
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Post by tributary on Jul 31, 2017 15:32:01 GMT
Well, that explains him!
Doesn't say much for all the other names. Where's the talent?
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Post by Jan on Jul 31, 2017 17:47:14 GMT
I said this at the time, but I knew he was the wrong appointment when I saw he hadn't directed a single comedy in his entire career.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 31, 2017 18:23:42 GMT
Despite his tall stature
He has f*** all presence when you meet him
Underwhelming
In every sense
And this is showing at the theatre
At the RC and Donmar
The respective appointments
Have proven themselves
Whilst Norris is at rock bottom
Where is his Festen moment at the NT?
Market Boy?
Were these flukes?
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Post by Jan on Jul 31, 2017 18:43:16 GMT
Despite his tall stature He has f*** all presence when you meet him Underwhelming In every sense And this is showing at the theatre At the RC and Donmar The respective appointments Have proven themselves Whilst Norris is at rock bottom Where is his Festen moment at the NT? Market Boy? Were these flukes? Donmar ? Really ? |
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Post by Deleted on Jul 31, 2017 20:08:41 GMT
Where is his Festen moment at the NT? Market Boy? Were these flukes? Both of them were written by David Eldridge, so Beginning in a couple of months' time may prove to be to Parsley's personal taste. |
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Post by Deleted on Jul 31, 2017 20:14:50 GMT
Where is his Festen moment at the NT? Market Boy? Were these flukes? Both of them were written by David Eldridge, so Beginning in a couple of months' time may prove to be to Parsley's personal taste. 🎉🎉🎉 |
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1,306 posts
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Post by londonmzfitz on Aug 3, 2017 9:12:43 GMT
*Has Parsley gone? Looks like Parsley has jumped ship ...
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2,302 posts
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Post by Tibidabo on Aug 3, 2017 9:19:49 GMT
*Has Parsley gone? Looks like Parsley has jumped ship . Oh that's a shame. Often controversial, never personal to members, oft attacked, interesting opinions, I'll miss him and his funny prose. S'long Herby one.  |
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Post by Jan on Aug 3, 2017 9:44:40 GMT
*Has Parsley gone? Looks like Parsley has jumped ship . Oh that's a shame. Often controversial, never personal to members, oft attacked, interesting opinions, I'll miss him and his funny prose. S'long Herby one. Parsley is one of the few here who have some sort of direct connection with the business (or knows someone who has): frequently at opening nights, knew how shows were doing commercially, met Norris and Sonia etc. |
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Post by Deleted on Aug 3, 2017 10:34:04 GMT
There shouldn't be any difference in what is considered acceptable when posting about specific people who are members and those who are not, I never understood the idea that posting comments behind their back is preferable than to their face, when at least they can actually respond.
Also, the same holds for inflammatory comments about whole sections of society (which contain members, if not specifically named).
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1,120 posts
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Post by samuelwhiskers on Aug 3, 2017 12:11:29 GMT
Norris wore some kind of disco wig to introduce the Queer Season Wig Off reading. Looked damn self-conscious, but it's endearing that he did it.
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77 posts
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Post by tributary on Aug 4, 2017 23:48:04 GMT
Yes, you can't imagine Hytner doing that. But then I can't imagine him presiding over this unholy mess either.
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77 posts
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Post by tributary on Aug 7, 2017 11:42:51 GMT
Could this thread be retitled Rufus Norris? Just spent ages trying to find it!
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Post by Deleted on Aug 7, 2017 12:06:02 GMT
Knowing most threads it won't stay being about Norris for long, in a week or two it'll about how high the stage is at the Aldwych or elephants or something...
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Post by Jan on Aug 10, 2017 4:35:16 GMT
Bit of a leap surely Jan? I had to google Mr Stone☺ You ought to get out more Marty. Years ago the NT staged The Wild Duck with an actual duck in it and they had to abandon one performance when it wouldn't stop quacking. Despite that Stone cast an actual duck in his production too. That's the sort of brave convention-defying direction we need. I'd have Icke at the NT and let him direct whatever he wants - I mean how come they've let him go abroad to direct Oedipus next year ? I like Benedict Andrews as a director too. Once again the Young Vic and Barbican ahead of the NT in inviting him. |
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1,119 posts
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Post by martin1965 on Aug 10, 2017 5:40:48 GMT
Youre up early!
Quacking ducks! Seriously? I saw the three sisters at the young vic and thought it awful.
Norris has to have an amazing 2018 or i would think his days are numbered.
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Post by Jan on Aug 10, 2017 11:14:15 GMT
You are making an assumption about where I am in the world at the moment. |
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Post by Deleted on Aug 10, 2017 11:38:10 GMT
Bit of a leap surely Jan? I had to google Mr Stone☺ You ought to get out more Marty. Years ago the NT staged The Wild Duck with an actual duck in it and they had to abandon one performance when it wouldn't stop quacking. Despite that Stone cast an actual duck in his production too. That's the sort of brave convention-defying direction we need. I'd have Icke at the NT and let him direct whatever he wants - I mean how come they've let him go abroad to direct Oedipus next year ? I like Benedict Andrews as a director too. Once again the Young Vic and Barbican ahead of the NT in inviting him. Icke is more likely, as with his antipodean cousins, to continue expanding his reach as a peripatetic international director. It is no longer a matter that the UK 'let him go', more a case of how he inhabits an international theatre. I imagine the same will happen with Hill-Gibbins. We've seen company based directors such as Brook, McBurney and Donnellan prosper around the world and latterly Mitchell in a more individual way has opened up the sort of pathway that Icke might follow. My hope for the NT is Goold, who has shown a desire to be building based, plus his protege Icke would likely be asked to slot in a production or two per year. Alongside him maybe someone like Blanche McIntyre and Carrie Cracknell, both of whom have had success with existing repertoire, Michael Longhurst, who is brilliant with new plays and Madani Younis who has revitalised the Bush and who brings a vital different cultural perspective. Many other names come to mind but that's a decent start. |
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751 posts
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Post by horton on Aug 10, 2017 12:27:12 GMT
Maybe what people are noticing indirectly is a change of priority between regimes.
I have disliked 90% of the plays in his programme, and as a director, I think Norris is pretty awful. However, I admire his attempt to democratize the National and open its doors.
Hytner's National was a well-drilled commercial machine, but I'm not sure it has to be that by definition. Personally, I prefer it to be a place for many voices, even if some are ultimately of little interest.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 10, 2017 13:17:47 GMT
He has brought in excellent regional theatre transfers, which was one of my hopes, he has also asked interesting new playwrights to create work, unfortunately not always turning out to be their best. He has had real commercial success within the building itself (it remains to be seen if that is kept up this year) and, arguably, a better effect as Hyter in his first years (there was a real quality dip after a successful beginning, although 'The History Boys' success papered over that).
What action would I take? I would shake up the dramaturgical input, those who oversee script development and such, to see if that has a positive effect.
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5,690 posts
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Post by lynette on Aug 10, 2017 17:01:33 GMT
"Commercial success within the building" Does that mean running a shop and a cafe? Is that his job? I thought other people would do that and Mr N be in charge of what plays are put on... call me naive.
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1,119 posts
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Post by martin1965 on Aug 10, 2017 17:10:25 GMT
You are making an assumption about where I am in the world at the moment. Ooh youre such a Phineas Fogg!☺ |
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Post by Jan on Aug 10, 2017 18:46:43 GMT
You are making an assumption about where I am in the world at the moment. Ooh youre such a Phineas Fogg!☺ Phileas Fogg I assume you mean ? Yes. I am. |
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Post by Jan on Aug 10, 2017 18:50:21 GMT
You ought to get out more Marty. Years ago the NT staged The Wild Duck with an actual duck in it and they had to abandon one performance when it wouldn't stop quacking. Despite that Stone cast an actual duck in his production too. That's the sort of brave convention-defying direction we need. I'd have Icke at the NT and let him direct whatever he wants - I mean how come they've let him go abroad to direct Oedipus next year ? I like Benedict Andrews as a director too. Once again the Young Vic and Barbican ahead of the NT in inviting him. Icke is more likely, as with his antipodean cousins, to continue expanding his reach as a peripatetic international director. It is no longer a matter that the UK 'let him go', more a case of how he inhabits an international theatre. I imagine the same will happen with Hill-Gibbins. We've seen company based directors such as Brook, McBurney and Donnellan prosper around the world and latterly Mitchell in a more individual way has opened up the sort of pathway that Icke might follow. My hope for the NT is Goold, who has shown a desire to be building based, plus his protege Icke would likely be asked to slot in a production or two per year. Alongside him maybe someone like Blanche McIntyre and Carrie Cracknell, both of whom have had success with existing repertoire, Michael Longhurst, who is brilliant with new plays and Madani Younis who has revitalised the Bush and who brings a vital different cultural perspective. Many other names come to mind but that's a decent start. Goold should have got the job last time, and Norris the Almeida. Next time at the NT the pressure to appoint a female AD will be irresistible so Goold won't get it - too much to hope that he'd change his mind about taking on the RSC too. |
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