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Post by oxfordsimon on Jul 5, 2018 9:17:08 GMT
Barney Norris has adapted the novel for a production that will start in Northampton and then tour. Co production with Royal & Derngate, Oxford Playhouse and Out of Joint.
Must admit I have never read the book or watched the film, but I know many who have.
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Post by dani on Jul 5, 2018 11:02:29 GMT
There is nothing about the novel that makes me think "This has to be adapted for the theatre". That said, it was done as a musical a few years ago, which surprised me.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 5, 2018 14:12:48 GMT
It could make a really great play. Isn’t the background of the story the pre-WW2 meeting to discuss Hitler, which ended in the policy of appeasement? Is my memory correct? If so, it could be a bit like Oslo, which was a hit last year.
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Post by youngoffender on Jul 5, 2018 14:57:31 GMT
Yes, appeasement is in the background, but also (as I read it) as a parallel to the doomed love story between the head butler and housekeeper - in both cases, English reserve and hesitancy proving disastrous. The film was one of Merchant Ivory's two or three crowning achievements - and for me, Anthony Hopkins and Emma Thompson have never been better - so it's a brave decision to adapt it, and it will be a challenge to cast. But it's eminently suitable for the stage, being largely confined to one country house, so I applaud the ambition and hope it fulfils the potential.
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Post by lynette on Jul 5, 2018 15:57:46 GMT
Staggering choice for a play but then they can 'do' anything these days, can’t they? The book is right up there with the very best and the film was good, too fab leading roles.
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Post by theatrelover123 on Jul 5, 2018 16:02:35 GMT
I look forward to reading Barney's social media rants about his problems with people on this  |
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Post by Deleted on Jul 5, 2018 19:57:46 GMT
I think this could be excellent. It's a wonderful film, and a superb book.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 5, 2018 21:06:37 GMT
I look forward to reading Barney's social media rants about his problems with people on this He is a very lucky young man to be given such a wonderful project. I hope he appreciates that. |
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Post by Deleted on Jul 5, 2018 23:35:18 GMT
I look forward to reading Barney's social media rants about his problems with people on this He is a very lucky young man to be given such a wonderful project. I hope he appreciates that. Writers shouldn’t be expected to be grateful for gaining employment that reflects their ability, it would be a sick industry if it had to resort to that sort of labour relationship. |
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Post by Deleted on Jul 6, 2018 7:09:04 GMT
He is a very lucky young man to be given such a wonderful project. I hope he appreciates that. Writers shouldn’t be expected to be grateful for gaining employment that reflects their ability, it would be a sick industry if it had to resort to that sort of labour relationship. Theatre is not like other professions in that - relatively speaking - there are very few opprtunities even for highly talented and experienced writers. It’s a bit of a myth that there is a meritocracy in the arts... actually, I will correct myself: there is a meritocracy but only a very small pool of people benefit from it. It’s a bit like playing the lottery. I was speaking more in a kind of philosophical sense than as a reprimand or suggesting he should approach his work cap in hand. Although, people like Norris should realise that they could lose their privilege in a heartbeat and that there are any number of gifted writers willing to take his place. It’s a tough business, Cardinal. |
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Post by Deleted on Jul 6, 2018 8:27:40 GMT
Writers shouldn’t be expected to be grateful for gaining employment that reflects their ability, it would be a sick industry if it had to resort to that sort of labour relationship. Theatre is not like other professions in that - relatively speaking - there are very few opprtunities even for highly talented and experienced writers. It’s a bit of a myth that there is a meritocracy in the arts... actually, I will correct myself: there is a meritocracy but only a very small pool of people benefit from it. It’s a bit like playing the lottery. I was speaking more in a kind of philosophical sense than as a reprimand or suggesting he should approach his work cap in hand. Although, people like Norris should realise that they could lose their privilege in a heartbeat and that there are any number of gifted writers willing to take his place. It’s a tough business, Cardinal. Absolutely and I’d suggest that is the main reason why we’ve had the recent shocking revelations about how actors are treated in pursuit of a job. That, to me, means our focus should be on making sure it changes, as should the way we invest performers/writers as being privileged just because they get somewhere. |
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Post by Jan on Jul 6, 2018 9:48:14 GMT
He is a very lucky young man to be given such a wonderful project. I hope he appreciates that. Writers shouldn’t be expected to be grateful for gaining employment that reflects their ability, it would be a sick industry if it had to resort to that sort of labour relationship. How should they feel then ? Entitled ? |
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Post by Deleted on Jul 6, 2018 9:53:50 GMT
It's not a binary option. I have a job that I enjoy and am good at, but it would be just as weird for people to tell me I should be grateful to have it as it would be for me to go around boasting about having it. I know I'm fortunate to have a decent job in a messed up economy, but that doesn't mean I have to be grovelly and uncritical about it.
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Post by oxfordsimon on Jul 6, 2018 9:56:29 GMT
Barney Norris has been working hard at his craft of being a writer for as long as I have known him. He has a long-standing relationship with Out of Joint and a number of successes under his belt both on stage and as a novelist.
He may have had a recent relative failure but that does not stop him from being an up and coming talent.
He has earned the right to be considered for significant projects.
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Post by mallardo on Jul 6, 2018 10:04:54 GMT
An adaptation is the best of all possible writing jobs - someone else has done the hard work for you. So, I suppose, one could be grateful for that.
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Post by jadnoop on Jul 6, 2018 10:08:10 GMT
An adaptation is the best of all possible writing jobs - someone else has done the hard work for you. So, I suppose, one could be grateful for that. Given how well regarded both the original book and film are, I suspect that in many ways the pressures are even higher adapting something like this compared with writing something from scratch. |
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Post by Deleted on Jul 6, 2018 10:59:53 GMT
I just looked back at my post and seen that I never once said that the writer should be “grateful”. So whoever started this please don’t put words in my mouth.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 6, 2018 11:09:18 GMT
It's not a binary option. I have a job that I enjoy and am good at, but it would be just as weird for people to tell me I should be grateful to have it as it would be for me to go around boasting about having it. I know I'm fortunate to have a decent job in a messed up economy, but that doesn't mean I have to be grovelly and uncritical about it. No one said anything about the young man having to be grateful. However, while we are on the subject, I am very grateful to have the work I do, especially given the number of people I know who have been made redundant. I am also grateful to be alive. |
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Post by Deleted on Jul 6, 2018 16:59:12 GMT
Well the phrase used was for him to appreciate that he is lucky which, as the dictionary tells me, is synonymous with “to be grateful for something”. Another version refers to “value, respect, prize, cherish, treasure, admire”, none of which I would be particularly happy with being told that I should feel about a job, or maybe the Universal Declaration of Human Rights is far too radical a document these days with its approach to employment.
A number of colleagues of mine were just made redundant. I’m not grateful that I wasn’t, I’m angry that they were. I can’t find it within myself to allow for short sighted incompetence to be met with gratitude.
YMMV
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Post by Deleted on Jul 6, 2018 18:10:15 GMT
Well the phrase used was for him to appreciate that he is lucky which, as the dictionary tells me, is synonymous with “to be grateful for something”. Another version refers to “value, respect, prize, cherish, treasure, admire”, none of which I would be particularly happy with being told that I should feel about a job, or maybe the Universal Declaration of Human Rights is far too radical a document these days with its approach to employment. A number of colleagues of mine were just made redundant. I’m not grateful that I wasn’t, I’m angry that they were. I can’t find it within myself to allow for short sighted incompetence to be met with gratitude. YMMV But the dictionary definition says nothing about grovelling submission... I honestly don't see that we disagree. Isn't this just splitting hairs? One can feel grateful and still be angry on behalf of others, can't one? I don't like the implication that my gratitude that I have a job means that I don't feel angry/upset about those who lost theirs. I am not embarrassed to admit that my initial comment says more about me than the young man in question: I do feel that people with artistic talent are lucky. While I understand that they have to work hard to develop those talents, I would love to have a job that was my passion and not just a means to an end. I would feel really grateful if I was a talented singer or dancer, especially one who was given opportunities to express and develop that talent - it isn't a given for everyone no matter how good they are at what they do. And appreciating what you do doesn't preclude standing up for your rights or speaking out if you feel hard done by, although I would encourage young people to do that through the proper channels. While people going off on a public rant is interesting for nosy rubbernecks like me, calling someone out on social media has got many people into hot water and it's a habit I would caution against. I would be extremely grateful if we could stop this now, Cardinal. Please? |
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Post by Deleted on Jul 6, 2018 18:50:17 GMT
Maybe it’s a difference in approach. Having seen privilege, or the lack of it, from both sides I can’t see how anyone working their way through life by their own wits should be expected to feel that their job is granted to them. Having seen The Last Ship last night (very good, if flawed in parts), it was a salutary reminder of my own upbringing and of seeing how power breaks people. I see something of that in Norris’ words and felt that his refusing to remain silent was welcome.
I do disagree with the view that actors or whoever else involved in the arts are in any way lucky for it being their job, or at least any moreso than accountants, librarians, nurses etc.
So I feel that way because of who I am. We all bring our own experiences to the world and I fully understand how someone might feel differently.
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Post by foxa on Jul 6, 2018 19:14:56 GMT
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Post by altamont on Jan 21, 2019 12:29:14 GMT
From Whats On Stage -
Casting and the creative team have been announced for the upcoming world premiere of The Remains of the Day, based on the novel by Kazuo Ishiguro.
Leading the cast will be Stephen Boxer (Regeneration) as the butler Stevens and Niamh Cusack (Macbeth) as Kenton. They are joined by Stephen Critchlow, Pip Donaghy, Edward Franklin, Miles Richardson, Sadie Shimmin and Patrick Toomey.
The novel details the memories of a butler at an English stately home with truths that hide behind its manicured gardens and grand reception rooms. Christopher Haydon will direct the piece, which is adapted for the stage for the first time by Barney Norris. The production will be designed by Lily Arnold, with lighting by Mark Howland and sound design by Elena Peña.
Following its premiere at Royal and Derngate in February, the piece will run on a 10-week tour to visit Oxford Playhouse, Theatre Royal Bury St Edmunds, Salisbury Playhouse, Theatre Royal York, Yvonne Arnaud Theatre, Nuffield Southampton, Derby Theatre and Bristol Old Vic. It is a co production between Royal and Derngate, Out of Joint and Oxford Playhouse.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 21, 2019 18:08:15 GMT
I'm massively massively put off by Niamh Cusack. I thought she was dreadful in Macbeth. I was really keen to see this, because I love the film, but feeling sympathy for Miss Kenton is essential I think. I'm in two minds now whether to book.
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Post by david on Jan 21, 2019 18:53:21 GMT
I was really hoping they would announce a Manchester or Liverpool date for this (even Birmingham at a push), but with the announced tour venues, I’m going to have to give this a miss I’m afraid.
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