RSC All New Seasons

[Jan]

December 2024 will be the 5 year anniversary of the last Shakespeare production they transferred to London. If they want to attract top Shakespeare actors (eg. Ralph Fiennes) and directors (eg. Robert Icke) that befit a national company then they'll have to do something about that otherwise those people will continue in the London subsidised or commercial sectors. Even during Doran's era the high-profile Shakespeare leading actors I can think of all got (and I assume demanded) a London transfer (Simon RB, Ecclestone, Sher, David Tennant)

[kate8]

Jan I edited my wishlist to add a London presence before I saw your post. Definitely a priority.

[cavocado]

I'd guess the RSC would argue that they have a big London presence, with 3 transfers in recent months (Hamnet, Cowbois, The Empress), plus My Neighbour Totoro, Matilda, etc. But nothing from the RST or what most people would see as core RSC output: Shakespeare.

The new ADs need to reinstate regular, planned-in-advance transfers of some of their main stage productions. Are they in a position to have a year-round London home at the moment? But a shorter annual London residency might not work with actors' scheduling, now that the Stratford output is now a series of short runs rather than a company. They need to find some way to transfer Shakespeare and for it to be a regular thing not just ad hoc transfers. I agree with Jan about attracting big names.

[Jan]

Personally, to solve the RST transfer problem (both to London and elsewhere) I’d like them to convert the RST back to a proscenium stage - this can easily be done as the option was designed in when the new RST was built. The thrust stage there has hindered transfers and killed the art of RSC stage design stone dead, I can’t think of a single notable Shakespeare design that’s come from the RST since it was reconfigured. Second best as has been noted would be a residency at the Bridge in thrust stage configuration.

[c4ndyc4ne]

Dec 2, 2023 11:08:33 GMT cavocado said:

I'd guess the RSC would argue that they have a big London presence, with 3 transfers in recent months (Hamnet, Cowbois, The Empress), plus My Neighbour Totoro, Matilda, etc. But nothing from the RST or what most people would see as core RSC output: Shakespeare.

The new ADs need to reinstate regular, planned-in-advance transfers of some of their main stage productions. Are they in a position to have a year-round London home at the moment? But a shorter annual London residency might not work with actors' scheduling, now that the Stratford output is now a series of short runs rather than a company. They need to find some way to transfer Shakespeare and for it to be a regular thing not just ad hoc transfers. I agree with Jan about attracting big names.

Admittedly
The boy in the dress would have gone to the savoy in the summer of 2020 had covid not happened

[Jan]

Dec 2, 2023 14:23:52 GMT c4ndyc4ne said:

Dec 2, 2023 11:08:33 GMT cavocado said:

I'd guess the RSC would argue that they have a big London presence, with 3 transfers in recent months (Hamnet, Cowbois, The Empress), plus My Neighbour Totoro, Matilda, etc. But nothing from the RST or what most people would see as core RSC output: Shakespeare.

The new ADs need to reinstate regular, planned-in-advance transfers of some of their main stage productions. Are they in a position to have a year-round London home at the moment? But a shorter annual London residency might not work with actors' scheduling, now that the Stratford output is now a series of short runs rather than a company. They need to find some way to transfer Shakespeare and for it to be a regular thing not just ad hoc transfers. I agree with Jan about attracting big names.

Admittedly
The boy in the dress would have gone to the savoy in the summer of 2020 had covid not happened

Shakespeare is their reason for existing so that’s what they should transfer. They will always also make attempts at money making commercial transfers like Hamnet (which incidentally seems to be selling vary badly despite being proclaimed as a smash hit).

[kate8]

Dec 2, 2023 11:48:45 GMT Jan said:

Personally, to solve the RST transfer problem (both to London and elsewhere) I’d like them to convert the RST back to a proscenium stage - this can easily be done as the option was designed in when the new RST was built. The thrust stage there has hindered transfers and killed the art of RSC stage design stone dead, I can’t think of a single notable Shakespeare design that’s come from the RST since it was reconfigured. Second best as has been noted would be a residency at the Bridge in thrust stage configuration.

Interesting to hear that the RST could be converted back. I’d assumed this wasn’t possible without an expensive refurb and closing for months.

[Someone in a tree]

Dec 3, 2023 8:20:12 GMT kate8 said:

Dec 2, 2023 11:48:45 GMT Jan said:

Personally, to solve the RST transfer problem (both to London and elsewhere) I’d like them to convert the RST back to a proscenium stage - this can easily be done as the option was designed in when the new RST was built. The thrust stage there has hindered transfers and killed the art of RSC stage design stone dead, I can’t think of a single notable Shakespeare design that’s come from the RST since it was reconfigured. Second best as has been noted would be a residency at the Bridge in thrust stage configuration.

Interesting to hear that the RST could be converted back. I’d assumed this wasn’t possible without an expensive refurb and closing for months.

I could be wrong but im sure the auditorium was converted to be something more proscenium and commercial for Boy in the dress

[oxfordsimon]

Just home from press night of Fair Maid of the West.

It's a hit.

Rowdy, rambunctious, irreverent

And joyous.

It is a long, long way from the original. But that doesn't matter.

It works. Brilliant cast, well paced direction

[showgirl]

Great news as so far the only reviews I've found are a grudging 3 stars from the Telegraph and a Times one inaccessible behind their paywall. I've booked to see it at a midweek matinee in January (cheapest ticket I could find though train fare will be more expensive), but wasn't looking forward to the long journeys so would have cancelled had reviews not been good.

[oxfordsimon]

My review will be up this afternoon and will be a rave.

I don't give them lightly.

It is a production I would happily see again. And as a director, I would love to tackle it.

It is in the grand British tradition of anarchic, irreverent comedy.

[NeilVHughes]

What’s on Stage:

It’s flawed but feisty, and frankly, any show that can seamlessly weave “Y Viva España”, Irish dancing and Nick Lowe’s “Peace, Love and Understanding” together with such a sense of raucous, chaotic joy has earned itself an extra star.

4*


Will look to catch it over Christmas, oxfordsimon second time you have motivated me to catch a play, seeing Glacier on Fri evening as was in Oxford this weekend anyway.

[oxfordsimon]

I hope you enjoy both!

www.thereviewshub.com/the-fair-maid-of-the-west-the-swan-theatre-stratford-upon-avon/

[zahidf]

Sounds good: I can't make it to Stratford but hope it comes to london

[Cleo]

I have booked based on Simon’s great review. I have found the new online seat booking system a backward step especially for The Swan as not clear. I have emailed The RSC as sure people may book gallery seats by mistake.

[oxfordsimon]

One thing that I noted on Tuesday was one of the unintended consequences of the new seats in the Swan.

They are certainly more comfortable than the previous set up. It is hard to describe them but as you lower the seat to sit, the back rest moves into position to give you the support.

All this is well and good. But as we were leaving, the person in front of me reached out to use the chair back to support himself. The chair back moved (as it is designed to do) and the person seeking support almost fell.

Just something that anyone with mobility issues may wish to think about ahead of their visit.

[lynette]

Dec 13, 2023 10:52:10 GMT NeilVHughes said:

What’s on Stage:

It’s flawed but feisty, and frankly, any show that can seamlessly weave “Y Viva España”, Irish dancing and Nick Lowe’s “Peace, Love and Understanding” together with such a sense of raucous, chaotic joy has earned itself an extra star.

4*


Will look to catch it over Christmas, oxfordsimon second time you have motivated me to catch a play, seeing Glacier on Fri evening as was in Oxford this weekend anyway.

Seeing this on 30th - Neil? 
I note about the seating; found it quite peculiar and yes, moves unexpectedly so beware. 

[NeilVHughes]

lynette undecided on the day, matinee or evening?

[fossil]

Last week The Times had an interview with Emma Rice that included this teasing snippet for 2024.

" Later in the year she is working on something big — she can’t say what yet — for the RSC"

[oxfordsimon]

Please no.

[lynette]

Dec 17, 2023 15:57:19 GMT NeilVHughes said:

lynette undecided on the day, matinee or evening?

We’re doing matinee 

[lynette]

Dec 18, 2023 15:13:29 GMT oxfordsimon said:

Please no.

Pretty please 

[Jan]

Dec 18, 2023 15:13:29 GMT oxfordsimon said:

Please no.

Doran left the place bombed out with no core of associate directors at all so obviously the new directors will have to build a team of directors for the season. And equally obviously they’ll start by employing their mates.

[marob]

Yeah, I wouldn’t be too surprised if they put on a new Laura Wade play or one starring Samuel West before too long.

[ThereWillBeSun]

I used to really like Emma Rice but since seeing the live stream of Baghdad Cafe and Wuthering Heights... I have really not gravitated towards her.

I wonder what it will be with the RSC...