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Post by Someone in a tree on Jan 19, 2020 9:07:41 GMT
Any mention of the Crimbo show?
A family friendly Shakespeare or an adaption of famous kids story?
I know they did Kiss Me Kate in the 80's Have the RSC ever done a revial of a classic musical that isn't Shakespeare related such as My Fair Lady or Oklahoma?
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Post by learfan on Jan 19, 2020 9:24:28 GMT
Any mention of the Crimbo show? A family friendly Shakespeare or an adaption of famous kids story? I know they did Kiss Me Kate in the 80's Have the RSC ever done a revial of a classic musical that isn't Shakespeare related such as My Fair Lady or Oklahoma? They did say the title but very quickly and tbh i didnt catch it. Sorry. |
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Post by learfan on Jan 19, 2020 9:25:38 GMT
They did Showboat as a co production with Opera North in i think 1990.
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1,120 posts
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Post by samuelwhiskers on Jan 19, 2020 9:40:25 GMT
I didn’t see the Globe Henry VI this winter because I didn’t have a spare zillion pounds and a spare spinal column, so I’m happy to get to see it here, albeit in cut down form.
Nothing in their summer season appeals to me at all.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 19, 2020 9:57:26 GMT
Trimming down the H6 plays has often been done. Propeller did it as Rose Rage. And the RSC did The War of the Roses. It does work. But I cannot forgive the broken promise not to do the full catalogue of plays on the Main Stage. Doran was a poor appointment in the first place and his tenure has disappointed even more. Yes, done often and it does work well as you say But of course they all work very well as individual plays - as much so as any of the other histories. Just seems a total cop-out to not do them, particularly in the context of a supposed "full works". |
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Post by Jan on Jan 19, 2020 11:36:14 GMT
I didn’t see the Globe Henry VI this winter because I didn’t have a spare zillion pounds and a spare spinal column, so I’m happy to get to see it here, albeit in cut down form. . You think it will be cheaper ? |
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Post by Jan on Jan 19, 2020 11:41:58 GMT
Any mention of the Crimbo show? A family friendly Shakespeare or an adaption of famous kids story? I know they did Kiss Me Kate in the 80's Have the RSC ever done a revial of a classic musical that isn't Shakespeare related such as My Fair Lady or Oklahoma? They wouldn’t dare. Trevor Nunn was hauled over the coals when he revived classic musicals at NT on the basis that they could have been done in the commercial sector with no subsidy. Given the RSC are supposed to be focussed on Shakespeare the outcry would be even greater. They got away with Kiss Me Kate given the Shakespeare connection but that will have been the last they ever did. Adrian Noble had a plan to stage Blitz ! When he was in charge but that’s not anything like a classic. Off topic, but another planned production that never happened was Trevor Nunn’s plan to adapt Our Mutual Friend for the Olivier when he was AD - that could have been good. |
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1,120 posts
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Post by samuelwhiskers on Jan 19, 2020 11:54:47 GMT
I didn’t see the Globe Henry VI this winter because I didn’t have a spare zillion pounds and a spare spinal column, so I’m happy to get to see it here, albeit in cut down form. . You think it will be cheaper ? No, but the RSC make all tickets £15 for disabled people so I can see anything in SuA very cheaply. The Globe allegedly has a handful of disabled tickets available for limited performances but I’ve never seen them. |
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3,557 posts
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Post by showgirl on Jan 19, 2020 12:11:26 GMT
Any mention of the Crimbo show? A family friendly Shakespeare or an adaption of famous kids story? I know they did Kiss Me Kate in the 80's Have the RSC ever done a revial of a classic musical that isn't Shakespeare related such as My Fair Lady or Oklahoma? They wouldn’t dare. Trevor Nunn was hauled over the coals when he revived classic musicals at NT on the basis that they could have been done in the commercial sector with no subsidy. Given the RSC are supposed to be focussed on Shakespeare the outcry would be even greater. They got away with Kiss Me Kate given the Shakespeare connection but that will have been the last they ever did. Adrian Noble had a plan to stage Blitz ! When he was in charge but that’s not anything like a classic. Off topic, but another planned production that never happened was Trevor Nunn’s plan to adapt Our Mutual Friend for the Olivier when he was AD - that could have been good. Given that the RSC does apparently get away with musicals, maybe they just need to combine this with a Shakespeare play which hasn't yet been given a musical makeover. That leaves plenty of options. Or set "Shakespeare In Love" to music, or do something a little more adventurous along the lines of Emilia or & Juliet? |
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Post by Jan on Jan 19, 2020 12:18:50 GMT
Another example of a non-classic was Trevor Nunn’s brilliant musical of Comedy of Errors and Greg Doran’s feeble musical of Merry Wives. New musicals are deemed acceptable, but Carrie came close to breaking that rule. At the time there were also complaints about them doing Les Miserables.
I wonder how The Boy in the Dress is doing now the Xmas holidays are over, January-March is often a tough period for sales up there.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 19, 2020 12:41:15 GMT
I wonder how The Boy in the Dress is doing now the Xmas holidays are over, January-March is often a tough period for sales up there. Just had a look at a selection of dates on the RSC site. As you'd expect, weekend matinees are selling very well for most of the run, and they are sensibly doing both Saturday and Sunday matinees. Evenings (including Saturdays) are not selling well at all. Weekday matinees also doing badly now we're out of holiday season (and presumably also out of school outing season). Which, of course, is why they should have done this in rep with something for an adult audience. Or done a shorter run followed by a regional tour perhaps. Looking at the next few weeks its not selling badly enough to be considered an embarrassing flop, but neither is it a massive hit. |
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Post by lynette on Jan 19, 2020 13:13:21 GMT
Doing a show with children in mind and not noting school holidays is daft.
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Post by theatremad on Jan 19, 2020 14:21:23 GMT
Still seething about Henry VI announcement. But excited at same time as love the plays. Braving the Globe versions this weekend.
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Post by learfan on Jan 19, 2020 14:23:08 GMT
I wonder how The Boy in the Dress is doing now the Xmas holidays are over, January-March is often a tough period for sales up there. Just had a look at a selection of dates on the RSC site. As you'd expect, weekend matinees are selling very well for most of the run, and they are sensibly doing both Saturday and Sunday matinees. Evenings (including Saturdays) are not selling well at all. Weekday matinees also doing badly now we're out of holiday season (and presumably also out of school outing season). Which, of course, is why they should have done this in rep with something for an adult audience. Or done a shorter run followed by a regional tour perhaps. Looking at the next few weeks its not selling badly enough to be considered an embarrassing flop, but neither is it a massive hit. Its a decent enough hit. They said Saturday they are in active discussions with WE producers about WE transfer. Issue is as with other prospective transfers, the right venue. Im going to see this in a few weeks. While i agree it was an error not to programme a mainhouse Shakespeare along side., it hasn't been the flop some here seemed to be wishing. |
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Post by learfan on Jan 19, 2020 14:25:16 GMT
Any mention of the Crimbo show? A family friendly Shakespeare or an adaption of famous kids story? I know they did Kiss Me Kate in the 80's Have the RSC ever done a revial of a classic musical that isn't Shakespeare related such as My Fair Lady or Oklahoma? They wouldn’t dare. Trevor Nunn was hauled over the coals when he revived classic musicals at NT on the basis that they could have been done in the commercial sector with no subsidy. Given the RSC are supposed to be focussed on Shakespeare the outcry would be even greater. They got away with Kiss Me Kate given the Shakespeare connection but that will have been the last they ever did. Adrian Noble had a plan to stage Blitz ! When he was in charge but that’s not anything like a classic. Off topic, but another planned production that never happened was Trevor Nunn’s plan to adapt Our Mutual Friend for the Olivier when he was AD - that could have been good. Why? What a shock to see you name check your guru again. Did you send him a cake on his big day recently? |
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Post by Jan on Jan 19, 2020 14:44:46 GMT
that never happened was Trevor Nunn’s plan to adapt Our Mutual Friend for the Olivier when he was AD - that could have been good. Why? What a shock to see you name check your guru again. Did you send him a cake on his big day recently? Oh, did I annoy you with my usual negative views about the RSC under Doran ? Sorry. Actually I saw Trev the other day wandering around Oxford Circus tube en route to Jermyn Street, a massive folder of notes under his arm - I resisted the temptation to rush up and touch his clothing and prostrate myself before him but it was a close call. |
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Post by cirque on Jan 19, 2020 15:29:11 GMT
The Cure
Greg to assume power and lead from front
Careful and better selection of Directors who have passion and experience.
Assemble strong ensemble of actors with experience in playing classical work
Create season from a March to October. With winter season shorter and include house dramatist alongside the family outing
Enable Swan to return to mission of Shakespeare’s contemporaries
New writing at TOP with transfer potential if show works
Restore voice department on all work
Keep Erica Whyman in role as Deputy and not Artistic Director.......
Be aware and willing to use diversity policies but don’t put it above everything else
Ensure adults across all ages are welcome and don’t always be a school room.......adults enjoy their own theatre and challenges
Identify a successor and begin planning together.....look at who is making Classical work that inspires and challenges
Plan seasons that perhaps relate but cease to be a list........we predict Henry V111 and All’s Well next year in this never ending must do canon......why does a play need to be done now....look at how it relates
Be the RSC that stated it’s mission clearly with Peter Hall and excite is all again.......
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Post by Jan on Jan 19, 2020 15:56:59 GMT
“Identify a successor” sort of assumes it’s someone already on their radar and possibly subordinate to him now. I think they need to keep him well away from the search for his successor, just advertise it openly and see who applies.
What is odd is how many good directors ,who’ve directed at least one excellent Shakespeare, have never directed a single thing there: Ivo van Hove, Robert Icke, Ian Rickson, Joe Hill-Gibbins, Tom Littler etc. For whatever reason Doran hasn’t used them. People like that shouldn’t be excluded from the search.
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Post by NeilVHughes on Jan 19, 2020 16:46:14 GMT
Tom Littler deserves an opportunity if he was interested but that is true for all venues as he consistently delivers within the constraints of the Jermyn St Theatre and I rarely, if ever miss one of his productions as they never disappoint and he is a master of Strindberg.
His All’s Well that Ends Well was inspired last year and one of the best Shakespeare productions of the last few years and his take on The Tempest with the magnificent Michael Pennington is one, if not the top production I am most looking forward to this year.
Overall the RSC especially on the main stage is feeling more and more Shakespeare by numbers, I love my trips to Stratford Upon Avon and try to catch everything produced which on average entails four trips a year but this year it looks like only 2 day trips to catch all I want to see.
Not sure if months away in the Shires is a draw for established actors and is demonstrated in the primarily youthful casts with a few of the older stalwarts of the last few years and cannot see this changing for a new Artistic Director which must be limiting from a casting perspective but does not excuse the poor Directional choices of the last few years.
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Post by Fleance on Jan 19, 2020 16:56:40 GMT
Another example of a non-classic was Trevor Nunn’s brilliant musical of Comedy of Errors and Greg Doran’s feeble musical of Merry Wives. New musicals are deemed acceptable, but Carrie came close to breaking that rule. At the time there were also complaints about them doing Les Miserables. I wonder how The Boy in the Dress is doing now the Xmas holidays are over, January-March is often a tough period for sales up there. Nunn's musical production of Comedy of Errors, with Judi Dench, Roger Rees, Michael Williams, and John Woodvine, was one of the most joyous productions I've ever seen. I see the RSC are doing Pericles in late summer. I hope they won't cut it. |
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Post by learfan on Jan 19, 2020 16:58:52 GMT
“Identify a successor” sort of assumes it’s someone already on their radar and possibly subordinate to him now. I think they need to keep him well away from the search for his successor, just advertise it openly and see who applies. What is odd is how many good directors ,who’ve directed at least one excellent Shakespeare, have never directed a single thing there: Ivo van Hove, Robert Icke, Ian Rickson, Joe Hill-Gibbins, Tom Littler etc. For whatever reason Doran hasn’t used them. People like that shouldn’t be excluded from the search. Well of course the board will do that. I imagine it is very much on their agenda as once the folio project finishes next year, Doran may well announce he is going when his ten years is up in 2023. |
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Post by lynette on Jan 19, 2020 17:19:56 GMT
Cirque, I think your list is interesting. One point I agree with is the fact that they have been constrained by the way they have needed to trawl through the canon. It makes more sense to have seasons of theme or as you say, look at what is happening in the country or even in the world. They did the Roman plays together for some inane reason but in fact each Roman play puts a different idea out there. Shakespeare wasn’t writing about Rome..and each of the great tragedies needs careful context and perhaps contrast. Above all they need to think about the timing. Leaving the over Xmas season with only one Shakespeare and tbh not a great one was a mistake and ok, do a kids’ show but time it to blast the half terms and hols and take it round to other places. In the West End parents choose all sorts for the children , competition is harsh. And i think they should not be afraid to ‘smaller’ some shows. The Taming off the Shrew was imo pretty awful but might have made a point in TOP as an edgy production going further than it did. Just a thought.
Jan, your point about seeing better Sh prods elsewhere is an interesting one. Imo, Hytner nails it every time - his NT Othello was outstanding and now at The Bridge, JC and MND both really good. And yes, the Jermyn Theatre just gave us one of the best All’s Well I’ve ever seen. [seen a lot of all of ‘em]
Jan, the amazing Comedy of Errors with Judi Dench wasn’t quite a musical as we understand it now but it was probably the most memorable, the funniest and the most groundbreaking of its time, ever seen. But this was now a loooong time ago. Shame we have to keep referring back to it.
Just want to say that before Doran took over, his directed productions were the only ones with a bit of a kick and we welcomed his appointment. He was not responsible for the Barbican debacle and this and financial problems have bedevilled his reign.
Don’t ask me about the R&J sticks for swords or the balloons...no idea.
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5,690 posts
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Post by lynette on Jan 19, 2020 17:36:42 GMT
Ps..yes, voice work. Don’t they do it anymore?
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Post by learfan on Jan 19, 2020 18:09:00 GMT
Another example of a non-classic was Trevor Nunn’s brilliant musical of Comedy of Errors and Greg Doran’s feeble musical of Merry Wives. New musicals are deemed acceptable, but Carrie came close to breaking that rule. At the time there were also complaints about them doing Les Miserables. I wonder how The Boy in the Dress is doing now the Xmas holidays are over, January-March is often a tough period for sales up there. Did you see that Comedy of Errors? It was in the early 70s i believe. Merry Wives was interesting, a starry cast that sold out and certainly a popular one with audiences, we went en famille and all loved it but the critics hated it. |
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Post by cirque on Jan 19, 2020 18:31:10 GMT
Yes...the list of missing directors is strange although I guess,for many,they simply don’t want to come any more.Van Hove,Icke,etc work with highly established ensembles and look at Icke staging Oedipus in London with Mark Strong and Helen Mirren.
Voice plays little part in RSC core work and suspect more a voluntary add on if wanted.
Hope 2020 Christmas has wider appeal.....this one is bland and style very dated. Sometimes,I feel,this particular group believe they understand the young audience but frankly it fails to tune in to the now despite forcing it.
I agree Greg was good pre AD appointment. . Often safe but very high values in every department. Not sure that Greg is directing Henry V1 .,,.i think it may be his associate from previous histories with Greg doing R 111.
Ah well...all should be revealed in week or so if Patrons already have it ......
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