184 posts
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Post by sweets7 on Jan 17, 2024 12:59:26 GMT
Interviewer was quite rude and dismissive with them. How odd, before their first season has even started. And the mention of Ecclestone, one of the vanishingly few "big name" actors Doran used in his entire decade of Shakespeare productions (and only because Ecclestone directly approached him). Very weird. I wonder what agenda is being pursued there. I never heard an interview Doran which was even slightly critical and most were fawning. When he left one journalist even said "He'll be a hard act to follow" which he is but not at all in the way they believed. She mentioned he was the one who approached and said how are you going to get big names in. To me they have quite a few. Maybe not huge, huge but definitely known…which is great. You cant sustainably sell on names every few years either. Quality, recognisable people seem a better option. I don't know. Doran was in with that group. A right Luvvie. But times change and you need strategic business managers as well as people who can focus on the art. |
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Post by theoracle on Jan 17, 2024 14:16:39 GMT
Many things I’d like to see here - haven’t been to Stratford since being in school… what’s the commute like from London? Any tips / local food recommendations?
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34 posts
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Post by Cleo on Jan 17, 2024 16:16:42 GMT
Many things I’d like to see here - haven’t been to Stratford since being in school… what’s the commute like from London? Any tips / local food recommendations? As I live locally unable to comment re trains. Food - so many restaurants in Stratford so depending on your preference these are in close vicinity to theatre: Sheep Street - The Vinter Waterside: Carluccios Top of Sheep Street - The Giggling Squid (Thai) Bell Court has many restaurants mostly chains eg ASK, Miller & Carter. The Dirty Duck has had a refurbishment but unable to say what food is like. And of course lots of cafes/coffee shops/tea rooms. I like Huffkins in Bridge Street just round the corner from the theatre. |
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Post by Jan on Jan 17, 2024 16:23:34 GMT
… what’s the commute like from London? The good news is they have a page on their website to recommend the best travel option. The bad news is wait till you see the results. Last time I looked (and someone may correct me) there is no direct way to get there on public transport, you can do it on two trains but it’s not fast and can be expensive, and there’s no way at all to get back after an evening performance. Chichester it ain’t. It has mostly always been like that except at one point there was a special bus after the evening performance that would take you somewhere to catch the last train - I don’t think that’s still operating ? If you don’t want to stay overnight driving is the only option. |
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Post by oxfordsimon on Jan 17, 2024 16:23:53 GMT
The chippy opposite the RST is my standard pre show treat.
Hobson's Patisserie on Henley Street do the best cream scones. They are about 6in tall!
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Post by oxfordsimon on Jan 17, 2024 16:28:05 GMT
The last direct train to London leaves Stratford at 21.33 so is unlikely to be of much use
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Post by marob on Jan 17, 2024 16:36:57 GMT
Never been. I’d like to, but looking into the trains it’s 4 hours going and 3 hours coming back.
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Post by Jan on Jan 17, 2024 16:40:56 GMT
The last direct train to London leaves Stratford at 21.33 so is unlikely to be of much use That’s an anomaly. I think it’s the only direct train in either direction ? |
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jay
Auditioning
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Post by jay on Jan 17, 2024 16:52:43 GMT
Anyone else find the new season underwhelming? I thought the new AD's would come out of the hurdles with some brave new vision for the company, having tempted some big names and some company stalwarts back into the fold. The casting - the little there currently is - is, for me, decent , but nothing to warrant a trip to Stratford for. ( Although the Ukranian King Lear sounds extraordinary. ) Harvey not directing at all - while Evans, in his first year of running the company, takes time out to cast himself in a chunky lead role! I'll be intrigued to see how that partnership pans out - there is bound to be a level of competitiveness- and historically co-directors of anything seem to struggle with who is 'top-dog'. The RSC needs to shake itself out of the stupour left by Doran and Whyman - this new start shows glimmers of hope but bigger bold decisions are needed I fear....
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Post by marob on Jan 17, 2024 16:55:56 GMT
Harvey not directing at all - while Evans, in his first year of running the company, takes time out to cast himself in a chunky lead role! I'll be intrigued to see how that partnership pans out - there is bound to be a level of competitiveness- and historically co-directors of anything seem to struggle with who is 'top-dog'. The RSC needs to shake itself out of the stupour left by Doran and Whyman - this new start shows glimmers of hope but bigger bold decisions are needed I fear.... She’s directing Pericles. |
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295 posts
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Post by fossil on Jan 17, 2024 17:46:29 GMT
I have found travelling from London to Stratford by rail can be ok but for matinees only. I always go changing at Leamington Spa.
On Saturday by train from Marylebone there are nicely timed trains: dep 9.02 - arr 11.13 outward and 17.31 - 19.45 return with a change at Leamington Spa.
For weekdays the train timings are useless but I have travelled to Leamington Spa in the past and then taken the half hourly X18 bus to Stratford from opposite the station which takes about 40 minutes. The bus is also useful on a Saturday if the connection at Leamington is missed.
There was one time our train from London broke down at Gerrards Cross and the station staff were exceptional. After discovering that about 20 of us were going to miss our Stratford connection they arranged for the next fast train to make an extra stop for us. When we got to Leamington Spa there were several taxis waiting (at no charge to us). We had the added bonus of being dropped very near the theatre.
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2,476 posts
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Post by zahidf on Jan 17, 2024 20:30:47 GMT
I might stay over and do a couple of plays. Did it 9 years ago or so, had fun
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Post by cavocado on Jan 18, 2024 13:02:08 GMT
The last direct train to London leaves Stratford at 21.33 so is unlikely to be of much use That’s an anomaly. I think it’s the only direct train in either direction ? I see As You Like It has some 5pm starts, which presumably will finish by 8pm, so it would be possible to combine that with a matinee for a 2 show day trip that fits around train schedules. |
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Post by cavocado on Jan 18, 2024 14:55:36 GMT
That’s an anomaly. I think it’s the only direct train in either direction ? I see As You Like It has some 5pm starts, which presumably will finish by 8pm, so it would be possible to combine that with a matinee for a 2 show day trip that fits around train schedules. Just noticed AYLI is a short family-friendly version, 1hr 20, so very travel-friendly! |
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Post by kate8 on Jan 18, 2024 15:14:52 GMT
I've only just managed to look at the announcement and I'm excited by the quantity of plays announced, especially after the last year or so. School for Scandal and Merry Wives are sharing the RST - i wonder if they’ll share cast members too? Hopefully Goold and Daldry signal a bigger welcome for outside directors, and I'm looking forward to seeing Luke Thallon and Will Keen. I wonder what wider casts will look like - hoping for lots of experienced Shakespeare actors in smaller roles. I also like the inclusion of ballet and the Ukrainian Lear - hopefully will help get back that sense that it’s a centre for all things Shakespearean.
I didn’t go to the Garden Theatre for Comedy of Errors and thought it seemed a bit of a vanity project which delayed full reopening, but am pleased to see it open alongside the Swan and RST and used for a more child-friendly production.
It’s a promising start in my view. Stratford hospitality business owners must be breathing a sigh of relief at a schedule which might entice visitors back for more than just a 3 hour visit to the town.
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19,650 posts
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Post by BurlyBeaR on Jan 23, 2024 15:08:22 GMT
Single thread with all historic RSC new season discussions across multiple threads merged.
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Post by adamkinsey on Jan 23, 2024 16:23:45 GMT
I'm assuming Merry Wives is a revival of the "Essex" setting of a few years back based on the artwork? Enjoyed it OK but wouldn't go back to see it again. Had it been a new production it would have been the one thing in this line up I'd have booked for.
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1,013 posts
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Post by talkstageytome on Jan 23, 2024 19:38:16 GMT
I'm assuming Merry Wives is a revival of the "Essex" setting of a few years back based on the artwork? Enjoyed it OK but wouldn't go back to see it again. Had it been a new production it would have been the one thing in this line up I'd have booked for. Different creatives, it's a new production  |
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2,476 posts
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Post by zahidf on Jan 28, 2024 10:40:31 GMT
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Post by cavocado on Jan 28, 2024 10:58:56 GMT
That makes me feel quite excited about the RSC again. Also good to hear that they are interested in the public transport issues! |
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5,688 posts
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Post by lynette on Jan 28, 2024 14:40:48 GMT
Thanks for posting. Interesting interview and i liked the comment about how education works in the notes from other directors below. I too feel that altered or in some way reduced shows for kids never work. The real thing does.
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Post by Jan on Jan 28, 2024 14:59:21 GMT
Thanks for posting. Interesting interview and i liked the comment about how education works in the notes from other directors below. I too feel that altered or in some way reduced shows for kids never work. The real thing does. Odd they would ask Brian Cox - he was there for a couple of years in the 1980’s purely as a one-off, was involved in a production with some off-stage issues, and never went back. Pretty much exactly the same at the NT, where he notably disliked being part of a company despite his comments here. |
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Post by Always@thetheatre on Jan 30, 2024 11:07:13 GMT
Does anyone know what time tickets go on sale on 8th Feb please? I can see the date mentioned everywhere but no times.
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Post by kate8 on Jan 31, 2024 8:17:53 GMT
Does anyone know what time tickets go on sale on 8th Feb please? I can see the date mentioned everywhere but no times. I’m a subscriber and can book from 10am on 6th, so I assume it will also be 10am on the 8th for the general sale. |
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Post by Always@thetheatre on Jan 31, 2024 8:39:16 GMT
Does anyone know what time tickets go on sale on 8th Feb please? I can see the date mentioned everywhere but no times. I’m a subscriber and can book from 10am on 6th, so I assume it will also be 10am on the 8th for the general sale. Thank you 😊 |
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