22-12-2012, 19:55 | #1 |
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Richard III
If you're in London anytime between now and February 9th this has got to be the best Shakespeare to have graced the West End for many a long year and worth virtually any trouble to get tickets
No psychological reworking of the play to make R3 into Julie Andrews,no setting in contemporary Latin America,no over wrought set design just pure double espresso strength Bard with three sugars. Mark Rylance is simply mesmeric as the eponymous anti hero from (and .....curiously before....the start). His way with the text is ruthless in its clarity . Ever listened to the pointless versions of "Now is the Winter".......that every ham who has ever trod a board traduces without meaning?......ever wondered why the words sound familiar,the timing predictable but the whole thing is gobbledygook?-then go and see Rylance's crystalline reading and the whole thing clicks into place with awesome precision.The first five minutes are an utter revelation and the rest of the play likewise. First class supporting cast and music woven tight into the performance.Gorgeously economical set.The entire evening is a procession of theatrical delight. The cast are "back to backing" with "Twelfth night" (God knows if Rylance will make it to February or die in the process -he looks so utterly shattered) If you are lucky enough to get tickets get there 45 minutes early and get seated the moment the auditorium is opened to get a theatrical appetiser so obvious but so satisfying you'll be half way to the 16th Century before a word is spoken. The kind of defining production that will still be talked about in 10 years time |
22-12-2012, 20:17 | #2 |
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Wow that does sound wonderful. I love Mark Rylance and his verse speaking is sublime. I doubt I'll get to see it - but I'll try my best after that review!
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22-12-2012, 21:01 | #3 | |
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Quote:
Its the only Shakespeare I've ever seen where the orchestra is woven so tightly into the whole thing AND looks to be having a damn fine time into the bargain |
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23-12-2012, 13:04 | #4 |
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You've been watching the wrong stuff!
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24-12-2012, 16:20 | #5 |
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