What: Goose Chase
Who: Riding Lights Theatre Company
Where: Ravenscourt Arts
When: 9th December 2014
This was Ravenscourt Arts’ (a new venue in Hammersmith) first attempt to stage a play / pantomime for families with young children. This reviewer attended two performances on this date – a free daytime one for local school children which was packed and a evening one which carried a ticket price for which there was a good number of spare seats.
What: Much Ado About Nothing (promoted as “Love’s Labour’s Won”) by William Shakespeare
Where: Royal Shakespeare Theatre, Stratford-Upon-Avon
When: 20th November 2014
So I was back in Stratford-Upon-Avon for the second half of this strange coupling that Gregory Doran is determined to promote as “Love’s Labour’s Lost” and “Love’s Labour’s Won”. In reality, as I suggested in my earlier review these two plays share no common ground other than their humorous tone and those imposed by the director’s decision-making.
What: Love’s Labour’s Lost by William Shakespeare
Where: Royal Shakespeare Theatre, Stratford-Upon-Avon
When: 23rd October 2014
Gregory Doran, the new artistic director of the Royal Shakespeare company, has barely put a foot wrong since he took over the role – and it has to be said that prior to the new appointment there had been a certain loss of direction. But in this new production, which I think is very solid and good, he seems to have based some of his thinking about it on a doubtful premise.
What: Henry IV Part II
When: May 15th 2014
Where: Royal Shakespeare Theatre, Stratford-Upon-Avon.
The Royal Shakespeare Company last performed Henry IV Part II in 2008 as part of their “Histories” cycle. On that occasion it was necessary that they performed both Henry IV plays in tandem as they were performing all of Shakespeare’s history plays. Now in 2014, they have chosen to perform the two together again. I wonder at the wisdom of this decision.
What: Henry IV Part 1 by William Shakespeare
Where: The Royal Shakespeare Theatre, Stratford-Upon-Avon
When: April 24th 2014
The Royal Shakespeare Company are publicising Henry IV Parts 1 & 2 as Shakespeare’s finest two plays. I can’t say I agree. Such a claim would make King Lear & Macbeth blush. However, they may well be the point where Shakespeare’s three stylistic modes best meet.
What: All’s Well That Ends Well
Where: Royal Shakespeare Theatre, Stratford-Upon-Avon
When: 1st August 2013
Last time out for me, with the Royal Shakespeare Company, was to see their outstanding, remarkable and bloody production of Titus Andronicus in the Swan Theatre. This time I’m in the main Royal Shakespeare Theatre watching a solid but not quite as remarkable version of All’s Well That Ends Well.
What: Titus Andronicus
Where: Swan Theatre, Stratford-Upon-Avon
When: 30th May 2013
Perhaps, before I begin this review, I have to make a confession, Titus Andronicus is one of my favourite plays in Shakespeare’s oeuvre. Whilst other reviewers see it as being out of step with contemporary tastes, I have written quite extensively about its resonance with contemporary mores and issues. So whilst others were surprised to see it included in the RSC’s current season, I was pleased and excited to see it there. And I have to say that this production did not disappoint but lived up to all my hopes and expectations.
Surprising and delightful things from David Farr and The Tempest
What: The Tempest by William Shakespeare
Where: Royal Shakespeare Theatre, Stratford-Upon-Avon
When: 6th September 2012
When: 26th July 2012
Where: Royal Shakespeare Theatre, Stratford-Upon-Avon
What: Twelfth Night by William Shakespeare
When considering the RSC’s current production of “Twelfth Night”, it is helpful to separate out the plays two strands: the humorous and the romantic.
twilightdawning 