What: The Merchant of Venice
Where: Stratford-Upon_Avon, Royal Shakespeare Theatre
When: 19th May 2011
All at sea
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Tag Archives: william shakespeare
Little Fooling around but still a major production
Date: 1st of April 2011
Where: Royal Shakespeare Theatre, Stratford-Upon-Avon
What : King Lear
I’ve seen this production before. Last year. But then Kathryn Hunter was the Fool. Now there was a story. Ms Hunter excellent as the Fool in King Lear, dire as Cleopatra in Anthony and Cleopatra. One reviewer called that production “gob-smackingly bad”. I was kinder.
The Rape of Lucrece
Date: 31st March 2011
Where: The Swan Theatre, Stratford Upon Avon
What: The Rape of Lucrece
A Rose By Any Other Name……….
We packed up our tour bus and we toured the local schools. Having stolen the name “The Shakespearience” from a long-forgotten tourist project in Stratford-Upon-Avon, I produced a two-hour presentation of the highlights of “Romeo and Juliet”, “Merchant of Venice” and “Macbeth”, complete with narration to explain the full story. Largely directed by Richard Evans but with input from the whole acting company, we produced a truly collaborative venture which we performed to audiences aged from 9-15. Our largest round of applause (and standing ovation) came from a crowd of 220 fifteen year olds so we must have done something right.
Darren doffs another hat
It seems like only the other day that I was talking about the variety of roles that life throws up for me and here comes another unusual experience.
A play by any other name would smell as sweet…….
The RSC production of Romeo and Juliet which is currently playing in its Stratford-Upon-Avon base and which will transfer to the Roundhouse in Camden, London later in the year is a golden opportunity to see one of the finest productions of Shakespeare in many a year.
Well, what a carry on……. Cleo
Royal Shakespeare Company
The Courtyard Theatre
27th May 2010
Antony and Cleopatra
Hicksville?
Greg Hicks is at the heart and soul of the current RSC ensemble who are gathered to perform a number of Shakespeare’s classic works at the Courtyard Theatre in Stratford-Upon-Avon. The ensemble began its work last year and will continue to work together until 2011 – although rumour has it that Hicks will leave early.
Where is he is?……. What’s he doing?
I haven’t had chance to post anything on here recently but I promise to keep the journal busy over the next few weeks. What’s been happening?
1. I have a new website. The writing side of my work has become busy enough to encourage me to promote it further and one of my publishers were happy to help me do it as they get more work too if I’m busy. If you’re inclined to take a look, it’s here: www.darrenhirst.com
2. One of the bands that I have been working with have attracted interest from Sony/BMG which has meant some high flown meetings which seem to have gone well.
3. You can read all about my work with Sad Cafe on the new version of their website which I believe is going live today. I’m impressed with the design of this one. It was done by a company called project42 who are very talented and very efficient. You can see the site here: www.sadcafe.co.uk
4. The new issue of Natural Progressions which I edit will go to the printers on Monday. That looks good too.
5. The RSC has a new group of productions. The first is King Lear and a review of this excellent performance should be on this site in a few days time.
6. Some of my favourite artists are doing gigs in the next few weeks and I’ll do reviews which will eventually find their way here. I’ll be writing about Panic Room, Timothy B. Schmit, John Foxx and Swarf.
7. I’ve been involved in negotiations with John Foxx’s manager, Steve Malins, with a view to staging an exhibition of John’s art in Stratford-Upon-Avon. This has been frustrating and may come to nothing.
8. Baseball Spring Training has begun and I’m going to be writing an analysis of the Yankees’ Spring squad which will also eventually find it’s way here.
Busy, busy, busy………..
Eleventh Hour for Twelfth Night
I normally get to see the RSC’s productions at the beginning of their run and I’m then able to prepare the review early. This one is unusual as, because of my personal workload, I didn’t get to see Twelfth Night until three nights before it finished. I decided to prepare a review anyway – even though it’s likely to influence exactly nothing.
twilightdawning 