8 replies to this topic

[TheatreMadGoer]

Saw first preview tonight, one of the sleeper hits of the year, very rough round the edges but to be expected for first preview, director admitted was like this when I met her on the stairs outside.

Stunning costumes, a brilliant plot and great acting all round, couple of volume issues mainly from the Mexicans but this will get ironed out very quickly.

Don't be put off by the idea of Aztec history, it's fast paced, and some wonderful allusions to Shakespeare's history plays, including a wonderful scene reminscent of Falstaff's rejection.

Great to see some of the smaller part actors from King John/Richard III coming up to the mark, including Natalie Klamar in two great roles.

A must see.

[DanielWhit]

They certainly tidied it up in time for press night, and the volume issues were negligible enough to not dwell on!

It seems some of the national press are very much on the side of not liking this production - Billington in particular seems to take fault at the use of Shakespeare's style, despite this being a key aim of the production from the outset!

[Honoured Guest]

This is the third RSC visiting commission for their World Shakespeare Festival, following Romeo and Juliet in Baghdad from Iraq and Two Roses for Richard III from Brazil. And reports suggest it's a third disappointment, just like the previous two. Next up is the Troilus and Cressida Wooster Group co-production next month. Surely they can't all misfire, can they?

Can they?!?!?

[Pharaoh's number 2]

Yep, 2* from Billington.

[DanielWhit]

Currently waiting for the WoS office to get the review up here.. however, it seems that a lot of reviews are fairly negative for this. Surprising, to me.

[Lynette]

'commission', 'world' and 'festival' are three words I am wary of.

[Honoured Guest]

Lynette, on 08 July 2012 - 05:37 PM, said:

'commission', 'world' and 'festival' are three words I am wary of.

Assuming that you mean when used together, as in a "commission for a world festival", it would appear that your fears are well-founded. The worst recent example was probably Babel, the World Stages London commission from WildWorks which encouraged Parsley of Athens to return to this forum for a special guest appearance of excoriation: http://www.whatsonst...page__hl__babel

[Lynette]

Yes all three together but even separately, beware.

[Honoured Guest]

One * from me as I'm feeling generous. It has a cartoon quality.