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Shakespeare week
Wednesday, I went to the Commonwealth Shakespeare's production of Much Ado About Nothing on the Common. It was lovely. The set was nicely complex, layered, while still seeming of a piece. And hey, there was an actual fountain! The lighting included not only the usual lights above, but lights strung up for parties, and 'streetlights' on the set. I didn't find the miking to be as distracting as it could be. And the costumes were wonderful, all sorts of variants on simple, pink Empire dresses for the women, and the military men all had either black leather pants or black leather chaps. Very nice.
I enjoy the word play in this script, and this performance was no exception. Hero always seems a bit boring compared to Beatrice, but that's to be expected. What should've been expected was the downpour at the beginning of the second half, which drove me T-ward untimely. And unfortunately there was a chance to see the second half another time. Sigh.
Thursday, I drove out to Green Hill Park (Worcester) for a performance by the Redfeather Theatre Company of Twelfth Night. This was a very low-budget production, in the amphitheater in the park. I found out why it started so early (6 pm): they had no lighting available. There were props, more than a set, but it worked rather well. Costuming was casually eclectic, except that everyone had colored canvas sneakers. Oh, and I was amused that Vio and Sebastian wore not only a blue button-down shirt and beige pants, but backwards Sox caps, too (OK, I admit, I still find the central premise that they were indistinguishable ridiculous, but other than that, the play rocks.). As usual, I couldn't wait to see what they'd do for Malvolio's yellow stockings, cross-gartered.
The troupe used the space well, were easy to hear, and had a lot of fun with the play. The jester was female, and many people played more than one role. I'd also forgotten that there are so many oblique references to other Shakespeare plays.
Also of note: there was a flautist playing during some scenes, but there was a band in between acts. I didn't love the music nearly as much as the name: 100 Gallons of Chocolate Pudding.
I'm thinking of going to see Two Gentlemen of Verona on the 19th. Anyone interested?
Sunday, as I drove south, I listened to This American Life (search in the site for Act V, Hamlet; there seems to be no internal bookmarking system.). The whole episode was dedicated to one story, about a production of Hamlet in a high-security prison.
Happily, I got to hear most of the show, arriving just in time for the beginning of the Industrial Theatre's production of The Merry Wives of Windsor. It was in Taunton, in a state park, yet another outdoor amphitheater, though this one was in the woods, rather than on a hillside. Unfortunately, it was raining through most of the play. Happily, it wasn't a deluge, and the play went on regardless.
This is the first time I've seen this play, and I wonder why it's not done more. Sure, it's a fluffy comedy, but it's got a number of strong women, which was very nice. There are two main plots: the three young gentlemen vying for the hand of pretty heiress Anne Page, and the two married women Sir John Falstaff (who has many large appetites) tricking him instead of falling for his (lacking) charms.
This production had a minimal set and a couple of props, along with a number of costume changes, since most of the actors had multiple roles. It was done in a vaguely period style, which was fun. This is the first play I've been to that the 'floor' of the stage has been raked during intermission (to make lines that look pleasing in the dirt, I suppose).
Side note: there's a new Shakespeare theatre group starting in Boston this fall, too (this season's line-up includes Richard III, Measure for Measure, and Julius Caesar. I'm particularly interested in the first, since I've not seen it, and I've had a soft spot for Richard since reading The Daughter of Time.)
I enjoy the word play in this script, and this performance was no exception. Hero always seems a bit boring compared to Beatrice, but that's to be expected. What should've been expected was the downpour at the beginning of the second half, which drove me T-ward untimely. And unfortunately there was a chance to see the second half another time. Sigh.
Thursday, I drove out to Green Hill Park (Worcester) for a performance by the Redfeather Theatre Company of Twelfth Night. This was a very low-budget production, in the amphitheater in the park. I found out why it started so early (6 pm): they had no lighting available. There were props, more than a set, but it worked rather well. Costuming was casually eclectic, except that everyone had colored canvas sneakers. Oh, and I was amused that Vio and Sebastian wore not only a blue button-down shirt and beige pants, but backwards Sox caps, too (OK, I admit, I still find the central premise that they were indistinguishable ridiculous, but other than that, the play rocks.). As usual, I couldn't wait to see what they'd do for Malvolio's yellow stockings, cross-gartered.
The troupe used the space well, were easy to hear, and had a lot of fun with the play. The jester was female, and many people played more than one role. I'd also forgotten that there are so many oblique references to other Shakespeare plays.
Also of note: there was a flautist playing during some scenes, but there was a band in between acts. I didn't love the music nearly as much as the name: 100 Gallons of Chocolate Pudding.
I'm thinking of going to see Two Gentlemen of Verona on the 19th. Anyone interested?
Sunday, as I drove south, I listened to This American Life (search in the site for Act V, Hamlet; there seems to be no internal bookmarking system.). The whole episode was dedicated to one story, about a production of Hamlet in a high-security prison.
Happily, I got to hear most of the show, arriving just in time for the beginning of the Industrial Theatre's production of The Merry Wives of Windsor. It was in Taunton, in a state park, yet another outdoor amphitheater, though this one was in the woods, rather than on a hillside. Unfortunately, it was raining through most of the play. Happily, it wasn't a deluge, and the play went on regardless.
This is the first time I've seen this play, and I wonder why it's not done more. Sure, it's a fluffy comedy, but it's got a number of strong women, which was very nice. There are two main plots: the three young gentlemen vying for the hand of pretty heiress Anne Page, and the two married women Sir John Falstaff (who has many large appetites) tricking him instead of falling for his (lacking) charms.
This production had a minimal set and a couple of props, along with a number of costume changes, since most of the actors had multiple roles. It was done in a vaguely period style, which was fun. This is the first play I've been to that the 'floor' of the stage has been raked during intermission (to make lines that look pleasing in the dirt, I suppose).
Side note: there's a new Shakespeare theatre group starting in Boston this fall, too (this season's line-up includes Richard III, Measure for Measure, and Julius Caesar. I'm particularly interested in the first, since I've not seen it, and I've had a soft spot for Richard since reading The Daughter of Time.)
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(I admit I haven't read the play either, but I've seen the Olivier movie.)