The new RSC

[lemonjelly]

I went to see the RSC version of A Christmas Carol at the weekend. Adrian Edmondson plays the part of Scrooge.

I was always looking forward to it, but FUCK ME IT WAS ABSOLUTELY PHENOMENAL!!!!
I was genuinely blown away by the experience, one of the best theatre events I have been to in a while.
The story is fantastic, the take on a Christmas carol, and how to tell the tale which we all know is brilliantly done.
The story is full of peaks and troughs in emotion. There is much hilarity, jokes, and laughter.
And equally, there are sections that reduced me to tears whilst watching.
It is an extremely emotional experience, and absolutely brilliant. I'd urge every single person I know to have the joy of watching this play.

 

[EpsomWolf]

Not seen this thread before but it’s a helpful reminder to get off my arse and action the longstanding intention to buy RSC tickets and do the surprise romantic break thing.

Have been to several Shakespeare plays but never at the RSC. The missus is totally consumed and in awe but I’ll freely admit I often struggle to follow the plot and find myself regularly taking a crafty look at the watch to see if we’ll make last orders. Off to see Othello at the National Theatre on New Year’s Eve which I believe is heavy going so that should be interesting.

To be fair though, despite struggling to follow at times you have to admire the brilliance of the actors and the use of old English is a joy too.

No harm in testing yourself and getting out of your comfort zone now and again. Thanks for the heads up.

 

[Aikiwolf]

Not seen this thread before but it’s a helpful reminder to get off my arse and action the longstanding intention to buy RSC tickets and do the surprise romantic break thing.

Have been to several Shakespeare plays but never at the RSC. The missus is totally consumed and in awe but I’ll freely admit I often struggle to follow the plot and find myself regularly taking a crafty look at the watch to see if we’ll make last orders. Off to see Othello at the National Theatre on New Year’s Eve which I believe is heavy going so that should be interesting.

To be fair though, despite struggling to follow at times you have to admire the brilliance of the actors and the use of old English is a joy too.

No harm in testing yourself and getting out of your comfort zone now and again. Thanks for the heads up.

My wife often takes a "No fear Shakespeare" copy of the play with her. One side of each double page has the play's text and the other side has a translation into modern language.

She finds it invaluable for following the play and the plot.

 

[EpsomWolf]

My wife often takes a "No fear Shakespeare" copy of the play with her. One side of each double page has the play's text and the other side has a translation into modern language.

She finds it invaluable for following the play and the plot.

That’s great advice, thank you. I’ve tried reading up in advance but have still struggled at times. Just googled ‘No fear Shakespeare’ and sounds like just the ticket.

Cheers, thanks very much

 

[lemonjelly]

Every time I go to the RSC I always come home in awe of how superb it is. Later this week I will no doubt be booking tickets for at least 1 show in 2023.

 

[lemonjelly]

https://amp.theguardian.com/stage/2023/may/04/cymbeline-review-royal-shakespeare-theatre-doran

went to see this the other day. Specifically went as it's Gregory dorans swansong. Whilst a complex plot with a lot going on we came away feeling how accessible this was. You could follow the story. It's brilliantly done, & it's apparent simplicity raises it above usual experiences.
The cast, in particular imogen are on stellar form.

 

[lemonjelly]

just had an email with their winter season, and am overjoyed to see they are putting on a version of The Box of Delights october through to december. Love the book, loved the tv series as a child, will definitely be going to see this!

 

[lemonjelly]

box of delights tickets went on sale today, and acquired.

 

[lemonjelly]

Went to see The Box of Delights last night.
Totally brilliant. The theatrics were amazing. I wondered how they'd do the "flying" and "shrinking", and they used some brilliant theatrical techniques.
Staged very well indeed. It's a great story anyway. It's a very different type of production to a christmas carol last year, but that actually makes both experiences better.
Totally loved it.

 

[Lupo]

Went to see The Box of Delights last night.
Totally brilliant. The theatrics were amazing. I wondered how they'd do the "flying" and "shrinking", and they used some brilliant theatrical techniques.
Staged very well indeed. It's a great story anyway. It's a very different type of production to a christmas carol last year, but that actually makes both experiences better.
Totally loved it.

I have a great fondness of the 1984 BBC version with Patrick Troughton as Cole Hawlings, actually have it on DVD and brings back great memories of Christmas childhoods, not least because the scenes at the house (Seekings) were filmed at Wassell Wood House near Bewdley which was owned by family friends of ours and we used to spend Boxing Days there

 

[lemonjelly]

Amazing info @Lupo ! Thanks for telling me this.
I loved the same tv series! Pre covid I went to see a screening of the series at The Electric cinema in brum (though was coming down with some illness so didn't enjoy it as much as I hoped to).

 

[Lupo]

Amazing info @Lupo ! Thanks for telling me this.
I loved the same tv series! Pre covid I went to see a screening of the series at The Electric cinema in brum (though was coming down with some illness so didn't enjoy it as much as I hoped to).

Not sure how old you are LJ but I was 13 when it first aired and Devin Stanfield who played Kay Harker was the same age. Many of the locations were local using the Severn Valley Railway, Bewdley, Kinet, etc. Tewkesbury was used for Tatchester.

Its funny, you and I both have an interest in Jack The Ripper and Box Of Delights (and Wolves of course)!

 

[lemonjelly]

Not sure how old you are LJ but I was 13 when it first aired and Devin Stanfield who played Kay Harker was the same age. Many of the locations were local using the Severn Valley Railway, Bewdley, Kinet, etc. Tewkesbury was used for Tatchester.

Its funny, you and I both have an interest in Jack The Ripper and Box Of Delights (and Wolves of course)!

born in 1974 my mate!
I had no idea that so many of the filmed locations were local! Going to have to do some googling, and means I now have some days out ideas for next spring and summer!

 

[Lupo]

Locations[edit]​

Railway station scenes were filmed at Bewdley and Arley on the steam heritage Severn Valley Railway;[7] Tewkesbury became the fictional Tatchester; the bishop's children's party was recorded at Kinlet Hall, Shropshire (the location of Moffats Independent School, whose pupils and staff served as extras); the interior of Hereford Cathedral and its choir were featured extensively in the final episode (although the exterior of "Tatchester Cathedral" was Tewkesbury Abbey).[7] Exterior shots of Abner Brown's theological college were filmed at Eastnor Castle, near Ledbury, Herefordshire.[8] The snowy mountainous landscape of King Arthur's castle was filmed at the Peel of Lumphanan, Lumphanan, Aberdeenshire.[7] During filming, the crew were almost snowed in by 12-foot blizzards.[5] Renny Rye recalls: "We could hardly use any of the locations I'd recced because we couldn't get out of the hotel. Nearly all the locations were unreachable because the snow was so thick (which is why it looks quite magical in the film), so virtually all of it was shot in the hotel gardens."[6]

 

[lemonjelly]

sat in a queue hoping to get Hamlet Hail to the Thief tickets. Never been in an RSC queue before...