Whilst other write good words (1)

Holinshed and the Histories

Almost all of Shakespeare’s histories have their origins in Raphael Holinshed’s Chronicles of England, Scotland and Ireland.

Twelfth Night (2)

National Theatre

 

This was a huge amount of rollicking good fun that (despite the casting of a female Malvolia) didn’t try to make Twelfth Night carry anything more than the tale set down by Shakespeare and do it as well as possible.

Aguecheek and Belch. Photo by Marc Brenner.

The Winter’s Tale (2)

Barbican – Silk Street Theatre

Photo by Johan Persson

This production was by Cheek by Jowl, a company known for the strength of their ensemble casts*, their international tours (and producing plays in a number of languages) and for their production of The Winter’s Tale which has been on in St Petersburg for 20 years. This is not that production.

Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead

Old Vic

I was delighted that (thanks to the Gods of the Almeida and the Old Vic) I could go and see this almost (but not quite) in repertory with Hamlet, even more pleased that I could get the order right* and then, somewhat perversely given point number one, also delighted that this was an extreme staging contrast with the Almeida’s Hamlet.

Show me your image in some antique book

Just a quick. Stop press – in case you hadn’t heard – the Antiques Roadshow* has managed to unearth a stunning little manuscript, written in the 17th century, which includes quotes and some analysis on (as the title page has it) “Shakespeare’s Comedies and Tragedies”**.