Shakespeare and stuff

[Dave 123]

Today we are off to The Globe theatre in that London to watch the taming of the shrew.
Mrs Dave likes a bit of Willy, but other than reading Macbeth at school I'm a total ignoramus, and a Palestine.
Living in Cambridge I've avoided it so far, even though there are a plethora of performances in the summer. In college the Globe put on a performance in the Masters garden (and ruin it) so I'm starting out with low expectations.

I bought the tickets as she deserves a treat, I'll try to be a good boy.

Will I be converted?

I hope they say 'forsooth '

 

[wheresthetorch]

Mrs Dave likes a bit of Willy

Calling @Fnaar. (Well, someone had to!)

 

[ufkacbln]

I went to see Macbeth here some years ago and walked out after 5 minutes

The witches were wearing diner jackets and those spectacles with the "springing eyes" dragging chairs around in formation - not the traditional version we were led to expect

About 50 others joined us.

We were refused a refund, so when I got home wrote complaining that it was not what I had expected or wanted to see.

I got a letter back stating that it was up to them how they interpreted Shakespeare and up to me to understand it!

Second letter explaining that I had not been given the choice as all the advertising showed traditional costume.

Another letter explaining that it was the fact that it was incorrectly advertised resulted in a letter form Mark Rylance explaining how it was my fault for not understanding Shakespeare, and a refusal to refund

Fortunately Southwark Trading Standards didn't understand Shakespeare either, but did understand advertising.

The complaint that the advertising was misleading was upheld, Globe was forced to withdraw its advertising, and republish with clear images of each play and a description that made clear that it was a modern or traditional interpretation

 

[ufkacbln]

Shakespeare done properly is fantastic, and often informal.

I remember one play where the lead fluffed his line, and someone in the front row recited it for him. Lead left stage handed his tunic to the "heckler and sat in his seat!

Once the audience had stopped laughing, lead resumed his role

Brilliant piece of improvisation

 

[GrumpyGregry]

Not the play I would recommend for a conversion attempt.

 

[coffeejo]

Not the play I would recommend for a conversion attempt.

Especially from a Palestine to a philistine...

 

[winjim]

Don't get it, have never got it, don't want to get it. I consider Shakespeare the same as I consider the Beatles. I can appreciate the influence it's had on culture and society, but the original work is tedious drivel.

 

[Fab Foodie]

I like it. I'm no expert, have watched 'traditional' doublet and hose versions, minamalist 'in the round' and modern interpretations and found they all have something to offer. Enjoy without prejudice!

 

[ufkacbln]

Not the play I would recommend for a conversion attempt.

May pick up some tips on training SWMBO

 

[Profpointy]

I went to see Macbeth here some years ago and walked out after 5 minutes

The witches were wearing diner jackets and those spectacles with the "springing eyes" dragging chairs around in formation - not the traditional version we were led to expect

About 50 others joined us.

We were refused a refund, so when I got home wrote complaining that it was not what I had expected or wanted to see.

I got a letter back stating that it was up to them how they interpreted Shakespeare and up to me to understand it!

Second letter explaining that I had not been given the choice as all the advertising showed traditional costume.

Another letter explaining that it was the fact that it was incorrectly advertised resulted in a letter form Mark Rylance explaining how it was my fault for not understanding Shakespeare, and a refusal to refund

Fortunately Southwark Trading Standards didn't understand Shakespeare either, but did understand advertising.

The complaint that the advertising was misleading was upheld, Globe was forced to withdraw its advertising, and republish with clear images of each play and a description that made clear that it was a modern or traditional interpretation

That's one of the daftest things I've ever heard. You go to a play then sucessfully demand your money back because you didn't like the costumes.

What do you think they wore in the Bard's day - contemporary costumes of doublet and hose. So why is modern dress Shakespeare wrong? There's no polite way of putting this but you are an idiot

 

[Levo-Lon]

To read or not to read the thread is the question...id rather stick pins in my eyes..

 

[ufkacbln]

That's one of the daftest things I've ever heard. You go to a play then sucessfully demand your money back because you didn't like the costumes.

What do you think they wore in the Bard's day - contemporary costumes of doublet and hose. So why is modern dress Shakespeare wrong? There's no polite way of putting this but you are an idiot

Which is exactly the point that the Globe missed, and cost them so dearly


You choose to participate in something according to the information that they give, and if they re incorrect, misleading, or have lied about the event than that is illegal.. They had a contract, which they then failed to meet

Its a bit like ordering a red bike, then when it arrives it is fluorescent green

That's one of the daftest things I've ever heard. You order a bike then successfully demand your money back because you didn't like the colour

 

[Profpointy]

It must be admitted some of the Globe's productions can be hit or miss. Saw an utterly brilliant Henry IV (parts one and two over a weekend) starring Roger Allam. He played to the crowd superbly and it got to the point he was cheered each time he walked on stage. It was a real privilage to see. On the other hand their Hamlet was shockingly poor. Well enough acted but really poorly concieved. One thrilling 2 minutes of theatre with Ophelia's mad scene but the rest was rubbish. Although there's a fair bit of comedy in Hamlet playing it like a carry on film is going a bit far.

We're rather spolit in Bristol as the local company "Shakespear at the Tobacco Factory" are invariably excellent and a couple of their shows have been amongst the finest things I've ever seen on stage and even their worst performances are still very good. They tour too so well worth looking out for them

 

[Profpointy]

Which is exactly the point that the Globe missed, and cost them so dearly


You choose to participate in something according to the information that they give, and if they re incorrect, misleading, or have lied about the event than that is illegal.. They had a contract, which they then failed to meet

Its a bit like ordering a red bike, then when it arrives it is fluorescent green

That's one of the daftest things I've ever heard. You order a bike then successfully demand your money back because you didn't like the colour

there's me thinking "the play's the thing" I suggest you stick to west end musicals in future

 

[ufkacbln]

there's me thinking "the play's the thing" I suggest you stick to west end musicals in future

Absolutely, and the point you are still missing is that this was NOT the play they had advertised......

Lets take your "West End Musicals" analogy. It is a bit like going to see the Sound of Music, and finding that they have rewritten the music in the style of "We will Rock You", and borrowed the Nun's costumes form "Cats"

By your definition it is still "the Sound of Music"