(British Museum, until 25 November)
Even though I’m a bit of a Bardophile, I make the mistake of looking at Shakespeare’s plays as texts, rather than as expressions of a living, vivid, turbulent world. When I watch Romeo and Juliet, or As You Like It, or The Merchant of Venice, I focus on the world that Shakespeare is creating, rather than the world that created him. And that’s where this exhibition provides a really interesting counter-balance.
★½
(directed by Roland Emmerich, 2011)
One of my friends keeps saying that I should read Jasper Fforde‘s books, which are set in a world where people riot over the question of who wrote Shakespeare’s plays (he clearly thinks I’d have sympathy with such a cause). As such, how could I resist Roland Emmerich’s new film Anonymous? In retrospect, I really wish I had resisted it. But that is part of the purpose of this blog. I am here to suffer really, really silly film-making so that you don’t have to. Think of it as a noble sacrifice.
★★★★
(Antic Disposition, Middle Temple Hall, 20 August – 3 September 2011)
Yes, I know what you’re thinking. ‘She didn’t go to see The Tempest again?!’ Well, yes; I did. Yesterday, while browsing Google in search of other reviews of the Haymarket production, I stumbled across a website for this version also currently being performed in London. I liked the sound of the young and independent theatre company, Antic Disposition (founded in 2005), and was impressed by the reviews of their previous Shakespeare productions. Plus, they were performing The Tempest at Middle Temple Hall, the glorious Elizabethan dining hall of one of the Inns of Court, where Twelfth Night received its very first performance.
★★★
(Theatre Royal, Haymarket, 27 August – 29 October 2011)
I wanted so badly to enjoy this play, which I booked after seeing Rosencrantz and Guildenstern at the same venue. It was the final treat of my summer holiday. I looked forward to seeing another production directed by Trevor Nunn; and I couldn’t wait to see Ralph Fiennes on stage again. When I saw him in Oedipus, at the National Theatre in 2008, his performance was raw, haunting, and stayed with me for days. I was sure that The Tempest would be a tour de force; but I’m sorry to say it fell short of expectations.
★★★★½
(Iris Theatre, St Paul’s Church, Covent Garden, 2 July – 6 August)
Certain plays are made to be performed outside, and the garden play par excellence is A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Completely by chance, I spotted the banner for Iris Theatre’s current production in the gardens of St Paul’s Church, Covent Garden. It sounded like a lovely way to start off the week and, since the weather promised to be fine, I roped in a colleague to come along with me.
The Idle Woman 