Off to see the return to the stage after some six years of Cate Blanchett at the Barbican in another Checkov, The Seagull, on March 13th. Only need to see an Uncle Vanya by mid November to have seen the four full length classics within a year.
We went to see Churchill in Moscow this week at the Orange Tree in Richmond and thought it was extremely good. Roger Allam played Churchill with his usual aplomb. The play dramatises the actual August 1942 top-secret between Churchill and Stalin at a time when each of them feared defeat to Hitler. Unsurprisingly, the respective diplomats struggled to control the alcohol-fuelled discussions between the two unpredictable leaders.
It is the Orange Tree's fastest ever selling play and the sold out run ends next month. Although there have been no indications thus far, I imagine that it will transfer to the National or West End at some stage, given the likely level of demand for tickets.
Off to Three Sisters this afternoon. Sam Wanamaker at the Globe, new theatre for me.
Been ourselves now. Thoughts?
I liked it enormously. There was a classic Chekovian feel to it all with the set, props and costumes, and the Theatre suited the intimacy of the production where the candlelight enhanced rather than distracted. As usual the play was a company piece and there was no star vehicle nor weak performances on show, but an effort to present the work as true to itself. The only acting choices I would have disputed was the approach with Solyony who was verging on a maniacal type. I have seen the play a lot, including at the Greenwich Theatre with a stunning performance by Joanne (Singing Detective, and recently Wolf Hall) as Masha, and in the West End with a fantastic Vanessa Redgrave as Olga, both memorable. So it was rather a classic Checkov, in a classic production that suited me fine annd was well received, and I would give it an 8 on the Setheatreometer. I hope you liked it H.
Completely agree re theatre, the atmosphere and the acting. Felt the first half dragged a bit but the second was enthralling. I’m probably more a 6.5/7 - enjoyed it.
Went to see Oedipus starring Remi Malek and Indira Varma, there was some interesting dancing and atmospheric lighting and it started well before I got bored and fell asleep for a bit. Saw Richard II last week at The Bridge Theatre with Johnathon Bailey who was very good and it was all fairly enjoyable, although I may have drifted off slightly in the first half
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It is the Orange Tree's fastest ever selling play and the sold out run ends next month. Although there have been no indications thus far, I imagine that it will transfer to the National or West End at some stage, given the likely level of demand for tickets.
Saw Richard II last week at The Bridge Theatre with Johnathon Bailey who was very good and it was all fairly enjoyable, although I may have drifted off slightly in the first half