Posted by quinn
on August 11, 2009, 9:49 am
Message modified by board administrator August 14, 2009, 4:51 pm
My Oberon! what visions have I seen!
Methought I was enamoured of an ass.
A Midsummer Night's Dream, 4. 1
I just returned form a wonderful vacation in Stratford! Isn’t it great when you get a chance to travel with those people who, over the years, have become your “life-long friends”? The ones you see maybe once a year (if lucky) and yet it seems you saw them only yesterday? What a perfect vacation!
Of course, we picked Stratford because of GWD - and so we saw Macbeth, Julius Caesar and A Midsummer Night’s Dream. We also took in Phedre.
“The Scottish Play”
Well, Ger was great as Duncan but the rest of the play IMO fell flat. I saw it in May and it seemed slightly better that time. Sorry, but the leads just seemed tired. Lady M (Yanna McIntosh) seemed to be sleepwalking through the entire play as did Macbeth (Colm Feore). There was no passion of any kind in the play. Sad when (other than GWD) the only kudos I feel are warranted for that performance go to James Blendick as the doctor and Tom Rooney as the Porter. However, Macbeth is one of my least favorite Shakespeare plays so my opinion may be greatly colored by that (but I don't think so!).
“Great Caesar’s Ghost!”
“Julius Caesar” - I liked this version. I like the “formality” and costuming of the director’s (James MacDonald) Rome. The battles of the second half of the play are less appealing to me but, of course, totally necessary to the story. The calm menace of Caesar’s ghost - Ger can do so much with just his carriage and stare!
"A Midsummer Night's Dream"
My Oberon! what visions have I seen!
Methought I was enamoured of an ass.
OMG!! I thought nothing would ever surpass the fun of Patrick Tucker’s “The Taming of the Shrew” but sorry, Patrick - it happened. Several of my traveling companions also attended “the Shrewthering” and we all felt the same.
I have never laughed so hard in a theatre. Dream is fantastic, a touch more modern than ethereal which made it easier to follow. IMO, it is well packaged. The cast seemed to be truly enjoying themselves. It’s a comedy so why not go there when describing GWD performance - Ger’s Bottom is a delight. Laura Condlln as Helena and Tom Rooney as Puck also shine. BTW, Rooney is also Cassius in Julius Caesar and does a wonderful Porter in Macbeth. And what a curtain call!!! Do not miss that!
You have 36 chances (performances left) to see this. If you haven’t planned a vacation yet consider Stratford and definitely Dream!
"Phedre "
We also saw Phedre which stars Seana McKenna (Queen Isabella to GWD's King Ferdinand in last year's "Fuente Ovejuna"). The set is minimalistic, the costuming gorgeous, the performances outstanding. The play itself is depressing but well done.
Claire Lautier was also outstanding. I've seen Claire in several productions and something I've noticed is how perfectly her lines are delivered - diction and emotion are impeccable. Her Aricie was excellent.
"DNGG "
Oh, and if you didn’t see the notice - “Do Not Go Gentle” WILL NOT be presented in Stratford this year, the logistics were just too difficult to work out for a one night performance. NYC is still on so plan for that. As to Ger’s future projects - well, there are some plans for 2010 but I can’t say right now because nothing is final.
Hi to the Diane & Marg who I saw in Stratford, virtual wave to any club members I may not have recognized/seen.
Take care all!
q
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