Since award's season is in full swing, I figured that I would dole out some awards of my own! My awards are for the most interesting, inspiring and gripping productions that I have seen in the past few years. As I have explained in previous blog posts, I have a huge love for theatre! I love performing in shows and watching them. My awards go to:
Macbeth - 2007
This production featured Patrick Stewart and Kate Fleetwood. The production was one of the first proper performances of Shakespeare I had seen and was the first Non-RSC and Non-Amature Shakespeare Production that I had ever seen. The show was a masterpiece both in the performance of the actors and the concept of it. And when the film was made I was thrilled because I could watch it again and again. Even more brilliantly was the fact that the film was made on my doorstep at Welbeck Abbey. Which provided me with the opportunity to meet and chat with some of the actors at their hotel bar and the chance to smile and watch as Patrick Stewart passed me to head upstairs to his hotel room. The production was set around a grilled lift with scenes set in a chilling hospital ward where the three witches wore masks and nurse costumes. Kate Fleetwood portrayed Lady Macbeth with a particular air of disturbance as her nervosa overcame her gradually. And of course, the amazing Patrick Stewart was fantastic, it was amazing seeing a 'true' actor at work. Its safe to say that this production has affected me for life and inspired an A* essay on Macbeth for my GCSE English Literature Coursework!
Les Miserables - Ongoing
I have both, watched and performed in Les Mis and lose track of how many times I have sat and sobbed at the live performance and at the DVD of the Concert. The songs and story never fail to move me to tears. My favourite character is Fantine with Eponine coming a close second. I love the song I Dreamed a Dream as performed in the Musical, not the Su-Bo version which really grates on me! However, it is Fantine's death that gets me every time - as soon as she sings "Come to Me, Cosette, The Light its Fading..." the tears begin to well up in my eyes. I know every one complains about the depressing aspect of the musical but the emotion and its poignant nature means that I leave the theatre crying but it is awe-inspiring. I'm not 100% about the new film version of Les Mis - and hope to have the chance to go and see it again on the west end soon! The DVD's of it and the concert definitely do not curb my desires and satisfy my cravings of watching it again! And can I just mention that Carrie Hope Fletcher (Sister to McFly's Tom Fletcher) who is currently playing Eponine is amazing - her youtube channel is well worth a follow - I cannot believe she is the same age as me and hope I can see her in the role before she leaves in Summer!
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| Been There, Seen That & Got The T-Shirt! |
Othello - 2013
I went to see Othello last summer with my family on our little break to London. We were incredibly excited because it starred Adrian Lester and Rory Kinnear - my Mum has a wee crush on both of them! We had previously seen Lenny Henry's version of Othello so were intrigued to see this interpretation. This re-interpretation held less focus to the notion of Racism and instead focused on the breakdown of a powerful man and the power struggle between him and his trusted companion.Adrian remains eloquent throughout the play and exudes power even when he is in the throws of murder and I couldn't keep my eyes of him. Kinnear on the other hand was menacing and yet able to make the audience laugh which I guess added another dimension to the disturbing nature of Iago. The acting was the best I have seen for a while and my Family enjoyed it so much that they went to the Cinema to watch the liver version again.
Much Ado About Nothing - 2011
Anyone who knows me knows how much I love David Tennant. I used to have a full on crush on him when he was Doctor Who however, as I realise he is old enough to be my Dad, my love for him has evolved to be a huge appreciation for his acting abilities. Consequently I have to see any and every performance that he is in where possible. I was fortunate enough to get tickets for Much Ado where he starred alongside Catherine Tate and Richard II at the RSC in 2013. This production of Much Ado was an incredibly comedic and clever interpretation of Shakespeare's original play. Catherine manages to encompass the fiery Beatrice with an incredible sexuality and stage presence. And her and David had many moments of frissance's. My favourite bits were the Fancy Dress Party with David dressed as a woman and Catherine as a Man and the Painting section where Catherine was hoisted up into the air and of course David's arrival on a Golf Buggy! He looked incredibly hot in his white uniform - who can resist a man in uniform - well Catherine as Beatrice certainly couldn't! This production is available to download and watch on Digital Theatre - and its well worth the money - It's definitely on my to do list to watch!
Since I am on the subject of Mr Tennant:
A.) How adorable are his kids - Olive and Wilfred!
B.) He actually signed my programme for Richard II as I ran out of the theatre to have the chance to meet him, and I had a mini conversation with him about his performance and he touched my arm and hand!
Dominic Cooke's RSC production of Arabian Nights was a really varied production filled with various theatre conventions to create not just a production but a whole experience. It was incredibly gripping as we were presented with the various stories interpreted using puppetry, dance and physical theatre. I used this production for writing about as an example in my theatre studies live performance exams and it inspired my AS Level production.
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