// Archives

The Comedy of Errors @ Shakespeare’s Globe

That’ll teach me to let the weather affect my theatre-going. I was booked in to see the Globe’s touring production of Comedy of Errors at Coventry Cathedral on Monday night, but after a very poor work day and with the weather looking extremely gloomy, I decided to pass on my tickets. The plan was, instead, …

Henry VIII @ Shakespeare’s Globe

Since Dominic Dromgoole took over at Shakespeare’s Globe, the prioritisation of the "house dramatist" over all others has disappointingly extended to the exclusion of plays by his contemporaries from the repertory – a real shame, as this was one of the features that used to make the Globe such an important venue from an academic …

Macbeth @ Shakespeare’s Globe

Writing about web page http://www.shakespeares-globe.org/theatre/annualtheatreseason/macbeth/ Lucy Bailey’s recent outings at Shakespeare’s Globe have been some of the biggest highlights of the theatre’s annual season. Last year’s Timon of Athens, in particular, made amazing, innovatory use of the space to create a theatrical experience that was total and participatory, creating something theatrically effective over any sense …

Troilus and Cressida @ Shakespeare’s Globe

Writing about web page http://www.shakespeares-globe.org/theatre/annualtheatreseason/troiluscressida/ For a play that, on first publication, was described as "never stal’d with the Stage, never clapper-clawd with the palmes of the vulger", Troilus and Cressida worked astonishingly well at the Globe in Matthew Dunster’s new production. Funny, moving, disquieting and exciting by turns, this consistently interesting production made the …

Press night cancellation

Disappointingly, the press night for the Globe’s revival of Dominic Dromgoole’s Love’s Labour’s Lost has been cancelled, due apparently to the fact that it’s a very brief run and, obviously, a revival. I say disappointingly, because I had a press ticket for it and apparently the Globe offer complimentary pies, which I was quite looking …

As You Like It @ Shakespeare’s Globe

Writing about web page http://www.shakespeares-globe.org/theatre/annualtheatreseason/asyoulikeit/ Only a couple of weeks ago, I mentioned that As You Like It is one of my least favourite Shakespeare plays. In no small part, this is due simply to the fact that I’ve seen the play several times, but been distinctly underwhelmed on every occasion. I’m extremely pleased, therefore, …

Romeo and Juliet @ Shakespeare’s Globe

Writing about web page http://www.shakespeares-globe.org/theatre/annualtheatreseason/romeojuliet/ The desire to cast Romeo and Juliet as young as possible is deep-ingrained in theatre directors. In Dominic Dromgoole’s new production for Shakespeare’s Globe, for example, the actors playing Juliet, Benvolio and Tybalt all make their professional stage debut. It’s an ongoing risk: the potential gains in youth and energy …

New Globe season

By sheer chance, I popped onto the Shakespeare’s Globesite this afternoon and found that this press release went up yesterday announcing the new season. The more I know about the Globe, the more I look forward to the work. Anyway, here’s the basics if clicking a link is too hard. Season title: Young Hearts Excellent, a …

The Merry Wives of Windsor @ Shakespeare’s Globe

So, finally, on to The Merry Wives of Windsor, the last of my three London plays this weekend and, in my opinion, the best. Not as inventive as Timon, nor as technically outstanding as Waves, it might seem an unlikely judgment, but Merry Wives did exactly what it said on the tin. By far the …

Timon of Athens @ Shakespeare’s Globe

After years of not knowing what answer to give, I recently finally decided that Timon of Athens is my favourite Shakespeare play. Structurally it’s fascinating, built in recurring circles of action that allow examinations of the varoius character types from a variety of angles. The language, as befits a Middleton collaboration, is suitably depraved and …