75 replies to this topic

[Epicoene]

David J, on 03 January 2013 - 01:51 PM, said:

When did I ever say anything about the cast being black?

You didn't, it just amused me that Doran was apparently explaining to the cast why he chose them when the obvious answer was that he wrote down the names of the handful of black actors who have been given enough experience by the RSC (and others) to play major Shakespearean roles, found out which of them were availble, and then divvied up the available parts between them.

[armadillo]

Epicoene, on 03 January 2013 - 12:50 PM, said:

Did he start "Because you're black and ...." each time ? That production was almost mediocre by the time it reached London, bloated with an interval and apparently 15 minutes or more of cuts restored and in a rotten and expensive West End theatre. Hard to say what the best Shakespeare of a thin year was, probably the Lucy Bailey "Taming of the Shrew".

I had a fantastic year for Shakespeare but none of my favourite productions were performed in English so not many people here saw them. All's Well that Ends Well in Gujerati and Comedy of Errors in Pushtu were particular highlights (both better than the recent NT productions)

[Seymour Krellbourne]

Highlights of 2012
Anthony Rapp - Without You (Menier Chocolate Factory - emotional and touching...if the tiniest bit self indulgent. In his defence, I think any show based on the performer's autobiography makes it hard to avoid self-indulgence entirely. But still, I loved it!)
Avenue Q (UK Tour)
The Ladykillers (UK tour)

Lowlights of 2012
Great Exceptions (UK tour - slow, emotionless adaptation with a terribly over-dramatic Miss Havisham)
Calendar Girls (UK Tour - went because it was cheap.  Wish I hadn't bothered)

Looking forward to in 2013
Chorus Line revival
Slava's Snowshow
Rocky Horror (my first time seeing on stage!!!)
Priscilla Queen of the Desert (UK Tour)
Ghost (UK tour)

[Seymour Krellbourne]

And obviously, I meant Great Expectations not Great Exceptions (The perils of iPad autocorrect!)

[The Glenbuck Laird]

Highlights definitely the Shakespeare season and I thought Chichester had an excellent festival. And going against the grain I really liked Collaborators at the National. Loved SRB's Stalin a lot, play was well thought out and, well I laughed loads.

[Mark_21]

2012 was a fantastic year of theatre with only a couple of disappointments and one interval walkout I'm ashamed to say...

Musical Highlights

My Fair Lady (Crucible Theatre, Sheffield)
Matilda The Musical (Cambridge Theatre)
9 to 5 The Musical (UK Tour)
Sweeney Todd (Adelphi Theatre)

Play Highlights

Hay Fever (Noel CowardTheatre)
Long Day's Journey Into Night (Apollo Theatre)
Abigail's Party (Wyndham's Theatre)
Jumpy (Duke of York's Theatre)
Noises Off (Novello Theatre)

Disappointments

All New People (Duke of York's Theatre)
What the Butler Saw (Vaudeville Theatre)
Steel Magnolias (UK Tour)
Written On The Heart (Dutchess Theatre) - This is the interval walkout! What an absolute pile of s**t!

Most looking forward to in 2013

The Book of Mormon
A Chorus Line
Once
The Audience
Michael Grandage Season
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory