At the theater

[riontel]

While in London went to The Globe to see Richard II.



Some impressions:

1. It's an amazing experience.  The whole atmosphere of the "original" Globe adds something that you don't get when watching productions in other theaters.


2. It would be much easier to get lost in the experience and atmosphere of the play without the choppers and jets flying overhead every few minutes.  I suggest a no-fly zone over The Globe.  (In case you didn't know, it's an open theater, no roof.)


3. Charles Edwards' Richard was convinsing but very soft spoken.  Since I was sitting on the side a lot of his dialog literally went past me.


4. Queen Isabel sucked.  First of all, she was probably South Indian, which I could have lived with if she could act, which she couldn't.  I didn't remember the details of the play and kept hoping some misfortune would find her (well, other than her husband getting deposed and killed).  No such luck.


5. How cool is that William Gaunt played John of Gaunt (Duke of Lancaster)?


6. The rest of the cast was pretty decent but nothing outstanding.  Plus, it's not the most dynamic of Shakespeare's plays, which is probably why it wasn't sold out.


7. An absolutely hate moment: they let people with kids into the theater.  And by kids I mean infants and toddlers.  Imagine Richard getting gruesomely murdered while some one-year-old is happily chirping right next to the stage!  Makes you wish for Richard III.