Off Topic The Review Thread

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sb_73 said:
I know how much my reviews on Shakespeare plays are enjoyed by all so here’s another one.

Just back from Cymbeline at the RSC. It’s the last play Shakespeare wrote and is the last one to be directed by Gregory Doran, who was artistic director of the RSC for ten years.

Cymbeline is a bonkers play. I knew nothing about it before a quick look on wiki this afternoon. It’s very long (over 3 hours) and is almost like a greatest hits compilation - has bits of Romeo and Juliet (fake death of heroine), Twelfth Night (cross dressing), King Lear (bonkers King), Macbeth (evil Queen) and I’m sure others chucked in. All set in Wales and Rome. The last act is truly nuts where Jupiter has to descend from the heavens to try and provide a way for the whole thing to be finished. Honestly not Will’s greatest effort, probably why it’s not put on as often as many others.

But this is a great production. Everybody seemed to be having great fun with it, lots of laughs. All the performances were good and assured - could see the difference in level of direction from the other plays we’ve seen recently (and enjoyed) - this was a step above. Direction and performances like this make the complexity of the language a non issue, convoluted plot was easy to follow. I wish I had the chance to have seen Doran’s treatment of one of the great plays, particularly one featuring his late husband Antony Sher. Too late now. Great set design and traditionalists will appreciate everyone wore period costume - ranging from Renaissance clobber, to Roman armour and blue faced British warriors, no women in men’s roles.

All in all a hoot. But again, not one I’d recommend as a first Shakespeare experience.
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I’m confused. Has he got a late husband or a too late one?
 
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Uber_Hoop said:
Air travel is ****. Took me nearly 6 hours, door to door, flying back from Aberdeen Wednesday night, with only a little over an hour of it actual flying time.
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I'd be three and a half driving, and I live just outside Glasgow....add on another eight hours or so to get down your way and it's a no-brainer
 
sb_73 said:
I know how much my reviews on Shakespeare plays are enjoyed by all so here’s another one.

Just back from Cymbeline at the RSC. It’s the last play Shakespeare wrote and is the last one to be directed by Gregory Doran, who was artistic director of the RSC for ten years.

Cymbeline is a bonkers play. I knew nothing about it before a quick look on wiki this afternoon. It’s very long (over 3 hours) and is almost like a greatest hits compilation - has bits of Romeo and Juliet (fake death of heroine), Twelfth Night (cross dressing), King Lear (bonkers King), Macbeth (evil Queen) and I’m sure others chucked in. All set in Wales and Rome. The last act is truly nuts where Jupiter has to descend from the heavens to try and provide a way for the whole thing to be finished. Honestly not Will’s greatest effort, probably why it’s not put on as often as many others.

But this is a great production. Everybody seemed to be having great fun with it, lots of laughs. All the performances were good and assured - could see the difference in level of direction from the other plays we’ve seen recently (and enjoyed) - this was a step above. Direction and performances like this make the complexity of the language a non issue, convoluted plot was easy to follow. I wish I had the chance to have seen Doran’s treatment of one of the great plays, particularly one featuring his late husband Antony Sher. Too late now. Great set design and traditionalists will appreciate everyone wore period costume - ranging from Renaissance clobber, to Roman armour and blue faced British warriors, no women in men’s roles.

All in all a hoot. But again, not one I’d recommend as a first Shakespeare experience.
Click to expand...

When’s it out on Netflix ?
 
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sb_73 said:
I know how much my reviews on Shakespeare plays are enjoyed by all so here’s another one.

Just back from Cymbeline at the RSC. It’s the last play Shakespeare wrote and is the last one to be directed by Gregory Doran, who was artistic director of the RSC for ten years.

Cymbeline is a bonkers play. I knew nothing about it before a quick look on wiki this afternoon. It’s very long (over 3 hours) and is almost like a greatest hits compilation - has bits of Romeo and Juliet (fake death of heroine), Twelfth Night (cross dressing), King Lear (bonkers King), Macbeth (evil Queen) and I’m sure others chucked in. All set in Wales and Rome. The last act is truly nuts where Jupiter has to descend from the heavens to try and provide a way for the whole thing to be finished. Honestly not Will’s greatest effort, probably why it’s not put on as often as many others.

But this is a great production. Everybody seemed to be having great fun with it, lots of laughs. All the performances were good and assured - could see the difference in level of direction from the other plays we’ve seen recently (and enjoyed) - this was a step above. Direction and performances like this make the complexity of the language a non issue, convoluted plot was easy to follow. I wish I had the chance to have seen Doran’s treatment of one of the great plays, particularly one featuring his late husband Antony Sher. Too late now. Great set design and traditionalists will appreciate everyone wore period costume - ranging from Renaissance clobber, to Roman armour and blue faced British warriors, no women in men’s roles.

All in all a hoot. But again, not one I’d recommend as a first Shakespeare experience.
Click to expand...

Never heard of it before, my only reference to Cymbaline is this great from Floyd...

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Steelmonkey said:
Never heard of it before, my only reference to Cymbaline is this great from Floyd...

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Click to expand...
Off to see an orchestral performance of Pink Floyd works tomorrow night by the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra .. looking forward to how it works.
Will keep an ear out for any Cymbeline references - though more chance of hearing plenty of cymbals to be honest.
 
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sb_73 said:
Are you in Portugal yet? Food and wine reviews appreciated if you have the time.
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I'll certainly have the time whilst I'm hiding from the sun but we're in one of these horrendous all-inclusive places (grandchildren in tow), so food and wine reviews aren't going to be very relevant. I'll be lobbying for eating in the old town (Albufeira) at least a couple of times, but when everything is already paid for it does seem rather a waste.
 
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Stroller said:
I'll certainly have the time whilst I'm hiding from the sun but we're in one of these horrendous all-inclusive places (grandchildren in tow), so food and wine reviews aren't going to be very relevant. I'll be lobbying for eating in the old town (Albufeira) at least a couple of times, but when everything is already paid for it does seem rather a waste.
Click to expand...

Not so much for you, but the kids will love Senhor Frogs. Been a few years since we were there, but the pizzas were bang on.

All inclusives are great if you've got kids or are a raging alkie, but the food is generally ****e and the bevvie watered down pish so we always go self catering nowadays
 
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