the winter of discontent
Yet 'tis the summer of kings. Meet Richard II and Richard III come to life at the Globe, and Henry V at the National Theatre. Think that all three are quite a good batch whilst one is basking in London's heat wave. Richard II is a personal favourite. A fantastic play about a king who, in face of the pragmatic Bolingbroke and a new, effective and somehow dismoral worldview, is bound to forsake his crown. And who doesn't love all time political villian Richard III and natural born leader Henry V? Have only seen Henry V with Nicky and Liam so far. It was a lovely night out: Olivier Theatre is fairly well-designed as we sat in the far right corner of the last row but still maintained a good view of the stage. Except the language obviously, they used modern props and costumes, even Henry's pep talks were broadcasted live in Falstaff's pub. (An attempt to resemble American war propaganda scheme? Plus Iraq war hero Tim Collins' eloquence is largely compared to Henry V.) At first I had doubts on whether a black actor could be a dutiful Henry, yet happily, he gave a luminous performance--the flirting scene with Kate was rather amusing. Oh, if you don't fancy royals, enjoy annoying wildlife insects and A Midsummer Night's Dream at Regent's Park Open Air Theatre.
"Like perspectives, which, rightly gazed upon
Show nothing but confusion; eyed awry,
Distinguished form"
Richard II