Talk Round- Up 2014 So far

Mark Kermode: The Role of Critics, ICA

Francessca Martinez

Kate Aidie

As well as brilliant theatre, London offers amazing events and talks. The national, as I have said before, offer brilliant platforms in which different people talk about their work or offer other points of interest. Francesca Martinez being interviewed by Clive Anderson was my first experience of the National's temporary space. It is very similar to the Donmar, one of my favorite places to experience theatre, and provided a very much more intimate space than the interview with Sam Mendes for Lear. Francessca herself is inspirational. That adjective is a word she discourages for herself but it is true. Her comedy has paved the way for equality for disabled people. Of course you get the Tanni Grey- Thompsons who's role in society is to campaign for equality but there are no disabled people in the public eye except for Martinez and those guys off of the Last Leg. There were only two disappointments in this. First the attendance was truly despicable and secondly Mr Anderson. The obnoxious, pompous pig annoys me deeply and only hindered Martinez's amazing story. I haven't got much to say about Kate Aidie's talk other than that she is a woman who has been everywhere and had lots of interesting stories to tell. But perhaps the most interesting talk was held at the ICA with Mark Kermode (Radio 5 Live, The Observer) hosted a panel of critics to talk about their role in their chosen section of culture. The flappy handed, ranty film critic known for his legendary rant on Sex and the City 2 where he sang the internationalle, led perfectly giving each person equal opportunities to talk about their chosen topic. The radio critic had particularly good insights on her profession and the theatre critic discussed assessing theatre from different cultures. However, what impressed me most was the intelligence of the audience. The QandA section of a talk can be excruciatingly painful but here the questions provoked interesting answers and not one was in any way sniffed at. The whole evening was a delight.

However, the end of this year is set to be some of the best events in some time. Here are just a few:

9th September: Creators of Curious Incident in Conversation, Gielgud Theatre

2nd October: Alan Bennett, Lyttellton

9th October: Insights: The Trial (Phillip Glass and Christopher Hampton interview), Clore Studio

21st October: Richard Eyre, Olivier

4th December: Dame Judi Dench, Lyttellton

12th December: And Evening with Private Eye, Lyttellton

19th December: Theatre Quiz 2014, Olivier

The Crucible, Old Vic *****

Richard Armitage and the cast of the Crucible

From the outset, Miller's Crucible at the Old Vic was clear to be an outstanding piece of theatre. The dark atmosphere was almost tangible during the opening scene. I thought 3hrs 30mins would bore me but I was so riveted that at the end I still wanted to see more. Faber stages it perfectly with lighting which makes the disturbing events seem even more terrifying and, unlike many west end shows, I could not pick one actor who performed less than a five star performance. However, whilst Armitage's Proctor is stunning, it is the Reverand Hale (Adrian Schiller) who really affected me the most. His fall from grace reminded me of Gillian Anderson's Blanche in Streetcar. His performance in the last scene left me with a tear in my eye. Whilst I am not convinced performances in the round work, this is a near- perfect rendition of Miller's classic giving his parable on the Mcarthy era into the modern age.

Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night Time, Gielgud Theatre *****

The Cast of Curious Incident

Having read the book and play text with great admiration, the stage show was obviously the next step.

This show is truly brilliant! The only surprising thing about it is how something this alternative has gained so much public acclaim. I have never seen such a spectacular extravaganza. The last time I saw Graham Butler (Christopher Boone), he was in a groundbreaking yet mediocre production of Henry VI. Here, he puts in a stellar performance. This production truly sets a benchmark for theatre globally and my only regret is that I did not see it sooner,

Wicked, Apollo Victoria ***

The Cast of Wicked

Note: Due to a lack of programmes at the theatre, I do not know the names of any of the actors in the show.

As music theatre is what started me off on my obsession with theatre and the stage, it seems slightly shameful that I have not seen one of the most famous musicals ever. Luckily, thanks to kids go free month, I got the opportunity to go.

The story line is surprisingly deep. It tackles animal rights and racism in a way that engages it's audience. The songs, whilst not my style, are well thought out, however there are very few that progress the plot in any way. Elphaba, naturally was superb and Galinda was reasonably impressive even though some words were not clear. There were great numbers  of references to wizard of Oz if a bit in your face and the ending seemed a bit convoluted. Despite this, I did enjoy myself as, from the response from the audience, did they.

Antony and Cleopatra, Shakespeare's Globe ****

Eve Best and Clive Wood as the titular characters in Antony and Cleopatra

Copyright Manuel Harlan

So far this season at the Globe, they have relied on blood, gore and shocks to interest the audience. Holy Warriors uses overly loud gun sounds and blood capsules every few scenes whilst Titus Andronicus has had people fainting at each performance due to the gore. How refreshing, then, to see the Globe rely on Shakespeare's words to engage the audience. This production of the tragedy could easily climax in a blood fest but it shows a truly great production who would make the Bard's words a priority. This is a true return to form from the Globe as it is productions like this which made me excited about Shakespeare. Eve Best gives a admirable performance as Cleo. This production sidelines physical beauty for a queen with a great personality. Clive Wood is also fantastic as her Antony and the ensemble gives some of the best performances of the year. What this production highlights to me is the atmosphere created with ensemble singing. The Globe should put on more musical pieces here. Jules Maxwell has composed some great accompaniment to the play. This is the best production of the season at the Globe so far.

The Ring Cycle, The Scoop ***

The Cast of The Ring Cycle

One of the many things that astound me about theatre in London is the varying price levels you pay to see it. You can get £5 tickets to the Globe and National to £125 to see the Book of Mormon and Skylight. However, the More London festival has taken it to new extremes by giving us free theatre. Now in it's 12th year, an adaptation of Wagners masterpiece has been transposed to a 4 short plays in the scoop. Whilst by no means great, this performance is astounding in the feat free theatre can achieve. A quote from the Evening Standard said it was "Grittier than the Globe." Now, I'm not sure if they have seen Titus Andronicus there but I can assure you this production or arena can not compete with the West End. When I saw King Lear yesterday I talked of amateur acting, but even the worst of them are like Laurence Olivier to these actors. However, it brings theatre to a whole new audience and for that it must be thanked.

King Lear, Shakespeare's Globe **

Joseph Marcell in King Lear

Having seen this production last year, I was intrigued to what changes they would make to a far from perfect rendition of Shakespeare's great tragedy. However, whilst I was engaged for the best part of it, there was no great change. There was an overhaul in the actors with only Lear, the Fool/ Cordelia and Regan staying in their roles. Apart from Beth Cullinane and Marcell, I found the actors slightly overacted their roles. It just seemed like a student production. They did seem to enjoy the experience of performing at the globe but that  response was not equaled by the audience.

Henry IV Part II, Royal Shakespeare Theatre **

The cast of Henry IV  Part II

Photo by Kwame Lestrade

As I had a week in Stratford, it seemed a good idea to finish what I started at the Globe by seeing part 2 of the Henry IV saga. After the production, everyone was entusiastic about it over different points. My moother was suprised she  could understand the soliloquies; my uncle was impressed by the costumes and my cousin's favorite scene was  Hal and Poins or 'those fit guys' took their tops off. It just shows how Shakespeare can appeal to anyone. For me, whilst this production does not have the life of the Globe production, with Allam giving a better Falstaff than Sher's, it does keep the attention of the audience during the more serious scenes such as the decline of Britton's king which is performed superbly. However, what impressed me most was the set. It is basic with a crack down the middle to emphasise the crack in the kingdom and the rebellion. The main thing that annoyed me was the start where the chorus, Rumour, is in modern day clothes whilst the rest of the show is in period costume! It also gives the programme producers the most contrived piece in a programme that I have ever seen. Overall, this performance has as many things to be enjoyed as to dislike meaning that it never paricularly impressed me. This is not the show to see for a first RSC performance.