LondonNet News Headlines
| 02/01/01 |
| Bard Brings Past Back To The Future - Shakespeare’s six history plays receive a long overdue staging THE ROYAL SHAKESPEARE COMPANY marks the millennium with a brave march through Shakespeare’s history plays. Richard II heralds the ‘This England’ series by previewing this evening in the RSC’s Barbican Pit. Mean time Michael Boyd’s staging of the Henry VI trilogy draws to a close in Stratford-upon-Avon before transferring to London. Last staged in 1988 in abridged form, Boyd dares this time to present the plays uncut in a mammoth 10 hour theatrical extravaganza and also to cast the black actor David Oyelowo in the lead. These plays’ exploration of dynastic uncertainty and civil dissent remain topical as ever by illuminating the current monarchy debate. Audiences frustrated by a narrowing Shakespeare canon will be happy to pay for the rare opportunity of seeing the Hal and his pals reach for “the glorious gold.” |
