#duke of yorks theatre

[emergefromthenoise]

Violent delights and violent ends – a tragic lovers' tale.

All the world's a stage... Indeed, so the whole theatre becomes exactly that: from the rooftop (a distant and isolated Mantua), to the backstage corridors and fire escapes standing in for meandering streets of Verona or foyer turning into Capulet's house's halls. Use it all. And at the same time focus on the word: darkness engulfing the stage where vulnerable characters bare their desires. Micro expressions on display as cameras follow the actors around. Lights. Camera. A story of love and hate. A tragedy weaved by fate. Timeless tale.

Some raised the alarm as the casting revealed Francesca Amewudah-Rivers as Juliet, claiming it wasn't true to Shakespeare's spirit. Well, I, for one, am glad that it wasn't. Not that I have anything against men in tights, but that would be a different play entirely. Also may I remind everyone we would be subjected to some pre-teen, prepubescent males with their falsetto trying to nail Juliet's voice timbre. And Nurse's too. But then we would have been deprived of seeing such brilliant performances from Francesca and Freema [Agyeman] which would be simply a travesty. And all in a name of staying true to the original text (may I add also well known fact – Shakespeare's not so secret and nice tendency to “borrow” from other's work thus him being not so original himself).

Even though my first reaction to Freema being cast as a Nurse was: she's too young! Because in my head this character is this elderly matron rather than witty and lively Nanny. But that's the beauty of theatre and interpretation: anything goes! And oh, boy how it worked!

Francesca's Juliet is so youthful, gentle, so full of passion. One's heart sinks seeing her heart's woes. Tom's Romeo has boyish charm, rage and love so bound together it boils. His Romeo is impulsive, emotional, he brings laughter and choked silence as one observes his character being played by fate. Let's not forget Juliet is the driving force. She's “yes” or “no”, black or white, ultimatum giving kind of girl. And Romeo? Well, he's both romantic (grand gestures much?) and... well, he's a fuckboy (how fast Rosalind is in his rearview mirror, huh?). But then he's Juliet's fuckboy and heaven is not on their side.

Maybe I'm a cynic when I look at this great romance and frown and childish overreactions and hyperboles. But these two [Francesca and Tom], they're so gentle and pure, so deep, that one quickly invests in their budding feelings and looks upon them with softness knowing too well what's glooming over. The tragic face of star crossed lovers.

But these two aren't the only ones shining bright on that stage. Mercutio always has been one of my favourite characters – flamboyant, fast with words and weapons, mad or is he? Harold Perrineau made such an impact with his Mercutio [in Baz Luhrmann's Romeo+Juliet], even though not on stage, there was no other version of this character for me. But I dare to say Joshua-Alexander Williams comes real close or maybe even matches the performance. Which is incredible considering it's his professional debut. Exuberant, cheeky sidekick, cursed... and cursing the feuding families. Seemingly insane with his flowery talk turns out to be the voice of reason and prophecy in the end.

The staging is stripped back, functional, raw in it's simplicity, but not dull. Focus is on the actors and the text. Blaring music and flashing lights prevent the audience from being too comfortable in their seat – it's a tragedy after all.

'Romeo and Juliet', a tale as old as overplayed. Yet, always attracting both actors ready to add their version to the pile and crowds eager to see lovers' tragic fate onstage (and/or on screen).

Shakespeare's plays always were the entertainment for the masses, even the tragedies have characters being bigger or smaller 'comic relief'. In 'Romeo and Juliet' it would be surely the Nurse, but thanks to Freema's brilliance this character is so much more than crazy old lady. The wit is her weapon of choice, true, but the emotions and layers that spill out thanks to Freema shine a new light on this character.

It takes a special kind of talent to breathe a new life into the text and a play as a whole (and the assemble did a marvellous job at it!), especially one so well-known, played so many times that people think they have seen it all. But Jamie Lloyd has carved a reputation for himself and his innovative and bold approach (and vivisection) is doing only favours to dusty classics. It is an unmissable event.

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William Shakespeare's ROMEO & JULIET.

Dir.: Jamie Lloyd

Cast: Tom Holland, Francesca Amewudah-Rivers, Freema Agyeman, Michael Balogun, Tomiwa Edun, Mia Jerome, Daniel Quinn-Toye, Ray Sesay, Nima Taleghani, Joshua-Alexander Williams, Callum Heinrich, Kody Mortimer

In Duke of York's Theatre, London from 13 May to 3 August 2024

[Photo from Duke of York's Theatre]

[khorazir]

Saw Vanya at the Duke of York Theatre today, in which brilliant Andrew Scott plays all the parts (the second photo was taken by @kabu82)

[ilikethisacompletelynormalamount]

📷 Marc Brenner

[spooky1980]

"Romeo And Juliet" Opening Night - Arrivals

LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 23: Tom Hiddleston and Zawe Ashton attend the opening night of "Romeo and Juliet" at the Duke Of York’s Theatre on May 23, 2024 in London, England. (Photo by John Phillips/Getty Images)

[willstafford]

Romeo and Video

ROMEO & JULIET The Duke of York’s Theatre, London, Thursday 27th June 2024 The best production of this play I’ve ever seen was many years ago.  Six actors performing in the grounds of Sudeley Castle, the audience on blankets, snacking from picnic hampers.  The only liberties taken with the text were to facilitate the doubling-trebling-quadrupling of roles.   There was live music and singing. …

[lavenderinoz]

Matt Smith signing autograph after performing in "An Enemy of the People"

[notfspurejam]

Mark Gatiss and Ian Hallard arrives at the "Vanya" Press Night at Duke Of York’s Theatre on September 21, 2023 in London, England.

[anna-neko]

Actor Sir Ian McKellen in his West End dressing room as he prepared to perform the character of Mother Goose, in a Pantomime of the same name. Duke of York's Theatre, London, UK (Image credit: Frederica Ananda)

finally, Gandalf's big naturals are gettin some more support so his back can last another century or two!!

[a-rare-jewell]

Modern day Fancast for Henry V

Part 1 ( other parts in reblogs)

[denimbex1986]

'...Cunard Best Revival

The Effect by Lucy Prebble at the National Theatre – Lyttelton

Macbeth by William Shakespeare at the Donmar Warehouse

Shirley Valentine by Willy Russell at the Duke Of York’s Theatre

Vanya by Anton Chekhov, adapted by Simon Stephens at the Duke Of York’s Theatre

Best Actor

Joseph Fiennes for Dear England at the National Theatre – Olivier and Prince Edward Theatre

Mark Gatiss for The Motive And The Cue at the National Theatre – Lyttelton and Noël Coward Theatre

James Norton for A Little Life at the Harold Pinter Theatre and Savoy Theatre

Andrew Scott for Vanya at the Duke Of York’s Theatre

David Tennant for Macbeth at the Donmar Warehouse...'

[londongirl]

Just👏🏽🙌🏽

[for-my-mind-to-run-around-free]

Current goals revolve around passing my exams and getting tickets to this.

[whoworewhatjewels]

Who Wore What Jewels Weekly

We are rounding up the best jewels of the week. From Margot Robbie wearing Taffin Jewelry’s iconic ‘Ring Pop’ complete with eye-popping Himalaya tourmaline for the ‘Barbie’ premiere to Rita Ora decked out in edgy and thorny silver gems by British jeweler Shaun Lean and A$AP Rocky’s blinged-out ticking time bomb of a necklace showcased in his latest music video. Scroll down to see who wore what…

[ilikethisacompletelynormalamount]

Behind the scenes photos of Andrew Scott and director Sam Yates in rehearsal for Vanya. Final performance, October 21st.

📷Emilio Madrid

[crouchbackie]

can we sign a petition to make a Richard III musical happen?

mind you, I want a SPLENDID, WONDROUS, MAGNIFICENT, THRILLING, GOOSEBUMPING (?) villain song.

[willstafford]

Blowing The Whistle

AN ENEMY OF THE PEOPLE Duke of York’s Theatre, London, Thursday 22nd February 2024 Henrik Ibsen’s play from 1882 is brought kicking and swearing into the 21st century in this new adaptation by Florian Borchmeyer and director Thomas Ostermeier.  What’s wrong, you might think, with a straight translation from the original Norwegian performed in late Victorian attire, and leaving us to draw our…