#theatre lover

[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.

---

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]

[ingravinoveritas]

Tonight is press night for Macbeth, and Michael is sitting in the second row beaming at David as proud as can be. The two of them looking at each other like that is everything...

[oldbutchdanielcraig]

daniel was so enthralled and delighted seeing louis' fangs, was fascinated with the knowledge that armand can read minds, that it stands to reason he would go balls to the wall insane to find out armand can fly. in the 70s he'd ask armand to do it all the time and armand would always do it so daniel would cheer for him and get all excited again. so in dubai in 2022 when armand is revealing himself as the ancient vampire and not the servant boy, i like to think he was like "well, there's one surefire way to make sure this reveal makes daniel's eyes bug out and makes him freak out and go crazy and realize how cool and hot and powerful i am." and then he just. starts fucking flying

[sentientsky]

this show is absolutely inescapable (and i love it)

[the-literal-kj]

SHOW THE WAY

Chapters 1-3

Written for the 2024 Good Omens Theatre Reverse Bang, with concept & stunning art by the incomparable @illustrious-slimeman!

~

Good Omens fanfiction. 5k/25k words. Currently Rated M. Read it on A03.

SUMMARY: There was a point in Crowley’s life when he wouldn’t have been caught dead aboard the Metro-North Railroad commuter train bound for the hell that was Connecticut. And yet, here he was. Far enough from New York City so his reputation doesn't precede him and at his latest gig as a lighting tech, he meets stuffy, rules-following, interim-director Aziraphale.

But is there room enough in Greenwich for two drama queens?

CW: Pranks, practical jokes, quite extraordinary amounts of cussing! More tags to come.

Thank you to my betas @hakunahistata, @gaiaseyes451, @angie-words, @ines2925, & @secretlywingedphantom and to the @goodomensafterdark and @whickberstreetwriters communities for all their support!!

Excerpt:

“Bring up the house lights, if you would?” The radio crackled as he removed his thumb from the button, ending the transmission out to the Crew channel. A message that Crowley, way up as he was, still should have received. An order– no, a request from the Director. Perhaps the light jockey hadn’t heard him. Shielding his eyes with a hand, Aziraphale repeated himself. “Lights down, please? House lights up?”  A spotlight punched him directly in the smallest ribs, landing like an airhorn hits an eardrum. Aziraphale could see the barest glint of light off of Crowley’s ridiculous sunglasses shifting up in the booth. He knew he was listening, knew he had heard.  And yet the spotlight was getting brighter.

Read the rest on A03!

💚 kj

[marsmallowthecheeseqizaed]

🪻*.• slap my face or hold me 'til winter .*~

->ft. my plaguing inability to draw christian borle

[moon-kissed-films]

Stills from the movie Ophelia (2018), adapted from Lisa Klein's novel, originally published in 2006, following the story of Shakespeare's Hamlet from Ophelia's perspective.

[did-sm1-say-catfish]

So, i just reread dabis dance after like 4 years, i think? after seeing how it all plays out, indulging in fanwork, watching bits and pieces of the anime, I've learned something.

my takeaway is that touya is a dramatic little shit who loves musical theatre. the dude literally dances around while talking about how his father abused him.

tell me that is not a theatre nerd???

[crazycatsiren]

Theatre geeks, you are hereby legally obligated to tell me your favorite musical.

Mine is The Phantom of the Opera.

[pillcaddyfullofbees]

More Giddy Gleeful content for the Giddy enjoyers that I’m delighted exist :3

With Pacifica redeemed and befriended we need a new Regina George type in gravity falls so here she is!

Silly headcannons in the tags:

[savvysquid]

More of my hamburr childhood friends au! :D

[ladymoonstardust]

“How gay can you make your book?”

“yes” : Love, and to be loved was above anything else in this world. To trust that fragile organ on one that would truly cherish it. To be met with the person who not only wished to keep the darkness away from it, but would willingly steal the light of the stars to reignite it if the candle of it merely just flickered.

[ingravinoveritas]

Video of the standing ovation for Macbeth press night tonight, with the camera panning to the audience to Michael looking so adoringly at David...

[stars278]

“What is this feeling, so sudden and new…Fervid as a flame, does it have a name? Yes… Loathing!” 💚

Gelphie Valvert the crossover we all needed… artwork posted by @zomb1c on Insta!

[camus-cat-cigarette]

"When you loved someone, you always love him."

confided Maria Casarès long after Albert Camus' death.

°~ quote credit: albertcamusofficial | instagram, January 14th 2024

°~photo credit: Albert Camus and Maria Casares during the rehearsal at the Angers Festival by Emile Muller 1953

[the-literal-kj]

SHOW THE WAY

Chapters 4 & 5

Written for the 2024 Good Omens Theatre Reverse Bang, with concept & stunning art by the incomparable @illustrious-slimeman!

~

Good Omens fanfiction. 9k/25k words. Currently Rated M. Read it on A03.

SUMMARY: There was a point in Crowley’s life when he wouldn’t have been caught dead aboard the Metro-North Railroad commuter train bound for the hell that was Connecticut. And yet, here he was. Far enough from New York City so his reputation doesn't precede him and at his latest gig as a lighting tech, he meets stuffy, rules-following, interim-director Aziraphale.

But is there room enough in Greenwich for two drama queens?

CW: Pranks, practical jokes, quite extraordinary amounts of cussing! More tags to come, marked in each chapter.

Thank you to my betas @hakunahistata, @gaiaseyes451, @angie-words, @ines2925, @playdohangel & @secretlywingedphantom and to the @goodomensafterdark and @whickberstreetwriters communities for all their support!!

Excerpt:

He didn’t travel; didn’t go to the city to see shows, didn’t get up to Hartford or Boston for their museums, and certainly didn’t get to visit England anymore.  Reading had long ago replaced all that empty space in his heart and mind. Aziraphale made the best of what he had right here; that’s how he had come to have such a strict routine. It was optimized. It was efficient. But he was a bit superstitious, a bit of a believer. Whenever life threw something unexpected his way, Aziraphale understood it to be a sign. And so… Hadestown.

Read the rest on A03!

💚 kj