Shakespeare

[SimonNZ]

Can someone recommend me things to read about the sonnets -- criticism?

A good edition of the sonnets themselves should have introductory material, including a history of interpretation and of the influence of other poets on Shakespeare, that approaches the length of a shortish book. The will also include a survey of current scholarship with suggestions for further reading. And in addition should have commentary for each individual sonnet, probably after the set. I haven't seen the Arden edition of the sonnets, but would imagine it has the most thorough introductory material and notes. But you should get something similar from the Oxford and Penguin editions.

[SimonNZ]

Watched for the first time last night:



An unexpected treat. A convincing argument for choosing to lean into the somber tone of the work rather than trying to play it as a comedy. And the sets, costumes and framings that are clearly meant to call to mind old master paintings, especially Vermeer and Rembrandt, with what seems to be but surely can't be real candle or fireside lighting, is again perfectly judged.

[foxandpeng]

Off to see Hamlet at the RSC in Stratford next Friday. Very much looking forward to it!

[SimonNZ]

37-dvd set to be released next week:



https://shop.rsc.org.uk/products/the-royal-shakespeare-company-37-x-dvd-collection-rsc-dvd-2025


edit: ordered. For some reason it was considerably cheaper to pre-order through AmazonUK from here.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0DTP9YDTN?psc=1&smid=A3P5ROKL5A1OLE&ref_=chk_typ_imgToDp

[foxandpeng]

37-dvd set to be released next week:



https://shop.rsc.org.uk/products/the-royal-shakespeare-company-37-x-dvd-collection-rsc-dvd-2025


edit: ordered. For some reason it was considerably cheaper to pre-order through AmazonUK from here.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0DTP9YDTN?psc=1&smid=A3P5ROKL5A1OLE&ref_=chk_typ_imgToDp

What great value. Stunning stuff.

[(poco) Sforzando]

37-dvd set to be released next week:



https://shop.rsc.org.uk/products/the-royal-shakespeare-company-37-x-dvd-collection-rsc-dvd-2025


edit: ordered. For some reason it was considerably cheaper to pre-order through AmazonUK from here.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0DTP9YDTN?psc=1&smid=A3P5ROKL5A1OLE&ref_=chk_typ_imgToDp

Now that sounds exciting! but prices are all over the map each source I look at, and I'd have to be sure I'm ordering a set that plays on USA players.

[DaveF]

37-dvd set to be released next week:



https://shop.rsc.org.uk/products/the-royal-shakespeare-company-37-x-dvd-collection-rsc-dvd-2025


edit: ordered. For some reason it was considerably cheaper to pre-order through AmazonUK from here.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0DTP9YDTN?psc=1&smid=A3P5ROKL5A1OLE&ref_=chk_typ_imgToDp

I'm puzzled by the inclusion of Love's Labours Won in the list of contents, since that was the title under which the RSC performed Much Ado a few years back, but that's also included separately.  Two different productions, perhaps?

For the record, if you like your Shakespeare late, you don't get Pericles, Henry VIII and The Two Noble Kinsmen - again puzzling, since the first and last have both been done fairly recently at Stratford.  (Perhaps George Wilkins and John Fletcher threatened to sue.)

[JBS]

I'm puzzled by the inclusion of Love's Labours Won in the list of contents, since that was the title under which the RSC performed Much Ado a few years back, but that's also included separately.  Two different productions, perhaps?

For the record, if you like your Shakespeare late, you don't get Pericles, Henry VIII and The Two Noble Kinsmen - again puzzling, since the first and last have both been done fairly recently at Stratford.  (Perhaps George Wilkins and John Fletcher threatened to sue.)

Your guess about LLW is correct. It was MAAN presented as a pair with LLL.
https://www.theguardian.com/stage/2014/oct/16/loves-labours-lost-loves-labours-won-sense

[SimonNZ]

I'm puzzled by the inclusion of Love's Labours Won in the list of contents, since that was the title under which the RSC performed Much Ado a few years back, but that's also included separately.  Two different productions, perhaps?

For the record, if you like your Shakespeare late, you don't get Pericles, Henry VIII and The Two Noble Kinsmen - again puzzling, since the first and last have both been done fairly recently at Stratford.  (Perhaps George Wilkins and John Fletcher threatened to sue.)

I notice they are only including what has already had a dvd release. There's no "first time on dvd" hooks.

I feel like they made a decision a couple or so years back to go streaming only with no more physical media, and this set is drawing a line under that. But I may be way off.

[DaveF]

I notice they are only including what has already had a dvd release. There's no "first time on dvd" hooks.

That will be it, then.  Well I, like you, am happy with my old BBC Shakespeare box.  Especially if the new compilation includes Fiona Laird's Merry Wives from a few years back, I wouldn't be touching it with the longest of barge-poles.

[foxandpeng]

RSC tickets booked for May, to see Titus Andronicus.

Good reviews, it seems!

[San Antone]

37-dvd set to be released next week:



https://shop.rsc.org.uk/products/the-royal-shakespeare-company-37-x-dvd-collection-rsc-dvd-2025


edit: ordered. For some reason it was considerably cheaper to pre-order through AmazonUK from here.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0DTP9YDTN?psc=1&smid=A3P5ROKL5A1OLE&ref_=chk_typ_imgToDp

They do not include Pericles or Troilus and Cressida but have two versions of Much Ado.  Also, the RSC offers a 38 disc box (BBC Televised productions) for $176.00.  This I might buy instead of the one you posted; or not.

[SimonNZ]

They do not include Pericles or Troilus and Cressida but have two versions of Much Ado.  Also, the RSC offers a 38 disc box (BBC Televised productions) for $176.00.  This I might buy instead of the one you posted; or not.

Box arrived today. It does have Troilus and Cressida. Also only one version of Much Ado - the one they call Loves Labours Won.

But first up for me will be at long last getting to see David Tennant's Richard II



Also pleasantly surprised to see this has a directors commentary track. If this is standard for the whole box them I'm going to consider it cheap at twice the price.

[(poco) Sforzando]

I ordered the full RSC box today too. I only hope it's in a region my player can read, though I have one portable player dedicated to region 2. But I'm especially looking forward to that Fiona Laird "Merry Wives."

[SimonNZ]

Off to see Hamlet at the RSC in Stratford next Friday. Very much looking forward to it!

How was it?

[foxandpeng]

How was it?

We've felt that some recent RSC productions have lost quality in favour of an increasingly ideologically-driven agenda, but this was excellent.

Acting and set design were top notch - instead of taking the narrative over a traditional period, it was set over 24 hours on a sinking yacht - complete with Titanic-style deck tipping of the whole stage to 45°!!

Well recommended.

[(poco) Sforzando]

We've felt that some recent RSC productions have lost quality in favour of an increasingly ideologically-driven agenda, but this was excellent.

Acting and set design were top notch - instead of taking the narrative over a traditional period, it was set over 24 hours on a sinking yacht - complete with Titanic-style deck tipping of the whole stage to 45°!!

Well recommended.

The Times review:
This Titanic-set tragedy left me with a sinking feeling

https://www.thetimes.com/culture/theatre-dance/article/hamlet-review-rsc-titanic-w5txscljv?msockid=0e154610f32763ef1379529ff245629a

[foxandpeng]

The Times review:
This Titanic-set tragedy left me with a sinking feeling

https://www.thetimes.com/culture/theatre-dance/article/hamlet-review-rsc-titanic-w5txscljv?msockid=0e154610f32763ef1379529ff245629a

Funny, isn't it? I thoroughly enjoyed it.