OT (Off-Topic) Chatroom: Exploring non-traditional productions

[Choisya]

I am happy to go along with the majority vote RTA but would opt for MND because I think that is the play most people will have seen and may have seen more than one production of - maybe indoor and outdoor, so will be better able to make comparisons.    

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RTA wrote:

In the thread “Stagings and Interpretations,” I had suggested those of us arguing for, or against, non-traditional interpretations of Shakespeare work actually view such a piece to flesh out our positions.  I’m wondering if there is any interest in this exercise.  And, if so, which piece people would want to watch? 

I think basic prerequisites for selections could be: (1) it is available on film; (2) it, for the most part, preserves the original dialogue (as nobody is championing pieces that significantly change dialogue); and (3) it is decidedly a non-traditional production.  If there are other qualifications for selections that I missed, let me know.

So far, three films have been offered that, as far as I know, fill the aforementioned conditions: the 1995 Richard III, with Sir Ian McKellen; the 1999 MND, with Kevin Kline; and the 1990 Titus, with Anthony Hopkins.  If there are other suggestions, or those that I missed, please let me know.  If you are interested in participating in the exercise with one of the films already suggested, please let me know that.

I do hope there is interest.  I am very curious to learn, more specifically, where members’ preferences lie with a non-traditional production. 

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[Timbuktu1]

I will be watching Titus anyway but as I've never seen a traditional version and I've never read it I don't think I'd have much to contribute.  Maybe I'll put a traditional version on my queue anyway.   But you guys are way ahead of me... 

[RTA]

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Choisya wrote:

I am happy to go along with the majority vote RTA but would opt for MND because I think that is the play most people will have seen and may have seen more than one production of - maybe indoor and outdoor, so will be better able to make comparisons.    

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Excellent point, Choiysa.  Timbuktu, have you seen, or would you be willing to see, the Kline MND, if we end up discussing that production?

[Timbuktu1]

I haven't seen it but I do love Kevin Kline and if it's on netflix, why not?

[Laurel]

Either MND or Richard III isfine with me.

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RTA wrote:

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Choisya wrote:

I am happy to go along with the majority vote RTA but would opt for MND because I think that is the play most people will have seen and may have seen more than one production of - maybe indoor and outdoor, so will be better able to make comparisons.    

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Excellent point, Choiysa.  Timbuktu, have you seen, or would you be willing to see, the Kline MND, if we end up discussing that production?

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[Jon_B]

Both are fine with me as well.  I've seen (and love) the McKellan Richard III but I've never seen MND.  However like Timbuktu I'm also a fan of Kevin Kline so it'd be a good excuse to check it out!  Actually looks like there's a lot of good people in that cast.

Message Edited by Jon_B on 08-29-2008 08:25 AM

[Everyman]

I will pass, thanks.

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RTA wrote:

In the thread “Stagings and Interpretations,” I had suggested those of us arguing for, or against, non-traditional interpretations of Shakespeare work actually view such a piece to flesh out our positions.  I’m wondering if there is any interest in this exercise.  And, if so, which piece people would want to watch? 

I think basic prerequisites for selections could be: (1) it is available on film; (2) it, for the most part, preserves the original dialogue (as nobody is championing pieces that significantly change dialogue); and (3) it is decidedly a non-traditional production.  If there are other qualifications for selections that I missed, let me know.

So far, three films have been offered that, as far as I know, fill the aforementioned conditions: the 1995 Richard III, with Sir Ian McKellen; the 1999 MND, with Kevin Kline; and the 1990 Titus, with Anthony Hopkins.  If there are other suggestions, or those that I missed, please let me know.  If you are interested in participating in the exercise with one of the films already suggested, please let me know that.

I do hope there is interest.  I am very curious to learn, more specifically, where members’ preferences lie with a non-traditional production. 

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[RTA]

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Everyman wrote:

I will pass, thanks.

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Why am I not surprised?  Ahem, did someone in the other thread mention meaningful dialogue? 

Well, now that we’re not attached to Richard III, would anyone object to discussing the MND?  Timbuktu, have you been able to determine if Netflix can make it available to you?

[Everyman]

If you can find a way to have meaningful dialogue over "I think it's wrong to have bicycles on the stage" "I think it's fine to have bicycles on the stage", please advise.   Seems to me a pretty useless waste of time.

Oh, wait.   There's always the chance to ask "why do you think that."  And so comes the reply post "because I do."  It may be said in a post of multiple paragraphs, but that's what it would amount to.

So now we have six posts.   End of any furthe discussion.

And without me there, you can all safely emote on how wonderful it is to do all sorts of weird things to Shakespeare, and you won't need to deal with any contrary voices.  Which should make everybody happy.

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RTA wrote:

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Everyman wrote:

I will pass, thanks.

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Why am I not surprised?  Ahem, did someone in the other thread mention meaningful dialogue? 

Well, now that we’re not attached to Richard III, would anyone object to discussing the MND?  Timbuktu, have you been able to determine if Netflix can make it available to you?

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Message Edited by Everyman on 08-29-2008 01:19 PM

[Laurel]

MND is fine with me.

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RTA wrote:

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Well, now that we’re not attached to Richard III, would anyone object to discussing the MND?  Timbuktu, have you been able to determine if Netflix can make it available to you?

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[Choisya]

I may take me several days to rent a DVD from my tardy rental company but I'll order whatever you decide.  As we are about to discuss a History it might be rather nice to look at a more lightweight comedy.  Perhaps we can look at Richard III later?  And that Titus looks superb on Youtube RTA!

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Laurel wrote:

MND is fine with me.

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RTA wrote:

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Well, now that we’re not attached to Richard III, would anyone object to discussing the MND?  Timbuktu, have you been able to determine if Netflix can make it available to you?

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[Choisya]

I meant that I thought most folks would have seen a production of MND, not necessarily the Kevin Kline production, which I haven't seen either.     

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Timbuktu1 wrote:
I haven't seen it but I do love Kevin Kline and if it's on netflix, why not?

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[RTA]

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Choisya wrote:

I meant that I thought most folks would have seen a production of MND, not necessarily the Kevin Kline production, which I haven't seen either.     

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Timbuktu1 wrote:
I haven't seen it but I do love Kevin Kline and if it's on netflix, why not?

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Choiysa, I think Timbuktu was hoping to watch the Kline MND, specifically, so that we all have a common point of reference for the discussion.

 O.K., since everyone seems to be on board, I’ll watch the Kevin Kline MND over the weekend, and perhaps we can begin discussions next week?  I hope others jump in too.

[RTA]

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Choisya wrote:

Perhaps we can look at Richard III later?  And that Titus looks superb on Youtube RTA!

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Yes, I was thinking the same thing.  If we find value in the discussion on MND, there's no reason to end the exercise there. 

I think you may appreciate a lot of the elements in Titus, Choiysa.  That's not to say I think the production is without its faults.  But it's an interesting viewing, nonetheless.  Let me know if/when you see it.

[ConnieAnnKirk]

Do you want me to set up a thread for your discussion of staging matters in MND with Kevin Kline, RTA?  You are cetainly welcome to do it yourself by starting a new thread.  To start a new thread, just click on "New Message." 

Let me know--I hope you enjoy the discussion!

~ConnieK

[Choisya]

Oh dear, I've muddied the water here   I realise we are all going to watch the Kline and that's absolutely fine with me.  I just meant that I originally thought that everyone would have seen some sort of production of MND somewhere and so we might have some comparisons in our minds already, as it were....    In the UK most people first see MND in the park as schoolkids and I thought perhaps it was the same in the US. 

I will watch the Kline on Youtube whilst I await my DVD.

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RTA wrote:

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Choisya wrote:

I meant that I thought most folks would have seen a production of MND, not necessarily the Kevin Kline production, which I haven't seen either.     

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Timbuktu1 wrote:
I haven't seen it but I do love Kevin Kline and if it's on netflix, why not?

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Choiysa, I think Timbuktu was hoping to watch the Kline MND, specifically, so that we all have a common point of reference for the discussion.

 O.K., since everyone seems to be on board, I’ll watch the Kevin Kline MND over the weekend, and perhaps we can begin discussions next week?  I hope others jump in too.

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Message Edited by Choisya on 08-29-2008 05:03 PM

[Jon_B]

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Choisya wrote:

Oh dear, I've muddied the water here   I realise we are all going to watch the Kline and that's absolutely fine with me.  I just meant that I originally thought that everyone would have seen some sort of production of MND somewhere and so we might have some comparisons in our minds already, as it were....    In the UK most people first see MND in the park as schoolkids and I thought perhaps it was the same in the US. 

I will watch the Kline on Youtube whilst I await my DVD.

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RTA wrote:

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Choisya wrote:

I meant that I thought most folks would have seen a production of MND, not necessarily the Kevin Kline production, which I haven't seen either.     

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Timbuktu1 wrote:
I haven't seen it but I do love Kevin Kline and if it's on netflix, why not?

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Choiysa, I think Timbuktu was hoping to watch the Kline MND, specifically, so that we all have a common point of reference for the discussion.

 O.K., since everyone seems to be on board, I’ll watch the Kevin Kline MND over the weekend, and perhaps we can begin discussions next week?  I hope others jump in too.

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Message Edited by Choisya on 08-29-2008 05:03 PM

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Sorry, I should clarify - I have seen MND on stage, I just meant I hadn't seen the Kline version.  Looks like that's what we're doing so I'm looking forward to checking it out, though I don't think I'll be able to get a copy until sometime next week as I'll be out of town for the holiday weekend.  

[friery]

Here's a bit of trivia on Kevin Kline's MND film (from the Internet Movie Database):

Take a look at what some of the other performers are rehearsing while the Mechanicals are waiting for word from the Duke. One group of players is rehearsing the Greek tragedy Oedipus Rex and another pair of players are rehearsing a scene from Shakespeare's play Othello.

[Choisya]

The location for the film is 'northern Italy' and I think it is probably Tuscany and the Florence area. Here is a link to the largest and most famous palace near to Florence, the Pitti Palace, which also has some very fine wooded gardens called the Boboli. We could look to see if we can identify any of the statuary.

It is thought that Shakespeare wrote MND to celebrate a marriage and a very famous marriage in the Medici family took place at the Pitti Palace in 1565.  The Corridoia Vasariano was built to link the Palazzo Vecchio with the Palazzo Pitti and the bride, her guests and theatrical performers took this route to the wedding in all their finery. It passes over the river Arno via the Ponte Vecchio bridge, which is famous for its goldsmiths' shops..   I wonder if we shall see any of these famous places used in the film? 

[Choisya]

The programme on 'Quotations' was particularly good this morning, although, strangely, there were none from Shakespeare.  (It will be available on Listen Live tomorrow.)

Which reminds me to recommend Bill Bryson's book The Mother Tongue which explores the history and origins of the English language in an entertaining way.  You will be surprised to learn from this book just how many words and phrases we use every day which originated in Shakespeare's plays.     

Another good book by Bryson is  Shakespeare : The World as a Stage.  It is a lighthearted, readable book about the Bard's life or rather what we know of it, sorting fact from fiction.  

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Choisya wrote:

Whilst you are downing a pint or two and pondering on Shakespeare's language, you might like to listen to this new 3-part series on our common heritage - the English language.

Cheers!

(And leave those great big American cars behind - no drinking and driving!)

Message Edited by Choisya on 08-27-2008 07:22 AM

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