That was May in London theatre-land
07/06/2016
John Boyega. Photo: Old Vic
May was the month I went to a musical, sort of. It was also the month I saw probably my favourite Hamlet so far. But in other news there was quite a bit of celebrity casting...
* John Boyega of new Star Wars film fame is to star in a Jack Thorne adaptation at Woyzeck at the Old Vic. Is this a bit of a coup for the Old Vic? Boyega cut his teeth in youth theatre but has been catapulted into the limelight through the Star Wars franchise.
*Matt Smith of Dr Who fame is in new play Unreachable with Stan fav Jonjo O'Neill at the Royal Court next month. I'm hopeful that it will be far more inspiring than the trailer in fact I think the trailer is a strong contender for worst of the year.
* Much excitement for us Ivo Van Hove fans when the Barbican announced a Toneelgroep residency next year. There will be three plays including a six hour epic based on Julius Caesar, Coriolanus and Antony & Cleopatra. His four and a half hour Kings of Power was just a warm up it seems. It is not going to be a bum-numbing experience though as apparently the audience will be invited to move around the auditorium and even tweet throughout. He's also roped in Jude Law to star in Obsession.
*Not so much a casting announcement as teasing speculation. Tom Hiddleston said in an interview that he had an eye on a Shakespeare part and something would be announced soon. Still holding my breath.
*Celeb spots: After April's bumper crop May was about quality rather than quantity. Harry Melling and Patsy Ferran were at Blue/Orange, Young Vic and Nick Hytner was visiting his old stomping ground the National Theatre. He was in to see Rory Kinnear in Threepenny Opera. We also spotted Simon Stephens in the audience but he doesn't really count because he did the adaptation of the play.
Stage blood corner, from where you can never quite remove the stains
The ratings: Paper Cut, Nose Bleed, A Few Stitches, Stabbing, Full on Bloodbath:
Play: Dr Faustus, Swan Theatre
Incident: Faustus's self harming - drawing a knife up the inside of his arm - had the lady sat next to me squirming in her seat. I just marvelled at the way the blood slowly appeared in the 'cut'.
Rating: Stabbing
Play: Hamlet, Royal Shakespeare Theatre
Incident: During his fight with Laertes Hamlet's leg is cut with a poisoned blade producing a nicely growing blood spot.
Rating: A few stitches
Play: Three Penny Opera, National Theatre
Incident: Various stabbings but perhaps there is a shortage of stage blood, as thick woollen twine was used to effect blood and guts pouring out of wounds.
Rating: Easy clean