The play’s the thing
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David Garrick was an 18th century actor whose name is still synonymous with the Shakespearean roles he performed. Raised in Lichfield, he had intended to be a lawyer but was instead drawn into the theatre AT THE age of 24, David Garrick made his stage debut in Ipswich and only a few months later took…
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Born in New York in 1807, Aldridge emigrated to England at the age of 17. Whilst considered a distinguished Shakespearean actor, Londoners did not take as well to the idea of the world’s first black Othello, with a critic for The Times writing: “Owing to the shape of his lips it is utterly impossible for…
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OK, I know it’s great theatre (apparently) but I do NOT like Richard III to be updated to ‘modern’ times. So the thought of Sir Ian McKellen and his bus doesn’t appeal to me in the slightest. I still think that Shakespeare should be played as he was meant to be, i.e. in 16th-century costume. Many…
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Forgive me if I’m a little bemused. This picture is Richard. OK? But he’s dressed to look like a clown, with what looks like breast armour representing his innards. Hmmm. As for the weapon, I’m sure Richard would have been pleased to arm his men with such things. More hmmmmm…. Well, the French do have…
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http://www.timeout.com/chicago/blog/casting-announced-for-the-gift-theatres-richard-iii-011216 Do you think Mr Thornton will shave for the role of Richard? Or is there to be a fashion for hirsute Richards? I do hope not. (See http://www.dailymail.co.uk/home/event/article-3388669/TV-historian-adding-Game-Thrones-sizzle-Wars-Roses.html)
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William de la Pole – the most hated man in England
“Nicholas of the Tower”, Azincourt, Charles VII, de la Pole family, Edmund “Tudor”, Edmund de la Pole, Edmund Duke of Somerset, Edward III, Grafton’s Chronicle, Harfleur, Henry IV, Henry VI, Hull, Humphrey of Gloucester, Jargeau, John de la Pole, John Duke of Bedford, John Earl of Lincoln, Lady Margaret Beaufort, Lords Appellant, Margaret of Anjou, Merciless Parliament, Michael de la Pole, Richard de la Pole, Richard II, Sir William de la Pole, Tower of London, treason, William Duke of Suffolk, WingfieldAs the sun rose on the morning of 2nd May 1450, it revealed a grisly sight on Dover beach. A headless body lay on the sand, dried blood staining the butchered neck. Beside the body, atop a stake, the vacant eyes of William de la Pole, 1st Duke of Suffolk stared out over the sea…
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John Wilkes Booth may have assassinated Abraham Lincoln, but prior to that he was a noted Shakespearean actor, who “…framed his King Richard as a very tragic and even sympathetic figure, more so than the character is originally.” http://www.mystatesman.com/news/entertainment/arts-theater/ransom-center-celebrates-shakespeare/npsXK/
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http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/tvandradio/12077552/best-tv-shows-2016.html Is Benedict Cumberbatch your notion of Shakespeare’s Richard? He isn’t mine, so this viewing prospect isn’t at all juicy. I imagine I’m in the minority!
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Originally posted on Giaconda's Blog: Having just written two blogs on Henry Vth and touched on this subject, I wanted to explore Shakespeare’s re-occurring theme of the burdens of kingship in his history plays with particular reference to Richard II and Henry IV, Parts I and II and on into Henry Vth and Richard III.…
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Revisiting Azincourt – 600 years of myth making.
1475 invasion of France, Azincourt, Catherine de Valois, Crecy, Edward III, Edward IV, Edward of Norwich, Edward the Black Prince, France, Harfleur, Henry V, Laurence Olivier, Louis XI, Margaret of Anjou, Myths, Poitiers, propaganda, Richard III, Shakespeare, Spain, St. crispin, St. George, St. george’s Chapel, Tewkesbury, Tower of LondonOriginally posted on Giaconda's Blog: King Henry Vth ‘O for pity!–we shall much disgrace With four or five most vile and ragged foils, Right ill-disposed in brawl ridiculous, The name of Agincourt. Yet sit and see, Minding true things by what their mockeries be.’ I have always been fascinated by the battle of Azincourt since…
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