The play's the thing

[alawston]

We've been getting on quite nicely without being involved much in am dram for a few months, but after our RSC Barbican adventure, Mel and I were keen to do some Shakespeare. So we went to a readthrough for a semi-pro Much Ado About Nothing, which didn't come to much as it would have been really awkward to get home after rehearsals

Comments

[dothestrand]

Good luck! :)

And I completely forgot, but while in Venice I did keep my eye out for possible places for your book. The only place that really stood out was Aqua Alta, a famous bookshop which attracts a lot of tourists. It's mostly secondhand, but they had a section for new books related to Venice, including a couple of Casanova.

I bought a book there and got a bookmark, which has their phone number, but no email address.

[alawston]

Thanks! The audition is next Monday, so I should know by the start of May if it's happening! (We've agreed we'll only do it if both Mel and I get a decent part)

Interesting, thanks so much for looking into it. I checked out the shop online and it looks so wonderful I might just send them a couple of paperback copies as a donation!

[lapetite]

Best of luck! Crossing fingers and toes!

[alawston]

Thanks! We're looking forward to the audition next Monday!

[porsupah]

In your estimation, being worlds more acquainted thereto, if I may, what would your cinematic recommendations be for said play, and Much Ado About Nothing? I'm intrigued to see whether Joss Whedon managed a creditable turn in the latter production.

So, it would seem April will be a decisive month for us both. =:)

[alawston]

Ooh, films! For Midsummer Night's Dream, one of the first lottery-funded British films was an adaptation of the RSC's mid 90s production, starring Alex Jennings and Desmond Barrit. It's a bit mad, but I prefer it to the Hollywood version that came out a couple of years later.

Branagh's Much Ado About Nothing is still superb, though the American cast members struggle against stalwarts like Branagh, Thomson, Briers, Blessed and even a very young Kate Beckinsale. Though he got a lot of flack at the time, I think Keanu comes off better than Denzel, who sometimes doesn't seem to realise you're allowed to breathe when speaking Shakespeare.

I've not seen the Whedon version yet as it came out at a time when I was a bit Much Ado'd out, having seen a few stage versions in a couple of years and regularly rewatching the Branagh film. I hear it's very good though.