I watch bad Shakespeare so you don't have to
Have I mentioned lately that I dislike livejournaling at the library? I miss all of you guys. I went to see Henry V last night and I had nobody to talk to about it afterwards!
The production, incidentally, was better than I expected, though that's only because my expectations were REALLY low (and, probably, I'm more likely to be patient with a bad Henry V than, say, a bad Caesar). There were a few competent performances (fortunately Henry himself was okay, though I mentally dubbed him "Scrawny Aragorn" on his first appearance, because that's who he looked like, and that threw me off for most of the evening) and a few choices that were actually quite clever, although there were many more WTF moments (e.g. the drastic scene rearrangement in the fourth act, the excision of one of my favorite exchanges in the whole play, and the inexplicable decision to replace Burgundy with the Constable of France, of all people) and lots of ammo for the Evil Shakespeare Overlord List, which, sadly, I won't be able to update until I've got my computer back. However, I can provide highlights from the upcoming material:
There are actually quite a few others. I'm also going to write a review, because there's plenty to snark about, and that'll probably go up as soon as a) it's written and b) I have time to type it up.
Oh, also, the Pooh-colored chainmail did not make a return appearance. I can't say I wasn't a little bit disappointed. ;)
The production, incidentally, was better than I expected, though that's only because my expectations were REALLY low (and, probably, I'm more likely to be patient with a bad Henry V than, say, a bad Caesar). There were a few competent performances (fortunately Henry himself was okay, though I mentally dubbed him "Scrawny Aragorn" on his first appearance, because that's who he looked like, and that threw me off for most of the evening) and a few choices that were actually quite clever, although there were many more WTF moments (e.g. the drastic scene rearrangement in the fourth act, the excision of one of my favorite exchanges in the whole play, and the inexplicable decision to replace Burgundy with the Constable of France, of all people) and lots of ammo for the Evil Shakespeare Overlord List, which, sadly, I won't be able to update until I've got my computer back. However, I can provide highlights from the upcoming material:
- I will not put Henry V, or anyone else, in what appears to be a black leather houpelande.
- I will not assume French dialogue is funny simply by virtue of the fact that it is in French.
- I will ensure that the costumes do not display visible panty line. Henry V should not have visible panty line.
- While the English lords in Henry V are not voluminously characterized, there is a case to be made that they have distinct personalities. Consequently, I will not arbitrarily reassign lines left and right. This goes for the French as well.
- I will not allow any of the Boar's Head actors to stand there during the Harfleur ultimatum grinning and nodding as if to say "Yeah, that sounds FUN!"
There are actually quite a few others. I'm also going to write a review, because there's plenty to snark about, and that'll probably go up as soon as a) it's written and b) I have time to type it up.
Oh, also, the Pooh-colored chainmail did not make a return appearance. I can't say I wasn't a little bit disappointed. ;)