Holding the mirror up to nature...
Squeee!! Thanks to greylin for alerting me to the news (I don't know how I came to miss this last Friday, given that it was in the Guardian and on R4's Today programme) that the RSC Hamlet film is definitely happening, with all the original cast, and is currently in production!
I really hope for the sake of all those who were unable to get to see it on stage that the film version captures something of the electricity and energy of the original in the theatre, which was quite incredible.
greylin also pointed me to this fascinating blog from the company making the film for the BBC and RSC, which starting from this post gives a lot of detail about the process of filming, the decisions involved in transferring from stage to screen - and has some great responses from the producer in the Comments threads to people's suggestions for, for example, extras for the DVDs! (scenes with Ed Bennett as Hamlet? Cast interviews? Commentaries? - I'm excited just thinking about it)
Am delighted to see in John Wyver's description of yesterday's filming the following, because the scene he is describing (the closet scene between Hamlet and Gertrude) was utterly electrifying the night altariel and I saw DT and Penny Downie play it on stage:
"But I've got to say that the acting from Penny Downie and David Tennant today was truly exceptional. Time and again they pulled out the emotional stops in a way that was moving and disturbing and compelling. It was truly a privilege to observe."
Scheduled for BBC2 later this year, apparently, and then hopefully for DVD release, so I can imagine what will be top of my Christmas/birthday list!
Now then, Mr Tennant, just you be careful of that dodgy disc...
I really hope for the sake of all those who were unable to get to see it on stage that the film version captures something of the electricity and energy of the original in the theatre, which was quite incredible.
greylin also pointed me to this fascinating blog from the company making the film for the BBC and RSC, which starting from this post gives a lot of detail about the process of filming, the decisions involved in transferring from stage to screen - and has some great responses from the producer in the Comments threads to people's suggestions for, for example, extras for the DVDs! (scenes with Ed Bennett as Hamlet? Cast interviews? Commentaries? - I'm excited just thinking about it)
Am delighted to see in John Wyver's description of yesterday's filming the following, because the scene he is describing (the closet scene between Hamlet and Gertrude) was utterly electrifying the night altariel and I saw DT and Penny Downie play it on stage:
"But I've got to say that the acting from Penny Downie and David Tennant today was truly exceptional. Time and again they pulled out the emotional stops in a way that was moving and disturbing and compelling. It was truly a privilege to observe."
Scheduled for BBC2 later this year, apparently, and then hopefully for DVD release, so I can imagine what will be top of my Christmas/birthday list!
Now then, Mr Tennant, just you be careful of that dodgy disc...