Hmmmm! Theatrical edition
I saw Kenneth Branagh as Judd in Another Country about a month into its original run. I've seen many of his productions whether he's been director, actor, or both. One of the things which strikes me is his casting. Sometimes he takes risks that don't work out; I'd count Keanu Reeves as Don John in Much Ado About Nothing as one of those, but bless them both for trying it.
The May-June production at the Garrick Theatre will be Romeo and Juliet. I did not get to see the production Branagh directed and starred in with Samantha Bond as his Juliet. The Mercutio was, from what I've been able to tell, a RADA classmate of his, so Romeo and Mercutio were of an age.
Most of the productions I've seen, Mercutio's usually a little bit older than Romeo, say five years-ish.
Derek Jacobi will be playing Mercutio in the new production. (Richard Madden who plays Prince Kit in the live-action Cinderella is playing Romeo and in Cinderella Jacobi plays his father the King.) Since Jacobi has played Branagh's father at least once, and Branagh joked about being old enough to be the father to his actors in Cinderella, this is a very interesting casting choice.
Part of me can feel the hair on my neck rising just thinking about the Mercutio/Tybalt fight, especially if Tybalt is kept about Juliet's age.
Damn, I wish I had enough money to see this live.
The May-June production at the Garrick Theatre will be Romeo and Juliet. I did not get to see the production Branagh directed and starred in with Samantha Bond as his Juliet. The Mercutio was, from what I've been able to tell, a RADA classmate of his, so Romeo and Mercutio were of an age.
Most of the productions I've seen, Mercutio's usually a little bit older than Romeo, say five years-ish.
Derek Jacobi will be playing Mercutio in the new production. (Richard Madden who plays Prince Kit in the live-action Cinderella is playing Romeo and in Cinderella Jacobi plays his father the King.) Since Jacobi has played Branagh's father at least once, and Branagh joked about being old enough to be the father to his actors in Cinderella, this is a very interesting casting choice.
Part of me can feel the hair on my neck rising just thinking about the Mercutio/Tybalt fight, especially if Tybalt is kept about Juliet's age.
Damn, I wish I had enough money to see this live.