The Tempest revisited...
My mate Shell had a spare ticket for the matinee of The Tempest today and asked me to join her, so we agreed to meet there. It was only when I arrived that I found Colin was unavailable due to illness, and wouldn't be playing either of the two shows today. Given that Shell and I both had to travel, and her further than me, I don't think we'd have gone if we'd known ahead of time, but then I'm really glad with how it all worked out! Other than Colin being ill, of course... I hope he gets well soon. ♥
There were signs up announcing the news, but William Mannering (Sebastian) also announced it from the stage. He explained that The Globe isn't publically funded, and therefore makes do without understudies, so Matthew Raymond (usually the Boatswain and Adrian) would 'read' the part. And that was a fair description of what happened!
Ariel eventually arrives on stage, and there is Matthew - not in Colin's costume, but in one of the male spirits' costumes - and with a script in hand, and Ariel's speeches in it highlighted in yellow! The audience, many of whom were obviously very aware of the differences, had a bit of an affectionate chuckle. For a few minutes Matthew was a little self-conscious, but he was soon into the part. He has a lovely voice, and read very well, with poetry and great clarity. His acting was low-key, but well judged and always appropriate. He didn't attempt to copy Colin's mannerisms in the role, and there was certainly a lot less physicality in terms of all the gymnastics, though Matthew did very well in always being in the right place at the right time, and taking his part in the dance. Matthew did very well as the harpy, and was suitably threatening and scary. He wore the costume except for the stilt-feet and did all the physical work, while Prospero intoned the lines from the balcony. It was a very effective solution to the problem.
Given the lack of a 'proper' understudy to fully play the role, it really brought home to me what a serious decision Colin had taken in not working today. I am sure he would only have put the production in such a situation if he really really had to. So let's all send him lots of healthy loving vibes!
Meanwhile, some of the other actors took the opportunity to have a little extra fun. In the first scene with Prospero and Ariel, Roger Allam approached Matthew - and promptly peered over his shoulder so that he could also read from the script. The audience were very appreciative of such humorous moments, and there was more laughter and also more applause between scenes than usual. The awesome James Garnon - as Caliban - also went with the fun, scowling suspiciously at a buzzing helicopter for long long moments before finally dismissing it as 'only a dragonfly'. This time, in their first scene together, Roger actually pretended that Caliban's curses had worked - he gasped, and fell over - only to leap up with an 'Ah ha!' when Caliban came to investigate. I am sure that James wasn't expecting that, and I'm sure he loved it!
This was my first time as a groundling, and I have to say I really enjoyed it. It wasn't such a hardship to be standing, though we were in the hot sun for quite a while, so by the end of it all I was ready to sit down before I succumbed to the heat. I thought the accoustics from there (near the centre, about four people back) were far clearer than even sitting in the lower gallery. Though on the other hand, the acting appears a little more exaggerated and 'theatrical' from close up. I've certainly enjoyed having the chance to see the play a number of times from quite different locations. They all have something to recommend them!
In sum, I was really glad I went today, despite Colin's absence. I thought Matthew did a fine job. Kudos to him for filling in for someone he must realise is so very popular, and for doing so with an understated grace. And kudos to the rest of the cast for ensuring we all had a good time regardless.
But get well soon, Colin! For your own lovely sake, of course. ♥
There were signs up announcing the news, but William Mannering (Sebastian) also announced it from the stage. He explained that The Globe isn't publically funded, and therefore makes do without understudies, so Matthew Raymond (usually the Boatswain and Adrian) would 'read' the part. And that was a fair description of what happened!
Ariel eventually arrives on stage, and there is Matthew - not in Colin's costume, but in one of the male spirits' costumes - and with a script in hand, and Ariel's speeches in it highlighted in yellow! The audience, many of whom were obviously very aware of the differences, had a bit of an affectionate chuckle. For a few minutes Matthew was a little self-conscious, but he was soon into the part. He has a lovely voice, and read very well, with poetry and great clarity. His acting was low-key, but well judged and always appropriate. He didn't attempt to copy Colin's mannerisms in the role, and there was certainly a lot less physicality in terms of all the gymnastics, though Matthew did very well in always being in the right place at the right time, and taking his part in the dance. Matthew did very well as the harpy, and was suitably threatening and scary. He wore the costume except for the stilt-feet and did all the physical work, while Prospero intoned the lines from the balcony. It was a very effective solution to the problem.
Given the lack of a 'proper' understudy to fully play the role, it really brought home to me what a serious decision Colin had taken in not working today. I am sure he would only have put the production in such a situation if he really really had to. So let's all send him lots of healthy loving vibes!
Meanwhile, some of the other actors took the opportunity to have a little extra fun. In the first scene with Prospero and Ariel, Roger Allam approached Matthew - and promptly peered over his shoulder so that he could also read from the script. The audience were very appreciative of such humorous moments, and there was more laughter and also more applause between scenes than usual. The awesome James Garnon - as Caliban - also went with the fun, scowling suspiciously at a buzzing helicopter for long long moments before finally dismissing it as 'only a dragonfly'. This time, in their first scene together, Roger actually pretended that Caliban's curses had worked - he gasped, and fell over - only to leap up with an 'Ah ha!' when Caliban came to investigate. I am sure that James wasn't expecting that, and I'm sure he loved it!
This was my first time as a groundling, and I have to say I really enjoyed it. It wasn't such a hardship to be standing, though we were in the hot sun for quite a while, so by the end of it all I was ready to sit down before I succumbed to the heat. I thought the accoustics from there (near the centre, about four people back) were far clearer than even sitting in the lower gallery. Though on the other hand, the acting appears a little more exaggerated and 'theatrical' from close up. I've certainly enjoyed having the chance to see the play a number of times from quite different locations. They all have something to recommend them!
In sum, I was really glad I went today, despite Colin's absence. I thought Matthew did a fine job. Kudos to him for filling in for someone he must realise is so very popular, and for doing so with an understated grace. And kudos to the rest of the cast for ensuring we all had a good time regardless.
But get well soon, Colin! For your own lovely sake, of course. ♥