New Richard II production Blog From Illuminations: ‘Didst Thou Not Mark The King, What Words He Spake?’



John Wyver, writer and producer, has uploaded to the Illuminations website the latest blog on the preparations for the staging of William Shakespeare's Richard II by the Royal Shakespeare Company. The production, starring David Tennant and directed by Gregory Doran, opens in Stratford-upon-Avon on 10th October 2013. John will be producing the live broadcast of the play into cinemas across the UKand around the word in November.

This week's blog focuses on a typical day of rehearsals as the cast, having moved on from reading and understanding the text, now start to run through scenes. We learn that arrival time is 9.30am, warm ups start from 10am and that the cast, although not fully costumed, are defining their characters in some way or other:

"...many of the cast get ready by donning a key piece of costume – a large skirt, weighty gloves – or taking up a prop, like a sword or a crozier. David Tennant puts on a crown and picks up his sceptre. Otherwise, everyone is dressed in everyday clothes."

The rehearsal under Gregory Doran is observed by other creatives, including designer Stephen Brimson Lewis and movement director Mike Ashton. It also appears that the set will include a head-high bridge.

"...it’s all rather unremarkable," says John, "But at the same time an uninitiated observer can see something emerging that will be funny and solemn and threatening and full of meaning just below a surface."

Read the full blog here

The latest video production diary, released lat Friday, looks at the contribution of Lyn Darnley, the RSC Head of Voice. View it here:




Richard II directed by Gregory Doran will open at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon on 10th October 2013 and will run until 16th November 2013. It will then transfer to the Barbican Theatre in London from December 9th 2013 until 25th January 2014. The cast includes David Tennant, Emma Hamilton, Nigel Lindsay, Michael Pennington, Jane Lapotaire and Oliver Ford Davies and it is directed by Gregory Doran. Both the Stratford-upon-Avon and London runs are now sold out.

The production will be filmed and streamed live from the stage of the Royal Shakespeare Theatre into cinemas around the UK on Wednesday 13th November, and subsequently into UK schools and cinemas worldwide in screenings running until February 2014. More details are available here





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