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labingi_maura
Ossiriand
Oct 7 2007, 10:29pm
Post #2 of 9
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My friend Kristi and I are going on Friday the 26th, the 7PM performance. (Actually, I don't know if there is more than one performance that day.) But we're looking forward to it immensely! I don't care if my seat is in the back bleachers, I am so wanting to see Sir Ian perform in person!
-Maura Labingi
"I am in fact a hobbit in all but size." - J.R.R.Tolkien
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labingi_maura
Ossiriand
Oct 8 2007, 4:53am
Post #4 of 9
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I don't know where Kristi and I will be sitting until we get there; our tickets were purchased by another friend, and they will be there for us at the Will Call window. So who knows, we could be up there in the Balcony too! I want to get a good pair of binoculars, or rent some, for the performance!
-ML
"I am in fact a hobbit in all but size." - J.R.R.Tolkien
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labingi_maura
Ossiriand
Oct 25 2007, 3:17am
Post #5 of 9
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I went last night instead (caution: spoilers!)
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One of the people in my group needed to swap nights, so I traded my Friday night for her Tuesday night ticket. We were in the orchestra section, center, but our seats were in the next-to last row. Even so, it was magical.
I have always had a hard time really enjoying live performances of Shakespere's plays because the actors always seemed (to me) like they were declaiming their speeches, not feeling them.
But Sir Ian has a way of *becoming* his characters; King Lear felt like a real person, and his dialogue seemed contemporary and believable. The other members of the company were good too, but Sir Ian just really shone.
I admit I was surprised that he actually chose to be full-frontal-naked on stage (for a few seconds) but... well, um, there it was! I can't think of anything to say about that acting decision that doesn't sound salacious; but it was intended to show how deeply disturbed and full of despair King Lear had become.
Um... OK.
(I personally agree he is "every inch a King," as Lear comments afterwards.)
-ML
"I am in fact a hobbit in all but size." - J.R.R.Tolkien
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sevilodorf
Dor-Lomin
Oct 28 2007, 2:41pm
Post #6 of 9
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Yes, too many Shakespeare productions are recitations of lines not "real".... but not this production. From McKellan's mad, frail Lear to "poor" Tom Edgar in hiding to the King's fool and Gloucester these were master craftsmen living their roles.
McKellan's decision to go pantsless felt almost unneccessary because his portrayal of Lear was more than sufficient to convey the King's mental and physical failings.
Though not all the way in the top of the house, I prefer being close enough to see the performer's faces so was very glad I had my binoculars.
This is a rush about weekend beginning with Friday's journey to LA after work to attend the theater and return home at 1:30 AM then turn about and return to Burbank for a Serenity convention on Saturday and again today (Sunday) so will try to add more thoughts later.
However one "hasty" snippet... Cliff Broadway (Quickbeam -- Green Haired Oscar Party FOTR host and MC for two ORCS) attended on Friday night also, as well as several others from Tolkien Forever.
Sev's home away from home: http://burpingtroll.com
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labingi_maura
Ossiriand
Oct 29 2007, 1:46am
Post #7 of 9
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Yes, exactly: I now feel like I have finally seen a Shakespeare play done as a living story happening to real people; the Royal Shakespeare Company members are truly masters of their craft. And I'm glad you saw some familiar faces from TORn and TF on Friday. When I was there Tuesday (with still other TFers) we saw an actor attending whose face was SO familiar but I just couldn't place him. Afterwards, Nicole wrote me it was Michael York! ("Logan's Run", "Austin Powers...") Yet another pair of TFers are there tonight and hoping to spot other LOTR actors who might possibly have come to see Sir Ian's final LA performance. You never know, and there is always hope! I eagerly await their report.
-ML
"I am in fact a hobbit in all but size." - J.R.R.Tolkien
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GaladrielTX
Dor-Lomin
Oct 29 2007, 2:34am
Post #8 of 9
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I have a friend who's a big Anglophile and theatre fan (and a fan of Ian McKellen) and who visited the UK every year for awhile in the 1980s and 1990s. She'd go to National Theatre productions there, Royal Shakespeare Company, etc. In her theatre visits and sightseeing, she kept seeing Michael York. I remember her writing me, "Mike York is stalking me!" Evidently now it's happening to you, too. :o)
~~~~~~~~
Formerly known as GaladrielTX
(This post was edited by Galadriel on Oct 29 2007, 2:34am)
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labingi_maura
Ossiriand
Oct 29 2007, 2:42am
Post #9 of 9
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That is so funny! Sounds to me like Mr. York is a Royal Shakespeare Company groupie! Very cool. Its very heartwarming to see actors supporting each other's efforts.
-ML
"I am in fact a hobbit in all but size." - J.R.R.Tolkien
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