Picture this. It’s Saturday, it’s raining, it’s cold, I’ve
watched entertaining, but rubbishly written TV, for a whole two days. My
housemate was in the process of turning off the TV for my own health when I get
a text. It’s my mum.
“Don’t
forget national theatre live on bbc2 at 9 pm rory and all sorts performing x x”
RORY! You notice that my mother is aware of my – obsession would
be too strong a word – admiration? – no that’s too detached – anyway, there is
only one Rory in the world of theatre. To my delight he featured in three
performances, including scenes from the wonderful Othello.
Luckily, my housemate, being another English fanatic, was
quite happy to risk me getting square eyes in return for a couple of hours of brilliant
acting. The alternative did involve her listening to me going on about Rachel
Riley’s posture on Strictly Come Dancing or the beauty of Jason in Atlantis.
The production was brilliantly done as they alternated films
of past performances with live scenes and speeches from the Olivier Theatre. It
was great to see all of the original company and learn a bit more about its
earlier years. If you have time you should really watch all of it, there wasn’t
one bit I didn’t like, but if you think two and half hours to be a little too long
here are my five favourite scenes.
Go to iPlayer now -13 minutes in –and watch Maggie Smith in Hayfever. Her insulting remarks and over flirtatious body language, fantastically showed her character’s internal conflict and “methods” of attracting a gentleman. There is no one quite like Maggie Smith. She makes Downton Abbey bearable to watch.
Another bit I loved was Rosencrantz and Guildernstein (9.37). These
unfortunate friends of Hamlet are at the centre of this play as they contemplate
their own dead state. Benedict Cumberbatch was the star of the scene, making
death ridiculous but also bringing up some intriguing points. I didn’t even
know the play existed before Saturday but now I am certainly going to
read it.
Another play I had never seen before was Angels in America (55.00).
Dominic Cooper and Andrew Scott surpassed all my expectations, and
after Scott’s Moriarty those expectations were pretty high. This scene, amusing at first,
seemed like a lover’s spat but it quickly becomes far more serious. It was wonderfully and honestly
acted and I found myself welling up as Scott reveals he is now showing signs of AIDS. It covers a really important issue from its era, and one some people still struggle speaking about today. The play was groundbreaking for London Theatre, attacking problems that some felt should not be spoken about and certainly deserved its place in the National Theatre's 50th Anniversary.
Dominic Cooper also acted out a
scene from the History Boys (1: 55.30). Alongside James Corden, but sadly
without Richard Griffiths who died earlier this year, they recreated a scene
from the film The History Boys. The atmosphere reminds me of my own 6th
form History class, and though everyone’s trousers remained on in mine, the use
of role play by teachers to spice up a boring lesson is still just as effective.
Lastly, this scene had to be included (2: 13.40). This
is the scene of Othello’s descent into violent animalistic jealousy, played by
Adrian Lester. Othello’s fall can be seen as Lester alters his tone of voice,
begins to crouch and use large and wild hand gestures. This is contrasted against
Iago’s calm and almost sceptical reaction to Othello’s blood lust. Rory Kinnear
shows his surprise at how well his manipulation has worked whilst still keeping
up his pretence. Though this is not my favourite scene from the play (I love
Iago’s soliloquies) it is one where both actors’ skill can be seen.
Nicholas Hytner created a fantastic production and only cemented my respect for his direction. With a live performance involving so many actors, scene changes and an end time, it's a miracle the production ran so smoothly and I would like to thank everyone who put it on for brightening up my Saturday night.
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