It’s been a year since we moved into our new house close to
Chester town centre. I do miss being
close to the countryside and my more peaceful garden but this is outweighed by
the fact that we can now walk most places we want to go. This summer holiday I have been taking
advantage of this more, going to all sorts of events in Chester, which I may not
have bothered with if I had to find a parking space first.
So in the last couple of weeks I have visited our new
library/theatre/cinema Storyhouse on numerous occasions. I dragged slightly
reluctant Kate to see a performance of Julius Caesar (Guardian review here - Chester doesn't often get a mention so I feel quite proud.) Kate enjoyed it in the end and so did I. I sometimes feel a little ashamed to admit
that I don’t tend to enjoy performances of Shakespeare’s plays much, but this was an
exception, probably because I have never taught it. It began in the auditorium
outside the theatre where the audience formed part of the crowd greeting Caesar
as if he were a victorious politician. Echoes
of Donald Trump. Then we all took our seats in the theatre and watched him
address the crowds. I also liked the
scene where Caesar does his morning yoga routine while his wife tries to
persuade him not to go to the senate on the Ides of March. . It was all modern dress and Mark Antony was
played by a woman which some people in the audience didn’t like. I thought she was very good, and especially convincing
in the scene when she changes the crowd’s response to Caesar’s death through
her powerful speech. The performance has now transferred to the open air
theatre in Grosvenor Park. I’m not sure
how they will recreate it there without lighting and the clever device which
provided blood for the murder scene by dropping it from above.
I've also been to a poetry workshop at Storyhouse and an exhibition of modern art in the cathedral. But I'll keep these to another post.
This sounds like a fun event! I am in two minds about modern interpretations of old plays/ballets. It can be a bit hit and miss. The Cesar interpretations sounds good though, I like the idea of Cesar doing yoga in the mornings. Annie and I went to see the Nutcracker a few years ago, an all new interpretation. Only the music was recognisable, the dancing and the scenes not at all. I found it difficult to explain to Annie, who just didn't get it at all.
ReplyDeleteHope the school holidays are shaping up nicely for you all. x
Hey Doris,
ReplyDeleteI would love to go to the theatre more. Actually |I don't go at all. I've never been to the Minack for instance, which is a constant source of pain for me. Every year I look at their programme of events, and circle the ones I'd like to see. And every year, I'm not able to get there. It's a childcare issue for me, but I have it on my bucket list. When I lived in London, I'd take advantage of matinee and cheap performances all the time. I've seen some wonderful Shakespeare with amazing actors in the 90s. I've never seen Julius Caeser though.
Leanne xx