The Rameshwari produces first Punjabi film
Chandigarh, June. 29 (PTI):
A Punjabi full length feature adaptation of Shakespeare's 'Comedy of Errors' produced by Bollywood actress Rameshwari promises to be a riot of laughs as it hits the theatres next month"
Thursday, June 29, 2006
Toil, but worth the trouble, Mac
BY LINDA WINERNewsday Staff WriterJune 29, 2006
MACBETH. By William Shakespeare, directed by Moisés Kaufman. Shakespeare in the Park, Delacorte Theater, 81st Street east of Central Park West. Free, available only on day of performance. Call 212-539-8750. Seen at Friday preview.
Of all the Shakespeare known to high-school students, "Macbeth" is the most in need of a New York rescue. The Scottish tragedy is a great bloody read, of course. But judging by decades of disillusioning productions here (Kelsey Grammer and Alec Baldwin, anyone?), we may be forgiven for concluding that this is a thankless bulldozer of a power play, despite its greatest-hits anthology of famous phrases
Sunday, June 25, 2006
Saturday, June 24, 2006
Kevin Kline may do Shakespeare again
NEW YORK, June 23 (UPI) -- Actor Kevin Kline took part in a staged reading of Shakespeare's "King Lear" at the Public Theater in New York in preparation for possibly doing the play.
The reading wasn't public, only a handful of Kline's friends and Public Theater staffers saw Kline read, but they said the actor was excellent, the New York Post reported Friday.
"They did it with scripts, but he'd obviously memorized a lot of it," Said one onlooker. "It was done just to see if Kevin was comfortable in the part. I'd say he was."
Kline has done a number of Shakespeare plays for the Public Theater, including "Measure for Measure," "Much Ado About Nothing," "Richard III" and two productions of "Hamlet."
NEW YORK, June 23 (UPI) -- Actor Kevin Kline took part in a staged reading of Shakespeare's "King Lear" at the Public Theater in New York in preparation for possibly doing the play.
The reading wasn't public, only a handful of Kline's friends and Public Theater staffers saw Kline read, but they said the actor was excellent, the New York Post reported Friday.
"They did it with scripts, but he'd obviously memorized a lot of it," Said one onlooker. "It was done just to see if Kevin was comfortable in the part. I'd say he was."
Kline has done a number of Shakespeare plays for the Public Theater, including "Measure for Measure," "Much Ado About Nothing," "Richard III" and two productions of "Hamlet."
Tuesday, June 20, 2006
RSC AND ITV JOIN FORCES OFFERING FREE THEATRE TICKETS FOR UNDER 30s IN NEW VENUE
RSC launches new Courtyard Theatre with free tickets for young people
To celebrate the opening of its new temporary venue, The Courtyard Theatre, the RSC and ITV Central have launched a unique initiative to give young people access to theatre. During July and August, the opening months of The Courtyard Theatre’s operation, 100 tickets per performance will be available free to under 30s. The offer builds on the success of the RSC’s £5 tickets for 16-25 year olds designed to introduce young people to theatregoing.
The Courtyard Theatre, designed by Ian Ritchie Architects, is the Royal Shakespeare Company’s new 1,000 seat temporary theatre. The new venue opens on 7 July 2006 with RSC Artistic Director Michael Boyd’s productions of Shakespeare’s Henry VI trilogy – a highlight of the Company’s acclaimed Complete Works festival.
Artistic Director Michael Boyd said: ‘We’re always looking at new ways to introduce young people to Shakespeare and we know that the cost of tickets can be a deterrent. To open The Courtyard Theatre we’ve set aside tickets for each performance to target new audiences for our work – making the most of the extra capacity in Stratford this summer. Looking at our current audience, it’s young people who are under-represented. That’s why I’m delighted to be working with ITV to give anyone under 30 the chance to see our work for free at the height of the Complete Works festival.
‘The Courtyard already has charisma. It’s going to be a great place to see Shakespeare – an intimate theatre where the actors and the audience are in the same room, allowing the performance to become an “up-close”, shared experience.’
Ticket offer targets youth
The offer is open to anyone aged 30 and under living in the UK and free tickets are valid for all performances of Shakespeare’s Henry VI Parts I, II and III in The Courtyard Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon during July and August 2006. The 100 tickets for each performance will be spread throughout the theatre, including the best seats in the house. Tickets are limited to two per person and allocated on a first come, first served basis subject to availability. Booking for the under 30s offer, via the Box Office (01789 403492) or the RSC’s website, opens on 20 June.
This new initiative targets young people who are beginning to make their own decisions about how they spend their spare time. Currently under-represented in the RSC’s existing audiences, the initiative aims to attract young people under-30s who are beginning to develop their own tastes and leisure habits. Research of the RSC’s £5 ticket scheme for 16-25 year olds shows the ticket offer has attracted a more socially and ethnically diverse audience. One third of the 10,000 young people who have taken up the offer were attending the RSC for the first time. The cost of the £5 tickets was the prompt for two thirds of the 16-25 year old audience to attend.
Ian Squires, Managing Director, ITV Central said:‘ITV Central prides itself in its role as a champion for the region and has always been a major supporter of theatre and the RSC.
‘This partnership gives our viewers the unique opportunity to find out more about the RSC and its work first-hand, and gives Central News the chance to assist in attracting a new audience to Stratford.’
RSC launches new Courtyard Theatre with free tickets for young people
To celebrate the opening of its new temporary venue, The Courtyard Theatre, the RSC and ITV Central have launched a unique initiative to give young people access to theatre. During July and August, the opening months of The Courtyard Theatre’s operation, 100 tickets per performance will be available free to under 30s. The offer builds on the success of the RSC’s £5 tickets for 16-25 year olds designed to introduce young people to theatregoing.
The Courtyard Theatre, designed by Ian Ritchie Architects, is the Royal Shakespeare Company’s new 1,000 seat temporary theatre. The new venue opens on 7 July 2006 with RSC Artistic Director Michael Boyd’s productions of Shakespeare’s Henry VI trilogy – a highlight of the Company’s acclaimed Complete Works festival.
Artistic Director Michael Boyd said: ‘We’re always looking at new ways to introduce young people to Shakespeare and we know that the cost of tickets can be a deterrent. To open The Courtyard Theatre we’ve set aside tickets for each performance to target new audiences for our work – making the most of the extra capacity in Stratford this summer. Looking at our current audience, it’s young people who are under-represented. That’s why I’m delighted to be working with ITV to give anyone under 30 the chance to see our work for free at the height of the Complete Works festival.
‘The Courtyard already has charisma. It’s going to be a great place to see Shakespeare – an intimate theatre where the actors and the audience are in the same room, allowing the performance to become an “up-close”, shared experience.’
Ticket offer targets youth
The offer is open to anyone aged 30 and under living in the UK and free tickets are valid for all performances of Shakespeare’s Henry VI Parts I, II and III in The Courtyard Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon during July and August 2006. The 100 tickets for each performance will be spread throughout the theatre, including the best seats in the house. Tickets are limited to two per person and allocated on a first come, first served basis subject to availability. Booking for the under 30s offer, via the Box Office (01789 403492) or the RSC’s website, opens on 20 June.
This new initiative targets young people who are beginning to make their own decisions about how they spend their spare time. Currently under-represented in the RSC’s existing audiences, the initiative aims to attract young people under-30s who are beginning to develop their own tastes and leisure habits. Research of the RSC’s £5 ticket scheme for 16-25 year olds shows the ticket offer has attracted a more socially and ethnically diverse audience. One third of the 10,000 young people who have taken up the offer were attending the RSC for the first time. The cost of the £5 tickets was the prompt for two thirds of the 16-25 year old audience to attend.
Ian Squires, Managing Director, ITV Central said:‘ITV Central prides itself in its role as a champion for the region and has always been a major supporter of theatre and the RSC.
‘This partnership gives our viewers the unique opportunity to find out more about the RSC and its work first-hand, and gives Central News the chance to assist in attracting a new audience to Stratford.’
Bollywood Online Omkara, Vishal Bharadwaj's adaptation of Shakespeare’s Othello...
Eros International is proud to introduce Omkara, Vishal Bharadwaj's adaptation of Shakespeare’s Othello, a play that has been made four times in Hollywood but is being brought to life for the first time in a mainstream Hindi film in a commercial format. The film is produced by Kumar Mangat and boasts an all-star cast of Ajay Devgan, Saif Ali Khan, Vivek Oberoi, Kareena Kapoor, Konkona Sen Sharma, Naseeruddin Shah and Bipasha Basu.
Vishal Bharadwaj is fascinated with Shakespearan drama and one of his finest works is his interpretation of Shakespeare's Macbeth – Maqbool. Omkara stays true to the central theme of Othello whilst humanizing Shakespeare's characters with the necessary folklore and ethnic charm that is required for a contemporary Indian story setting.
Set against the milieu of political warfare in the interior of Uttar Pradesh, the film follows one man's descent into sexual jealousy because of his passionate love for his woman and the final destruction of that love at the altar of blind obsession. Love is blind but jealousy is even blinder and that can tear apart even the strongest and bravest of warriors. Omkara (Ajay Devgan) is a gifted chieftain who heads a gang of outlaws, which include the crafty Langda (Saif Ali Khan) and the dynamic Kesu (Vivek Oberoi) amongst his chief cohorts.
The story begins when Omi appoints Kesu and not Langda as his chief lieutenant. Langda's pride is slighted and raging with envy he hatches a plot to falsely implicate Omi's beautiful wife Dolly (Kareena Kapoor) in a love affair with Kesu. With the unwitting aid of Indu (Konkana Sen Sharma), Langda's wife, and the willing help of Raju (Naseeruddin Shah), a fellow grouch, Langda's plan takes shape and results in horrific tragedy. Using petty insinuations and lies, Langda keeps poisoning Omi's mind till one day it snaps and Omi goes about tearing up his own safe and secure world.
Eros International is proud to introduce Omkara, Vishal Bharadwaj's adaptation of Shakespeare’s Othello, a play that has been made four times in Hollywood but is being brought to life for the first time in a mainstream Hindi film in a commercial format. The film is produced by Kumar Mangat and boasts an all-star cast of Ajay Devgan, Saif Ali Khan, Vivek Oberoi, Kareena Kapoor, Konkona Sen Sharma, Naseeruddin Shah and Bipasha Basu.
Vishal Bharadwaj is fascinated with Shakespearan drama and one of his finest works is his interpretation of Shakespeare's Macbeth – Maqbool. Omkara stays true to the central theme of Othello whilst humanizing Shakespeare's characters with the necessary folklore and ethnic charm that is required for a contemporary Indian story setting.
Set against the milieu of political warfare in the interior of Uttar Pradesh, the film follows one man's descent into sexual jealousy because of his passionate love for his woman and the final destruction of that love at the altar of blind obsession. Love is blind but jealousy is even blinder and that can tear apart even the strongest and bravest of warriors. Omkara (Ajay Devgan) is a gifted chieftain who heads a gang of outlaws, which include the crafty Langda (Saif Ali Khan) and the dynamic Kesu (Vivek Oberoi) amongst his chief cohorts.
The story begins when Omi appoints Kesu and not Langda as his chief lieutenant. Langda's pride is slighted and raging with envy he hatches a plot to falsely implicate Omi's beautiful wife Dolly (Kareena Kapoor) in a love affair with Kesu. With the unwitting aid of Indu (Konkana Sen Sharma), Langda's wife, and the willing help of Raju (Naseeruddin Shah), a fellow grouch, Langda's plan takes shape and results in horrific tragedy. Using petty insinuations and lies, Langda keeps poisoning Omi's mind till one day it snaps and Omi goes about tearing up his own safe and secure world.
Monday, June 19, 2006
Friday, June 09, 2006
Searching for Shakespeare at Yale
Beginning June 23, the Yale Center for British Art will be the only U.S. venue for the extraordinary international exhibition, "."
What England’s most famous poet and playwright actually looked like has been a matter of interest for more than two hundred years. Surprisingly, no portrait of William Shakespeare (1564–1616) is known to have been created during his lifetime. This exhibition brings together in this country for the first time a group of contender portraits purporting to depict the playwright. The display also includes portraits of Shakespeare’s contemporaries and patrons, original documents relating to his life, his Last Will and Testament (which has never before travelled to the U.S.), first editions of his plays and poetry, rare Elizabethan theatrical costumes, and a scale model of the Globe Theatre.
For additional information, please click
Beginning June 23, the Yale Center for British Art will be the only U.S. venue for the extraordinary international exhibition, "."
What England’s most famous poet and playwright actually looked like has been a matter of interest for more than two hundred years. Surprisingly, no portrait of William Shakespeare (1564–1616) is known to have been created during his lifetime. This exhibition brings together in this country for the first time a group of contender portraits purporting to depict the playwright. The display also includes portraits of Shakespeare’s contemporaries and patrons, original documents relating to his life, his Last Will and Testament (which has never before travelled to the U.S.), first editions of his plays and poetry, rare Elizabethan theatrical costumes, and a scale model of the Globe Theatre.
For additional information, please click
Sunday, June 04, 2006
'A Midsummer Night's Dream' to open Hudson Valley Shakespeare Festival
By Chesley Plemmons
NEWS-TIMES THEATER CRITIC
A tent! A tent! My kingdom for a tent!" Well, not exactly.
Though probably far down on most people's wish list, a custom designed, state-of-the-art theater tent couldn't be a better present for the Hudson Valley Shakespeare Festival in Garrison, N.Y.
Scheduled to be erected this week, the sleek new theater tent will greet theatergoers when the season opens June 14 with previews of Shakespeare's classic comedy "A Midsummer Night's Dream." Opening night is Saturday, June 17, at 8 p.m.
Departing from its usual season consisting of two of the Bard's plays, the 2006 schedule at this panoramic theater site will pair "Dream" with Richard Brinsley Sheridan's "The Rivals."
"The Rivals" opens in previews July 19, and officially opens July 29. The two plays will run in repertory through Sept. 3.
The 20th anniversary season of the company will be celebrated with a fresh look at "A Midsummer Night's Dream," which was the festival's first production in 1987.
Founding artistic director Terrence O'Brien was in charge then and again assumes that mantle this summer.
"This is the fifth production of 'Midsummer' I have directed," he said, "and each time I discover new subleties and nuances. . . I see it as a play about how youthful infatuation can evolve into genuine love."
The plot involves a quartet of lovers seeking refuge, feuding fairy royalty, and a group of determined but hopeless amateur actors who converge on a tranquil forest, where magic and miracles occur with regularity.
Veteran festival performers Kurt Rhoads and wife Nance Williamson will have the double roles of Theseus/Oberon and Hippolyta/Titania. "Dream" will mark their 50th joint theatrical appearance.
Paul Bates, who played Puck in the '87 production, will return to his old stomping grounds to take on the role of Bottom. Wesley Mann will step into the spritely part of Puck.
"The Rivals" is probably best known for the verbal eccentricity and gymnastic syntax of Mrs. Malaprop. Fueled by confusion, this classic comedy also includes such well-known characters as Lydia Anguish and Captain Jack Absolute. Gia Forakis will be the director.
More than 250,000 theatergoers, some first-time samplers of Shakespeare, have attended the festival since its inauguration in a soggy bog on the nearby Manitoga Nature Preserve.
The combination of the tailored gardens of the restoration, the spectacular view of the Hudson River and West Point, and the polished and accessible productions of this frolicking troupe make this a summer must.
Regular patrons will tell you to watch for the festival's signature zany dances, which show up at the most unlikely time and place. I don't remember one for "Macbeth," though, unless those witches were at a disco.
The Hudson Valley Shakespeare Festival has its home on the grounds of the Boscobel Restoration, Route 9W, Garrison, N.Y. "A Midsummer Night's Dream" plays June 14 through Sept. 3, and will be joined in repertory with "The Rivals" July 19 to Sept. 2.
Performances are Wednesdays and Thursdays at 7 p.m., Fridays and Saturdays at 8, and Sundays at 6. The grounds are open for picnicking two hours before the performance. Gourmet picnic dinners may be ordered through the box office. Salads, sandwiches, beverages (including wine) and desserts are available on the site.
Tickets are $25 for previews, $28 for Wednesdays and Thursdays, $35 for Fridays and Sundays, and $42 for Saturdays. Discounts are available for groups, students, senior citizens and children under 12. Call the box office at (845) 265-9575.
Saturday, June 03, 2006
Saying goodnight to Shakespeare's sweet Prince in Japanese could take until the Morning
FOR the past three months, Tokyo's finest Shakespearean theatre company has been rehearsing a version of Macbeth which, the director swears, is a word-for-word translation. He is probably wrong.
FOR the past three months, Tokyo's finest Shakespearean theatre company has been rehearsing a version of Macbeth which, the director swears, is a word-for-word translation. He is probably wrong.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)