Thursday 10 September 2009

Yes We Liked It

To my shame, I'd never been to The Globe until last night. Four of us spent a couple of hours over tapas and cava before the show ripping into the carrion that is Brown and his government, and generally rubbishing the state of our once-great country. It was, we concluded, hopeless.
Well, my friends, I can tell you that three hours later, we were of a different opinion. Notwithstanding the fact that it took an American, Sam Wanamaker, to get the massive project done, The Globe is a wonderful thing. The look, the texture (lovely oak), the atmosphere, the good-humour and manners of the punters were all a joy. I will go back often, and I am more than happy to stand in the yard for a fiver if the seats are all gone.
We saw As You Like It, which suited a late summer evening at The Globe very well. Our lovers were excellent, particularly Rosalind, an actress called Naomi Frederick whose flat chest proves a positive as she hangs out with the lads in the forest clad in soft brown leather. No beauty, but sexy. Touchstone, the fool, delivered his puns and put-downs with error-free machine gun delivery and had us laughing hard. Too often the 'funny' parts are played by unfunny actors. This chap, Dominic Rowan, is a comic. You've never heard a voice so full of fruity melancholy as Tim McMullen's Jaques, and when he got to 'All the world's a stage...', well, where else in the world would there be a better stage to give the great soliloquy? Magic. The genius bard at his best. You have until October 10th to see it. Wrap up warm, smuggle in a hip-flask, and spend that fiver.

9 comments:

Philipa said...

Sounds great. I'd love to go as my birthday is in Oct. I wanted to see CH in debate but sadly it's sold out so thanks for telling us about this experience, Idle.

Electro-Kevin said...

This particular phillistine would have been bard stiff.

lilith said...

You lucky things. I will put the Globe on Must Do list.

Thud said...

I've been mulling over a visit for quite awhile...you seem to have rather good taste so you have convinced me it is a must.

Sen. C.R.O'Blene said...

They learned a bit from the Wembley failure there...

Any chicken legs spare?

Lovely building; =m one where I'd like to invite all my friends and ply them with champagne/Bishops Finger.

Then they'd have to listen to me playing my favourite sings - sotto voce, and they'd have to applaud.

Then I'd grab Mrs S from the hundreds of admirers and wend my way home from London Bridge...

Then I'd wake up...

rvi said...

EK : Just as well you have been alerted - a Global Warning event?

Savonarola said...

Go to www.shakespeares-globe.org and sign up for their newletter.

Also recommend dining at Swan Brasserie which is adjacent. Food v acceptable and superb river view. When you book ask for table with view.

You will also find the tour interesting

Tuscan Tony said...

Why is it that so few people I know have been to the Globe? It sounds fantastic, yet seems unused by the local populace. Will definitely try and make it there ASAP.

Doppelganger said...

First Shakespeare play I saw was Midsummer Night's Dream at Regent's Park; I and other eleven year old boys got into trouble for being amused at Titania. It being the end of term our masters did not have the inclination to punish us. That, I guess, and it being in the 70s I suppose.