Earlier this month I saw two excellent productions from the National Theatre of London. The first was the 1998 revival of Oklahoma! starring a superb Hugh Jackman. A lot of noise was made about the recent Broadway revival as being so modern and dark. This one was darker and told a story which made sense and had choreography that was rousing. Even the ladies put up their dukes in this one.
The other big hit I managed to see was James Corden’s turn in One Man, Two Guvnors. I saw his Tony winning performance in NYC which made him a star. There are many opportunities streaming online for big companies such as these. Small troupes are also summoning their creative spirits for our enjoyment and financial support. Here are the next three entries into my Seclusion Smörgåsbord.
Hamlet (Shakespeare’s Globe)
Shakespeare’s Globe is located on the River Thames in London. The theater is a recreation of one which would have housed Shakespeare’s plays back in the day. The theater itself is stunning and it is quite amusing to consider those patrons on the floor standing through the performance. Or better still, those lucky enough to be upfront and leaning their arms on the stage.
I have never seen a professional production of Hamlet. This version was entertaining and fast paced. The sheer number of famous quotes from this play is staggering to hear all in one sitting. There was some gender bending in the casting. It seemed as if the younger generation switched roles and the older generation was traditional.
Michelle Terry, known for her extensive work at the Globe, was a lively Hamlet. She displayed riches of intellect underneath the lunacy and never succumbed to an excess of brooding. I thoroughly enjoyed Catrin Aaron as Hamlet’s loyal friend Horatio. The bond was evident. Finally, in a smaller set of roles, Jack Laskey stood out for his Francisco, Fortinbras and, especially, his monologue as one of the Players. This version was entertaining and staged lightly with little set. The words were the star. “The play’s the thing,” after all.
Hamlet from Shakespeare’s Globe is streaming free through today. A production of Romeo & Juliet from 2009 is next.
APPALACHIAN SPRING (Martha Graham Dance Company)
In this episode of Martha Matinee, the company uncovered a 1947 filmed version of the original cast. Ms. Graham choreographed the piece which also starred Merce Cunningham. The score was beautifully overlaid on top of this silent taping (notice the clapping). Aaron Copland’s famous composition for this dance won him the Pulitzer Prize.
There were all sorts of technically difficulties getting this up and live. The fans who patiently waited were actively engaged in dialogue, many who seemed to be dancers themselves from previous companies gathered in celebration. This video is a worthwhile thirty minute historical journey. American pioneers from the early 19th century gather for a spring celebration of their new Pennsylvania farmhouse. This dance can be seen as a juxtaposition between this happy forward-looking vision – and a wedding union – with the promise of a better American future at the end of World War II.
This dance is available on the Martha Graham You Tube channel.
Overtones (Metropolitan Playhouse)
Metropolitan Playhouse mines American theatrical heritage to showcase plays drawn from our culture and history. Overtones is a fascinating one act play written by Alice Gerstenberg from 1913. In this play, jealous rivals Harriet and Margaret are meeting for tea. Their alter egos, Hetty and Maggie, chastise and criticize them. Harriet married wealthy and Margaret got the painter who Harriet was smitten with all those years ago.
This play is an early example of expressionism. The portrayal of women’s behaviors toward each other is blunt and quite harsh. Directed by Alex Roe, the company performed this short play on Zoom and held a Q&A session afterward. This interesting artifact was the third of Ms. Gerstenberg’s plays performed this past month.
The Metropolitan Playhouse streaming performances are only available live on Saturday nights. For the next production, visit their website.