In this episode, we discuss the Schaubühne Berlin's recorded productions of Hamlet and Richard III, both directed by Thomas Ostermeier and starring Lars Eidinger. The productions are in German with English subtitles, and were recently streamed on the Schaubühne's website as part of their quarantine programming. The productions are modern dress and in German, with modernized German dialogue, though the English subtitles reproduce Shakespeare's text (rather than translating the modern German back into English). We discuss Ostermeier's interpretations of the two plays, Eidinger's performances, th ..read more

In this episode, we discuss the Groundling Theatre Company's current production of Julius Caesar; the genius of Moya O'Connell, André Sills, and Michelle Giroux; and the influence of Nicholas Hytner. This production is heavily inspired by Nicholas Hytner’s 2018 production (which we discussed here) of the play, featuring similar approaches to gender-swapping characters, as well as much of the same blocking and sets. Directed by Chris Abraham, the Groundling production is in the round in a large space with high ceilings, often with the effect of it feeling like an intimate arena. Unlike Hytne ..read more

In the latest attempt to adapt Shakespeare for modern audiences, Australian director David Michôd (The Rover) directs Timothée Chalamet in The King, a sort-of rewriting of Shakespeare's Henry IV Part 1 & 2 and Henry V. The film is set in the original time period, but Shakespeare's language has been gutted, while his structure is preserved, in favour of modern English with the occasional "ye olde" touch. The script, written by Joel Edgerton (who stars as Falstaff) and Michôd, turns Falstaff into one of the stars of Henry V (instead of showing his death...) who goes to Agincourt with Hal ..read more

In this episode, we continue our discussion from episode 12–14 on the Laurence Olivier and Ian McKellen Richard III films. We discuss the way the films begin and end, how to catch an audience up on 6 hours of Henry VI in a few minutes, how we meet Richard, and how he meets his end. For detailed show notes, visit: http://21stfolio.com/2016/06/24/ep-15-richard-iii-pt-4/ Host: Alex Heeney (@bwestcineaste) Guests: Kevin Condardo (@FearStrikesOut) and Mary Angela Rowe (@lapsedvictorian) Sound recordist and editor: Cam White (@JediDusk) Follow us on Twitter @21stFolio. For more information abou ..read more

In this episode, we continue our discussion from episodes 12–15 on the Richard III films starring Laurence Olivier (1955) and Ian McKellen (1995). We discuss breaking the fourth wall, adapting soliloquies for the screen, entrances and exits, what the camera represents, how Richard is The Worst, and how Shrek stole from Olivier's Richard III. For detailed show notes, visit: http://21stfolio.com/2016/06/27/ep-16-richard-iii-adapting-screen Credits ===== Host: Alex Heeney (@bwestcineaste) Guests: Kevin Condardo (@FearStrikesOut) and Mary Angela Rowe (@lapsedvictorian) Sound recordist and edito ..read more

In this episode, we compare two film versions of Richard III: Laurence Olivier's 1955 film and Richard Loncraine's 1995 film starring Ian McKellen, which was based on the Richard Eyre stage production. This is the first of a several-part discussion on these two films. Here, we discuss our first impressions of the two films and the differences between the two interpretations of Richard and what's driving him. For detailed show notes, visit: http://21stfolio.com/2016/06/13/ep-12-richard-iii-film/ 00:00–2:00 Introductions 2:00–7:35 First impressions 7:35–16:30 The differences between the two ..read more

In this episode, we continue our discussion from ep. 12 of the Laurence Olivier and Ian McKellen Richard III films. We discuss the interpretations of Lady Anne and changes to the text for the film adaptation. We also mention the Mark Rylance and Kevin Spacey Richard III productions. For detailed show notes, visit http://21stfolio.com/2016/06/18/ep-13-richard-iii-lady-anne/ Host: Alex Heeney (@bwestcineaste) Guests: Kevin Condardo (@FearStrikesOut) and Mary Angela Rowe (@lapsedvictorian) Sound recordist and editor: Cam White (@JediDusk) Visit our website at http://21stfolio.com. Follow us on ..read more

In this episode, we discuss Richard Eyre's film adaptation of King Lear starring Anthony Hopkins, Emma Thompson, Emily Watson, and Florence Pugh. Director Richard Eyre (The Hollow Crown Henry IV Part 1 & 2, The Children Act) adapted King Lear for the small screen in 2018, airing on the BBC in the UK and Amazon Prime in the US. (It's on iTunes in Canada). Set in the present day, Emma Thompson stars as Goneril, alongside Emily Watson as Regan, Florence Pugh as Cordelia, Andrew Scott as Edgar, Jim Broadbent as Gloucester, Tobias Menzies as Cornwall, Christopher Eccleston as Oswald, and Karl ..read more

Through the lens of Trevor Nunn's 1996 film and the 2012 Globe Production of TWELFTH NIGHT (which we discuss in ep. 8), we ask: What is the difference between doing Shakespeare on film vs stage? What do we look for in a good production of each? And what can you only do on stage or screen? For detailed show notes, visit http://21stfolio.com/2016/05/31/ep-9-twelfth-night-stage-vs-film/ 00:00–0:50 Intro 00:50–10:10 When you hear Shakespeare on film, what does that mean to you? 10:10–14:36 The role of the director in stage vs film 14:36–23:50 The role of the audience 23:50–26:55 The control yo ..read more

In this episode, we talk about the advantages of doing Twelfth Night on stage, through the lens of the 2012 Shakespeare's Globe production starring Mark Rylance (directed by Tim Carroll). We make some comparisons with Trevor Nunn's 1996 film to illuminate the advantages of the Globe's production. For detailed show notes, visit: http://21stfolio.com/2016/06/02/ep-10-twelfth-night-stage/ ‎ 00:00–00:50 Intro 00:50–4:31 Where scenes are set in the Nunn film 4:31–9:42 Trap doors and spatial metaphors on stage 9:42-11:44 Thrust stages, proscenium stages, and how Twelfth Night works in different t ..read more