Richard II, directed by Joe Hill-Gibbins for the Almeida Theatre (https://almeida.co.uk/). The Almeida Theatre, London, 9 January, 2019. Reviewed by Joseph F. Stephenson Two popular casting trends in recent years of Shakespeare productions are star-driven—in which a major star, often from film or television, plays the main role—and small cast—in which a cast much smaller […]
As You Like It, directed by Federay Holmes and Elle While for Shakespeare’s Globe (https://www.shakespearesglobe.com). The Globe Theatre, London, 18 July, 2018. Reviewed by Joseph F. Stephenson Michelle Terry began her tenure as Artistic Director for Shakespeare’s Globe by returning to The Globe’s 1599 roots in As You Like It and Hamlet.[1] The Globe’s […]
Richard III, dir. Imogen Beech for Combat Veteran Players (https://www.combatveteranplayers.org.uk). Swan Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon, 26 June 2016. Reviewed by Joseph F. Stephenson The Combat Veteran Players is a worthy organization. According to a press release on their website, “the CVP is a theatre company composed of a diverse range of ex-service personnel from different branches […]
The Alchemist, dir. Jenny Eastop for Mercurius Theatre (https://www.mercuriustheatre.co.uk/). The Rose Theatre, London, 11 June 2016. Reviewed by Joseph F. Stephenson Mercurius Theatre and its award-winning director/producer Jenny Eastop have enjoyed a fruitful relationship with The Rose Theatre in recent years. The company’s deft hand with non-Shakespearean early modern drama has been evidenced by […]
Hyde Park, dir. Mike Cordner for the University of York Department of Theatre, Film and Television (https://www.york.ac.uk/tftv/). Scenic Stage Theatre, University of York, 9 June 2016. Reviewed by Joseph F. Stephenson Hyde Park is a masterpiece of Caroline theatre. Written in 1632, the play represents a precocious early effort by James Shirley, a writer […]
Richard II at Shakespeare’s Globe (https://www.shakespearesglobe.com). The Globe Theatre, London, July 2015 Reviewed by Joseph F. Stephenson As Andrew Gurr has written in the preface to the New Cambridge edition of the play, “Richard II is one of the most extraordinary of all the Shakespearean crown jewels,” though it has not been performed perhaps […]
Volpone at the Royal Shakespeare Company (https://www.rsc.org.uk) Swan Theater, Stratford-upon-Avon, 17 July 2015. Reviewed by Joseph F. Stephenson Sir Trevor Nunn’s assignment for his return engagement with the Royal Shakespeare Company turned out to be Ben Jonson’s tricky 1606 play Volpone. The resulting concoction—a modernistic production set in present-day London rather than seventeenth-century Venice—leaves the […]
“Sad Stories of the Death of Kings”: Richard II and Edward II, by Scena Mundi Theatre Company (https://www.scenamundi.co.uk) at the Church of St. Bartholomew the Great, London, 20 June 2015 Reviewed by Joseph F. Stephenson (Abilene Christian University, Texas) According to the back of the programme for this event, Scena Mundi “celebrates classical […]
The Apocrypha Project, featuring Arden of Faversham, The Merry Devil of Edmonton, and Mucedorus. The Hidden Room at York Rite Masonic Hall, Austin, Texas, October-November 2014 Reviewed by Joseph F. Stephenson, Abilene Christian University Lovers of Shakespeare in Texas have learned not to miss anything put on by The Hidden Room. This company’s Original Practice Shakespeare […]
Henry IV, Part 2, at Colorado Shakespeare Festival at the University Theater, Boulder, Colorado, 3 August 2014 Reviewed by Joseph F. Stephenson The announcement that the venerable Colorado Shakespeare Festival had chosen to stage the seldom-performed Henry IV, Part 2 in its first-ever Original Practices production as part of its recent emphasis on Shakespeare’s history plays […]
