Henry IV Parts 1 and 2

Performances of both these plays at The Globe Theatre. As with most productions at the Globe, this was truly Shakespearean. There were fully accurate costumes, and a limited set (props, furniture and a variety of flags indicated location).

The star of the show was Falstaff played by Roger Allam. He is a comedic genius. He makes the language fully accessible, and the timing was perfect.

Jamie Parker was also an excellent Prince Hal. His changes in character were very believable, if a bit sudden.

Scene changes took place with music and it was always lively and filled with energy

Of course, a lot of the credit goes to Shakespeare himself. Part 1 is a wonderful play, even if Part 2 does not quite live up to the second.

Rainy weather did not affect my enjoyment of these two excellent performances. In fact, it is a credit to the actors that I could hear them at all over the racket of the elements.

Krapp's Last Tape

Michael Gambon in Samuel Beckett's 'Krapp's Last Tape'.

I'd heard a bit about this production, and knew Beckett's Waiting For Godot already. I knew it would be slow. I knew it would be partly philosophical. I didn't realise it would be as good as it was.

Starkly simple, brutally comically and wonderfully intriguing.

Gambon's subtle acting was excellent. All attention was on him, and even in long moments of silence, the subtlety made his thought processes totally understandable.

Yes it was short, but it had to be, otherwise it could have been too drawn out.

I am a fan of Beckett, so had high expectations. These were met. It tackles philosophical thought about age, the mind and humanity. We can really appreciate the character.

I will say that Gambon's face being so recognisable did detract from my belief of this character. You see Gambon, not Krapp. Also, the make-up designed to make him look older was not all that impressive.

However, these things are not important to the nature of the play Beckett did not write it to be total naturalism. It has an air of absurdity, exaggerating the philosophy behind it.

All in all, I thoroughly enjoyed 'Krapp's Last Tape'. 50 minutes of intense acting of the highest degree from a wonderful playwright.

First Post, Explanation

Ok. Here goes. Now starts my blog about stuff I read/see etc. I'll probably focus on books and plays but ill probably put in some films/TV programs if I feel they are worth talking about.