The other day I went to see a production of Richard II at the Donmar Warehouse directed by Michael Grandage and starring Eddie Redmayne. My good friend Quentin took me to see it as a belated birthday treat. To be honest, it wouldn't have been my first choice (I'm gutted I missed Jerusalem that everybody and their dog's been raving about) but I was glad to go, especially as I'd not been to the theatre for ages. I'd never been to the Donmar Warehouse since it's almost impossible to get tickets for a production. Apparently the members snap them up immediately and there's a three year waiting list to become a member; so unless people emigrate or die, I can't see why anyone would relinquish their seat.
First thing we were greeted with upon entering the theatre was a pungent 'medieval' aroma, a simple but beautiful set of wooden beams and archways and the sight of the 'King' sat rigid upon his throne. I knew the Donmar is a small theatre, but we were seated in spitting distance from the stage and It was incredible to see the actor's craft at such close range. Who knew that Shakespearean thesps produced so much spittle?! It was literally flying from their mouths, beautifully backlit too. I was blown away by the whole thing. I often think that I will find Shakespeare 'difficult', that I won't enjoy it and that as a performer it will be tedious and unnatural to play. I do know from personal experience that the more you work at it, the more rewarding it is. It's quite beautiful and captivating (when performed by actors who actually know what they're saying!) and - what can I say - Shakespeare rocks. Even though his work is littered with cliché after cliché..
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