Comments on: Hamlet, dear, your problem is clear

By: Ed Spencer

Ed Spencer — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 14:20:06 +0000

I went to see this a couple of weeks ago and it was utterly fantastic. What surprised me most was that Tennant stole the show completely, even compared to Patrick Stewart (who, admittedly, had a far small role or two). Next up – Loves Labours Lost – Tennant again I believe.

By: carr2d2

carr2d2 — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 21:23:43 +0000

@calli arcale:
yeah, i procrastinated through mckellan’s latest stint at the guthrie as well…and i have yet to set foot in the new building. it looks really cool from the outside, though – that cantilever is just awesome.
it is too bad they had to tear down the old building. i hate that about this country. we seem to have a penchant for erasing our own history. yes, the big green lawn looks cool next to the new walker, but was it really worth destroying the guthrie to build a car park? really?

By: StevoR

StevoR — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 12:05:47 +0000

@ StevoR : “Allons-y!” (=Let’s go!) is one of The Good Doctor’s favorite sayings. BTW, I think it’s “Je ne comprends pas.” But it’s been 40 years since I took French in school, so what do I know?

Probably more than me. I very vaguely recall doing French at high school about twenty years ago. About all I do remember is that they call their swimming pools “piss-ins!”

Thankyou Madlolscientist , THX.
————–

Alas poor Picard we knew him well Janeway
A captain of infinite jest and fancy
Infinitely better than the #@!#@!$ crud of Star Treks (& Bleeccch!! “Enterprises”) future!

By: Hank Roberts

Hank Roberts — Mon, 18 Aug 2008 23:35:53 +0000

That image _needs_ Photoshop help.

“Alas, poor Gaia, I knew her well ….”

By: Todd W.

Todd W. — Mon, 18 Aug 2008 20:25:30 +0000

@Calli Arcale

Yeah, I’ve heard the new space is supposed to be nice. Just stinks, though, that the Walker tore down the old one. It was a piece of theatre history (first regional theatre in the U.S.). Plus it just had a cool design to the seating. One of these days when I get back to MN, I’ll need to stop by the new one.

By: Calli Arcale

Calli Arcale — Mon, 18 Aug 2008 19:54:02 +0000

Oh, it was amazing, wasn’t it? It’s different from the stage adaptation that he based it on, but it keeps the quasi-Nazi setting. One of the most brilliant moves of the film version was having the opening monologue (which, IMHO, is one of the two best that Shakespeare ever wrote, the other being the opening to Henry V) start off as a good-natured address to the crowd, cutting abruptly to Richard in private, speaking directly to the camera in a totally different tone of voice, making it clear that “now is the winter of our discontent” spoken to the party guests was meant as veiled sarcasm. It was a very different reading of the text than what you usually see.

I also had the pleasure of seeing McKellan play Captain Hook at the RNT. That was pretty darned cool. It’s not a difficult part, and it doesn’t give much opportunity for creative depth, but he was visibly enjoying himself in the part, snarling for the kiddies in the audience so that they’d boo all the louder. It was great.

Todd W, Patrick Stewart has actually been to the Guthrie several times, including once to the new Guthrie. He apparently likes the Guthrie and enjoys coming back, so we’ll probably get our chance sooner or later. I haven’t been to the new Guthrie yet either (except once by accident when I was trying to find the way to eastbound I-94 — signage sucks downtown) but I’ve really been wanting to go. My mom says its wonderful.

By: OtherRob

OtherRob — Mon, 18 Aug 2008 18:07:04 +0000

@Calli

I first saw Ian McKellen in the film version of Richard III. The film was fantastic and McKellen’s performance was brilliant.