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This is from my e-mail to my friend on 9th April, 2001.
I have seen King John three times. It is directed by Gregory Doran
at the Swan. I think that I like Gregory Doran as a director. I
always enjoy his productions. I think that he is very intelligent
and a talented director.
Guy Henry was funny as usual. I liked his Cloten in Cymbeline and
he was great as Mosca in Volpone. He got an award for his Mosca,
I believe. Yet, in a way, he is always "Guy Henry"! I
mean he is acting and yet he is he. I think that he has such a strong
personality himself. No matter how different characters he plays,
somehow he is always him! Nevertheless, I think that he is good
and he is a good actor. So, it is all right. He is going to play
Malvolio, which must be really funny. The falling scene of Arthur
was really shocking. You have to see it! When I saw it at the first
time, I clasped my friend’s hands without saying anything.
And I looked her face and we just nodded each other to comfort our
fears. We both frightened really. The actor played Bastard, Jo Stone-Fewings,
was very good, too. He is going to play Orsino in Twelfth Night.
What different roles!!! So, I am looking forward to see him as Orsino.
I also really liked Kelly Hunter who played Constance. She was passionate,
powerful and pitiful. The usage of the flags and music was very
effective, too. Sometimes they were very symbolic and beautiful.
I got goose bumps. Confetti was also really beautiful.
If I would add some negative comments on the production, there were
no new, innovative or interesting interpretations of the play. In
other words, it was a really good and substantial production but
there was no adventures or exciting interpretations. Yet, it might
do a lot with the play, i.e., you cannot do much about the play
itself, I suppose. It is not a great play, as my opinion. Yet, I
should admit that some parts are very well written. For instance,
I think that the character of Bastard is great. So, I think that
they did a great job for King John!! (smile!!) I should be kind
to them because I really like RSC. I would like to see it again
at least a month later when they have developed the play more. I
would not be surprised if it would have been transformed into a
great production in the end of the season because within three weeks,
they have already improved dramatically and each time they are become
even better! It is amazing. I thought that the production would
have a great potential.
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