4 posts tagged “stratford”
Back in August Jenny and I were not only lucky enough to get to see David Tennant play Hamlet at Stratford but somehow managed to get front row seats. It was an amazing experience and one we'll never forget and still high on the spectacle the next day we returned to the theatre to buy souvenir posters.
But that wasn't quite enough. I'm afraid we were overcome by a teenage-esque surge of obsession.
I did a bit of research on the internet, found the details of Tennant's agent and following the instructions to include an SAE or cardboard tube in this case, sent both posters off with a short note in the hope that they would get signed but requesting they were returned regardless. The agents website makes no guarantees except that it may take many months.
Well the posters went off in September and I'd all but forgotten about it until, hey presto, two days ago a cardboard tube arrives back.
With bated breath I unfurled the posters inside to see if Tennant had indeed put black marker to paper and he had - not the most crafted signature but each was personalised nonetheless. I can just imagine him locked in a room with a stack of pictures and posters to sign, slowly getting cramp in his hand. It's a tough life being famous but hey ho, he did it and so that is why David Tennant is currently my favourite actor.
Now I just need to get it framed and put up in a place where it won't fade but just slowly increase in (sentimental) value.
Went to see Hamlet with David Tennant and Patrick Stewart for the second time last night. It has transferred to London from Stratford for a couple of months.
It was just as good as I remember it despite being disturbed by latecomers for the first 15 minutes. (They should be made to stand at the back until the interval if they can't be arsed to arrive on time. Or quietly shot)
However there was one other incident that irked me and ruffled anglo-american relations. In the traditional queue for the loos during the interval an American lady who was next to me struck up conversation by asking what I thought of the play so far. I told her I thought it was very good, to which she replied:
So then I pointed out politely that she had just insulted our best and most loved playwright but that I wouldn't hold it against her. She thanked me for this obviously not quite understanding what I actually meant was:
"I'm taking you outside now and throwing you to all the people who couldn't get tickets."
First time I've seen images of David Tennant as Hamlet. Did I mention how excited I am about seeing this at The Courtyard Theatre in Stratford in August?
Show us some tickets you bought for an upcoming event.
This is my most recent purchase and I've got to wait until next August before I can redeem it. But it was definitely worth getting the ticket early because David Tennant (Dr Who, Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, Casanova) is playing Hamlet and Jen and I will have front row seats!
But this isn't the only production of Hamlet planned for the big stage. As Tennant finishes his run, Jude Law (Closer, Talented Mr Ripley) takes up the reins for the Donmar Warehouse in London.
Now Jude Law has never struck me as a particularly outstanding actor. Indeed one colleague, and fellow lover of the stage, commented on hearing the news that Law was play the great Dane: "You might as well throw a tea bag on the stage".
I've subsequently heard that Law is a fairly accomplished stage actor and has been treading the boards since his teens. It will be 2009 until I get to decide which is the closest assessment because I certainly plan on going to see it, if only to compare the two performances.
