"James ll"

[rhythmaning]

Just back from the preview of James ll, the second of three historical plays by Rona Munro put on by National Theatre of Scotland and the National Theatre of Great Britain.

I thought this was a much more accomplished piece of drama than James l - more theatrical and more dramatic.

Many of the themes are the same between the two plays - the place of politics, what it means to be a man (and king...); loyalty, paranoia, and how to deal with plotters. No overt competition with England in this one, though.

It was more brutal, the plots (and how they are dealt with) more personal. As a piece, though it counts a longer period than the first play, it felt more coherent; the way the production had the adult actors playing their younger selves as children was particularly effective.

In the background is religion - and it forms a centre piece of the set, too. Bishops officiate at most state occasions, giving royalty (and their many regents) legitimacy. The set I'd dominated by a huge broad sword, many metres high, representing the might and power it conveys. But backlit, it also becomes a cross. Perhaps a little cliched, but an effective image.

Comments

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I mostly feel that I am better off in London than Edinburgh despite the obvious regrets and #littlecat Talisker. But these plays are really making me wish I could see them.

[rhythmaning.livejournal.com]

Cinderella shall go to the ball!*

http://www.nationaltheatre.org.uk/shows/james-i-the-key-will-keep-the-lock

through to

http://www.nationaltheatre.org.uk/shows/james-iii-the-true-mirror


*If she buys a ticket.

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I shall buy four white mice and turn them into tickets.

And thank you!