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thehamletdiaries · 6 months

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Oh oh oh I just had a thought so let's talk bowing order.

NOW for those those don't know, at the end of a play people bow and they generally (The Globe productions being an exceptions and I'm sure there are others) come out in an order which is ensemble through to main cast through to leads through to lead - there is no reason it HAS to be done this way but that is the standard and personally I enjoy it.

There can be a lot of backstage politics involved in this stuff, for example in Wicked Glinda and Elphaba bow together even though Elphaba is the lead and should bow last but the original production for various reason set the precedent and here we are.

Anyway, I would never say there a standardised or correct version of a bowing order for Hamlet cause it ENTIRELY depends on the production and each is so different but this is just a version of it in my head that makes a lot of dramatic sense to me -

First bow: the players. We love them, them being first is actually a point to their importance because they represent the importance of theatre; so we start with them. The Gravediggers and the priest can also be here, but they probably are doubling with players anyway.

Second bow; all the court; so Osric, Reynaldo, Voltemand and Cornelius, the various courtroom messengers who deliver info and such - I would also put the ambassadors from England in here; you get the collective I'm going for.

Third bow; Marcellus, Bernardo and Francisco - ultimately they go here because they only open the plot but also the OPEN THE PLOT; they deserve there own space that is just the three of them to be appreciated.

Fourth bow; Fortinbras, and his military leaders (ie the Captain but I'd add some others even if they were doubled - I'd put them here - alongside him).

Fifth bow: Polonius and the Ghost (if the ghost actor is not doubling - if he is I think Polonius alone totally works).

Six bow: Rosencrantz and Guildenstern

Seventh bow: Claudius and Gertrude

Eighth bow: Laertes and Ophelia because my siblings have to bow together but then Laertes steps back for Ophelia to give her own solo bow

Ninth bow: Horatio

Tenth bow: Hamlet

But then Hamlet and Horatio take hands and bow together and then they lead the full cast bow.

#hamlet #shakespeare #hamlet x horatio #hamlet/horatio #tragic danish boyfriends #ophelia #horatio #laertes #hamlet x ophelia #rosencrantz and guildenstern #theatre stuff

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joytri · 2 years

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The Theatre Student/Enthusiast

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cripple-punk-dad · 2 months

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Sometimes I think "is stage management really the right career for a crippled AuDHD guy" and then I stay up all night in the throes of passion for spreadsheets and script formatting and do a prep weeks worth of paperwork in like 6 hours for a friend's (not even, we have exactly one class together and have interacted a total of three times) 4 week unpaid production of an interpretive dance version of a famous Bengali playwright's utterly devastating (but hopeful) script (Tagore's The Post Office)

You just can't get that in any other job, you really can't.

#autism #adhd #theatre #stage management #theatre stuff #professional stage management

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amoeba-shaped-rock · 10 months

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Crimson Troupe members and their roles

explanation:

Sock (thin soled-shoe with low heels) and Buskin (boots with high heels) are footwear used in Greek theatre to represent comedic actors and tragic actors respectively. They are also used to refer to comedy and tragedy masks - the symbol of theatre as a whole, are used in the Crimson Troupe logo. Appropriately, most active crimson troupe members wear Buskin, the footwear that represents tragedy.

Interesting to note:

- despite being the protagonist of a tragedy, Blood Diamond wears Socks

- despite not being a performer, Playwright wears Buskin

(man I love Playwright's high heels)

#arknights #crimson troupe #playwright #phantom #shalem #troupe lore musings #theatre stuff #mouthpiece

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wentthroughtoomanyphases · 4 months

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FELLOW THEATRE AND CHOIR KIDS: I have a choir concert tonight, and I woke up today with a very bad sore throat. This time, I've been soothing it with literally like 4 cups of hot tea with peppermint and honey in them. I'm going on 5 since this tea is delicious, though. It's a constant cycle of me going to the kitchen, heating up some water, letting the tea bag steep, and then adding peppermint and honey to it. Any tips for the next time this happens so I don't panic like I did this time?

#theatre #theatre kid #choir #choir stuff #choir student #theatre stuff

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averagenderedmanta · 29 days

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I guess i am too much at my local theatre? The barkeeper just smiled at me and asked if i wanted my glass of rosé.

#Things that happened today #my friend is jealous cause it happend after my sixth visit #while it took for her over a year to be recognised by the staff #theatre #theatre stuff #irregular scheduled content #isc #agm

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aghostling · 9 months

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I need to get drunk and talk about Shakespeare with someone.

I'm exhausted, lonely, and have been thinking about Hamlet (and others) way to much for about three months now. For multiple reasons, I've been quite isolated for some time, only having one good friend I talk to regularly, who has a seven hour time difference to me. I desperately need to get drunk and fully elaborate all my thoughts to someone. I don't know.

#theatre student #dark academia #i am insane but whats new about that #someone get me drunk please #chaotic academia #theatre stuff #shakespeare #hamlet #much ado about nothing

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pawsitivevibe · 2 months

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My husband and I love going to the theatre together. I have a degree in theatre, and in uni we went to a lot of shows for my classes. This is how we got together lol. Anyway, his parents got us the season package for the touring Broadway Across Canada shows at the big theatre in the city. This season's been really good! We just saw the Frozen musical last night. It was so cute, and it fills in a lot of gaps the movie had. They had some really clever and cool effects for the snow and ice. I did a lot of theatre tech in uni and ... Like wow it's cool to see what you can do on stage with a huuuge budget. Also just seeing that yeah there's little tricks EVERYONE uses, even big Broadway shows.

One of the coolest effects was how they change Elsa's dress mid-song. It happens really fast, and it's kind of hard to tell exactly what's going on there. The top dress is tear-away, and they use two carefully placed trap doors. Found a video on YouTube

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It's neat. Cool combo of costume design and stage effects really having to work together. Also the dress is really sparkly and the lights catch the sparkles and make it really dazzling. Just in general a cool costume. Elsa wears it for like two songs and then spends the rest of Act 2 in pants though lol. I'm guessing the super sparkly dress is delicate and not easy to move in. And perhaps the pants are to make a statement?

Okay and then there's the reindeer. It's amazing. Honestly when it first appears it's hilarious. What.

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We were wondering why the program listed two different actors sharing the part of the reindeer on alternating days. None of the other main cast other than the children had that. But clearly it's because the dudes are putting the work in! What a physical role. To be in that position for like 2 hours? Owww!

There were many little girls in the audience dressed as Elsa that were probably seeing their first show. Maybe some of them will love theatre!

Anyway. We get to see SIX is our next show, and I'm sooooo pumped for that one. Love love love the soundtrack. So far of all the big Broadway shows I've been able to see (touring, I've never been to NYC, though I did get to see Wicked in the West End), I think Hadestown is my favourite. Anastasia may have been the weakest. Frozen is definitely a really fun spectacle musical, even if it doesn't make my list of "best" shows.

#not dogs #theatre stuff #Youtube

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thesunsethour · 3 months

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Little Les Mis Things - 11/01/24

My ramblings (aka an in-depth analysis) on how amazing the current West End cast of Les Misérables are having seen the show yesterday (a particularly special version because of how many amazing covers and swings performed!) This is also the first time I’ve seen Les Mis in London with the new production changes (so much to talk about!)

Yesterday was my 6th time seeing Les Mis, and 4th time in London - let’s get into it!!

Jean Valjean - Played by the absolutely wonderful Killian Donnelly who is MY Valjean. This was the third time I’ve seen him play this role and no one has come close to him for me. The tenderness he brings to the role without losing any of Valjean’s rougher edges is sublime. His voice is as divine as ever yet at the same time has matured so much over the years since I first saw him as Valjean in 2017. The result is the most beautiful blend of roughness at the beginning that over the course of the show mellows as Valjean ages - but at the same time is always distinctly *Killian*. His rendition of Bring Him Home is the best version of all time. I would like to apologise to my aunt for this sacrilegious statement against the wonderful Colm Wilkinson but after yesterday I cannot deny it anymore. I always cried at the end of Les Mis, but yesterday was the first time I was sobbing from Bring Him Home onwards, and that is thanks to Killian Donnelly.

Javert - Played by Jordan Simon Pollard, who usually plays Claquesous but is first cover Javert. He was sensational! His voice filled every crevice of the theatre and his rendition of Javert’s Soliloquy was out of this world.

Fantine - Played by Ellie Ann Lowe, who usually plays a Factory Girl but was on as Fantine yesterday and smashed it right out of the park! Beautiful voice (especially at the end of I Dreamed a Dream) and an incredible actress to boot.

Cosette - Played by the lovely Lulu-Mae Pears. Her Cosette was a treat to see and her voice was stunning. Side note I LOVE Cosette’s new costumes for the London production.

Marius - Played by Ben Oatley, who usually plays Joly, and was making his debut as Marius yesterday! He is second cover Marius and this is his first ever West End show having graduated last year and it’s almost hard to believe when you see how talented he is - like he’d been doing the role for years! If you want to imagine this Marius just picture Mr Bingley from Pride and Prejudice 1995 now give him bucketloads of trauma. And then BOOM! A Ben Oatley Marius.

Éponine - Played by Rosy Church, an ensemble actress who is also making her West End debut with this current cast of Les Mis! She was simply outstanding, with a voice as clear as a bell and a higher register that really surprised me for a bit but I loved. Her ‘On My Own’ sent goosebumps down my arms - simply brilliant.

Enjolras - Played by Djavan van de Fliert who made the entire audience fall in love. The most charismatic Enjorlas I have ever had the pleasure of seeing, he filled the stage when energy whenever he was on it. During his entrance for One Day More he fell down on stage but didn’t miss a single beat and got an absolutely rapturous round of applause at the end.

Little bits and bobs I loved from this production:

* They’ve changed the tops that the chain gang wear from brown to red - it initially appeared quite jarring to me but then really grew as the show went on. It makes Valjean stand out more (especially important for people like me, who were watching from the Grand Circle all the way up in the Gods)

* Killian went for the higher note for “took my FLIGHT” which I always simply adore when he does that

* The way Killian said “the whirlpool of my SIN”… I cannot explain in words how many emotions he can pack into one word

* An addition from the last time I saw the show in London was that Valjean goes to help a little girl when going from town to town at the beginning and gets shunned and attacked for it, and this adds an extra weight to when he takes the coin off the little boy later on

* Valjean gets beaten up a LOT more than he used to… it works so well on stage but also leave my father alone…

* The actor playing the bishop in this production (Adam Pearce) was so brilliant - he played the role with an underlying tinge of anger which was a unique choice I’d not seen much of before. He seemed to be angry not AT Valjean but at his circumstances, which really worked well

* One of the factory workers called Fantine a bitch with such vitriol that the dozens of teenagers sitting in front of me on a school tour gasped out loud

* I loved Killian’s acting during the scene when Fantine was fired, she was begging him to look at her letter and Valjean just waved her away - it was made more obvious than in other versions and really helped to heighten his guilt later on when he finds her in the street. Also some excellent background acting with Valjean instructing the workers in the back

* When the man attacked Fantine after Lovely Ladies it was the most violent choreography of it I’ve seen so far. Then Fantine punched AND spat at him

* When Valjean finds Fantine it takes him a good couple minutes to admit his own guilt but when he did it was overwhelming to him

* Killian also kept putting his hand on Fantine’s cheek and then over his own heart…. killed me actually

* Ellie’s “you let your foreman SEND ME AWAY” was breathtaking

* I LOOOOOVED Valjean and Javert’s interactions when Valjean is Mayor because like for example after lifting the cart obviously Valjean had to take off his coat and Javert was holding it and it was after some very tense seconds where Javert was suspicious Valjean just motioned for Javert to return his coat bahahaha. So subtle but so brilliant

* Javert was getting worked up and said “but MONSIEUR LE MAYOR-“ and Valjean just held up a single hand to silence him and it was so perfectly done - I love their shifting power dynamics so much

* And during the Confrontation Valjean stole Javert’s chain and kept slowly wrapping it around his hand before delivering the most satisfying punch

* The little actress who played young Éponine was so fantastic, she kept mirroring Madam T’s behaviour

* I love how the new production emphasises Valjean’s nose boops to Cosette. They are actually so important

* But then… a huge travesty… they changed the line from “Yes Cosette, yes it’s true. I’ll be father and mother to you” to something along the lines of “Yes Cosette, yes it’s true, there’ll be a castle just for you”…. really don’t like this change. I always adored the “father and mother” lyric :(

* And I can’t even keep track of the amount of lyrics changed in Master of the House…

* Once again one of my favourite sections in the musical is The Thénardier Waltz because I adore Valjean’s exasperation and passive aggressive reaction to their antics

* Also when they were talking about his Cosette was often ill, Madam T said to Cosette “play dead!” Excellent new addition

* When Valjean went to pick Cosette up to spin her around Killian said ‘h-UP’ which is such an Irish thing and made me so happy like I really think Killian’s acting with young Cosette and even later with Marius in the sewers has so much more depth since Killian himself has had children 🥺

* Now we’re in Paris (side note they’ve got rid of the location and years projections which I miss…)

* They still have the “everyone’s equal when they’re dead” line for Gavroche which I never liked as much :(

* Although they did let Gavroche carry around a little baton the whole time to mock Javert which I loved

* They made Éponines “I know a lot of things I do” quite overtly sexual which is a change from other versions I’ve seen and I wasn’t mad on it

* I love how the Grantaire and Gavroche has been developed over the years it’s so endearing

* I really loved all the Marius and Grantaire interactions - and really Grantaire with the whole ensemble, such wonderful friendships

* When Enjolras took Grantaire’s bottle off him he immediately took out another one

* Marius sang the first few lines of ‘A Heart Full of Love’ from the top of the fence which I’d never seen before and loved

* Also I am CONVINCED Éponine said “shit!” when she noticed Valjean come out the door

* And later when Éponine delivered the note from Cosette to Marius via Valjean he was so soft towards Éponine and even softer when he realised she was a girl. He clasped her hands and told her to stay away from the barricade

* Death’s kiss!!!!!!! Éponine kissed Marius!!! And I sobbed

* When Éponine was dying one of the Barricade Boys brought Javert out and made him look at her body but Javert kept looking away… oh god quick where is that Éponine and Javert parallel post

* Éponine’s anger at the end of ‘On My Own’ was so palpable and especially her “a world that’s full of happiness that I will never KNOW” was so painful

* Drink with Me while very sad was also very funny because everyone was having a good time and then it’s like “oh good Grantaire is joining in- OH NO HE IS NOT OKAY”

* Enjolras really seemed have a lot of respect for Grantaire in this production which made it all the more painful when Grantaire shook his arm off when Enjolras tried to comfort him

* Grantaire’s “IS YOUR LIFE JUST ONE MORE LIE” really played into his NEED to believe in something

* BRING HIM HOME WAS THE MOST SPECTACULAR PERFORMANCE I HAVE EVER SEEN. I sobbed throughout. Killian is so talented. Because his voice is so soft naturally and the beginning of the song is extra soft it means the gut punch of “the summers DIEEEE ONE BY ONE” all the more powerful

* Grantaire and Enjolras hugged over what they thought was Marius’ dead body… god…

* Valjean looked so devastated that he couldn’t save all the other boys at the barricade oh god it killed me

* Once again Grantaire was the last to die and shouted “YOU BASTARDS”

* One of my FAVOURITE additions to the new Les Mis staging (which Killian does particularly well) is Valjean saying “good boy good boy… good boy” to Marius as he heaved him up. I burst into tears again

* Turning was soooo good because they have a little girl sing the lyric “who will wake them?” and then she stares at Marius as he comes out for Empty Chairs

* I hated the lyric change in Beggars at the Feast from “that one’s a queer but what can you do” to something like “that one’s a queer but guess he’ll do”… like why. why.

* When Valjean was telling Marius about his life he kept rubbing and clutching his wrist which made me think of Fantine’s line about chains binding him… oh god

* As always Valjean’s death was so beautiful and painful… the part of the show that always gets to me the most

* THE BISHOP HUGGED VALJEAN WHEN HE DIED TO WELCOME HIM TO HEAVEN

* and then I died too. I love this musical so much

#sorry for any spelling or grammar mistakes i typed this on the plane #les mis #les miserables #theatre stuff #killian donnelly #… my valjean forever and always

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