I went to see 'The Comedy of Errors' at the Royal Exchange Theatre on Saturday, which was interesting. the acting was largely brilliant and saved the play from the flaws in direction. The two Dromios (Owain Arthur and Michael Jibson) were utterly incredible! I cannot emphasise enough just how perfect they were in these roles, stealing the show with a fine aplomb! Catch it if you can.
I love the Exchange, and recently decided that it is definitely my favourite theatre. This is partially due to the fact that with our directing assessments the scenes we must do have to be set in the round, which a lot of people have struggled with and really not been happy about. And this is mainly because, for most people, a majority of the theatre that see is on a proscenium/end on stage, so being in the round is increasingly awkward if you haven't really seen a lot of it. Whereas I've been going to the Exchange since I was 11, and have seen some amazing plays, and some quite rubbish ones. So I sort of know what works and what doesn't, what plays fit and what techniques that work beautifully on other stages just won't here. (Does that sound pretentious?)
Anyhoo! The Royal Exchange Theatre is right in the heart of Manchester city centre, it has two spaces, the theatre and the studio. The theatre itself is like a large bubble that sits in the centre of the great hall, seating 700, making it the largest theatre in the round in Britain, 400 at ground level, the rest above the stage. So no matter where you are sat you have an awesome view. The studio is a flexible little space that seats about 120, it is also brilliant.
The layout is really gorgeously cool as everything seems to radiate out from the stage itself, and there have been some epic shows there. Firstly, Mr Matthew Dunster has done both 'Macbeth' and '1984' at the Exchange, and both have been completely amazing. I think 'Macbeth' is possibly one of the greatest things I have ever, ever seen in the theatre. It was incredibly visual and spectacular and clever on so many levels. '1984' which was on only recently was again, utterly astonishing, but in a very different way to 'Macbeth'. It was very clever in a very quiet way, lots of small and subtle but beautiful things made it a pleasure to watch, and the torture scene!! Oh my word!! You know that it's not real. You know he's not really being branded with an iron, he isn't really using those pliers, his face wasn't actually smashed into the floor, it's not real! But even I wanted to cry out 'Just say five!' as Winston was being electrocuted. It was amazing! And to boon of being able to see the rest of the audience meant that you could see everyone else cringing and covering their eyes. There is no doubt that Dunster is a most immensely talented director! (And I did travel a sort of three hundred mile round trip to go and see '1984'.) Twas immense.
I'm not a hundred per cent sure where this post is going. I guess I just want to say that the Exchange is AWESOME and everyone should pay it a visit. I'm I have to be here in Twickenham with the upcoming season looking so very good, including the poet Laurette herself rocking up for an evening or two.
I've decided that were I to end up working at the Exchange I would be very, very happy and content.
WOOT!
2 comments:
I agree with what you're saying about getting a great view from wherever you're sat. I've been there a few times and have sat right on the top level on the stools, to the sofa-type seating right at the front of the stage area and you can get a perfect view there and anywhere in between.
I love the Exchange too. The Rounds one place you can be really creative with your set and direction. The actors get a good play around too and you can really create a sense of community with the audience.
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