Henry V at the RSF
June 13, 2009
This was a treat to see “Henry V” at the Agecourt Agecroft mansion (perfect location for the tone of the play) by the Richmond Shakespeare Festival (VA).
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Dear Chris,
I am amazed and delighted with your plan. I thought I was the only one who would get excited by something like this! I haven’t done it in 40 days – it’s more like ten years! I realized recently that I had seen full-length, fully staged performances of almost all the plays, (including Edward III!) and when I see Titus Andronicus at the American Shakespeare Center in Staunton, VA (date TBD), I will finally have seen them all! Oddly enough, I have just an hour ago found out that I may be going to see the King Lear you will attend in Washington, DC on July 18, except that I will see it on the 19th. And I was in the audience at Richmond Shakespeare for the same opening night performance of Henry V that you saw! I wish I could see Titus when you do so that we could meet and compare notes, but, alas, I have a prior commitment on that date. I am trying to cook up some sort of mock serious ceremony to celebrate the event, like being dubbed with a copy of the First Folio. I hope you will turn your adventure into something tangible – are you planning a book?
I am a high school teacher also, but of theatre, and I was lucky enough to see some of the plays at the rebuilt Shakespeare’s Globe in London when I was there as an intern about ten years ago. I have felt strongly that, although I have not published anything (master’s thesis notwithstanding), the vast number of performances (Shakespeare and otherwise) that I have SEEN and HEARD qualifies me as some sort of expert. I’m glad to have stumbled on your quest, and I will follow your progress with interest. Perhaps we could start a club!
Cheers!
Becki Jones
Becky,
Thanks for stumbling upon the site and my summer project; thanks also for leaving a comment (nice to hear from other folk who think Shakespeare’s still alive). Good performance of Henry V, wasn’t it? Loved the venue and the casting (and the fireworks at the end the of Intermission, yes?)
The summer thus far has been a nice steady pace, but as you’ll see in July, things go from golf claps to NASCAR laps (sorry for the very bad pun and lousy rhyme). Not only have I had a chance to travel and watch the seven plays thus far, I’ve also had some time to think and write about the experience. (Not aiming for a book, but figured I should try to write a lot just in case the story of my summer is interesting for other people).
Too bad we’ll miss each other in DC. Will I be crossing your path at all in the MidAtlantic tour in July? Perhaps we’d be able to grab a coffee; I’d like to hear about your experience in the UK. And regarding a group, I’m in. I figure they have groups such as running a marathon in every state, why shouldn’t there be one for seeing all of Shakespeare’s plays, eh? The First Folio is a good idea; my reward will be a 1/2 in school.
Feel welcome in commenting on the plays you like (or don’t) on the site here; would like to hear some of your thoughts on the plays.
Peace,
Chris