Violent delights and violent ends – a tragic lovers' tale.
All the world's a stage... Indeed, so the whole theatre becomes exactly that: from the rooftop (a distant and isolated Mantua), to the backstage corridors and fire escapes standing in for meandering streets of Verona or foyer turning into Capulet's house's halls. Use it all. And at the same time focus on the word: darkness engulfing the stage where vulnerable characters bare their desires. Micro expressions on display as cameras follow the actors around. Lights. Camera. A story of love and hate. A tragedy weaved by fate. Timeless tale.
Some raised the alarm as the casting revealed Francesca Amewudah-Rivers as Juliet, claiming it wasn't true to Shakespeare's spirit. Well, I, for one, am glad that it wasn't. Not that I have anything against men in tights, but that would be a different play entirely. Also may I remind everyone we would be subjected to some pre-teen, prepubescent males with their falsetto trying to nail Juliet's voice timbre. And Nurse's too. But then we would have been deprived of seeing such brilliant performances from Francesca and Freema [Agyeman] which would be simply a travesty. And all in a name of staying true to the original text (may I add also well known fact – Shakespeare's not so secret and nice tendency to “borrow” from other's work thus him being not so original himself).
Even though my first reaction to Freema being cast as a Nurse was: she's too young! Because in my head this character is this elderly matron rather than witty and lively Nanny. But that's the beauty of theatre and interpretation: anything goes! And oh, boy how it worked!
Francesca's Juliet is so youthful, gentle, so full of passion. One's heart sinks seeing her heart's woes. Tom's Romeo has boyish charm, rage and love so bound together it boils. His Romeo is impulsive, emotional, he brings laughter and choked silence as one observes his character being played by fate. Let's not forget Juliet is the driving force. She's “yes” or “no”, black or white, ultimatum giving kind of girl. And Romeo? Well, he's both romantic (grand gestures much?) and... well, he's a fuckboy (how fast Rosalind is in his rearview mirror, huh?). But then he's Juliet's fuckboy and heaven is not on their side.
Maybe I'm a cynic when I look at this great romance and frown and childish overreactions and hyperboles. But these two [Francesca and Tom], they're so gentle and pure, so deep, that one quickly invests in their budding feelings and looks upon them with softness knowing too well what's glooming over. The tragic face of star crossed lovers.
But these two aren't the only ones shining bright on that stage. Mercutio always has been one of my favourite characters – flamboyant, fast with words and weapons, mad or is he? Harold Perrineau made such an impact with his Mercutio [in Baz Luhrmann's Romeo+Juliet], even though not on stage, there was no other version of this character for me. But I dare to say Joshua-Alexander Williams comes real close or maybe even matches the performance. Which is incredible considering it's his professional debut. Exuberant, cheeky sidekick, cursed... and cursing the feuding families. Seemingly insane with his flowery talk turns out to be the voice of reason and prophecy in the end.
The staging is stripped back, functional, raw in it's simplicity, but not dull. Focus is on the actors and the text. Blaring music and flashing lights prevent the audience from being too comfortable in their seat – it's a tragedy after all.
'Romeo and Juliet', a tale as old as overplayed. Yet, always attracting both actors ready to add their version to the pile and crowds eager to see lovers' tragic fate onstage (and/or on screen).
Shakespeare's plays always were the entertainment for the masses, even the tragedies have characters being bigger or smaller 'comic relief'. In 'Romeo and Juliet' it would be surely the Nurse, but thanks to Freema's brilliance this character is so much more than crazy old lady. The wit is her weapon of choice, true, but the emotions and layers that spill out thanks to Freema shine a new light on this character.
It takes a special kind of talent to breathe a new life into the text and a play as a whole (and the assemble did a marvellous job at it!), especially one so well-known, played so many times that people think they have seen it all. But Jamie Lloyd has carved a reputation for himself and his innovative and bold approach (and vivisection) is doing only favours to dusty classics. It is an unmissable event.
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William Shakespeare's ROMEO & JULIET.
Dir.: Jamie Lloyd
Cast: Tom Holland, Francesca Amewudah-Rivers, Freema Agyeman, Michael Balogun, Tomiwa Edun, Mia Jerome, Daniel Quinn-Toye, Ray Sesay, Nima Taleghani, Joshua-Alexander Williams, Callum Heinrich, Kody Mortimer
In Duke of York's Theatre, London from 13 May to 3 August 2024
Pedro Pascal also kinda looks like Fassbinder. So there is that.
(I still kinda wish Jake was Michael Fassbender. But hey, at least I have The Forest From the Trees to write).
Also, I wonder if Almodóvar watched Slow West or not. Maybe not, but the big coincidence of Silas/Jay and Silva/Jake continues to tickle my brain (as well as the actor playing Jay being in The Power of the Dog).
Cowboy!Marine! Reader has been on my mind too much.
Strictly platonic. Might make Cowboy! Reader a reoccurring thing, who knows.
(≧▽≦)(≧▽≦)(≧▽≦)(≧▽≦)
Koby had never seen such an obedient crew when it came to the Marines. There was always a group, big or small, that misbehaved.
He was shadowing a different Captain, Garp had stuff to do so he was pushed to another. Honestly he was expecting glares and sneering from the crew, but instead he was met with smiles and cheers.
"Welcome to th' crew, Koby! We're glad to have ya'round!" The Captain said from behind him. Instantly he noted the western accent that was very apparent in their speach.
Koby turned around to salute the captain, taking in the most notable thing about them, being the western hat atop their head. Something a cowboy would wear in the wild wild west books he read as a kid, with horses and gun draws.
"Captain!" Koby said, hand flat and up by his forehead.
Someone in the crew let out a chuckle, then another, and soon after everyone was laughing. At one point he thought he heard a couple people fall to the floor.
Even the Captain let out a laugh. "No need t'be so formal, we don't do all that 'round here" They pat his shoulder before walking towards the stairs. He simply nodded and let his hand fall.
"You got any questions? What's for dinner? Sleeping quarters?" They asked, looking at Koby from half way up the stairs.
"Uh, yeah..." Koby muttered, scratching his neck. No matter how much he had improved, he was still as nervous meeting new people as he was when he met Luffy.
"Hm? Speak up!" They hollered, narrowing their eyes at him with a small frown.
"I do have a question!" Kody shouted, closing his eyes. He could feel his sweat drop.
It was quiet, Koby swore he was about to be pushed overboard. Boots clacking on the ground grew louder as, who he assumed was the Captain, approached again.
"Well?" They said, hand on their hips and leaning more on one foot than the other.
Koby swallowed the lump in his throat before opening his eyes, "What are we doing today, captain...?" He asked. The hem of his shirt freying from him messing with it out of nervousness.
They let out a sign, looking Koby up and down and taking in his nervous body language.
"I told you t'not be so formal. Just call me (Y/N)." They said, setting a hand on Koby's head and keeping it there for a second. "As for your question..."
Their hand on his head wrapped around his shoulder, gently leading him to face a different angle. Their other hand is pointing out to an island not far away.
"We're buildin'"
Building? Building what? He didn't know the Marines built, he thought there was a job for that already.
It was obvious with the look on his face that he didn't understand. (Y/N) let a chuckle out and stopped pointing. "We're not really fighters, we do uh..." they placed their hand on their chin in thought, "community work, I suppose."
"Community work?" Koby asked, looking up at the Captain, thanking their hat for blocking out the sun from his eyes.
"Yep! We go 'round and help people. Lots of times stuff gets damaged while Marines 'r catching Pirates an' stuff" They explained, taking their hand off his shoulder to make motions with their hands.
That definitely made sense to him. Thinking back to when he was still kinda new and had to repair the wall Luffy and Garp had broken. It was a horrible job and while on the ship he heard Garp mention something about the repair teams, now he knows what Garp was talking about.
"What- uh, what are we building?" Koby asked, walking over to the railing and looking as the island got closer.
"A barn" (Y/N) said nonchalantly. Koby's head whipped around and stared at them like they were crazy.
"A Barn?!" He repeated, "How's that gonna work? With what materials? I doubt anyone here knows how to build a barn." He ranted, going into the logistics of it being a successful job.
(Y/N) watched Koby spiral for a second before putting their hands on his shoulders to ground him. "Relax rookie. We've got a bunch 'f wood in the haul and we, the crew, have been doin' stuff like this for a long time" they reassured him with a smile.
With a nod he just looked back at the island as they let go of him to walk away, probably talking to the helmsmen or something.
Perhaps this would be a fun experience, though he wasn't excited to build a literal barn, even if everyone knew what they were doing.
Since there’s so many of you now I’m supposing now’s a good a time as any to tell y’all more about me and set some boundaries!
Everything is below the cut cuz I hate having absurdly long posts
ABOUT ME
Call me Kody or Kodienne (pronounced like codeine), or whatever you like so long as you’re being normal or funny
I go by he/they pronouns
I have debilitating anxiety and depression so if I don’t respond to your message or disappear for long periods at a time, that’s likely the reason
I’ve been dealing with wrist pain for a while now and can’t draw for extended periods of time because of it, ergo a single drawing will take me a very long time to complete, please be patient with me
English is my first and (currently) only language. I’m in the process of learning Spanish and can only understand very simple sentences
I speak/type with a lot of west coast slang and can maybe end up being slightly confusing, I’m sorry in advance
BOUNDARIES
1. If you’re homophobic, transphobic, racist, sexist, or a pedo, zoophile, proshipper, etc. simply skedaddle please cuz y’all are stunky (I’m telling you to leave)
2. I will only do art requests if you pass the vibe check, by which I mean I’ll do them if I feel like it or if I deem you’re silly
3. Do not repost my art without permission AND credit.
ehh I’ll think of more later probably
If there’s anything more you’d like to know, just ask me and I’ll do my best to answer!
Hola personitas. Venimos con un aporte que nos ha costado un tiempito reunir. Es posible que algunos PB tengan 1 añito más de lo que pone, porque igual cumplieron recién. Esperamos les guste ^^
Friday Night Movie ... 'Elvis' with Austin Butler, Tom Hanks, and Kodi Smit-McPhee
Almost half a century after his untimely death on August 16, 1977, in Memphis, Tennessee, the dysfunctional relationship between Elvis Presley, The King of Rock 'n' Roll, and his long-time manager Colonel Tom Parker continues to stir controversy. To clear his name and set the record straight about his involvement with Elvis's rise to fame and career, a dying, penniless Parker awakens alone in a Las Vegas hospital room in 1997, with his mind filled with memories. As the colonel reminisces about their eventful, two-decade-long love/hate relationship, elements of Elvis Presley's story--from the singer's humble roots, Parker's first encounter with Presley in 1955, the influence of black music, country, gospel, and blues--unfold. On his deathbed, Tom Parker looks back on other pivotal landmarks of their career path, including Elvis's military service in West Germany, his focus on a new movie career, and the performer's marriage to Priscilla Presley. Of course, the former manager calls to mind Elvis Presley's return to live performances with the 1968 televised Christmas concert, Elvis: The Comeback Special (1968), the 5-year residency in the International Hotel, Las Vegas, and the last Nebraska concert on June 20, 1977, at the Pershing Municipal Auditorium, Lincoln. Elvis Presley rocked the stage in an unrivalled last performance on June 26, 1977, at the Market Square Arena in Indianapolis, only six weeks before his death.—Nick Riganas
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My personal all-time favorite Elvis song ... chokes me up every.single.time ... "If I Can Dream" ...
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🎶There must be lights burning brighter somewhere
Got to be birds flying higher in a sky more blue
If I can dream of a better land
Where all my brothers walk hand in hand
Tell me why, oh why, oh why can't my dream come true
Oh, why
There must be peace and understanding sometime
Strong winds of promise that will blow away the doubt and fear
If I can dream of a warmer sun
Where hope keeps shining on everyone
Tell me why, oh why, oh why won't that sun appear
We're lost in a cloud with too much rain
We're trapped in a world that's troubled with pain
But as long as a man has the strength to dream
He can redeem his soul and fly
Deep in my heart there's a trembling question
Still I am sure that the answer, answer's gonna come somehow
Out there in the dark, there's a beckoning candle, yeah
And while I can think, while I can talk
While I can stand, while I can walk
While I can dream, please let my dream come true, oh
The Jamie Lloyd Company has announced the full cast for its upcoming West End production of William Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, starring Tom Holland.
Holland (Romeo) is joined by Francesca Amewudah-Rivers, whose acting credits include Bad Education (BBC), Macbeth (Shakespeare’s Globe) and Antigone (Mercury Theatre), as Juliet.
The cast is completed by Freema Agyeman (Nurse), Michael Balogun (Friar), Tomiwa Edun (Capulet), Mia Jerome (Montague), Daniel Quinn-Toye (Paris), Ray Sesay (Tybalt), Nima Taleghani (Benvolio) and Joshua-Alexander Williams (Mercutio), Callum Heinrich and Kody Mortimer (Camera Operators).
Romeo and Juliet, which is directed by Jamie Lloyd, opens at the Duke of York’s Theatre, on 23 May, with previews from 11 May, and runs until 3 August 2024.
Holland said today: “Beyond excited to announce our cast for Romeo and Juliet. I can’t wait to get started and I know we’ll create something really special together.”
Francesca Amewudah-Rivers added: “I’m so grateful to be making my West End debut as Juliet with The Jamie Lloyd Company. It’s a dream to be joining this team of incredible artists with Jamie at the helm. I’m excited to bring a fresh energy to this story alongside Tom, and to welcome new audiences to the theatre.”
Tickets are on sale here.
*brb screaming* FREEMA is starring in a play with Tom Holland!
Alternative movie poster, illustrating John Maclean's beautifully shot, trippy crescendo of a film, Slow West starring Michael Fassbender and Kodi Smit-McPhee. The cinematography is excellent, the score, the script… 🙌
Drawn in pencil with scanned textures
~~Link in bio~~. Hand-signed museum quality print on heavyweight paper incl Giclée quality certificate.