More Shakespeare in modern dress. Oy.

Okay got that out of my system. I had the real pleasure of attending the CSC's performance of "Richard III" this evening. The cast as a whole did an awesome job of communicating the story. That was very, very clear and not an easy task. Too many companies today seemed wrapped up in the characters that they forget they have to actually tell the story to the audience. They get extreme kudos for that.

The people I found most engaging were the women which was a very surprising discovery. From Lady Anne to the Queen mothers to the Duchess of York, they seemed to be in a different story from the men and a much more interesting one. Maria Tucci and Roberta Maxwell (Queen Margaret and Queen Elizabeth) were just glorious. KK Moggie played Lady Anne amongst a few other roles and her Anne was ...interesting. I felt I was watching Kate in "Taming" sometimes but they were fun choices. However, Michael Cumpsty (Richard III) did something interesting in their scene together and she didn't play off it at all. He was leaning on and touching the grave of her brother that he had killed and she waits until about five minutes into their banter to push him away from it. Her actions thus far seemed like she would want to protect the grave from him, but what do I know? Other than that, she was fabulous. She gave a real life to Lady Anne that many actresses tend to gloss over. On a completely separate note, the entire male cast were overtly feminine. I had a real problem taking them seriously as warriors. As well, some SERIOUSLY need to re-visit the fact that Shakespeare's language is HEIGHTENED. We are not on a film set. The audience may be intimate, but if we can't hear the story and you don't personally care what your character's saying then what's the freakin point to the people that paid good money and actually DO care. When are actors going to realize you have to "mean what you say." You have to know exactly what you are saying and deliver it so that it is clear. If you're an actor because you like to hear your own voice then get off the stage and do voice-overs. It's enough already.

The show as a whole was very interesting to watch and I really enjoyed the lack of 4th wall and subtle audience participation. Thank you for my King Richard flag. Mine flies for the Queens...and I don't mean the male cast.