DOCSLIB.ORG

Download the Cast List

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Download the Cast List A production from By Richard Bean, based on The Servant of Two Masters by Carlo Goldoni, with songs by Grant Olding Cast The Craze Dolly Suzie Toase Drums Benjamin Brooker Lloyd Boateng Trevor Laird Bass Richard Coughlan Charlie “the Duck” Guitar Philip James Clench Fred Ridgeway Guitar Grant Olding Pauline Clench Claire Lams Harry Dangle Martyn Ellis Creative Team Alan Dangle Daniel Rigby Francis Henshall James Corden Director Nicholas Hytner Rachel Crabbe Jemima Rooper Associate Director Cal McCrystal Stanley Stubbers Oliver Chris Designer Mark Thompson Gareth David Benson Lighting Designer Mark Henderson Alfie Tom Edden Music Grant Olding Ensemble Polly Conway Sound Designer Paul Arditti Ensemble Jolyon Dixon Fight Director Kate Waters Ensemble Derek Elroy Choreographer Adam Penford Ensemble David Hunter Ensemble Paul Lancaster Ensemble Gareth Mason Broadcast Team Ensemble Claire Thomson Director for Screen Robin Lough Technical Producer Christopher C.Bretnall Lighting Director Bernie Davis Sound Supervisor Conrad Fletcher Script Supervisor Laura Vine Running time: 2 hours 40 minutes, including one interval Did you know? In 2019 we had 26,426 screenings around the world. Introducing National Theatre at Home We’re all about experiencing theatre Following One Man, Two Guvnors, each together. At a time when many theatre fans week a different production will be made around the world aren’t able to visit National available to watch for free via the National Theatre Live venues or local theatres, we’re Theatre’s YouTube channel on Thursdays excited to bring you One Man, Two Guvnors at 7pm UK-time and will then be via National Theatre at Home. available on demand for seven days. Connect with us Explore Never miss out Go behind the scenes of One Man, Two Get the latest news from Guvnors and learn more about how our National Theatre Live straight broadcasts happen on our website. to your inbox. ntlive.com ntlive.com/signup Join in Watch Use #OneManTwoGuvnors and be If you loved the show, explore our YouTube a part of the conversation online. channel and watch interviews, behind the scenes videos and our favourite clips. /nationaltheatrelive youtube.com/ntdiscovertheatre @ntlive Introducing One Man, Two Guvnors Welcome to the hilarious and riotous The permanently ravenous Francis spots West End and Broadway hit One Man, the chance of an extra meal ticket and Two Guvnors. Featuring a Tony Award- takes a second job with one Stanley winning performance from host of the Stubbers, who is hiding from the police The Late Late Show, James Corden as and waiting to be reunited with Rachel. the eternally famished servant Francis To prevent discovery, Francis must keep Henshall. Now being broadcast via his two guvnors apart. Simple. YouTube to mark the launch of National Theatre at Home. The production was originally captured by National Theatre Live whose state- Fired from his skiffle band, Francis Henshall of-the-art filming techniques are tailored becomes minder to Roscoe Crabbe, a specifically to each play. From close-ups small time East End hood, now in Brighton that capture every flicker of emotion, to to collect £6,000 from his fiancée’s dad. sweeping wide shots of the stage – you’ve But Roscoe is really his sister Rachel got the best seat in the house. We hope posing as her own dead brother, who’s been you enjoy the show. killed by her boyfriend Stanley Stubbers. National Theatre National Theatre Live At the National Theatre, we make National Theatre Live shares the best world-class theatre that is entertaining, of British theatre direct from the stage challenging and inspiring. And we make to cinema screens around the world. it for everyone. Working with the best theatres and We stage over 20 productions at our producers, we simultaneously broadcast South Bank home in London each year. live theatre to cinemas across the UK, Our programme is broad and inclusive, Europe and sometimes North America, appealing to the widest possible audiences as well as capturing the live performance with new plays, musicals, reimagined for encore screenings in other countries. classics and work for young audiences. Our work is also seen in London’s Our plays have been seen by over West End, on tour across the UK 10 million people in 2,500 cinemas across and internationally. 65 countries since we launched in 2009. nationaltheatre.org.uk ntlive.com @nationaltheatre facebook/ntlive facebook.com/nationaltheatre @ntlive Donate We know it’s a tough time for everyone at the moment but as you enjoy National Theatre at Home, it would mean a lot if you would consider a donation to support us. Donate at nationaltheatre.org.uk Coming soon Find more information at nationaltheatre.org.uk This bold and innovative reimagining of Charlotte Brontë’s masterpiece uncovers one woman’s fight for freedom and fulfilment on her own terms. a National Theatre and HHHHH Bristol Old Vic co-production ‘Captures the beating heart of the novel. And then some’ Streaming from 7pm Mail On Sunday on Thursday 9 April. Available until 16 April. Robert Louis Stevenson’s story of murder, money and mutiny is brought to life in this thrilling stage adaptation. Cast includes Arthur Darvill as Long John Silver. HHHH by Robert Louis Stevenson ‘Spectacular. Daring. Fun for all adapted by Bryony Lavery the family’ a National Theatre production Time Out Streaming from 7pm on Thursday 16 April. Available until 23 April. Where music is the food of love, and nobody is quite what they seem, anything proves possible in Shakespeare’s classic comedy. Cast includes Tamsin Greig as Malvolia. HHHH by William Shakespeare ‘Tamsin Greig is brilliant’ a National Theatre production Evening Standard Streaming from 7pm on Thursday 23 April. Available until 30 April..
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Press Release
    PRESS RELEASE Saffron Burrows, Oliver Chris and Belinda Stewart-Wilson join cast of Everything I Ever Wanted to Tell My Daughter About Men 29 January 2020 Shakespeare’s Globe is delighted to announce further casting for Everything I Ever Wanted to Tell My Daughter About Men, a new black comedy by actor and writer Lorien Haynes, directed by Tara Fitzgerald (Brassed Off, Game of Thrones), being hosted in the Sam Wanamaker Playhouse on Thursday 20 February. Everything I Ever Wanted to Tell My Daughter About Men traces a woman’s relationship history backwards, exploring the impact of sexual assault, addiction and teen pregnancy on her adult relationships. Presented in association with RISE and The Circle, all profits from this event will go towards supporting survivors of sexual violence. Thanks in huge part to RISE’s work, the event will also mark the planned introduction of the Worldwide Sexual Violence Survivor Rights United Nations Resolution later this year, which addresses the global issue of sexual violence and pens into existence the civil rights of millions of survivors. Nobel-Prize nominee and founder of Rise, Amanda Nguyen, will introduce the evening. A silent auction will also take place on the night to highlight and raise awareness for the support networks available to those in need. Audience members will be able to bid on props from the production as well as a selection of especially commissioned rotary phones, exclusively designed by acclaimed British artists including Harland Miller, Natasha Law, Bella Freud and Emma Sargeant. The money raised by each phone will go to a rape crisis helpline chosen by the artist.
    [Show full text]
  • Coming Next the Bap Tist) in Her You Th
    s l o v e N n a i t s a b e S y b y h p a r g o t o h a n ew p lay b y Y aël F arber P Running time: about 2 hours and 5 minutes. Ther e is no interval. Synopsi s : Fr o m he r p r iso n b ene at h the wal ls of he r city , Na meless reco un ts wh at le d h er to call for th e behea d ing of Io kan aan (John Coming next the Ba p tist) in her you th. H er story s hows ho w Rome’ s su ppr ession of the people a nd r e ligion of Jud ea acte d a s a ca talyst in her transformation fr om subjugated young girl to the woman who Pete r Pa n cam e to be known as Salom é. In cine ma s from 2 D ecem b er by J M B arrie Cast devised by the C ompani es Caiap h us, San hedri n H igh P r i est PHILIP A RD I TTI P a co-p roduc tio n wit h Bris tol O ld Vic Herod, C li ent K in g PRAUL C HAHI DI Iok anaan, t he Z e alot RAMZI CH OU KAIR Giora, He b r ew G uard URIEL E MIL Nameless OLL WE N F OUÉRÉ Pilat e , Ro m an P refec t LLOYDS H UT CH INSO N Bar G iora, Ze al ot -to -be SHA AH A R IS AAC Abad do n, the E x e cutioner AYI DAN K E LLY Woma n o f S ong YA SMIN L EVY Yes hu a, the M ad man THEO T J L OWE Fol lies I Sal omé s o-cal led IS AB ELLA N EFAR In c inemas from 17 February L Woman o f S ong LUBAN A AL Q UNTAR N Step h en So ndhe im ’ s leg e nd ary Anna s, Sa n hedri n E lder KRA AD R AWI YA musical is s tag ed for the first time Directo r SYAOË L F A R BER SU at the N ation al Theatr e and Designe r SUS AN H ILFERTY T broadca st liv e to cin em as .
    [Show full text]
  • One Man, Two Guvnors by Richard Bean Based on the Servant of Two Masters by Carlo Goldoni, with Songs by Grant Olding Background Pack
    One Man, Two Guvnors by Richard Bean based on The Servant of Two Masters by Carlo Goldoni, with songs by Grant Olding Background pack The National's production 2 Carlo Goldoni 3 Commedia dell'arte 4 One Man, Two Guvnors – a background 5 Lazzi – comic set pieces 7 Characters 9 Rehearsal overview 10 In production: from the Lyttelton to the Adelphi 13 In production: Theatre Royal Haymarket 14 Richard Bean interview 15 Grant Olding Interview 17 Further production detailsls: This background pack is Director Learning Workpack writer www.onemantwoguvnors.com published by and copyright Nicholas Hytner National Theatre Adam Penford The Royal National Theatre South Bank Board London SE1 9PX Editor Reg. No. 1247285 T 020 7452 3388 Ben Clare Registered Charity No. F 020 7452 3380 224223 E discover@ Views expressed in this nationaltheatre.org.uk Rehearsal and production workpack are not necessarily photographs those of the National Theatre Johan Persson National Theatre Learning Background Pack 1 The National’s production The production of One Man, Two Guvnors opened in the National’s Lyttelton Theatre on 24 May 2011, transferring to the Adelphi from 8 November 2011; and to the Theatre Royal Haymarket with a new cast from 2 March 2012. The production toured the UK in autumn 2011 and will tour again in autumn 2012. The original cast opened a Broadway production in May 2012. Original Cast (National Theatre and Adelphi) Current Cast (Theatre Royal Haymarket) Dolly SuzIE TOASE Dolly JODIE PRENGER Lloyd Boateng TREvOR LAIRD Lloyd Boateng DEREk ELROy Charlie
    [Show full text]
  • Annual Review. 2018
    Annual Review. 2018 Shakespeare’s Globe OUR CAUSE We celebrate Shakespeare’s transformative impact on the world by conducting a radical 4 Chief Executive’s Welcome theatrical experiment. 6 Theatre Inspired and informed by the unique historic 6 The Globe playing conditions of two beautiful iconic 14 The Sam Wanamaker Playhouse theatres, our diverse programme of work harnesses the power of performance, 20 Beyond the Globe cultivates intellectual curiosity and excites 21 Learning for all learning to make Shakespeare accessible 25 Widening access for all. 26 Exhibition & Tour ‘And let us… on your imaginary 27 Behind the scenes forces work’ 28 How we made it Henry V, Prologue 29 How we spent it #Globe2018 30 Looking forward 020 7401 9919 32 Learning for all shakespearesglobe.com 34 Financial Stability 34 Project Prospero 36 Thanks, thanks and ever thanks 38 Staff 41 Trustees and Globe Councillors 42 Cast members and Creatives 2018 The Shakespeare Globe Trust. Registered in England and Wales No. 1152238. Registered charity No. 266916. 2 3 Welcome to this year’s Shakespeare’s Globe review, celebrating a few of the highlights from spring 2018 to spring 2019. Our cause is to celebrate and interrogate Shakespeare’s transformative impact on the world, while our two theatres allow us to experience the architectural playing conditions under which Shakespeare’s plays were originally performed. 2018 was a year of artistic leadership change and further strategic development. Our 2017 review looked forward to a new era of artistic endeavour on Bankside, one closely integrated with our other activities, but creatively distinct; historically aware, but radically contemporary.
    [Show full text]
  • Ntlive OM2G Castlist UK A4 RE 13 09 19.Indd
    Did you know? A production from In 2018 we had 19,940 screenings around the world. By Richard Bean, based on The Servant of Two Masters by Carlo Goldoni, with songs by Grant Olding Cast The Craze Enjoy the show Dolly Suzie Toase Drums Benjamin Brooker Lloyd Boateng Trevor Laird Bass Richard Coughlan We hope you enjoy your National Theatre Please do let us know what you think Charlie “the Duck” Guitar Philip James Live screening. We make every attempt to through our channels listed below or Clench Fred Ridgeway Guitar Grant Olding replicate the theatre experience as closely approach the cinema manager to share Pauline Clench Claire Lams as possible for your enjoyment. your thoughts. Harry Dangle Martyn Ellis Creative Team Alan Dangle Daniel Rigby Francis Henshall James Corden Director Nicholas Hytner Rachel Crabbe Jemima Rooper Associate Director Cal McCrystal Stanley Stubbers Oliver Chris Connect with us Designer Mark Thompson Gareth David Benson Lighting Designer Mark Henderson A l fi e Tom Edden Music Grant Olding Explore Never miss out Ensemble Polly Conway Sound Designer Paul Arditti Go behind the scenes of One Man, Two Get the latest news from Ensemble Jolyon Dixon Fight Director Kate Waters Guvnors and learn more about how our National Theatre Live straight Ensemble Derek Elroy Choreographer Adam Penford broadcasts happen on our website. to your inbox. Ensemble David Hunter Ensemble Paul Lancaster Broadcast Team ntlive.com ntlive.com/signup Ensemble Gareth Mason Ensemble Claire Thomson Director for Screen Robin Lough Technical Join in Feedback Producer Christopher C.Bretnall Lighting Director Bernie Davis Use #OneManTwoGuvnors and be Share your thoughts by taking our Sound Supervisor Conrad Fletcher a part of the conversation online.
    [Show full text]
  • One Man, Two Guvnors by Richard Bean Based on the Servant of Two Masters by Carlo Goldoni with Songs by Grant Olding Background Pack
    One Man, Two Guvnors by Richard Bean based on The Servant of Two Masters by Carlo Goldoni with songs by Grant Olding Background pack The National's production 2 Carlo Goldoni 3 Commedia dell'arte 4 One Man, Two Guvnors - a background 5 Lazzi - comic set pieces 7 Characters 9 Rehearsal overview 10 Richard Bean interview 13 Photo (James Corden) by Phil Fisk Grant Olding Interview 15 Further production detailsls: This background pack is Director Discover Workpack writer nationaltheatre.org.uk published by and copyright Nicholas Hytner National Theatre Adam Penford The Royal National Theatre South Bank Board London SE1 9PX Editor Reg. No. 1247285 T 020 7452 3388 Ben Clare Registered Charity No. F 020 7452 3380 224223 E discover@ Views expressed in this nationaltheatre.org.uk Rehearsal and production workpack are not necessarily photographs those of the National Theatre Johan Persson discover: National Theatre Background Pack 1 This production of One Man, Two Guvnors opened The National’s production in the National’s Lyttelton Theatre on 24 May 2011 Dolly SUZIE TOASE Lloyd Boateng TREVOR LAIRD Charlie “the Duck” Clench FRED RIDGEWAY Pauline Clench CLAIRE LAMS Harry Dangle MARTYN ELLIS Alan Dangle DANIEL RIGBY Francis Henshall JAMES CORDEN Rachel Crabbe JEMIMA ROOPER Stanley Stubbers OLIVER CHRIS Gareth DAVID BENSON Alfie TOM EDDEN Ensemble POLLY CONWAY JOLYON DIXON DEREK ELROY PAUL LANCASTER FERGUS MARCH GARETH MASON CLARE THOMSON Director NICHOLAS HYTNER Associate Director CAL McCRYSTAL Designer MARK THOMPSON Lighting Designer MARK HENDERSON Music GRANT OLDING Sound Designer PAUL ARDITTI Fight Director KATE WATERS Choreographer & Staff Director ADAM PENFORD Company Voice Work KATE GODFREY discover: National Theatre Background Pack 2 Carlo Goldoni Carlo Goldoni was born in 1707 into a a series of plays, experimenting with form middle-class family in Venice.
    [Show full text]
  • Theater in England Syllabus 2010
    English 252: Theatre in England 2010-2011 * [Optional events — seen by some] Monday December 27 *2:00 p.m. Sleeping Beauty. Dir. Fenton Gay. Sponsored by Robinsons. Cast: Brian Blessed (Star billing), Sophie Isaacs (Beauty), Jon Robyn (Prince), Tim Vine (Joker). Richmond Theatre *7:30 p.m. Mike Kenny. The Railway Children (2010). Dir. Damian Cruden. Music by Christopher Madin. Sound: Craig Veer. Lighting: Richard G. Jones. Design: Joanna Scotcher. Based on E. Nesbit’s popular novel of 1906, adapted by Mike Kenny. A York Theatre Royal Production, first performed in the York th National Railway Museum. [Staged to coincide with the 40 anniversary of the 1970 film of the same name, dir. Lionel Jefferies, starring Dinah Sheridan, Bernard Cribbins, and Jenny Agutter.] Cast: Caroline Harker (Mother), Marshall Lancaster (Mr Perks, railway porter), David Baron (Old Gentleman/ Policeman), Nicholas Bishop (Peter), Louisa Clein (Phyllis), Elizabeth Keates Mrs. Perks/Between Maid), Steven Kynman (Jim, the District Superintendent), Roger May (Father/Doctor/Rail man), Blair Plant(Mr. Szchepansky/Butler/ Policeman), Amanda Prior Mrs. Viney/Cook), Sarah Quintrell (Roberta), Grace Rowe (Walking Cover), Matt Rattle (Walking Cover). [The production transforms the platforms and disused railway track to tell the story of Bobby, Peter, and Phyllis, three children whose lives change dramatically when their father is mysteriously taken away. They move from London to a cottage in rural Yorkshire where they befriend the local railway porter and embark on a magical journey of discovery, friendship, and adventure. The show is given a touch of pizzazz with the use of a period stream train borrowed from the National Railway Museum and the Gentlemen’s saloon carriage from the famous film adaptation.] Waterloo Station Theatre (Eurostar Terminal) Tuesday December 28 *1:45 p.m.
    [Show full text]
  • One Man, Two Guvnors - Screened at Cornerhouse
    One Man, Two Guvnors - screened at Cornerhouse One Man, Two Guvnors by National Theatre at Cornerhouse Reviewed by Anne Ryan September 2011 The reviews promised one of the summer's funniest plays, 'Carlo Goldoni meets Harold Pinter in a riotous farce set to skiffle', and as summer slips away I think that's what we got. The cast headed by James Corden, of 'Gavin and Stacey' fame, seem to be enjoying themselves as much as the audience, although for those of us watching the filmed performance, we definitely missed out on the interaction which the theatre performance must have. It is said that the director Nicholas Hytner had to ask the actors to stick to Richard Bean's script as they were having such a good time ad-libbing! The story, from the 18h century comedy by Carlo Goldoni, is a farce in the tradition of the 1 / 2 One Man, Two Guvnors - screened at Cornerhouse servant who tricks his master. Our hero, Francis Henshall is fired from his skiffle band and becomes the minder to a small time gangster who is really a woman posing as her dead brother – who had been killed by her public school boyfriend. Francis spots the chance of an extra income by working for this toff and feeding his gargantuan appetite. His task is to keep the two masters apart. Once you have got this straight the fun begins – an evening of traditional farce and Carry On style word games. Corden's comic genius is matched by Jemima Rooper as Roscoe/Rachel Crabbe - the transvestite crook, and Oliver Chris as Stanley Stubbers who bears a disturbing resemblance to David Cameron.
    [Show full text]
  • Annual Report 2010–2011 Annual Report 2010–2011 ‘…The National Theatre Must… Bulk Large in the Social  and Intellectual Life of London
    National Theatre Theatre National Annual Report 2010–2011 Report Annual Annual Report 2010–2011 ‘…theNationalTheatremust…bulklargeinthesocial andintellectuallifeofLondon...Itmustnotevenhave theairofappealingtoaspeciallyliteraryandculturedclass. Itmustbevisiblyandunmistakablyapopularinstitution, makingalargeappealtothewholecommunity. ItwillbeseenthattheTheatreweproposewouldbe aNationalTheatreinthissense,thatitwouldbefrom thefirstconditionally–and,intheeventofsuccess, wouldbecomeabsolutely–thepropertyofthenation.’ Preface(1904)to A National Theatre: Scheme and Estimates byWilliamArcherandHarleyGranvilleBarker,London1907 ‘It’sagreattimetobeanationaltheatre,andtorisetothe challengeoflivinguptoourname.Wewanttotellthestories thatchartthewaythenationischanging.Wewanttobring front-linereportsfromnewcommunitiesandgenerations, andwewanttoseethepresentredefinedinthecontext ofthepast.’ NicholasHytner,DirectoroftheNationalTheatre,2010 Annual Report For the 52 weeks ended 27 March 2011 03 Board and Advisers 05 Purpose, Vision and Objectives 06 John Makinson, Chairman 09 Nicholas Hytner, Director 10 Introduction 12 National Theatre Future 16 Artistic Review 19 National Theatre Productions 2010–11 23 Awards 24 NT Studio 26 Audiences 29 National Theatre Live 30 Public Engagement 34 NT Learning 38 Digital Innovation 41 Leadership 42 Sustainability 44 Development and Fundraising 46 Supporters 2010-11 56 Performers 2010-11 59 NT Associates and Committee Membership 60 NT Heads of Department; photograph captions In this document, The Royal National Theatre
    [Show full text]
  • National Theatre Live 2019 One Man, Two Guvnors by Richard Bean Based on 'The Servant of Two Masters' by Carlo Goldoni, with Songs by Grant Olding
    National Theatre Live 2019 One Man, Two Guvnors by Richard Bean based on 'The Servant of Two Masters' by Carlo Goldoni, with songs by Grant Olding. Repeat encore screening from the National Theatre For fans of: For audiences who enjoyed: 1. Theatre on the West End and Broadway 1. NT Live: Young Marx, Allelujah! London 2. Slapstick comedy, classic theatre for 15+ Assurance 3. Cast: James Cordon (The Late Late Show, 2. Films: Legend, Carry On. Gavin & Stacy, Into the Woods, The History 3. TV: Mr. Bean, Monty-Python, Boys) and Oliver Chris (Green Wing, NT Live Fawlty Towers, Gavin & Stacey. Young Marx, A Midsummer Night’s Dream) 4. Theatre: The Play That Goes Wrong. Press Reviews ★★★★★ ‘One of the funniest productions in the National’s history.’ ‘James Corden is a hit.’ Guardian Sunday Times ★★★★★ ★★★★★ ‘Forget your cares at the funniest show in town’ ‘The funniest show on the planet.’ The Telegraph Daily Mail ★★★★★ ★★★★★ ‘A golden production.’ ‘Wildly funny comedy.’ Evening Standard The Times ★★★★★ On-stage: Photos by Johan Persson Production overview: Featuring a Tony Award-winning performance from host of the The Late Late Show, James Corden, the hilarious West End and Broadway hit One Man, Two Guvnors returns to cinemas to mark National Theatre Live’s 10th birthday. Fired from his skiffle band, Francis Henshall becomes minder to Roscoe Crabbe, a small time East End hood, now in Brighton to collect £6,000 from his fiancée’s dad. But Roscoe is really his sister Rachel posing as her own dead brother, who’s been killed by her boyfriend Stanley Stubbers.
    [Show full text]
  • THEATRE in ENGLAND 2012-13 UNIVERSITY of ROCHESTER Mara Ahmed
    THEATRE IN ENGLAND 2012-13 UNIVERSITY OF ROCHESTER Mara Ahmed The Master and Margarita Barbican Theatre 12/28/12 Based on Mikhail Bulgakov’s novel, this adaptation by Simon McBurney is as inventive and surprising as the book’s storyline. Satan disguised as Professor Woland visits Stalinist Russia in the 1930s. He and his violent retinue use their black magic and death prophesies to dispose of people and take over their apartments; most villainy and betrayal in the play is in fact motivated by the acquisition of apartment space. Bulgakov is satirizing the restriction of private space in Stalin’s Russia but buildings are also a metaphor for the structure of society as a whole. Rooms are demarcated by light beams, in the constantly changing set design, in order to emphasize relative boundaries and limits. The second part of the play focuses on Margarita and her lover, a writer who has just finished a novel about the complex relationship between Pontius Pilate (the Roman procurator of Judaea) and Yeshua ha-Nostri (Jesus, a wandering philosopher). Margarita calls him the Master on account of his brilliant literary chef d’oeuvre. She is devoted to him. However, the Master’s novel is ridiculed by the Soviet literati and after being denounced by a neighbor, he is taken into custody and ends up at a lunatic asylum. The parallels between his persecution and that of his principal character, Jesus, are brought into relief by constant shifts in time and place, between Moscow and Jerusalem. Margarita makes a bargain with Satan on the night of his Spring Ball, which she agrees to host, and succeeds in saving the Master.
    [Show full text]
  • Behind the Scenes at the National Theatre by Sir Nicholas Hytner
    An extract from Balancing Acts: Behind the Scenes at the National Theatre by Sir Nicholas Hytner The summer of 2011 looked particularly grim: Chekhov, Ibsen, Jacobean tragedy, the Ipswich serial killer. “No balance here,” I said to the planning meeting. I’d just done Hamlet, so nobody saw why it shouldn’t be my turn to deliver the laughs. I pretended to groan under the intolerable burden of giving people a good time. “It’s time James Corden came back to the theatre,” I said. “Does anybody have any ideas for him?” During The History Boys, James showed me the scripts for a sitcom he’d written with his friend Ruth Jones, called Gavin and Stacey. It was quickly picked up by the BBC, adored by the viewers, and catapulted James onto the front pages as National Treasure. He went to a few parties, had a few drinks, said a couple of stupid things, and appeared in a bad movie. This was more than enough for the tabloids to turn on him. The Guardian devoted a page to a solemn analysis of “one of the steepest and quickest falls from grace in showbiz history.” Sebastian Born, head of the Literary Department, suggested an eighteenth-century Venetian comedy by Carlo Goldoni, The Servant of Two Masters. I knew it well enough to feel my lip curling. I played the title role at school, dressed in the full chequered harlequin gear, in a production reverent of the conventions of commedia dell’arte, and insistent on the physical dexterity of the Harlequin. I managed no more than a couple of cautious somersaults, and I didn’t remember the play, or me, being very funny.
    [Show full text]