Coast of ecstasy

• Variety's Marilyn Stasio reports from the Utopia marathon where Scott Parkinson substituted for Billy Crudup. Much gush, eg. "near-religious experience".
• Leila notes the abundance of scrims in the show and had an only-in-NY sorta night.
• Discussion about discount tix at BroadwayWorld.
• Slightly tangential, but why not, a bit of June 2006 nostalgia.

  [...] I didn’t like this production of Talk Radio any more than I liked the movie. But watching Schreiber made the evening worthwhile. Like Jennifer Ehle and Brian F. O’Byrne, currently onstage in Tom Stoppard's Coast of Utopia trilogy, Schreiber is a true Broadway star and seeing him in his element is for me always time well spent. [...]

• There's an answer from IMDB about the scar thing mentioned on the tagboard. Take it with a ton of NaCl though, have not heard of any other sources for this story.
  

Coast of Utopia bits

(thanks BS!)

Broadway.com has box office stats for last week. Voyage filled the Vivian Beaumont to 90.54% capacity, grossing $280,898, making it the 4th from bottom "underdog". The Broadway.com page for The Coast of Utopia also says that seats for the three marathon performances are sold out.

There's a post at Martha Plimpton's blog recounting what happened the night of Richard Easton's collapse (it was indeed her onstage with Ethan Hawke, not Amy Irving as reported elsewhere) and providing an update on his condition (going well).

A couple of brief "saw it, loved it" sorta blog reports, chez Ryan Capps

[...] Amber and I saw Coast of Utopia at the Lincoln Center with Ethan Hawke and Billy Crudup, both of whom were awesome. Billy Crudup wandered out of the theatre and bumped into us on the street, so we got to meet him and chat with him for a bit. [...]

and Dave:

[...] Pidge and I had a weekend in NY (four shows: Grey Gardens [good, not great]; Heartbreak House [brilliant]; The Drowsy Chaperone [3rd time; I love that show]; and Tom Stoppard's Coast of Utopia: Part One [epic; amazing direction (Jack O'Brien) and deep, deep script]; not to mention two cabaret shows [saw Stritch at the Carlyle -- cost an arm and a leg, but worth it]). [...]

At StagestruckNYC, a mixed review:

At the Vivian Beaumont Theater, Lincoln Center, first of The Coast of Utopia trilogy by Tom Stoppard. EdieH reports :

"Unless you majored in 19th century Russian history, make sure you arrive about 15 minutes before the curtain rises at The Coast of Utopia—Voyage, the first part of Tom Stoppard’s trilogy. Fortunately, the historical background and synopsis of the play provided in the program are adequate preparation... The play is set in the 1840’s, the first act in Premukhino at the expansive estate of the Bakunin family, members of the noble class; and the second act in Moscow, recounting the same events from a different perspective. Voyage portrays events in the lives of the Bakunin’s four daughters and one son during the the rise of rebellion against serfdom and censorship under Tsar Nicholas I. The uprising, led by university student philosophers, known as Decembrists, sets up part two of the trilogy, Shipwreck.

The cast is serviceably led by several Stoppard alumni, including Ethan Hawke, Billy Crudup, Jennifer Ehle, and David Manis, playing the part of Bakunin patriarch, Alexander, in place of Richard Easton, who fell ill during Wednesday night’s performance. Mr. Manis’ performance was a highlight of the evening. His even-handed and humorous presentation stood out among the over-emotional performances of Mssrs. Hawke and Crudup. Amy Irving, as family matriarch, Varvara Bakunin, had the unfortunate job of portraying the evils of serfdom and was seen beating one of her properties.

The redundancy of key events in the second act, while organized to explain a complex story, led to some tedium during the evening and was, we presume, a necessary introduction to the next installment of the trilogy. Therefore, it is best to reserve judgment of Voyage until the complete story is told. In short: worth seeing if you plan to see all three parts of the play."

EdieH asks if anyone can elucidate the significance of the "Ginger Cat" in Act II? [...]

At BWW, a discussion on how the trilogy might be considered at the Tony awards.

Finally, the Lincoln Center Theater Review edition on Utopia is online except for a couple articles.

Hold on, there's another report from puck of the Liev Schreiber forum. She doesn't dig the Chekhovian thing and says this about Ms Ehle as Liubov:

jennifer ehle was ok. she's a relatively prominant character, and her part was sweet, strange, and sad, but there wasn't a great deal of depth to it. she's really just an arch of a girl who's pining for an equally sweet and strange philosopher friend of her brother's. she was in most of the family scenes, which is most of act I. i see now that that halting way she has of speaking is just her voice, not something she did for mady macbeth. it's a little out of place here.

Film updates

A mention in an Entertainment Weekly article about Hollywood vs women, by Christine Spines.

6 Studio executives, please clip and save: Eileen Atkins. Maria Bello. Jennifer Coolidge. Frances Conroy. Penélope Cruz. Zooey Deschanel. Jennifer Ehle. Vera Farmiga. Maggie Gyllenhaal. Bryce Dallas Howard. Ashley Judd. Regina King. Lisa Kudrow. Rachel McAdams. Catherine O'Hara. Lupe Ontiveros. Tilda Swinton. Evan Rachel Wood. Michelle Yeoh.

There's not an Oscar nominee on the above list. In other words, the talent pool is deep, diverse, and appallingly underused. So stretch your imaginations, lengthen your casting lists, and, unless you're looking for red-carpet arm candy, stop worrying so much about who looks ''hot.''

A rather belated review of Macbeth at The Komisar Scoop:

The set at the Delacorte Theater in Central Park is filled with debris and metal, the detritus of destruction, a junkyard. Soldiers are in camouflage; officers show bloody wounds. The weird sisters are in modern dress and do not seem crazy.

In this Public Theater version, directed by Moises Kaufman, Liev Schreiber as Macbeth and Jennifer Ehle as his wife are more richly nuanced than the traditional cardboard power couple. Indeed, they are very sexual beings, a fact emphasized by Ehle in her slinky gowns. Lady Macbeth is manipulative, but no more neurotic than your normal wife-on-the-make, till the final breakdown.

Macbeth seems less a tyrant than a man who fervently believes in his own right and destiny to rule. Not very different from others who share that sense of their “vocation.” Of course, he’s a stand-in for Bush. The couple’s plotting to take power appears cool and calculated and could have been organized by Carl Rove.

When murdered King Malcolm’s son declares that he thinks his country is struggling “beneath a yoke,” there’s no doubt which country is meant. And when the troops pass through the real trees in Central Park to come onto the stage, it’s not hard to imagine a metaphor for a modern populace rising against repressive rule. (Or didn’t you know that the Bush administration and Congress have repealed habeas corpus?)

The Clooney Project has collated all of actor Jason Strong's blog posts about his experience shooting Michael Clayton. Here's a taste:

we were shooting the deposition scene with tom wilkinson. as we wait another ad takes our breakfast order. soon after we're called in for hair and make-up, they didn't have to do much with my hair, go figure....then back to holding for coffee, food and hanging out with the director, tony. he tells us what sparked his interest in writing this story.

the long and short of it: a huge company is fughting this civil suit for years, case is about to end when some rookie lawyer finds this document as they clean out one of the storage rooms. this document, if it becomes known, will destory the company and the firm. document never sees the light of day, and that was the first time in the history of the firm that a second-year associate ever made partner. true story.

Plus there are some positive but undetailed reports from Ferreson and Chelsea Spaulding, who got to see preview screenings of the movie.

Bollywood Online interviews Rahul Bose about Road to the Sky.

Rahul Bose who also dabbles in films like 15 Park Avenue and a fun film like Pyar Ke Side Effects is now working on an American film which is being directed by Santosh Sivan.

The film is called Road to the Sky and being produced by an American company called Echo Lake Productions along with Adirondack Pictures and Santosh Sivan Productions of India. An Israeli story has been painted in Indian colours and presented. The film is based in the pre-independence days in Kerala. “It is the story of a British planter (Linus Roache) and a Malayali boy.” The foreign producers were keen on the film being shot in South Africa or Brazil but Santosh insisted on Munnar as he felt it was one of those hill stations in Kerala that retain an old-world charm.

Bose further tells the story. “This British planter has a tea plant and he thinks of an idea by which he wants to export all the spices abroad. The idea he has is to start a spice route. I belong to the same district and am the son of the Sarpanch of a village. I am a villager, but can speak English well,” says Bose. The film also co-stars British actors Linus Roache and Jennifer Ehle. The film explores the relationship between the planter, his wife (Jennifer Ehle), his lover (Nandita Das) and his aide. Finally, Rahul’s character understands that he has to make a choice and that it is not quite possible to live in two worlds.

But Sivan was the inspiration for Bose to sign the film. “I like working with Sivan because he is a very instinctive artiste. If you get into things like rationalisation with him like asking him why a particular shot is being taken or why a particular scene is being shot, he is at a loss of words. But at the same time if you can tune into the fact that his thoughts are lateral then it’s a huge pleasure working with him,” says Bose.

Though the film is based in 1937, Rahul does not prefer calling the movie as a period film. The film has been shot in picturesque Munnar and has reached the post production stages.

The Road to Sky will premiere at film festivals and will hit the Indian marquee after a while.

Pride and Prejudice collector's DVD review

DVD Talk has a nice and detailed review of the three-disc collector's edition of Pride and Prejudice. Here's the final verdict, but clicky to read the blow-by-blow.

This bookshelf-worthy anniversary DVD of A&E's "Pride and Prejudice" has a rabid built-in buyership ready to snatch it up. More casual fans who already have the earlier edition may not feel like buying it again.

While nothing has been added to the main program -- no commentary tracks, no improvement of a picture that always looked (perhaps intentionally) overexposed and bleachy -- the new extras are fun and enriching. The top two stars are absent, but the actors who are interviewed prove to be a funny bunch. Crispin Bonham Carter, whose Bingley is Darcy's ever-polite best friend, gets in a naughty little dig about the difference between his and Colin Firth's pants. Jane Austen would probably chuckle.

Over at IMDB there's a Firthite fan's-eye view of the features, also quite detailed. Here's the naughty bit and verdict:

Crispin was shown walking through the original church where the wedding scene was filmed. They showed the scene and he said he was continually asked by the director to "adjust his breeches" and "you can see why!" He also said Colin was annoyed that HE didn't have to adjust his breeches! (I guess no one noticed Colin's breeches during the hunting through London for Wickham scene!)
...
It cost around $42 for the set including postage, it is beautifully packaged. The 3 discs are in a hardcover glossy book type cover with Colin on the cover, and that, along with the Making of P&P book are slipped inside a hard dark green gold-embossed slipcover.

I did really enjoy the "extras" but I can't really say it was worth $42. For someone who doesn't already own the Making of P&P, it might be more worth it.
...
I just watched the Biography episode of Jane Austen included on the disc, and it was wonderful. Some P&P footage and commentary on Colin as Darcy by some "Jane-ites," and as that episode alone sells for $24.95 at the A and E site, perhaps $42 for the 10th anniversary package isn't such a bad deal after all.

Too bad you can't buy just the third disc, though, as most of us already have the Making of P&P book and the quality of the other discs is no better than the other A&E editions."

From Froogle, looks like Echelon has the best deal at $36.99.

By the way, here are the results for the "Which are you most looking forwards to" poll:

Alpha Male 33% (34)
Road to the Sky (Kerala) 8% (8)
Pride and Glory 28% (29)
Michael Clayton 7% (7)
The Coast of Utopia 16% (16)
Macbeth 8% (8)

Live from Lincoln Center

Earlier someone suggested that we lobby for The Coast of Utopia to be broadcast on PBS's Live from Lincoln Center TV program. I wrote to ask if they were already planning to do so and the reply was in the negative. Still, may be worth a try. Here are the contact details:

Live from Lincoln Center
70 Lincoln Center Plaza, NY 10023
212-875-5339
csamet@lincolncenter.org (this address works)

We've heard from the NYPL that The Coast of Utopia is going to be recorded for the Theatre on Film and Tape archives, the same collection that also contains The Real Thing and Macbeth vids.

Meanwhile, Mr Crudup's already helping publicise the trilogy. From the Trust the Man junket:

Will be appearing this fall at Lincoln Center in a trio of plays by Tom Stoppard called The Coast of Utopia. They're about Russian politics in the 19th century -- he tried to make them sound rock 'n' roll, but even he knew it was a lie.

Random reviews

Oops, sorry about the missed day yesterday everyone! Misdated this post to August 2005.

First up, a mini-review of Summerfolk by Clive Barnes of the New York Post on October 3rd, 1999.

I was a little less enthusiastic over the National's new staging by Nunn of that darker-toned companion piece to Chekhov's "The Cherry Orchard," Maxim Gorky's "Summerfolk."

Not much helped by Nick Dear's new and glibly modern translation, it missed that crepuscular Gorky magic achieved by David Jones' production for RSC a couple of decades back. But some performances - especially, again, Roger Allam and, as a young, lost and bewildered wife, Jennifer Ehle - shone out between the omnipresent birch trees of Christopher Oram's setting.

And a late review of Macbeth by librosopher:

I recently saw this play performed in Central Park in NYC. It was a post-modern production with Liev Schreiber as Macbeth and Jennifer Ehle as Lady Macbeth. They each did a fantastic job but I think the director was being a bit overambitious and overwrought with the imagery and overall look. The witches looked more like raggedy homeless soldiers rather than supernatural creatures…perhaps that was Moises Kauffman’s intention, but it just did not seem to fit the play. Yes, Macbeth is a story about war, but it is more about Macbeth’s internal conflict fueled by power and ambition manifested onto the world and how this blurs his sense of reality and imagination. I did like how the murder of Macduff’s family was juxtaposed with the scene in which Macduff finds out about it, though it could have been paced a little faster. I also like how at the end, the back curtain was drawn back to reveal the trees of Central Park, standing in as the forest of Birnam advancing on Dunsinane…very clever. I even almost expected them to move and a slight breeze did make them rustle a bit.

Period drama fans might be interested in reading this bunch of reviews at raptures of folly which includes Pride and Prejudice. As a bit of trivia, it turns out that Capitol Films is distributing both Alpha Male and Before the Devil Knows You're Dead.

Family update

Rosemary Harris

IMDB says she is currently filming Before the Devil Knows You're Dead which also stars Philip Seymour Hoffman, Albert Finney, Marisa Tomei and Ethan Hawke.

You can watch The Royal Family via Google Video for $0.99 for a day pass ticket or download the program for $19.99.

Word is that Spider-Man 3 is going to be released worldwide on May 4th 2007, at IMAX as well.

Wireimage has a bunch of Spidey on-location photos including some of Rosemary Harris.

John Ehle

The press conference for The Land Breakers is tomorrow (Fri 28th). The book is already in stores (signed copies at Borders).

Article in the Winston Salem Journal about the book being chosen for On the Same Page reading project.

Jennifer Ehle

Go Sahila.

Summerfolk program on eBay.

TheaterPro reviews Macbeth:

Moises Kaufman sets the action not in ancient Scotland but in the early twentieth century – also a period of war, bloodshed and deception -- with the result that Mr. Schreiber and his co-star, Jennifer Ehle as Lady Macbeth, are in more intimate contact with the political environment and the audience. As the hero and his wife, Mr. Schreiber and Ms. Ehle begin as fashionable opportunists, but grow deeper and darker as Macbeth sinks into despair. He delivers the big soliloquies with an emotion that thrills and chills, but is always in control, while her sleepwalking scene combines guilt and heartfelt remorse.

The production achieves the classical aim of pity for them both and their plight, and fear of the abyss that awaits the over-ambitious.

Had enough Macbeth yet?

Just say when.

TransArt:

Grade: B
A fine outdoor outing for "the Scottish play." Liev Schreiber delivers the Main Thane with the requisite angst and bombast; and Jennifer Ehle, probably best known as Elizabeth Barrett in the BBC production of Pride and Prejudice, cooks smoothly as Lady Mac, though the actress doesn't completely suppress an inner sweetness that doesn't seem Lady-Mac-the-Knife-like. Or perhaps that's just the reviewer's prejudice after her flavorful Prejudice turn. The now traditional use of a nontraditional setting places us in a drab-looking circa-World War I European country, which seems arbitrary if not a miscalculation, given that that era saw the last convulsions of monarchism and Macbeth is about its early convulsions, at least as experienced on those bleak highlands.

Entertainment Weekly:

As the sleepwalking Queen, Jennifer Ehle (The Real Thing) is probably the most put-together Lady M you've ever seen — graceful, polished, and impossibly elegant in Michael Krass' haute-couture-style gowns. She's a Martha Stewart-like ice princess, and a worthy foil for Schreiber's King.

A letter to the editor at AM NY:

I beg to differ with your review of Macbeth at the Delacorte Theatre, especially with the assessment of Jennifer Ehle's performance as Lady Macbeth as a 'train wreck' because her character was feminine, ingratiating, mature, and was still so easily seduced by ambition.

Your writer missed the point of the production, which was also clarified by the depiction of the weird sisters as very aged camp followers (prostitutes).

This was that when women are whores to male aggression (and men demand that they be such), basic decency disappears and evil triumphs.

--Judith N. Newman, Manhattan

NC lit blogger Sue Kimball:

What reminded me of all this was reading today that MACBETH closed on Sunday in the park. And the female star, Lady Macbeth herself, was beautiful Jennifer Ehle, North Carolina born. Jennifer was fifteen when her father John Ehle brought her to my house, and that can't be over fifteen years ago. That means she is a quite young Lady Macbeth, but she really did get a good review full of compliments in THE NEW YORKER.

And an earlier post by Ms Kimball:

Jennifer was allowed to attend the Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts, prohibited to Americans, which she is, because of her distinguished mother. About five years ago, the two of them, mother and daughter, were nominated for England's highest stage prize, the equivalent of our Oscar. And Rosemary was nominated for best supporting actress in this country.

(Actually CSSD not RADA).

Macbeth recorded

Missed Macbeth? The New York Public Library recorded the play for their Theatre on Film and Tape archives and limited access will be available. This is the same collection as the vids of The Real Thing and the Neil Simon benefit.

The Public Theater / New York Shakespeare Festival production of Macbeth starring Liev Schreiber and Jennifer Ehle was videotaped by the Theatre on Film and Tape Archive (TOFT) on July 13*, 2006 at the Delacorte Theater in Central Park.

1) The videorecording will be available for viewing after July 26, 2006 at The New York Public Library for the Performing Arts, by qualified researchers. If you would like to arrange an appointment to view this production, please call our screening room directly at (212) 870-1642, and we will be glad to assist you. Our hours are Tuesdays through Fridays 12 PM to 6 PM and Saturday by appointment only from 1 PM to 6 PM. We have walk-in slots available first come, first served on weekdays beginning when we open at 12 PM. If you have any further questions regarding our holdings, please email us at toft@nypl.org.

2) TOFT is a restricted archive and in order to view a tape, you must be working on specific professional or scholarly research. The Archive is available for use by theatre professionals, students, scholars, journalists, and other researchers with a valid reason to view a particular title. The videotapes must be viewed on-site, in our screening room at Lincoln Center. We do not lend, copy, sell, or distribute any of the videotapes physically or electronically in accordance with our contracts with the various theatre unions and guilds that allow us to tape live theatrical productions.

Researchers are required to have an ACCESS card to use materials on the third floor of The New York Public Library for the Performing Arts, where TOFT is located. To learn more about the ACCESS card and apply online, please visit catnyp.nypl.org and click on the "Access Card" icon. When you visit the Library, Copy Services, also located on the third floor, will process your card.

*Actually July 6th.

Alpha Male screenings, etc

The Curzon Mayfair is showing Alpha Male at 6.30pm and 9pm from August 11th to 14th. It's getting a longer run at the Barbican, til the 24th. Distributor Verve Pictures says that the film will also be screening at Cineworld Haymarket and Fulham Road, although Launching Films indicates that it'll be showing at "Cineworld Shaftesbury Ave. & Nationwide".

On the blogs it's back to the old chatter about Pride and Prejudice. Manasi Subramaniam on the leads:

Colin Firth as Darcy - possibly the most attractive literary character created at least until the appearance of the sordid, brooding Edward Rochester in 1847 - is so deliciously morose, that you actually forgive him, at some point, for being Colin Firth. But the stealer of the show, without doubt, is, more than Ehle herself as Elizabeth, the ever-laughing, perpetually amused pair of eyes that Ehle possesses, eyes that were alluded to by Darcy at the ball in Chapter Six. If for nothing but those eyes, Ehle is brilliant casting.

More praise for said eyes at UnNatural History, in Possession this time, though the romantic plot touches on some sore points for the author.

Continuing with the Macbeth scraps, John Heilpurn of the NY Observer gives a thumbs down. And Terry is outed.

John Ehle will be attending the Carolina Mountains Literary Festival on September 15th-16th.

PS. The Alpha Male trailer has just been rated by the BBFC so keep an eye out.

Kimiko's report

Many thanks for sharing this, K.

I saw Macbeth on Friday of the closing week. Thursday was the travel day from LA to NY. Friday, I left my hotel at 6:00am arriving at Central Park at 6:30am, There were two lines at the box office, one for the regular people and the othe for seniors. I got my ticket at 1:00pm without any problems. There were many people for both lines who were turned down. Some of the senior citizens who were in the line were so knowledgeable. I didn't have to explain about JE. One person even said that it would have been so nice if JE's mother played the mother in The Philadelphia Story. I didn't even think about it. Another who already saw the play before said that the show was wonderful and she didn't understand some negative comments. She said the play was interrupted several times because of the rain and JE's pretty dresses were wet. Leiv thanked the audience saying that he would never forget those who stayed until the end sharing the plastic rain covers.

I enjoyed the play very much. I saw Macbeth in London (the Barbican) several years ago, and in San Diego (the Old Globe) last year. Lady M. in London looked like a nun in gray costume, and the one in San Diego looked ordinary. Neither one made much impression on me. JE' Lady M. was very impressive, and I think I would have felt the same way even if I were not such a crazy JE fan. I saw Kaufman's Gross Indecency in LA and also Laramie Project in San Diego both a few years ago. I knew he was a capable director. With this director and JE and Leiv performing, Macbeth should be a first rate play, and I thought it was. But, I'm neither a theater authority nor Shakespeare purist; I'm only JE purist.

The curtain call went only once abruptly. If at the curtain calls in The Philadelphia Story Kevin Spacy made it clear that JE was the star of the play, JE made it clear Leiv was the star applauding him after her own bow. The amazing moment for me arrived when Macbeth was told that Lady M was dead. Leiv was alone on the stage sitting in the chair. His eyes welled with tears. I could see it from my front seat. His eyes glittered like diamond. And, do you know what I felt at that monent? Instead of "What an actor Leav is!" I felt "What a wonderful actress JE is making her leading man cry in his role!" I thought he might choke in his next dialogue of, "Tomorrow, and tomorrow and tomorrow---" He didn't. It was such a brief special theatrical moment for me as an audience. My disappontment was that Leiv didn't give any speech at the end. I guess he had nothing special to thank for as everything went without hitch: no rain, no interruption, no technical mishap and a full house.

I hurried to the Gate 1 stage door. JE came out, but two not-so-youg-looking guys greeted her hugging her and escorted her quickly into the crowd arm in arm. I recognized her because of her cropped hair. Others didn't recognize her because of her hair. Nobody Asked for her autograph, and I didn't dare. She was wearing a pale blue cotton blouse with matching mid-calf pants. Casual looking attire. Macbeth was worth the trip from LA, but I couldn't help feeling that this park evnt was for New Yorkers.

Kimiko

One more

From Lydia and Kevin:

Who doesn't love Macbeth? It really is one of my favorite Shakespeare plays - I suppose that's because most high school english programs make you study it inside and out - and my high school was no different. But it's even better when this show is performed outdoors at the Delacorte theater for the Public's Shakespeare in the Park.

I'm a little late in posting, and the show has already closed - but it was a nice production. Liev Schreiber starred as Macbeth and features Jennifer Ehle (from A&E's Pride and Prejudice) as Lady Macbeth. I thought the two had great chemistry - not to mention great costumes. The three weird sisters were delightful - a nice new take on some of the imagining of the sisters that I have seen before. Some of the staging could have used a little work - and more elaborate sets would have been appreciated. However, some of the last scenes, especially as Macbeth is about to die were really powerful - the director, Milos Forman, gets credit for that - but if only we had seen some of that same imagining towards the beginning of the show. Suffice to say, this was a well done production of a great play and a beautiful night in the Park.

Thought this from IMDB was kinda funny.

Stragglers

Not quite finished with the Macbeth stuff yet. Here goes.

From BroadwayWorld:

I thought the peice was brilliant, a masterpeice if you will. Leiv blew me away. Even before he became king, you could tell he was carrying so much weight on his shoulders. Completly internal. Then Jennifer as Lady Mcbeth! Wow! So....Human...I know she didnt get the strong reviews like Mr.M, but i found the character so real- Not related to other performances (RSC version and almost all others) where she is played strong with no emotions- practically another witch. I really was concerned about the couple- not just the war...>A real emotional experience....kudos to director (Moises Kauffman)-- The set- brilliant....

A great show, with great performances......at a time where it is needed....

From Catherine Elizabeth:

I read Macbeth in high school, and have never seen it, so I was very happy to let Liev Schreiber and Jennifer Ehle act it out for me.
Overall, I enjoyed the production very much. It had been edited, so it felt very fast moving. I thought both Jennifer and Liev did a very nice job. Two of the fight sequences were remarkably beautiful.
That being said, here are a few problems I had. The Public's theme for this years Shakespeare in the Park is war. I feel that there are many Shakespeare scripts to choose from that would work nicely. Macbeth isn't one of them. Yes, there is war in this play, but I feel the main themes of Macbeth are on a much more personal level (ambition, greed, destiny, consequences, etc.) It seemed unnatural to try to make it be about war.

From Glamourite:

While the cast as a whole was strong, only two members really stood out of the canvas: the incomparable Liev Schreiber as Macbeth and the graceful yet forceful Jennifer Ehle as Lady Macbeth. Acclaimed stage and screen actor Liev Schreiber has been performing in productions at the Public Theater for the past decade; in this time, he has established himself as the premium Shakespearean actor of his generation in America. According to the New York Times, Schreiber has “consistently won acclaim for the vocal beauty and subintelligence of his performances as Hamlet, Iago, and Henry V, among others.” His Macbeth was so captivating that you cannot help but sit on the edge of your sit and listen to his every word and watch his every movement. Almost as equally impressive was Jennifer Ehle as Lady Macbeth. Acting opposite Schreiber and not fading into the scenery is an incredible feat in itself; however, Jennifer Ehle succeeded in providing a credible counterpart to Schreiber’s Macbeth.

Foreign language reports: Toni in German and er, someone else in Japanese. Babelfish for the brave.

Some "saw it, liked it" reports: Cory and Annie, lobolance, eerabaum, Dona, damedroiture, DrunkBunch, Rachel, amrita, okyoufiends, Jenni Leigh (who spots Spiderman's aunt and Julia Stiles in the audience), Laughing Wild (mildly critical).

Notables but not quotable: Ed describes the show quite evocatively, Terri has a photo from behind the Delacorte, Kirstin writes about the final show (spots Voldemort)

Views from the queue: Brooks Lampe gets philosophical, Stacy blackberry-blogs from the queue.

Star-spotting: Toby Shuster went to the gala and was dumbstruck by Naomi Watts, Cindy also attended and was similarly awed by the celeb-density, Isaac describes the afterparty like so: "just imagine standing in the middle of a castle in eighty-degree heat at midnight, basically in five hundred people's way". Heh.

Janice's report

Thanks Janice.

I had a great time at the Friday eve performance of Macbeth. I always felt that the setting should give a feeling of glumness and despair. The rain and pending storm was perfect (from my perspective as a spectator). I thought your performance was excellent. I have always thought that Lady Macbeth is a juicy role but have seen other performances with weak actors, or maybe it could have been the director’s fault. I always felt that Lady Macbeth was a force to be reckoned with and really directed her husband’s actions but as we all know, the powers of the mind can afflict anyone and Lady Macbeth was not immune to that. I look forward to your future projects. Hope you’re enjoying the show.

The last time I saw Macbeth was in Seattle at their Shakespeare in the Park series last summer. My husband played Ross and Porter. It was fun to see a larger scale, more funded production, although I must admit, there are some fantastic regional productions out there!

It was silly to use jenniferehle@gmail.com for the blog, but alas, what's done cannot be undone. Mail to that address does not reach Ms Ehle but us eds, mere fans. See the FAQ for her agents' details.

PS. Sorry about Friday, confusion on my part.

Macbeth leftovers

The bad: J Gatsby.

The good: Timmy, Danika.

Drawing of the set.

The beginning of a beautiful friendship.

Oh, we passed the 1000 posts mark recently (it's up to 1020ish now). Hip hip hurrah!

PS. Minor bits on Coast of Utopia: Martha Plimpton talks about it at the end of her Downstage Center interview - not much new info, just that rehearsals start in September. There's an article about Tom Stoppard's trip to Russia in the Moscow Times. The Russian version of the trilogy set to preem in April 2007.

Hurlyburly's done

David Barbour for Lighting & Sound:

...In a production by Moses Kaufman that is both bloody and elegant, Macbeth proves to be a very, very good idea indeed.
...
The Baldwin production was almost entirely stolen by the Banquo of Liev Schreiber, who was just beginning to make his reputation as one of our best Shakespeareans; here, he provides a fresh look at the Scottish soldier king. Most Macbeths, in my experience, have been rationalizers, turning the idea of murder around in their heads, jumping through logical hoops to convince themselves that they act rightly. Schreiber will have none of this; his Macbeth goes with his gut, reaching for Duncan's crown almost instinctively--and, later, as the bodies begin to pile up, recoils from his deeds in an equally visceral fashion. At moments, he almost seems to be physically sickened by the blood he has spilled. (When he says, "Macbeth shall sleep no more," you really believe it.)

Offering the sharpest possible contrast is Jennifer Ehle's coolly beautiful, supremely rational Lady Macbeth. Every inch the political wife--dressed by Michael Krass in a white strapless gown seemingly lifted from Eva Peron's closet--she positively beams with warmth and good will, even as she plots the death of Duncan. Clearly convinced that only one violent deed will purchase her the world, she convincingly disintegrates as one murder leads to another, and then another. In one of the evening's most striking images, after the killing of Duncan, she enters, her arms stained with blood up to her elbows, looking for all the world like gloves to go with her evening dress. ...

Robert Fuller for Edge gives a so-so review:

Jennifer Ehle as Lady Macbeth also has mixed success. She has the stern and beautiful bearing of the popular girl nobody really likes; she’s the first Lady Macbeth I’ve seen who made me think of how complicated her relationships with all the other wives around town must be. But her hunger - for the crown, a child, or whatever - never seems alive to us. The character’s calculation is played so relentlessly that anything else there might be is choked off. Like all those pretty popular girls, Ehle mostly just makes us feel indifferent in the end.

Marc Pitzke for Spiegel (see Babelfish):

Dann verwischen die Jahrhunderte. Macbeth und seine stählerne First Lady (Jennifer Ehle, Tochter der britischen Theaterlegende Rosemary Harris) kommen in dieser Inszenierung als Glamour-Paar daher, wie frisch den Klatschblättern entsprungen: jung, elegant, Champagner trinkend und immer sexy, selbst mit Blut an den Händen. "Brad und Angelina geben Interviews - in iambischen Pentametern", schrieb der Kritiker Charles Isherwood dazu.

Star-spotting by Jügi and David Patrick Columbia - the latter has photos, but none of the leading lady.

What's a roundup without naysayers? Disappointment chez Helen (but from early previews), Heather and Elisabeth Vincentelli. Mixed review from Karen, who wasn't so keen on the updating thing. However, this production has succeeded in turning people on to live Shakespeare, including Britt ("It was a very powerful and thrilling performance...I was in awe through the entire five acts"), KH and Ivy. barbarienne loved it (likewise amme) and was even infected by Shakespearese. Also, there's a response to the New Yorker's review at newyorkette about the menstrual blood interpretation of the "unsex me here" speech.

So, Macbeth has now closed. What a month! No doubt there will be leftovers about it trickling in, but we'll be returning to regular programming soon. Get ready for bi-daily posting of ancient news and eBay roundups.

Thanks to everyone who's contributed reports, reviews, links, tips, photos, scans, moral support and other useful things. Special thanks to the folks at the Public Theatre for being super helpful and friendly.

PS. Looks like John Ehle's The Land Breakers will be in stores on July 21st according to Press 53. There will be a press conference at Borders.

Macbeth stills

Photographer Michal Daniel of Proofsheet has the largest collection of Macbeth production stills found so far, 27 beautiful photos.




Have a look at Film Magic's coverage of the Macbeth afterparty too. The photos including Jennifer Ehle we've posted before.

Macbeth miracle

Knew the fates couldn't be that cruel! We've found a transcript of the ABC feature on Macbeth broadcast a couple of days ago, with Jennifer Ehle, Moisés Kaufman and Lynn Cohen. Still can't find the video although it is probably lurking online somewhere via ABC's subscription video-on-demand service.

This is just the beginning, you must read the whole thing.

BILL BLAKEMORE (ABC NEWS)

(OC) Let me start with you, Miss Ehle. You look a little bit different when I saw you a few nights ago. You don't look like Lady Macbeth at all. How in the heaven's name did you prepare for this part? I don't suppose this is one of those parts were you find your inner Lady Macbeth to speak of it and bring that out.

JENNIFER EHLE (ACTRESS

Well, you follow the story. So, I guess, she does emerge. I never wanted to come at it as a applying a Lady Macbeth. I had received ideas about who she was, even though I hadn't ever really paid much attention to the play. I didn't believe in what I, I had read it and I had seen it. But, I never found her very interesting. Because, she'd always seemed like not quite a real person to me. And, then, when I knew that Moises was doing this at The Public. I sat down and read the play and found that I really, really liked her. And, that she wasn't at all who I had ever believed her to be.

BILL BLAKEMORE (ABC NEWS)

(OC) You liked her?

JENNIFER EHLE (ACTRESS

I do. I like her.

BILL BLAKEMORE (ABC NEWS)

(OC) You made, you made her very interesting, I must say. What did you, was there a psychological key to this famous monster?

JENNIFER EHLE (ACTRESS

No, well, I don't think, I mean, I think, she is a monster. Of course, anybody who kills another human being and cold blooded is a monster. But, I don't think that, you should be able to be in the room with her and not be aware that she's a monster. I think, that's a true monster, isn't it?

BILL BLAKEMORE (ABC NEWS)

(OC) That's what makes it so frightening?

JENNIFER EHLE (ACTRESS

Yes.

GRAPHICS: SHAKESPEARE IN THE PARK TAKES PLACE EACH SUMMER IN NYC'S CENTRAL PARK

BILL BLAKEMORE (ABC NEWS)

(OC) There wasn't some thought like, this is one who has to be in control or just has to have...

JENNIFER EHLE (ACTRESS

She just, if they just can do this one little thing then, life would be okay.

BILL BLAKEMORE (ABC NEWS)

(OC) Ah.

JENNIFER EHLE (ACTRESS

It's just, just one little thing. And, it's a horrible thing. And, she knows it's a horrible thing. But, just, if we do this, then, for the rest of our life, we will be so happy. And, we will have...

GRAPHICS: PERFORMANCES ARE FREE

BILL BLAKEMORE (ABC NEWS)

(OC) Just a little murder. And, then...

JENNIFER EHLE (ACTRESS

Just a little murder and then, we'll be fine. And, it, unfortunately, I think she would be capable of doing that. But, he is not. And, so, since he is not, their marriage falls apart, everything falls apart. And so, she loses everything because he can't live with the guilt.

GRAPHICS: 1ST COME, 1ST SERVED BASIS

BILL BLAKEMORE (ABC NEWS)

(OC) So, she made that little mistake in logic?

JENNIFER EHLE (ACTRESS

Yeah.

BILL BLAKEMORE (ABC NEWS)

(OC) How to live a happy life?

JENNIFER EHLE (ACTRESS

And, she believed that he wanted. I mean, he's the one who first broaches it. And, she believes, she knows that he doesn't have the backbone, the spine to kill. And, so she says, 'I will back you up. I will give you the result that you need. Wherever you have gaps, I will fill it in." And, she makes that vow and she follows through and does it. And, it's a terrible, terrible mistake.

Read on, I say! We've also got a transcription of the Charlie Rose interview with Liev Schreiber, which can be viewed via Google Video for free.

To the roundup. David A. Rosenberg of Backstage sees the Macbeths as a "chic power couple", modelled on the Bushes. Theatrescene's Jenifer Braun also picks up on the "smooth, WASPy" element. The Playgoer thinks the politicising of Macbeth is appropriate, cf the NYT review. But he's ambivalent about the glam approach to Lady M. In contrast, Robert Cashill of Live Design finds that "the hair color, and the pink and purple gowns designed for her by Michael Krass, softened the actress in a surprising way, and made her turn toward plotting and conspiracy all the more chilling". He calls her an "iron butterfly". longdeadturkey liked her "deliberately odd" interpretation, though opinions among his companions varied. astamate admires both leads' "nuanced performances" though he would've liked more spookiness, while Boulon Jones says that this Macbeth was "by far the best Shakespeare production" ever seen, and gives a lovely description of the ambiance. Finally, darklyscarlett's review is too good not to quote:

Lady Macbeth always reminded me of a calculating society wife who feeds her husbands ambitions then is completely ill-equipped to handle the violent practicalities of political scheming, mayhem and murder. She expends so much energy throwing a rug over abyss of his madness in public that it's inevitable that she falls into her own with a wail. In a PR sense, they're pretty savvy, but not too astute.

On stage, Lieve Schrieber and Jennifer Ehle did look the consummate power partnership; Charles Isherwood of The New York Times, in his review, compared them to a highly-groomed Hollywood golden couple, "Brad and Angelina granting interviews in iambic pentameter."

Absolutely loved her. Thought that, especially during an uneven first act, she blew Liev right off the stage. Though this was a very different portrayal; there wasn't an undercurrent of malevolence and rage in her character as she goes insane ("Out, damn'd spot! out, I say!" comes out in grief and disbelief, more than anything). But in the end, it didn't matter. She's got an indelible stage presence, no pun, and a beautiful delivery. Didn't hurt that, with the strawberry-blond hair in gorgeous gowns, she looked like an amalgam of Kate Winslet, Gillian Anderson, and Meryl Streep.

Oh yeah, up-and-coming Canadian actress Laura Regan is one of us.

Last chance

Only two more performances of Macbeth left! Don't miss out. Sunday's performance is Sign-interpreted by the way.

Macbeth and miscellany

Broadway.com has photos from Macbeth's opening night. Jennifer Ehle's in the first with Liev Schreiber and the 13th photo with Julianna Margulies. Thanks Kate!

Writing with Zest has a handful of Livejournal icons from Macbeth production stills.

Limmy's World Tour has a couple of photos, one of the stage and one of singleted Liev Schreiber.

Gawker has a sweet stagedoor story with Liev Schreiber.

Early buzz for The Coast of Utopia in the Poughkeepsie Journal:

Coming in October: Put Tom Stoppard's "The Coast of Utopia" on your calendar for the fall. This is his three-part epic that spans a 30-year period as it tells the panoramic story of a group of Russian writers who strive to create a new political system using only their minds as weapons. You'll be able to see the show in three separate showings or in an all-day marathon — if you can stand it.