Theatre Review: Dido Queen of Carthage

Plot: Seeking refuge from a violent storm, Aeneas lands on the shores of Carthage where Queen Dido, moved by his retelling of the fall of Troy and bewitched by a malevolent Cupid, soon burns with love. Their ensuing passion, manipulated by the watching, warring gods, can only end in tragedy.

I wouldnt even bother with a review so here’s the beef: it’s worth missing this Marlowe for the Merlot. I just quoted the Whingers motto because I couldnt have said it any better. Fellow theatre blogger Tim who was also there at the preview, has got more to say here.

Dido, Queen of Carthage- 1/5

Addendum
The evening’s highlight was really my meet up with fellow SRB admirer Abigail who is just as charming and fine in person as she is online. Wish we had stayed longer at the bar, although your own outing went well. Till the next time!

Theatre trotting in March

First off, I want to say that I did well last month for I did not skip any of the six productions I have booked, so pat me in the back please! Our party almost missed Zorro on the 02/02 because of the heavy snow that London and most of the UK experienced but as they cancelled the show, we were entitled to rebook. Thanks to SEE tickets who were very understanding and helpful. Speaking of Zorro, the bad news came out last month that Zorro is definitely closing and this is due to recasting issues. The last I heard and this is straight from their website is that Zorro will embark on nine confirmed future international productions including France, Germany, Holland, Italy, Japan, Korea and Russia. The mark of Zorro lives indeed!

So what am I seeing in March then?

2- La Cage aux Folles, Playhouse Theatre

I wasn’t really planning on seeing this but after having read several enthusiastic reviews and really good word-of-mouth vibe about the performances and how it’s such a feel good production, I was left with little choice. As I am seeing it tomorrow night and have never been to the Playhouse, I am trying to navigate my way to get there.

6- Zorro, Garrick Theatre
Playing until March 14

I have a ticket to see Mrs Affleck at the Cottesloe but as most of those I know who have already seen the production loathed it, a couple of them walking out in the interval even, I thought, well what’s the point? Okay, I would lose my hard earned £10 but it’s better than a wasted Friday evening when I know I could be having more fun in seeing Zorro for the 3rd and last time! I missed Matt Rawle in my second viewing so I am hoping that he is back for this.

13- Duet for One, Almeida

Seeing this play was decided after watching the National’s Every Good Boy Deserves Favour with fellow theatre trotter Lynne back in January. Now almost at the end of its run and with tickets sold out I am pleased we did book tickets as it has received very good reviews here and here. Now that’s another Friday evening to look forward to!

17- War Horse, Olivier, National Theatre

This is really more like a box ticking exercise to say that yes, its that Michael Morpurgo recreation and I have seen it. When I first started going to the National in 2008, and missed War Horse the year before, I was advised that if it should have another staging that I make a point in booking it. I have also been warned about it but if it fails to capture my imagination, and as I am catching a matinee performance, all is not lost as I have another play to see afterwards. But I want it to be good!

17- Dido, Queen of Carthage, Cottesloe, National Theatre

Would saying I am curious about Christopher Marlowe’s work suffice for my booking this?

So with back to back plays, it’s really going to be a day out at the National, missing SRB like crazy, but also looking forward to meet Abigail!

20- On the Waterfront, Haymarket Theatre Royal

Making sure that I must have seen Stephen Berkoff in at least a film of two, I checked out his CV in IMDb and found that he was in Revolution with Al Pacino but I so hated that film and I barely remember him in it. But yes, he was also in Octopussy, Rambo II, and Beverly Hills Cop among others, so okay I do know the man. Anyway, his involvement with On the Waterfront is enough to get excited but it took a few good word of mouth for this production that behooved me to finally book it. Not having seen the Elia Kazan film with a younger Marlon Brando, I still have the time to do so before sinking my teeth into it!

27- Dimetos, Donmar Warehouse

Jonathan Pryce. The Donmar. Enough said.

So what are you seeing in the theatre this month?

National Theatre’s November-February Season

How do you start all over again? Will the words come out easy just like it used to be?

No, it’s not some soppy line from a cheap rom-com but it’s my thoughts (still cheap!) about where to start again with this blog. Then I figured that since most of its content are about my theatre escapades, then it will be easy to talk about what is up at the National Theatre for their November-February season. Pretty good save there huh? Having said that, I didnt realise that a year has almost gone by since I started taking up theatre as an alternative to film and what a good year for theatre has it been, but that’s altogether another blog entry.

It looks like the National is appealing to my heart all the time with their productions. For one thing this year, they brought me and Simon Russell Beale together via Much Ado About Nothing, Major Barbara, A Slight Ache and Landscape. Knowing that my heart will be missing SRB who will be in Broadway for The Bridge Project and will not return to Mother England until May, how will we keep Simone close to home? What about Captain Wentworth, she used to like him didnt she? So yes, let’s bring in Ciaran Hinds and make Simone happy!

And so you did guys! Ciaran Hinds is in Burnt By The Sun and I am so thrilled! I have seen him in films like The Phantom of the Opera, Calendar Girls, The Sum of All Fears and tv, like HBO’s Rome where he played a brilliant Julius Caesar, The Mayor of Casterbridge among others but my all-time favorite being Jane Austen’s Persuasion where he played Captain Frederick Wentworth which incidentally also had SRB playing Charles Musgrove. Big coincidence huh? I have booked to see Burnt by the Sun in one of its preview dates in February.

Christopher Marlowe’s Dido, Queen of Carthage is also another production that I am quite keen to see, having missed the one staged earlier this year, I also booked to see this 2 days after the Ides of March. I have not booked it yet but I am also planning to see England People Very Nice.

For the full season’s productions, please visit the National Theatre website.