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Good Thinking, Michael!Dateline: 5th October, 2003The launch of the Royal Shakespeare Company's new programme, the first under Michael Boyd's artistic directorship, has given an interesting example of press priorities. Every single bit of coverage I have read (which includes "The Stage" and a number of theatre websites) have led on the return of Judi Dench to the RSC, but that's old news! We carried that story back in July, as did all the theatre press. The new part - the plays themselves and the even more interesting ensemble proposals - were relegated to second place, if mentioned at all. We all know that the tabloid press have a low opinion of their readers but one would have thought that the industry media would not have been seduced by the "famous name" syndrome, the idea that readers can only be attracted by a story which is hung on a personality. Dame Judi is a great actress but, unlike "Sun" readers, theatregoers do not have to be led into reading a news story about the RSC by liberal doses of stardom! What I find of most interest is the emphasis Boyd is placing on the ensemble. As Steve Orme reports,
An ensemble of 36 spending twelve weeks in rehearsal. A further ensemble of twenty working on a special project. An opportunity to work "with big ideas in depth over a longer period." Working at the RSC "a transforming experience." These are what theatre lovers will consider to be the meat of the company's announcement, not least because they sum up the adverse reactions of RSC supporters to the reforms introduced by Adrian Noble before he left the company, and which now have been effectively repudiated by his successor. When Noble announced his plans, which effectively signalled the end of the ensemble concept of the RSC, I was showered with emails and the (old) forum was kept pretty busy by long-time RSC supporters howling in anguish at what they saw as the destruction of the company. Now Michael Boyd has gone back to the old way, but more so, and there will be rejoicing in the land! Now it only remains for Boyd to re-examine the issue of a London home for the RSC. He has made no mention of this but must be aware that it is a problem which has to be sorted. The departure from the Barbican and the "moveable feast" philosophy which moved the company around a number of venues, including the Roundhouse, had a damaging effect on ticket sales as the audience did not move with the company as Noble obviously expected. It will be interesting to see what Boyd proposes as a long-term solution here. The new season sees the RSC going back to its roots, as it were, and will be popular with the company's supporters. Good thinking, Michael! Articles Indices:
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