Macbeth - Liverpool Everyman Theatre, May 2011

[Ravish Me Ripley]

Just thought i'd draw attention to this:

www.everymanplayhouse.com/show/MACBETH/521.aspx

I booked my front row tickets on the day they went on sale and literally cannot wait

I saw David Tennant in Hamlet in 2008 and last year i saw John Simm in Hamlet. John Simm blew DT out of the water and his performance remains to this day the best piece of live theatre i have ever seen. I was in tears by the end - he was phenomenal! I do hope David Morrissey can at least equal John, if not better him. Though Hamlet is my favourite Shakespeare play so he's already on the back foot ;D

Who am i kidding? He could read the phonebook! I'm just glad to be able to breath the same air as him

[marianne]

Thanks for the link Ravish me Ripley. Can I call you Ravishing for short? You lucky thing! I really like the look of Jemma Redgrave in that pic. Funny how David and his co-stars are all playing Hamlet recently! Who do you love most: David Tennant, John Simm or our David? I think Hamlet has some of the most amazing soliloquies. I particularly love this one:

Had I but died an hour before this chance,
I had lived a blessed time; for, from this instant,
There 's nothing serious in mortality:
All is but toys: renown and grace is dead;
The wine of life is drawn, and the mere lees
Is left this vault to brag of.

I'd love to see Russell Crowe play Hamlet on the big screen. I hope David's production of Hamlet does well and that he gets fantastic reviews.

[Ravish Me Ripley]

David is playing Macbeth, Marianne. If he were playing Hamlet also i may have actually died (Hamlet being my favourite literary character) ;D

As for having to pick between the 2 and Davids and John, i would have to say i love (attractive) Morrissey most but then i love (acting ability) John most. DT doesn't measue up against them two

[marianne]

Mar 8, 2011 13:11:59 GMT Ravish Me Ripley said:

David is playing Macbeth, Marianne.

Ooops, my brain went for a little stroll during that post! Still, it's quite interesting that David and co. are playing major Shakespearean characters so close to each other. Thanks for not mentioning that the quote I mentioned is from Mcbeth, not Hamlet. OK, what I meant to say was that Mcbeth had some of the most amazing sololiquies. And I want Russell Crowe to play Mcbeth.

I've only seen John Simm in State of play and an episode (or 2?) of Doctor Who. Will you stone me if I confess that prefer Russell Crowe as Cal? ;D*hides behind a sofa* I watched the film before I saw the mini-series. I thought JS was fine as Cal, but strangely I didn't connect to his character the way I did with almost everyone else.

[lilly]

Mar 9, 2011 9:49:54 GMT marianne said:

I've only seen John Simm in State of play and an episode (or 2?) of Doctor Who. Will you stone me if I confess that prefer Russell Crowe as Cal? ;D*hides behind a sofa* I watched the film before I saw the mini-series. I thought JS was fine as Cal, but strangely I didn't connect to his character the way I did with almost everyone else.

It's okay, Marianne--I'll consider speaking to you again...someday...[/b]

As long as you don't think that Ben Affleck was a better Stephen Collins, too!

(Of course this is coming from someone who adamantly refused to see the film version of State of Play, cos of finding the entire notion heretical and offensive--though I have a general hangup about crappy American versions of great British productions anyway. I don't want to live in a world where Harvey Keitel is considered remotely comparable to Philip Glenister!)



There are so many other great John Simm performances that I'm not even sure where to begin in terms of which ones to recommend to you; certainly Life On Mars is up there, 'natch, and I liked seeing him play shy-and-goofy in both Human Traffic and Miranda (though I found that a terribly uneven film overall, and Christina Ricci--talented as she is--woefully miscast, unlike in Penelope, which I absolutely loved [and I'm not just saying that because James McAvoy and Nigel Havers are in it, along with Burn Gorman doing a truly horrific American accent]). I've also been watching Mr. Simm in The Devil's Whore at YouTube, and let me just say that he does that whole long-haired, sexy 'n dangerous outlaw thing remarkably well. *fans self*

In any case--and before I get any further afield--I know that celia wasn't terribly keen on him at one time too, but somewhere along the line her eyes were opened to his appeal (both as an actor and a hunka-hunka burnin' luv) so that may yet happen for you as well. If I can overlook him being a United fan, you can too!

I'm glad you guys already started a Macbeth thread, and RVR, I look forward to your review and Hug Report! I certainly hope that anyone else who gets to see the play can relate their experiences and opinions too.

Related to that, I've got just a few related items such as this BBC interview and a mini photo shoot.

[kelsey]

David Morrissey To play Macbeth At The Everyman

The Everyman and Playhouse theatres have announced a very important and exciting production for May at the Everyman: David Morrissey will play the lead role in William Shakespeare's Macbeth alongside Jemma Redgrave as Lady Macbeth, directed by Artistic Director Gemma Bodinetz.



The return of David Morrissey, one of the country's foremost actors of stage and screen, follows a line of great actors including the late Pete Postlethwaite, Matthew Kelly, Jonathan Pryce and Kim Cattrall, who have returned to the city in recent years to appear on the Everyman and Playhouse stages.

David Morrissey first acted at the Everyman as a Youth Theatre member alongside Ian Hart, Mark and Stephen McGann and Cathy Tyson. After gaining national recognition in Willy Russell’s One Summer (1983), he went on to work at the RSC and the National Theatre. On screen credits include Our Mutual Friend (1998), Hilary and Jackie (1998), Captain Corelli’s Mandolin (2001), State of Play (2003), as Gordon Brown in The Deal (2003), Blackpool (2005), Cape Wrath (2007), Meadowlands (2007) Sense and Sensibility (2008), Nowhere Boy (2008) The Other Boleyn Girl (2008) Red Riding (2009) and most recently U B Dead (2010) and Thorne (2010).

David Morrissey says: “To have the chance to perform this great play at the theatre that has meant so much to me throughout my life is a dream come true. The Liverpool Everyman started me off on my journey as an actor and to be here at this time in its history is a proud moment for me.”

He will play the murderous king opposite distinguished actress Jemma Redgrave, a member of the theatrical dynasty that began at the Everyman’s sister theatre, The Playhouse, where her grandparents first met. Jemma is best known for her roles in Cold Blood, Bramwell, The Buddha of Suburbia, Judge John Deed and Like Father Like Son. Her recent theatre credits include: The Great Game: Afghanistan and Broken Glass (Tricycle Theatre, 2010).

Artistic Director Gemma Bodinetz will direct a striking new production in a theatre renowned for its daring ensemble productions. She took up her post as Artistic Director for the Liverpool Everyman and Playhouse theatres in September 2003 and has since directed The Kindness of Strangers, The Mayor of Zalamea and Intemperance at the Everyman; Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom, Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?, The Lady of Leisure, All My Sons, Tartuffe and The Hypochondriac, No Wise Men at the Playhouse, and Yellowman on tour.

Gemma Bodinetz says: “Macbeth will be the first Shakespeare I have directed since becoming artistic director of the Everyman and Playhouse. I have long wanted to direct this urgent and psychologically complex play and feel with a Macbeth and Lady Macbeth of this quality we have the foundation stones of a truly remarkable production. David Morrissey's credentials as an actor and relationship with this city make this an extraordinary moment in the Everyman's history as does his "rightness" for the part. Jemma Redgrave is one of the country's most acclaimed and accomplished actresses whose relationship with Liverpool stretches back to her grandparents performing on the Playhouse stage. I could not be a more fortunate director and my desire is to create a production worthy of their talents, Shakespeare's genius and the great theatre they will perform in.”




www.liverpool-live.info/theatre/david-morrisey-to-play-macbeth-at-the-everyman

[marianne]

Mar 27, 2011 4:34:39 GMT @lilly said:

As long as you don't think that Ben Affleck was a better Stephen Collins, too!

Ben Affleck is better than a lot of people give him credit for. He's a superb comedic actor, and can be very very good at drama. One of my favourite BA performance is in Jersey Girl. I had a thing for him quite recently...OK, now you guys really will stone me!

(Of course this is coming from someone who adamantly refused to see the film version of State of Play

The series is better. I thought the film was very overrated. I'd heard about what a clever political satire it was and I was left underwhelmed.

There are so many other great John Simm performances that I'm not even sure where to begin in terms of which ones to recommend to you; certainly Life On Mars is up there,

Hey Lilly, did you catch the bit of Life On Mars foreshadowing in State of Play? It's when the lady lawyer with the expensive shoes tells Cal (quoting from memory): "If you can't back it up we can't print it. Oh don't look at me like that message came from Mars." ;D

In any case--and before I get any further afield--I know that celia wasn't terribly keen on him at one time too, but somewhere along the line her eyes were opened to his appeal

That happened to me with DM. I didn't think much of his looks or acting when I started watcing State of Play. I changed my mind about 30 minutes into the series. ;D Haven't got the mental capacity for another obssession! I've been neglecting my old loves Michael Biehn, Christian Bale and Russell Crowe because of DM!

[Ravish Me Ripley]

Mar 27, 2011 4:34:39 GMT @lilly said:

There are so many other great John Simm performances that I'm not even sure where to begin in terms of which ones to recommend to you...

For me Life On Mars is, of course, up there with the best. And i too agree that Human Traffic is definitely one to watch (if only for the kissing scene towards the end which is so tense and awkward and gorgeous you can't help but get caught up in it. By heart always races when i watch that scene!). Others i will recommend are; Mad Dogs (of course, best show on TV for quite a number of years, in my opinion), The Lakes (wonderful younger John with absolutely no less conviction or acting ability) and Men Of The World (if you can get it, it's brilliant. Cheesy but brilliant. It's a typical 90s sitcom but it's John and David Threfall which makes it one to watch - they work very well together). Also, as one offs, his performance in his episode of "Clocking Off" was fantastic, as was (more recently) his performance in his episode of "Moving On".

Mar 27, 2011 4:34:39 GMT @lilly said:

I know that celia wasn't terribly keen on him at one time too, but somewhere along the line her eyes were opened to his appeal (both as an actor and a hunka-hunka burnin' luv) so that may yet happen for you as well.

That is exactly what happened here too. I had seen John in many things but each time was preoccupied with someone else (State Of Play - David, Life On Mars - Phil Glenister, The Lakes - anybody but John) and i just never really *watched*. But then during a re-watch of Life On Mars i just *got it*. I just *got* him. And after seeing him perform Shakespeare i really fell in love with him. I know i've said it before, but i'll say it again; it was the single best piece of live theatre i have ever seen. The hairs on the back of neck were up throughout. He brought to the table EXACTLY what Hamlet is to me. When people say they have a James Bond or a Doctor Who, John was my Hamlet

[kelsey]

David Morrissey: 'I'm not afraid to say the M word'

Fresh from BBC1's South Riding, the newly-bearded actor takes on the role of Macbeth in his home town of Liverpool

Tim Lewis The Observer, Sunday 24 April 2011

In the Latimer Road area of west London, where the Range Rovers give way to dangerous dogs, David Morrissey sits in a scruffy rehearsal room and sets terms for the interview. "I do have certain superstitions, it would be wrong to say it was all bull, but we can mention the play: I'm doing Macbeth," declaims the 46-year-old actor. "It's intriguing, the frisson around the word, but I have more to worry about at the moment than the title."

In an age of floor-to-ceiling Hamlets, it's easy to forget what a plum and chilling role Macbeth is. It has ambition, greed, revenge – all at twice the speed of the Danish play; besides, every morning Morrissey is reminded of its modern relevance in the newspapers, whether it is Laurent Gbagbo retreating to his bunker in Ivory Coast, or a Gaddafi aide "tipping up" in London, in echo of Macduff's flight. Morrissey's perception of the part changes on a daily basis: "So far, my character analysis is the fact that he has a beard," he says with a wry smile.

But what is making Morrissey really nervous is that this is his return to Liverpool's Everyman theatre. It was here, as a teenager in the late 70s, that he discovered acting during a golden age for drama in the city. Willy Russell and Alan Bleasdale were writing original scripts that would be performed by a roster that included Jonathan Pryce, Julie Walters, Bill Nighy and the McGann brothers. This Macbeth will be the last play ever performed in the theatre before it moves to new premises in 2013.

"Liverpool has always made me brave, choice-wise," says Morrissey, his voice going that much more Scouse. "It was never a city that criticised anyone for taking a chance. Growing up, I could see musicians and actors doing very strange and experimental things. After the Everyman, if I went to the theatre and somebody didn't drop their trousers and get their knob out I didn't think it was a very good play."

Morrissey's braveness has seen him take roles as diverse as Gordon Brown in The Deal and Sharon Stone's love interest in Basic Instinct 2. At one point it looked like he might become the new Hollywood heartthrob, but thankfully it never happened and he returned to TV roles in Thorne and South Riding. He concludes: "It's always good to find out what you don't want to do."

What would Morrissey's teenage self, hanging around the Everyman youth theatre, think of what he has become: actor, director and husband to novelist Esther Freud? "Oh, I'd have bitten off their hand for half of it," he says. "I get up in the morning, I'm driven to work and somebody asks me if I'd like a bacon sandwich – I mean, fucking great, I love it." He pauses, and scratches his chin: "There might have been criticism of the beard though."

Macbeth is at the Everyman, Liverpool from 6 May to 11 June


www.guardian.co.uk/stage/2011/apr/24/david-morrissey-macbeth-everyman-liverpool

[Ravish Me Ripley]

Apr 25, 2011 7:41:33 GMT kelsey said:

"So far, my character analysis is the fact that he has a beard," he says with a wry smile.

*squee* upon *squee* What a gorgeous man

Apr 25, 2011 7:41:33 GMT kelsey said:

" He pauses, and scratches his chin: "There might have been criticism of the beard though."

^^ He's talking about you Illyria!!!


Thanks for posting that Kelsey, what a lovely little interview

Also, lol at your sig of Colin Firth! It was John Simm last time i looked...i can't keep up!

[Illyria]

Thanks for posting the article Kelsey ;D Oh how I wish I could see this play! (or any play like this, for that matter - damn living in another country >_< )

Apr 25, 2011 19:01:27 GMT Ravish Me Ripley said:

Apr 25, 2011 7:41:33 GMT kelsey said:

" He pauses, and scratches his chin: "There might have been criticism of the beard though."

^^ He's talking about you Illyria!!!

LOL! Indeed... he doesn't want to remind me of my dad... *slightly creeped out now* >_>

[marianne]

Thanks for posting that article Kelsey. He looks quite different with the beard. Did any of you guys snort out your coffee when you read this part:

"After the Everyman, if I went to the theatre and somebody didn't drop their trousers and get their knob out I didn't think it was a very good play.""

I assume Mr Morrissey is comfortable with the idea of dropping his trousers and taking his knob out.. Ripley, you might be in for a treat! ;D

[Ravish Me Ripley]

I may get arrested - what with running onto the stage and attempting to jump him - if that were to happen ;D