Love's Labour's Lost and Cast Talk - Friday 31st October 2008

18th performance of Love's Labour's Lost (my 10th)

Photo posted on OG

It was a tough drive up today, partly because I was quite tired but also there was a jam on the M25 around the M3 so I turned off and arrived only about 30 minutes later than I would have done. I checked into my hotel by 4.30pm and had a late lunch.

I got to the theatre by 7.00pm and my seat was in row G on the aisle which was just as well because there was a large lady with lots of hair in front of me so I had to look around her!

It was a great crowd tonight who laughed more than other audiences and clapped after virtually every scene too.

When Berowne came out tonight he spoke briefly to Dumaine and Longaville before lying down.

Tonight David Tennant managed to get the hat onto the tree again! Last time it landed on the branch that is vertical but tonight it perched on the long branch. He received a round of applause and smiled before saying his next line!

The arm folded person dropped their arms immediately. When Berowne indicated to "a woman" on stage right, she stood up and shook his hand which made him smile!

Dumaine sang the song perfectly tonight.

They sang the song at the end of the interval.

When the performance ended, there was no announcement (although there was a sign on the front door) but most people just stayed in their seats. I moved up to the fourth row so I could see clearly. About 6 or 7 of the actors came out initially and then others joined them later. I was disappointed that neither Dumaine or Longaville were there but Navarre was and he was funnier than I expected. Also there was Rosalyn, Oliver Ford Davies, Costard, Keith Osborn and some of the ensemble who do not speak in LLL. The Q&A was introduced by the same lady who did the Hamlet one and she said that they didn't think that David Tennant would be joining them as his father was there tonight. (At this point Costard joked that he was leaving!) However he did come out after about 10 minutes (wearing a A & F grey sweatshirt and tight blue jeans) and said "Sorry I'm late"! He then sat on the ground (even when a seat became available). I like the fact that he's so unaffected, although the RSC lady did say that loads more hands went up with questions!

Even though DT was there they continued to have quite a few questions to the whole cast but then one little boy asked David about getting the hat on the tree! David joked that he got it on the tree every performance and never missed! He then said that he never did it in any rehearsal and he's only ever managed it once before (I was there then too!). He also said that it receives a larger laugh when he misses!

One little girl asked DT about all the lines he has to remember and he said that it was just like homework that you have to do.

The first question tonight was about who plays the bear outfit! It's the tall guy who also plays the forester.

The cast did say that Gregory Doran allowed the cast to come up with a lot of the way that LLL was played as he hadn't thought too much about it before rehearsals!

Someone asked David if he was aware of the audience when he delivers his soliquees and he said that he was very aware of everyone. He also said that he's never received a reaction yet when he says the "am I a coward?" line in Hamlet.

The final question was whether the cast think that the 4 couples would get together again in a years time. Rosalyn thinks that she and Berowne wouldn't (DT agreed) and then Keith spoke about Love's Labour's Won possibly turning into Much Ado About Nothing and DT said that it made sense about Benedict being based on Berowne.

It was so nice just having to drive for about 20 minutes to my bed as I was shattered!

Next performance for me: Love's Labour's Lost tomorrow (1st)

David Tennant in Love's Labour's Lost - Thursday 30th October (evening)

17th performance of Love's Labour's Lost (my 9th)

I got to my seat by 7.05pm in time to see Dumaine and Longaville come out. I don't know if the props people don't know or whether it's part of the act, but they always put both cushions on top of each other so Dumaine moves one to his side of the stage.

It was a good crowd tonight (on the young side although I was sitting with some RSC types - the woman next to me even understood all the Latin!). My seat was C26 (which squeaks so I had to sit very still). It's at the front of the stage so I had a brilliant view!

When DT threw his hat on the tree (it missed) he looked as though he was about to laugh as the audience's reaction was really good so he took a sip of drink to stop himself!

The folded arms person dropped their arms immediately tonight.

I felt really sorry for the guy who plays Dumaine tonight as he forgot the words of the song! He tried to remember and tried that one line about 3 times (once looking in his book / case as though the words were there) but in the end just moved to the line where the other three join in! He received a bigger round of applause than normal afterwards.

Another mistake was that Armado obviously didn't have a key with him as he just touched hands with Moth (the key is quite large). Later, after Moth returned to the stage and the light was on Costard, I saw that she handed a letter to Armado so that he had one to give to Costard! He must have had the Letter already as he then pulled out two!

When Costard did the rapping part, one of his hands were out of the rope so he had to put them back in at the end of the song!

David Tennant stuffed loads of paper into his mouth tonight! That scene is really hilarious but I do wish that Navarre would wait longer before he starts talking as people are still laughing and he has his back to the audience so we can not hear what he says at all.

After the performance DT came to the front of the stage and asked for quiet and said that they were going to do a collection for the Actors fund and, as we probably had never been asked for money before by a guy with an owl on his head, he would get Oliver Ford Davies to explain! He explained that it was a charity to collect money to look after old actors and that a week a year theatres do this collection. David then said that if we like competition, they had raised £3,200.81 after a performance of Hamlet last week and that if we raised £3,200.82 it would make Patrick Stewart really annoyed! He then ran off stage and didn't collect himself so I doubt that helped much as last week he was signing for £5 and collected loads.

Apparently Cameron Mackintosh was in the audience tonight.

I then had my usual drive home but I didn't find it too tough as I was still on quite a high! I got home at 1.00am and to sleep by 1.30am and still bounded out of bed at 6.00am!

Next performance for me: Love's Labour's Lost tomorrow (31st)

Hamlet - Thursday 30th October (matinee)

52nd performance of Hamlet (my 14th)

Photo from OG

Thankfully as it was half term my drive up here today wasn't too bad considering it was rush hour. The drive is supposed to take me 2.5 hours but today it took me about 3 hours.

I stopped for a late breakfast and drove into Stratford but my usual spot was taken (as I expected) so I parked the other side of the river.

The audience tonight were a mixture of old people (most on coach trips!) and children on their half term.

The guy I sat next to had queued for his seat that morning for only 90 minutes and had got on one row E for himself and one in the front row for his wife! (I bought mine when they first went on sale through the RSC postal application.)

As I'm seeing 6 plays this week (wonderful!), it'll just be a few notes about the performances.

After the reception scene I noticed that Laertes wasn't looking where he was going as he walked off stage and he really bumped into Hamlet - he gave David Tennant quite a shove!

Someone took a flash photo as DT walked on stage in his red T-shirt for the "To be or not to be" speech.

David just threw the book down in the scene so it stayed in the middle of the stage.

After the "pickers and stealers" line Hamlet repeated his "the grass grows" line 3 times as Rosencrantz didn't get it. (I've seen him repeat it a couple of times in a few performances.)

Although I was sitting in Row E I could still hear DT running around the back of the theatre at one point - he's certainly heavy on his feet, especially considering how slight he is!

When the attention was off him, at one point Tom Davey bent down and picked up one of Ophelia's letters that was still on the stage and put it in his pocket.

When Hamlet said the "I beseech you" line, he did it in the funny voice again but today turned the next line totally bitter (about being played upon) which was very effective as it showed both sides of Hamlet's character.

David Tennant stood up and walked down the steps for the "do you see yonder cloud" joke with Polonius.

The bedroom scene was really emotional again today. David held the newspaper (with the photo of Claudius on it) as he did the "tame blood" speech. When he then spoke abut Claudius, he spat at the paper!

As Hamlet went to urn the light back on behind the bed, he spoke a line this afternoon.

DT said one word wrong in the scene before Osric arrives. (He said good instead of could and corrected himself.)

As Hamlet died, he turned his head slightly more towards Horatio.

David Tennant's smile is always much wider in the bows after Hamlet than it is after LLL!

There was no signing after the performance this afternoon because the security guard said that David was doing a performance tonight. As he has signed at that time before, the people around me thought it was because of the announcement last night.

Afterwards I went to my usual restaurant for a late lunch before tonight's performance! On the way I saw the guy who plays the owl puppeteer (Samuel Dutton) in the town.

Next performance for me: LLL tonight

David Tennant in Hamlet - Monday 27th October

50th performance of Hamlet (my 13th)

Photo from OG

I had a seat in my favourite section of the theatre tonight - stage right in the circle as Hamlet favours that side more and you can see all his emotion SO clearly! Plus the seat isn't too far above their heads!

I had a lovely drive up to Stratford. As it was half term, the motorways were much clearer than normal.

I was worried that as Saturday's performance was so emotional that tonight's wouldn't be but that worry was totally unfounded as David Tennant put on an AMAZING performance! He seems to have improved 10 fold in the past couple of weeks (maybe because he's only doing performances now and no rehearsals???).

There were a few mishaps tonight (one thing I really like about live theatre!) but they still added to the night.

I think they overfilled Hamlet's glass of wine (and he didn't have a drink of it) so he protected it with his hands whenever Claudius or Gertrude went over to him. As Claudius slapped him on his arms, it did spill and when the attention was away from him, David licked his hand to dry it. He also shook his hand to dry it some more before he touched hands with Ophelia.

The "too, too solid flesh" speech was SO emotional tonight (and long). DT put his face (not his head) on the ground at the first part of the speech.

They had lots of blood on stage tonight or rather Hamlet did in both sections.

It was interesting sitting where I was as I could see the actors walking around the theatre to get to their entrances and exits. At the end of the play both David and Edward ran full pelt along the corridor (almost in a race!) even though DT doesn't come out until the end! Also when the doctor rolls Hamlet off stage, he then immediately walked off leaving DT to get out of the chair himself!

When Hamlet threw the book on the stage tonight it balanced perfect at the front of the stage, half on and half off!

Tonight Hamlet tore up the letters one by one.

During the scene when Hamlet meets Rosencrantz and Guildenstern, DT's hair looked quite a mess although later it looked really good!

It was fascinating watching David Tennant during the player king's speech (rehearsal) tonight as he watches him so intently!

David Tennant coughed once on stage (when the attention wasn't on him) but his voice sounded fine.

The bedroom scene was just amazing tonight! Both of them acted SO well! At the part when Penny holds onto David's waist on the bed, he totally leaned back only held by her! Later in the scene DT got up on the dressing table stool.

Tonight DT said the "blow it to the moon" line as he usually does. (On Saturday evening he'd said it in an aggressive manner)

As Hamlet sent the page to get the recorders he went as though to kick her receding backside!

When Hamlet did the "pickers and stealers" line tonight, one of either his or Rosencrantz's buttons flew off and along the stage.

Tonight Hamlet said the "I beseech you" line in an aggressive manner and not in a funny voice as he usually does.

In the fight scene, in the part when there are people holding both Hamlet and Laertes, Edward dropped his sword and had to pick it up.

When DT came out for his bow by himself, several girls (there were lots of young fangirls there tonight) threw roses onto the stage! He put one between his teeth and then when the rest of the cast came back on stage he made a point of giving both Gertrude and Ophelia a rose - he's such a gentleman!

I went to the stage door and DT came out quite quickly. There was quite a large crowd there tonight (as it's half term). To one person he said "Hello again" and to another "I love you too"!

Afterwards Tom Davey followed me through the churchyard!

Next performance for me: Hamlet on Thursday (30th)

David Tennant in Love's Labour's Lost - Saturday 25th October (evening)

16th performance of Love's Labour's Lost (my 8th)

Photo by unknown photographer of DT at stage door tonight (posted by slittle on OG)

After a nice late lunch / early dinner, it was time to head back to the theatre to see David Tennant in Love's Labour's Lost this time! I've decided that I do prefer seeing Hamlet and then Love's Labour's Lost rather than the other way around, although the RSC are performing them more often with LLL followed by Hamlet.

My seat tonight was in the stalls and was by the aisle on stage left that they use to enter and exit. The thing that struck me was how long actors stay in character as they all did until they were totally out of sight of the audience. I also didn't realise that before they enter the stage proper, Costard and Jaquentte are arguing about whether or not to give Berowne's letter to the King and the others. Costard doesn't want them to hand over the letter.

As I'm seeing 6 performances this week, these will all be quick notes.

David Tennant's expressions in the first scene especially are just amazing, especially when he has his "just woken up" look!

Berowne didn't get the hat on the branch tonight.

I couldn't see the folded arms person today but from all the laughing, I would guess that they unfolded their arms quite quickly!

From my seat I could hear some things as the actors were waking along the outer part of the theatre to enter the stage. For example all the French initially entered at my aisle and I could hear all the dresses swishing behind me! Also Longaville dropped some of his papers I think from what I could hear.

I just love the way the "I who am honest!" line is delivered! Even though I know it, I still laugh a lot at that line and at Edward Bennett's facial expressions in that part. He plays the King a lot better than he plays Laureates in Hamlet I think.

After the interval they did the two dances and sang the song too.

It was interesting to see David Tennant turn around from running off stage to go back for the second bow and, as he always does for LLL, go to the back of the stage for that bow. He even stood aside waiting for the other actors to come on stage (from backstage) before he took his place on stage. You wouldn't get many main actors doing that.

The more I see Loves Labours Lost the more I enjoy it. Whereas with Hamlet I loved it right from the start, this play has had to grow on me gradually but it has (although the Amardo scenes still bore me at times). I think it's a shame that they're only doing 24 performances of the production.

Afterwards I went to the stage door and David Tennant came out for a couple of minutes to sign things. It's really lovely watching him interacting with the people there although it's disappointing that most of the people on the barrier itself didn't actually see the performance but just come along for the signing. We've spoken about that before that it's a shame that they don't restrict it so that only people with tickets can get there (it is on RSC property after all) but I guess that would take too much to arrange. I didn't take any photos tonight as I didn't think I'd surpass the one I took last Saturday!

I was totally wired for the two and a half hour drive home last night after a really great day!

Next performance for me: Hamlet on Monday (27th)

David Tennant in Hamlet - Saturday 25th October (matinee)

49th performance of Hamlet (my 12th)

This was the 12th time that I've seen David Tennant in Hamlet and it was by far the best performance as his intensity was just amazing today!

Unfortunately I didn't get a ticket for this performance when they first went on sale and, as I'm going to most of the weekend performances, I wanted to go to this one too so I even thought about getting up at 5.00am and queuing for returns. I then decided that, as I was already going to Love's Labour's Lost tonight, that I wouldn't attend but by total luck I saw someone advertising a ticket on Gumtree last night! It was advertised for £100 ono but I offered £50 and arranged to meet the seller at the theatre. It wasn't a great seat as it was in the gallery but thankfully it was a brilliant performance! All of Hamlet's soliloquies were delivered perfectly. Afterwards, during the bows, David Tennant looked especially happy so I think he realised what a great performance it was this afternoon.

As I said before DT's acting in this performance was the best I've seen. It seemed as though every scene he was in was intense and played it perfectly. For example he left a long gap between the first and second lines of the "To be or not to be" speech. The only complaint I would have about that speech was that from my seat, I couldn't see his face at the start of the speech as one of the chandeliers obscured it which I found funny!

David Tennant had some problems with the book today! (When I saw Hamlet last weekend, Ophelia dropped the book at the start of the nunnery speech so they left it there.) Today he dropped the book twice when he was with Ophelia and then when he threw the book, it skidded right off the stage and ended up in the aisle by the third row! If you watch DT's eyes you'll see that he watches where it lands so today he got off stage to collect it. He then realised that one of the pages in the book was loose and torn!

Today from my advantage point in the sky, I could definitely see Horatio palm the blood to Hamlet at the end of the sword duel.

Unlike last Saturday, Hamlet didn't put his jacket over his head when he saw the ghost in the bedroom scene.

I saw a few of the actors outside the theatre today. Roderick Smith walked past my car (as usual!) on his way to the theatre. Later, after Hamlet, I collected something from my car and was walking back towards the town centre when I saw Roderick Smith, Tom Davey and someone else (who I think was Keith Osborn but I didn't really look closely) walking in the other direction away from the theatre. Later I passed Tom Davey as he was walking back to the theatre for LLL. (I briefly spoke to him too as we bumped into each other!)

I'm so glad that I got that ticket and didn't queue as when I drove past at about 11.00am there were loads of people queuing and the queue for returns stretched out to Southern Lane when I went in at 12.45pm. Inside there were 5 seats free in Row D on stage right. It's such a shame when people don't return them to the RSC.

After Hamlet I went round to the stage door and although they had the barriers out, a RSC lady came out to say that DT would not be coming out to sign which was a pity (especially as he only stays about 2 minutes anyway).

Next performance for me: Love's Labour's Lost tonight!

Hamlet - Saturday 18th October (evening)

45th performance of Hamlet (my 11th)

After a nice wander around Stratford-Upon-Avon (they were putting up the Christmas decorations already!) and some dinner I moved my car to my usual spot and, as usual, Roderick Smith walked past my car again!

I got to the theatre by 6.50pm. My seat was up in the Circle again but in row C. It was in the same block so just a couple of rows behind my matinee seat and a couple of seats across. Technically it was a reduced view seat as there was a pillar within my sight but I only had to move my head about three inches and I could see everything.

As much as I like Love's Labour's Lost, I was really looking forward to this performance as I do enjoy Hamlet! It was as great as I remembered too! It's been over three weeks since I've seen it but there was only one real change that I noticed and that was that in the bedroom scene David Tennant took his jacket off the bed and put it over his head when the ghost appeared.

I've been learning the "Now I am alone" speech (which is a very long speech!) and it really helped watching the actions that DT matches to the words.

I went to a couple of talks at the Cheltenham Literature Festival last week and one of them was the Shakespearean actor Tim Piggott-Smith who had seen both Hamlet and Love's Labour's Lost and he spoke about the lines in Hamlet just before the duel that say "If it be now, 'tis not to come; if it be not to come, it will be now; if it be not now, yet it will come: the readiness is all". He said about how poignant that speech was and that all but one word are just of one syllable.

During the scene when Hamlet is tied to the chair, I thought that Patrick Stewart was going to lose it as it was obvious that he was trying hard not to laugh after the "In Heaven!" line.

Patrick Stewart was slightly croaky and coughed once tonight.

As the glass doors were closing at one point, I could see the bed being carried off stage!

Afterwards I went to the stage door and it was a nice controlled crowd. I didn't leave until after all 3 encores but from then until the time that DT went back into the theatre was less than 8 minutes! As usual David was great with all the crowd. I think it's so nice of him to come out after the performances as I can hear how much people appreciate it.

It was brilliant to be able to see both plays in the one day so I certainly didn't have any problem staying awake on the drive home and I managed to get back before 1.30am!

Next performance for me: Love's Labour's Lost next Saturday (25th)

Love's Labour's Lost - Saturday 18th October (matinee)

14th performance of Love's Labour's Lost (my 7th)

Not surprisingly I couldn't get to my usual parking place when I arrived in Stratford at about 11.00am, so I parked the other side of the river and walked to the theatre. Thankfully it was a lovely day for October.

Just as I arrived at the theatre Patrick Stewart was arriving! (I seem to keep seeing him in civvies!) I heard later that he watched the performance.

I bought my seat online from the RSC after tickets went on sale online last year so I was in the front row of the Circle (at the horseshoe end) which was a good view. It also meant that I could see David Tennant waiting in the wings to go on stage for one scene!

The audience took slightly longer to warm up than last night but I really didn't expect that they would be as good as last night's crowd. It was still a receptive audience though.

The highlight of the performance was that Berowne threw his hat and it actually landed on the upright part of the tree! I don't know if David Tennant or the crowd were more surprised! A cheer went up and then most people started clapping! When it quietened down David said "every time!" which started people laughing again. He then really struggled to get his own composure before he could say his next line!

There were mainly women in the front row today so DT hose one of them with folded arms and she undid hers quite quickly. The codpiece guy obviously found it quite funny!

Being up in the circle, I could see DT really clearly when he was in the tree - his facial expressions are amazing and I just love the way he delivers the "I, who am honest!" line.

Today David didn't walk around the stage when he said the part about swearing on a book.

I really think that Edward Bennet (who plays Navarre in LLL and Lauretes in Hamlet) acts far better in this play than Hamlet.

As I was higher up I noticed today that there is someone up in the roof who manually lowers and raises the swing whenever Boyet clicks his fingers.

As it was a matinee, they just did the two dances and no song immediately after the interval.

I think it's really great how Berowne, Rosaline, Navarre and some of the others move to the back of the stage for the second round of bows. It really seems as though they are an ensemble cast.

Even though I was up in the balcony I managed to get to the stage door before DT came out. It was really crowded but thankfully things were calmer than other times I've seen. I stood in my usual place and actually took a couple of photos - one of which is above and I'm really happy with it!

Next performance of Hamlet for me: Tonight!!!

Next performance of Love's Labour's Lost for me: next Saturday (25th)

Love's Labour's Lost - Friday 17th October (Evening)

Photo by unknown photographer as it was posted on OG.

13th performance of Love's Labour's Lost (my 6th)

I thought this was probably the best performance of Love's Labour's Lost that I've seen...or at least the audience were!

I only bought this ticket a couple of days ago when it suddenly appeared on the RSC website and I was lucky enough to get a seat in the front couple of rows, right next to the stage right aisle that is used the most. (As it was at an angle, it meant that I could really see well too!)

I worked the morning and left at noon to get home by 1.15pm. I left home at 2.00pm and, despite a couple of broken down vehicles and accidents where the traffic went slow on the M25, I got to my motel on the M40 at exacactly 5.00pm. I had a late lunch and left at 6.15pm. I managed to park in my usual spot and walked to the theatre.

Tonight's performance lasted about 5 minutes longer than normal as they had to keep waiting for everybody to finish laughing and clapping! Right from when DT's head hit the stage, people were laughing and during his first speech, during one of the "I hope is not enrolled there" lines David Tennant had to pause between "enrolled" and "there" for about 10 seconds while the laughter subsided!

From where I was sitting I could see David Tennant standing at the back of the aisle waiting for his cue to go on before his "What's the name of the lady in the cap" speech.

The person DT chose for the folded arms part immediately unfolded them tonight! When he went onto the codpiece part the guy actually looked down into his lap and DT made a face as though it was impressive!

David's shirt was open a long way tonight by the end of the first act!

I really like the long scene with the tree and the 4 of them finding out that they've all betrayed their oaths. Today I could see DT's facial expressions in the tree really well.

As Berowne said his "I who am honest!" line, even though I've heard it loads of times, I really roared with laughter and it occurred to me that I didn't think I'd ever be laughing that much at a Shakespeare line!

The Russians part was really funny again. Dumaine and Longville's voices are hilarious, especially Longville as he sounds far more Pakistani than Russian!

There was a really funny bit when Costard came out as Great Pomphey as he obviously said something wrong (I don't know his speech that well) so there was a gap before he said something else and then they all laughed (David Tennant and Tom Davey especially roared with laughter!).

Afterwards I went to the backstage door and it was very crowded but thankfully there was no pushing and they were better controlled than the first night. I stood where I usually do as I like watching and listening but unfortunately the people around me kept talking amongst themselves so I could hardly hear what was being said. When David did come to my end I heard him wish someone a happy birthday and then take the time to talk to a child and asked them their name and if they were being squashed! It was really sweet to see!

He came out VERY quickly tonight! Probably within 4 minutes of leaving the stage but I did hear that apparently they clean their clothes every night after the performance (sometimes the dressers are there until 2.00am!) so I guess he just dumps the clothes and gets changed. (I was also told that apparently the LLL costumes went over budget so most of the non-speakers wear clothes from the RSC archives.)

I walked back to my car and it was nice just driving down the motorway a short distance to my hotel.

It's a shame that they're already halfway through the run of this play!

Love's Labour's Lost - 11th October (Evening)

Photo from another evening - photographer unknown as posted on OG

10th performance of Love's Labour's Lost (my 5th)

I managed to park in my usual spot. The High Street was still shut for The Mop Fair and looked really pretty as the rides were lit up.

My seat was C12 which was a brilliant seat as it seemed to be closer to the stage than my C row seat at the front in the afternoon. I could certainly see their eyes and expressions better! It was an aisle seat too so David Tenant walked right past me to get to the stage at one part! I could also hear various actors walking past before and after they walked on stage in the outer area. It also meant that DT was singing (and humming) right near me and he has a lovely voice!

It seemed to be a better crowd tonight as there was more clapping and laughing. A couple of times they had to wait for us to finish clapping before they could say their next lines!

While DT was lying on the stage with his eyes closed Tom Davey threw a grape to Sam Alexander who caught it in his mouth so several people clapped!

I was very impressed with David Tennant's acting at the beginning of the play as his eyes really looked as though he had only just woken up! The bang of his head when the cushion was removed was quite loud tonight.

The man DT chose about having his arms folded didn't drop his arms straight away but I noticed that he did soon later! The "German clock" woman was sitting a couple of rows in front of me and had actually missed the first scene as they had arrived late.

The song was included again tonight at the end of the interval.

Once again DT went to the back row during the second bow. I think that's a lovely touch as it means that it really is an ensemble cast! He did give a lovely smile (as though he was pleased with the performance tonight) as he left the stage.

I went to the backstage door again tonight and stood back at the wall. Thankfully it was a nice and controlled crowd tonight. David Tennant came out really quickly again and went round signing autographs and chatting to people. Several people gave him presents so at one point he remarked on it (along with a "Jings" exclamation!). Just as he was about to go inside, a woman said in a loud voice that her 7 year old son would never forgive her if she didn't get his autograph! DT joked that it was unfair but still signed it for her!

It was then time for an easy drive home - at least with LLL I get home a good half hour earlier!

Next performance of Love's Labour's Lost for me: Friday 17th October

Next performance of Hamlet for me: Saturday 18th October

Love's Labour's Lost - 11th October (Matinee)

9th performance of Love's Labour's Lost (my 4th)

Photo by smhw

I had a really lovely drive up today. It was slightly foggy but sunny in places too and there were no hold-ups. I left the house at 8.15am and stopped for breakfast (at the usual service station) at 10.20am. As I knew The Mop Fair (basically a town fair with stalls and rides) was today I left early but they had only closed the main road so there was no problem getting to the theatre. I was really lucky too as someone was just pulling out of a parking space in my usual road so I whipped in there!

As I drove past the theatre a fire engine was just pulling in. I was told later that there was a small fire in the kitchen and they had to wheel all the costumes out on a rail! As I was driving I saw Tom Davey, Roderick Smith and Oliver Ford Davies (separately)!

I met up with a friend and her daughter and we sat by the river for a while before we went in. We made sure we were in our seats by the time Dumaine walked on stage! We bought our seats direct from the RSC via form when they first went on sale so we had great seats at the front in row C.

It was a good (older) crowd tonight who really seemed to enjoy all the comedy in the play. There were a few mishaps today (which is one of the joys of live theatre!) such as Amardo's fan falling on the ground when he drew his sword out of it's holder.

Also Amardo left his hat on the stage after his first scene so David Ajala took it off when he exited in the next scene.

When Moth left the stage in one scene the key (to Costard's cell) fell out of her pocket so Costard picked it up and took it off stage.

When Berowne pulled out his sonnet to Rosaline, it wasn't in two pieces so came out intact!

Boyet also noticeably made a mistake in one of his speeches.

It was interesting watching David Tennant at the start of the scene when he involves audience members as his eyes obviously dart all over the place looking for people to involve! I think the person DT chose for the crossed arm part (it was a woman for the first time I believe) knew that part as it's rare that a female sits with their arms crossed in the theatre and then when they came on for their bows, she handed him some flowers and then openly took several photos with a flash.

At the end of the interval, the dancers / singers only did the dancing and no singing. (Possibly to make it slightly shorter as there's an evening performance today too???)

Afterwards my friend and her 10 year old daughter wanted to go to the stage door. It was really busy (but thankfully well behaved) but they managed to get quite near the front. I stood back at the side again but near the end I heard a couple of women shouting that there was someone small who wanted an autograph and then I heard DT actually saying hello to my friend's daughter by name (she has an unusual name)! We then went to the front door and she managed to get Oliver Ford Davies, Tom Davey and Riann Steele's autographs too.

It was really nice only driving a few miles to my hotel and knowing that there is another performance to enjoy tonight too!

Next performance for me: Love's Labour's Lost tonight !!!

Love's Labour's Lost - Press Night

6th performance of Love's Labour's Lost (my 3rd)

Photo by unknown photographer as it was posted on OG (from a different performance)

I was really nervous about this night! Not that I don't think that the production is good but because I'm worried that the press won't think it's as good as I do! (I was the same with Hamlet.)

I worked the morning and had a good drive to Stratford so I could stop for a late lunch and get my usual parking spot.

There were lots of "RSC types" there tonight - I think lots of members like to go to the opening nights. I had to collect a ticket for a friend for Saturday night and at the box office there was a section for the press to collect their passes. I also saw some guy transcribing his notes during the interval and they sectioned off the area in front of the upstairs loos and have drinks there but, apart from that, there was really no other indication that it was press night. (I think I saw Anthony Head there and Roderick Smith was a guest too.)

I'd bought this seat when the RSC booking form first came round over a year ago so I had a brilliant seat as I was in the front row on stage left near the middle! I certainly ensured that I kept my arms uncrossed! It meant that sometimes I saw their backs but I could really see their facial expressions all the time! I also had a great view of their dancers feet which was interesting as I used to do tap dancing.

Thankfully David Tennant chose someone on the other side of the stage for the arm folded part and he unfolded his arms quickly! (DT now makes a bow and arrow mime after that part which he didn't do at the start of the run.) He chose an older woman in the front row on stage right for the German clock part.

It was slightly disconcerting watching David untying his shirt right in front of me!

The main part I remember is DT's hands as he sat watching the play within the play (as they were only about 2 feet from me) - they are very neat!

Afterwards I went to the stage door and it was well behaved and not too crowded. DT was really friendly with everyone again and signed lots.

I got home at 2.00am and immediately went online to read the reviews...thankfully they were virtually all good!

Love's Labour's Lost - 3rd October

2nd performance of Love's Labour's Lost (my 2nd)

Photo from tonight by unknown photographer as it was posted on OG

After having a great drive yesterday, today wasn't as easy (but was a lot better than last Friday's) as the M25 traffic was heavier (especially around Heathrow) and there was another accident on the M40. It was between junctions 9 and 10 this time but thankfully my SatNav found another route which only added about 15 minutes to my journey although the road leading onto the motorway was totally blocked. I stopped at my usual place and parked in my usual spot to meet a friend at the cafe in the Courtyard Theatre by 6.30pm.

Tonight we were in the Gallery (the third tier) for the first time. I'd actually bought these tickets off E-Bay for £40 each which wasn't too much of a mark-up. Although I prefer to be closer at least the view was okay and I was very impressed with the way that the actors project their voices so you can hear perfectly even at that distance.

There were a few changes from last night. The first one was that Dumaine came out on stage at about 7.05pm. He was followed by Longaville and then Berowne (David Tennant). He looked around before he laid down with his sun hat over his face. He was lying there for about 5 minutes before Navarre came out and the play proper started. It did mean that anyone who arrived late may not have realised that DT is already on stage!

I thought that tonight was a slightly more polished performance and was certainly funnier (the crowd were better too). When DT threw his hat at the tree branch (it would be amazing if he ever got it to land on the branch!) he just seemed to play that part better.

There was also a really funny bit before Berowne does his speech in front of the other three guys as DT seemed to struggle a bit to take his blue jacket off and put it on the branch so, before he spoke, he hesitated and looked back at it which promoted another load of laughter! His comic timing is just brilliant!

Tonight the man with his arms crossed just would not uncross them!

DT chose a woman for the German clock part on stage right (last night it was on stage left).

Tonight they brought the end of interval dance and song into the theatre and it worked really well.

Afterwards my friend wanted to go to the stage door. Thankfully the crowd was far better behaved and she managed to get quite close along the wall. She's never seen him before but she came away saying that she thought he was really good looking close-up!

We drove back home (after I'd dropped her off) and I got home (shattered!) at 2.00am again!

Next performance of Love's Labour's Lost for me: Wednesday 8th October

Opening Night of Love's Labour's Lost

1st performance of Love's Labour's Lost (my 1st)

Photo by leesy

I had a really easy journey up to Stratford-Upon-Avon as the M25 flowed quite freely. There was an accident between junctions 8A and 9 on the M40 so I came off at junction 8 and my SatNav found a great detour which was mainly 70mph roads so I only lost 7 minutes. I had time for a 2 hour break at my usual pitstop!

I picked up a friend from Stratford railway station at 6.30pm and parked in my usual place to arrive at The Courtyard Theatre by 6.45pm. We went to the bar and she excitedly told me that Anthony Sher was there ....just as we were standing beside Gregory Doran who she obviously didn't recognise! (They were later sitting in the same row as I did.)

A different friend and I were sitting in exactly the same seats as we did for the first night of Hamlet so we had a great view from row E! The set was very impressive! I'd seen a photo of the tree but it was bigger than I expected. It's only David Tennant that climbs up it but it's wide so he has a variety of ways that he can sit and he makes full use of that. My only concern was that he jumps off it at one point and, having problems with my knees (too much sport!), I was concerned at the fact he has to land each night but as there are only 24 performances of Love's Labour's Lost hopefully his knees will survive the impact!

It started about 2 minutes early with Dumaine, Longaville and then Berowne (David Tennant) walking onto the stage within 2 minutes of each other. DT just laid down with a straw hat over his face. Next Navarre walked on stage and dropped a chest on the ground which disturbed Berowne. Navarre soon pulled the cushion from Berowne's head too which was funny.

I won't go through the whole play (I'm seeing it about 9 times so I have loads of time!) but I was amazed at Berowne's first speech! It's one I've studied (learnt!) but the way he delivered it was totally different to how I'd read the words on the page - it really brought the words alive to me!

I think my favourite scene was the one when all 4 guys hide from each other while declaring their love for the various ladies. DT comes on first in that scene and hides in the tree. When the other three are revealed as having broken their pledges his indignation and later shame at being a hypocrite was hilarious and really well acted! He even tried to eat the letter and actually stuffed a large chunk in his mouth!

Another great part was a speech by Berowne which included something about people sitting with their arms crossed and he highlighted someone in the front row who was doing just that. They immediately unfolded their arms! Later in the same speech he pointed out a lady in the front row and then winked at her!

And the Russians scene is hilarious! It took me a while to work out which one was DT until I recognised his sparkling eyes.

The costumes were amazing, especially the ladies. The other 3 main guys wore white or cream clothes (Longaville has white tights which make his legs look longer than ever!) but Berowne was wearing a lovely blue jacket and pantaloon trousers with white tights that show from about the knee down. They also all wore a funny puff-ball thing around their middle and buttocks which were quite unflattering.

I thought that the female actors were considerably weaker than the men and the Spaniard and Moth got on my nerves a bit but Costard was really good. Unfortunately Oliver Ford Davies only had a small part but I noticed that Ryan Gage ended up in a dress again - I wonder if that is part of his contract!

The play ended at about 10.12pm (we'd heard it was going to end at 10.00pm) with a song and then the others leave the stage while Berowne and Rosaline just stand and stare at each other (ironically DT is placed at the same spot that Hamlet almost starts at) while the lights go down. They only did two lots of bows tonight.

Afterwards we went round to the stage door and it was the worst that I've experienced it. DT came out quite quickly and signed loads of autographs. I stood back as I usually do but there was a large group of excitable teenybopper girls who just barged into everybody near me trying to get to him!

Afterwards I met up with my other friend (she'd been sitting in the Circle and said she had a great view too!) and she said that at the end of the interval there had been some singing and dancing out in the hallway.

We left S-U-A at about 10.30pm but there were roadworks on the way to her house so I didn't get home until about 2.00am.

Next performance for me: Love's Labour's Lost tomorrow !!!

Loves Labours Lost opens tomorrow!

Photo of DT on Friday night by Ali Bongo

It's the first night of Love's Labour's Lost tomorrow night and I'm REALLY looking forward to it!

I saw the play at The Globe last year and really enjoyed it so I hope the RSC production is as good! The guy who played Longuville was great as he had his foot bandaged up and made brilliant use of his crutches! Unfortunately I struggled to understand the accent of the guy who played Berowne but I'm sure that won't be a problem with David Tennant tomorrow!