Sunday 1 May 2016
Richard III - An Androgynous Interpretation in Norway
 |
| The scene at half-time - gloriously bloodied. Contrasting a modern clean stage with ornate classicism of the ceiling. |
Never in my life have I experienced such a filmic post-modern experience in a Shakespearean play. The level of theatre in Norway has been impressive so far, with the directors using sound effects, unconventional props and pop songs to illustrate drama behind the lines.
This is the first Shakespearean play in Norwegian language I've seen, and although I didn't understand the first scene properly (part of my cultural shock of seeing the main character Richard III drunk and missing a hand), I later caught on with the lying character of his. What a wicked Richard he was - a scheming, lying, manipulative alcoholic who thinks nothing of killing children on his way to the throne.
 |
| All the actors were on stage in the opening act when this man sang as if he was the hired singer at a party. This man at the top was the beautiful "Gay King" with the most angelic voice and commanding silent presence throughout the play. I think everyone - men and women - must have been entranced by his beautiful voice despite Kåre Conradi's excellent performance. Even when passive and sitting, his gaze shoots through you like he knows your soul. |
To differentiate both of them, all Johnsen has to do is to put on a black sparkling dress with fake boobs for Lady Anne (seduced by Richard III), and strip to leggings for Lord Buckingham (as ally to Richard III). I thought it was intriguing as both roles added depth to each other in the same person. Both are equally unreliable, insecure and selfish with big ambitions to the top.
 |
| FOTO: Øyvind Eide. Left: Emil Johnsen as Lord Buckingham; right: Kåre Conradi as Richard III |
 |
| Hello Kitty in a Shakespearean play! |
In the second half, the heavy mood of murders was lightened up by real kids playing the Princes in the Tower - extremely sweet and precocious. I regret not buying the programme so that I can post their pictures here. (I wasn't sure if I could take pictures so I secretly took these throughout the show)
The children added an innocent and light-hearted contrast to the power-hungry adults playing king.
Towards the end of the scene, I began to be horrified (perhaps that was the intention of the director) by the prospect of drowning in this river of bubbles cascading down towards the front rows. I was in the third row.
Beautiful metaphor for Richard III's ambition and sin becoming so big that he drowned in his river of guilt and fear. The bubbles just kept coming, growing more monstrous as the actors recited their lines! I thought they would never stop. I believe the centre first row audience did get some bubbles on their faces. Talk about live experience!
Then, as a tourist in my own city, I decided to snoop around and take pictures of things that interest me in the building...
 |
| On the way up the the balcony: beautiful statue of Wenche Foss who passed away in 2011. Famous Norwegian actress of stage, tv and film, mother of earlier Mayor of Oslo, Fabian Stang. |
 |
| Beautiful hall with splendid chandeliers before going out to the balcony (balkong in Norwegian). |
 |
| First time having this perspective of the National Theatre. My Polish friend and I were snapping away like Japanese tourists :) |
 |
| View from balcony looking out to the famous Karl Johan gate (shopping street that leads straight to the Royal Palace) |
That's all from me, folks :)
xx
Pixy
Thursday 7 April 2016
Stereotypes of Freelancers
This infographic is a bit old but it breaks the stereotypes of
freelancers. Since I am a freelancer in illustration, film & TV
and events, I thought this would be interesting (click for bigger
image).
See more at: http://www.internationalfreelancersday.com/2012report
