We are such stuff as dreams are made on…
and this looks magical…
My first Shakespeare viewing experience was back in 1979 when the Mark Taper Forum in Los Angeles presented The Tempest, with Anthony Hopkins as Prospero and Stephanie Zimbalist as Miranda. When we get to the endpoint of this journey, I’ll talk about that seminal experience in depth. But, suffice to say, I’ve never seen its equal in terms of theater magic (of course, the 35 years–egads, has it really been THAT long–that have passed since my have embellished my memory with a nostalgia that could never be topped).
And come to think of it… about ten years later, I met someone who worked on the production and who said that it was the most nightmarish experience of her professional life… at the time, she says, Hopkins was a raving drunk and by the midpoint of rehearsals, he and the director John Hirsch were no longer speaking to one another and communication was done by assistants and interns. Regardless, I still remember it as wonderful.
ANYWAY…
This production up at the Oregon Shakespeare Festival looks wonderfully magical and majestic as well. If any of you see it, please let us know how it was!
A buddy of mine got tickets. His wife had no interest in seeing it and I was a fan of Anthony Hopkins. Rod asked if I wanted to go. I gave him the “Trick question?” response. The play was my first Shakespeare production and I relished it. I was impressed after the play the cast , Mr. Hopkins included, came to the front and invited us forward for a chat. I was impressed with Anthony Hopkins’ ease of interaction with his fans. He was a gentleman, very likable, and generous with his time. It was a very pleasant and memorable evening,
Thanks for sharing!
What a wonderful week to recall this, with Hopkins’ recent win at the Academy Awards!