Edward II (Press Night)
by Christopher Marlowe; all-male cast & original practices production; 7.30 pm
Let me sum it up in one word: *wow*. Bone deep, spine tingling, chilling, thrilling, wow. The cast was understandably
a bit nervous; they seemed to tone down some of their antics, but the essence was brilliant as before. And the
individual performances were fantastic, as usual. Finally figured out who the guys were I hadn't been able to identify
before. Tada, here they come:
First of all, there was Patrick Brennan, playing Lancaster and Ap Howell. He's superb, especially as Lancaster. He's
fierce, passionate and proud, though not pompous. Haughty he is though, and he is the one who presents "Pliny's fish
plaque" to Edward with the motto "Undique mors est". I love his triumphant laugh as the nobles extract Edward's signature
on Gaveston's banishment and I did today miss the laughing fit he had when the plaques were presented. He did laugh and
mask it with a cough though after Mortimer's plaque with the tree and its cantankerous vine was presented (motto: "aeque
tandem"…and that hand gesture Mortimer makes is quite intriguing. Anyone want to translate the damn Latin for me? ;D).
Lancaster is also the one to sing the first song, the Scots' jig making fun of King Edward. And he does so superbly. Wow.
The press night nervousness was palpable in that the nobles "antics" vis-à-vis Gaveston were quieter, more subdued, for all that
their punishment of him when they had caught him was harsher than I've seen yet, or maybe the angle I was at changed it.
Whereas I'd been near the centre of the stage and a little removed from it, I was now standing at the left corner for part
1 and 3, with a lovely elderly gentleman and his companions. He's been working at the Globe as a steward for three years
and we talked a little. For part 2, I put myself in the midst of the throng right at the centre of the stage.
I was rewarded with having Liam Brennan in front of me during that fight-dance-jig thingy, today without helmets, don't
know why. It did take away from the effect, though Mr Brennan was as spirited as always. In fact, he totally blew me away.
I still find that dance unbearably sexy and manly and as all the guys sing so beautifully at the beginning of it ;D…
Terry McGinity, as Leicester and Pembroke, gave two wonderfully understated performances. He radiated a quiet intensity,
which complimented the gentle and noble characters he played. Justin Avoth is very versatile too, and very convincing as
one of Edward's cruel jailors. Sends a shiver down my spine. He's the one calling the first interval, in a red toga thingy
with gold embroidery, strewing rose petals. Whoa. And then, of course, there's Peter Shorey, who heralded the second
interval, after having sung a song in what I presume is Middle High English or the like. Enthralling. He's especially
memorable as Levune, the Frenchman who is loyal to King Edward, rather than the Queen. Good for him *discreet cough*.
I'm still surprised that I can feel so deeply for Edward for all his trespasses. He is a dreadful ruler and putty in the
hands of Gaveston. Their first kiss (and the embrace before) was greeted with quite a stir from the audience today, strange
really, cause there was no such disturbance on the first night. Queen Isabella got a whistle as she appeared for the first
time. Chu Omambala is fantastic, he rants, raves and pleads. A woman scorned who despises the man she called husband and
works toward his death. Very compelling. Due to the fairly calm and quiet (apart from aforementioned cat-calls) audience,
the "hereby I create thee" didn't get as many laughs as on previous nights, so one of my favourite "jokes" was a bit lost,
which was a shame, imo.
John McEnery (as Spencer Senior) once again wowed me. I love the scene where he and his son are sitting with Edward and
Young Spencer is reading a letter with the names of those executed. Pa Spencer has his hand on his son's shoulder, reads
along with him and sometimes laughs at a name, murmuring it to himself. It's one of those minute gestures that endear the
Spencers further to me. As is the sweet smile Young Spencer gives his daddy as the latter pledges his life and loyalty to
Edward. And also the swift movement that brings Spencer Senior to stand beside his son, hand protective on his arm, when
the nobles tell Edward to choose between his minion or his nobles. Edward then tells the herald to leave, but bids him
take a look first at "how he divorces Spencer from [him]", grasping Young Spencer's hand and holding it up, then pulling
the young man forward, his hand gripping the tunic on his shoulder, just where the armour ends as he vows to come and
punish the barons for having murdered his lover Gaveston.
I had a moment of superb chemistry tonight when Young Spencer and Edward shared a long look. It was just the half-smile
first on Michael Brown's, then the deeper one on Liam Brennan's face. And not to mention that I almost squealed at Young
Spencer's speech when Edward was transported away from him and Baldoke at the cloister. It was fiery passion, worthy of
the best Juliet (or Michael's brilliant Viola ;D).
Baldock and his "I might wear plain clothes, but my thoughts are just as licentious as ever" as he presented a book to
Spencer, who started laughing, is one of those brilliantly executed moments that make the tragedy lighter. I also do
very much enjoy the reference Young Spencer makes about his relationship with Gaveston. It seems the latter would have
once preferred him over the King and he means not to be a servant, but a companion. Let's just say I found the wave
Gaveston gave Spencer incredibly intriguing. Forget Gaveston was escorting his bride off the stage just then ;D.
I've just remembered an incident on the first night - when the nobles (Warwick, Pembroke, young Mortimer and Lancaster)
swore to have Gaveston's head, Warwick couldn't pull his sword out of the scabbard, so he just punched the air with his
fist. Nice save. I wouldn't have noticed if I hadn't seen the play again ;D.
I couldn't look at Edward's death today, it hurt too much and Liam Brennan's scream is still in my ears, ringing.
Someone told me that it'd have been more real if the poker, on being pulled out of Edward's dead body, had been coated
with blood. Thank you very much, I'm glad it isn't, it's horrific enough already. I guess seeing blood then would make
me sick.
Gaveston and Edward had their moments, of course, and I especially loved the scene where they take their leave of each
other tonight. Edward had a different locket round his neck, by the way. I notice those things ;D. When asked to turn
around for a moment so his King could look his fill one last time, Gaveston tonight actually let that flimsy yellow
cloth he wears like a toga slip off his shoulder. Extremely fine (both the gesture and the man ;D).
Gerald Kyd plays a mower apart from Gaveston and also an unnamed soldier (in the costume he has as Percy in "Richard II"),
whom Edward helps up when he has won the first battle against the nobles. I find the choice of helping Gerald up
especially poignant as Edward's feelings for his "dearest friend, [his] Gaveston" are one of the main reasons for
the war. One of those gestures only possible through doubling ;D.
It has been brought to my attention by an article about King Edward, that the nature of his relationship with Gaveston
(the historic one) was not sexual in nature. I have considered this as I watched the play tonight. However, I still
maintain that I prefer this Edward and Gaveston, who aren't "just" friends. I like romance/love stories (with unhappy endings;
aka my "Romeo & Juliet complex"). Edward and Young Spencer have a platonic relationship though; with a lot
of potential which can't be explored because of Edward's fall from power and Spencer's being killed.
The light was especially beautiful tonight; remember there is no lighting at the open-air Globe, only spotlights to give
an illusion of daylight, illuminating both audience and stage! The sky was clear, but a deep dark blue, almost black when
you looked up from the yard, and framed by the mahagony coloured wood and reddish tinted thatch of the theatre building.
The lights in the galleries and on stage create an atmosphere not-quite-like daylight, but they also bring a kind of wash
to the stage, cause they are artificial. Sunlight never glints like this on the armour; the coppery glow of the setting
sun, combined with those lights on the red flags with the golden lions was breathtaking. It was an almost magical, eerie
light, by which Edward's deposition and death were framed much more starkly.
Edward did have slightly redder hair than usual today, I don't know if Mr. Brennan regularly colours his hair red for
good luck on press nights, but it didn't look like his natural hair colour. At least, last time his hair didn't almost
clash with his purple clothes ;D.
Of course, I couldn't review this particular performance without gushing at least once about the passion and fire that
is Mr. Brennan. He was a great Orsino, a fantastic Bolingbroke, but as Edward he just shines. He has the stage presence
and power to get every single emotion across, every word perfectly accented, heavy and stark, or soft and seductive.
You can see how painstakingly the role is created in every sigh, sob, gasp and heave of his chest. The man lives and
breathes Edward and tonight he was so good it was unbelievable. He was so completely enthralling he brought me almost
to tears more than once and he is so incredibly convincing. I don't like to repeat myself, but I must say that the
man is my idol ;D.
White Company/Cast:
Master of Play - Timothy Walker
Justin Avoth - Lord Matrevis, Earl of Arundel/Poor Man
Liam Brennan - Edward II
Patrick Brennan - Lancaster/Ap Howell
Michael Brown - Young Spencer
Richard Glaves - Prince Edward/Lady Margaret
Gerald Kyd - Gaveston/Mower
John McEnery - Spencer Senior/Archbishop of Canterbury/Lightborn
Terry McGinity - Leicester/Pembroke
Chu Omambala - Queen Isabella
William Osborne - Bishop of Coventry/Baldock/Berkeley
Justin Shevlin - Young Mortimer
Peter Shorey - Abbot of Neath/Herald or Levune
Bill Stewart - Mortimer Senior/Bishop of Winchester
Patrick Toomey - Edmund, Duke of Kent
Albie Woodington - Warwick/Gurney
Questions, comments and suggestions can be directed to me at
ferngully_at@yahoo.com.