Edward II
by Christopher Marlowe; all-male cast & original practices production; last performance: 7.30 pm
Last day of my internship at the Globe, and last performance of my favourite play (for this season). And it was raining;
well, pouring would actually be more accurate. Not throughout the whole play though, just for the second part of
part 1 (about 20 minutes or so) -- it had cleared up after the interval. Of course, I can now assure you that even in a
downpour, Globe rainmacs keep you absolutely dry (apart from your feet, that is ;D).
Wonderful performances all round, as usual.
When Edward and Gaveston sat on the King's red council robe and Edward told Gaveston he could have anything he wanted
(guards, money, his seal…), Gaveston put his finger on Edward's lips to make him stop talking. Small gesture perhaps,
but it conveyed such a wealth of emotion, as did the small, almost secret smiles they kept exchanging. Another wonderful
touch was that Edward actually said "please" as he held out his hand for Gaveston's picture in the parting scene, which
made it all the more intimate in my opinion.
During the banishment scene, when Edward is sitting at a table, surrounded by his nobles and the legate to the Pope
and forced to sign Gaveston's banishment, he is asked how he can love someone all the world hates. And Liam looks up,
frowning, disbelieving almost and says, in a tone that I can just describe as pure, simple and heart-felt, "Because
he loves me more than all the world" (slight emphasis on 'all'). Which makes it one of the most stunning shows of
Edward's character and feelings. I think I love this one sentence more than all the poetry in "Romeo & Juliet",
because I've never heard any of it expressed with so much conviction, clarity and simplicity. I'm also aware I'm
gushing again ;D.
Another powerful emotive moment for me is Edward's "how fast they run to banish him I love" as he sits alone in the
throne room, having just signed Gaveston's banishment. Liam recites the speech in a low voice, with subtle intonation
and he's actually on the verge of crying, wiping his eyes. Just beautifully done.
There was a light drizzle, which picked up when Edward came out and declared that the "wind [was] good" -- got him a
bit of laughter and scattered applause from the yard since all the wind brought just then was water and we were busy
getting into our rainmacs ;D. Then, just after Mortimer Jr had received the letter from Scotland it started raining
cats and dogs. Lancaster (Patrick Brennan) rubbed his arms together as if for warmth and looked at us groundlings as
he said "How fares all our friends?" and one guy shouted "Bad!" from somewhere behind me. Patrick nodded solemnly,
then turned his attention back to Mortimer.
Another titbit I love is when Edward, having told his son to go "parley with the King of France" is embracing him as
Isabella says, "this towardness makes thy mother fear thou art not marked to many days on earth". To me it seemed
like an aside to the audience, as Isabella is actually looking at the groundlings, not at her son. But Edward does
turn towards her, face grave and shocked as he says "Madam!", indicating the Prince with a slight flick of his wrist.
It took me a while to notice it, but it seems as if he were scolding her for her callous disregard of the boy's
feelings in saying such a thing in his hearing. Edward made me very happy today as he kissed Spencer's cheek when
they parted at the Abbey. Quite delightful ;D.
Richard (Glaves) really is superb in his portrayal of Edward III; in 'Talking Theatre' he said he'd tried to show the
progress from an eight-year-old to a sixteen-year-old and he really does do it. In fact, he excels at it, without ever
ridiculing the role in the slightest. He has wide-eyed, boyish innocence down pat, as well as the haunted, uncertain
look as he glances about himself when Mortimer is around. Loneliness and fear palpable in his every movement, needing
no words or explanations; astounding and brilliant.
Edward III's champion (Michael Brown) was, once again, trying extremely unsuccessfully to suppress giggles and a manic
grin as Edmund was brought before the King and Mortimer, with the latter sentencing him to death. I have no idea
what's so funny, must be a standing joke since it's not the first time I've noticed Michael having a hard time
keeping a straight face in that scene.
After the jig at the end, Mark Rylance came out to make his "last night announcements" in his function as artistic
director. Keith McGowan and the musicians got a hearty round of applause, as did Jenny Tiramani, Imogen Ross and
the rest of the costume department as well as the tiring house ladies. Mark then had the actors "newly arrived" in
the company step forward, then the 'old school', aka those who'd been at the Globe previously. Then it was Liam's
turn to get the tumultuous applause he deserves ;D. Timothy Walker (Master of Play) was also present, right side of
the middle gallery and the audience clapped for him as well. What I thought was tremendously sweet and so very
much Mark was when he told the audience to be very quiet and had the cast applaud them *beams*.
Quite a few red roses with messages to the actors ended up on stage, and Liam got a bunch of flowers; he first
offered a rose to Chu, then handed him the bouquet, laughing.
Questions, comments and suggestions can be directed to me at
ferngully_at@yahoo.com.