If there was ever a time for a bit of cheek, it’s now. We could all use some impudent humor, especially of the female variety. And there’s no better place than the august Folger Theatre, where the bawdy, trailblazing she-ro Nell Gwynn is sassing up the joint with Restoration-era raunch and rollicking good humor in […]
When women first took to the English stage: Alison Luff on playing Nell Gwynn at Folger
In 2013, Olivier-winning playwright Jessica Swale wrote a play about the life of actress Nell Gwynn, one of the first women to trod the English stage, and who became a celebrated actress during the 17th century Restoration period. Aptly titled Nell Gwynn, it premiered at Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre in 2015. Last year, it made its […]
Review: King John. Aaron Posner rescues this lesser Shakespeare
Director Aaron Posner has assembled some of the most splendid, certainly several of them among the most beloved actors who tread the local boards. Indeed, Folger Theatre has done further valuable service by bringing King John, a little done and most notoriously challenging play, to their stage.
Review: Folger’s alt-Macbeth, a “strange perfection”
I’ve seen Macbeth performed in the round, outdoors, in the nude, multiple film and TV versions, various homages and parodies across multiple media, I saw a spirited production last month by an emerging theatre company. But I’ve never seen a Macbeth like the Folger’s latest effort; neither have you, I’ll wager, nor anyone else in […]
Ian Merrill Peakes has played Macbeth before, but never like this Folger production
This is not actor Ian Merrill Peakes’ first time playing Macbeth on the Folger stage. Ten years ago, he and Kate Eastwood Norris played Mr. and Mrs. Macbeth, and now return to their roles under the direction of Robert Richmond. But this time, it is a family affair. Peakes will be joined by his wife […]
Robert Richmond puts Lady M in Bedlam asylum and other wild ideas for Macbeth at Folger Theatre
In 2008, Folger Theatre’s Macbeth, directed by Aaron Posner and Teller (of the magician duo: Penn and Teller), starred Ian Merrill Peaks and Kate Eastwood Norris in the titular roles. Ten years later, the two leads are reprising their performances in a slightly different version of Macbeth that today’s audiences have never seen before: Sir […]
Dria Brown plays Joan of Arc. How being a woman of color affects Bedlam’s Saint Joan
Bedlam Theatre Company of New York City once again returns to DC, bringing their acclaimed, stripped-down production of George Bernard Shaw’s Saint Joan at Folger Theatre. Audiences might remember when they brought their repertory productions of Hamlet and Saint Joan to Olney Theatre Center in 2013, and Bedlam Artistic Director Eric Tucker, directed his adaptation […]
Review: Saint Joan, a funky, spunky, stripped-down Shaw
Brevity is not the soul of Saint Joan’s wit. Even at three and a half hours’ running time, however, the George Bernard Shaw classic never flags in Bedlam’s funky, spunky, stripped down version at the Folger Theatre. There are, however, some costs to the company’s insistently low-cost approach.
The Winter’s Tale at Folger (review)
There’s no getting around it — The Winter’s Tale, as far as Shakespearean romances go, is a weird play. One King’s jealous rage springs into action for seemingly unfounded reasons. Huge chunks of action during the play’s conclusion happen offstage, and are summarized hurriedly in an aside. Oh, and there’s a bear.
Aaron Posner and Katie deBuys talk of magic and music in Folger’s Winter’s Tale
Susan Galbraith speaks with director Aaron Posner and actor Katie deBuys during rehearsals for The Winter’s Tale which opens at Folger Theatre this week. ———————— Susan Galbraith: Aaron, we’re talking about your direction of one of Shakespeare’s most complex plays, The Winter’s Tale. What for you feels like the centrifugal force that could hold the play […]
Prosky, Robards, Huston, Durang, Bernhardt. Stories from Theresa Rebeck and Kristine Nielsen
You have until February 11th to see The Way of the World at Folger Theatre. Playwright Theresa Rebeck has rewritten the Restoration classic and directs a cast led by Kristine Nielsen.
Theresa Rebeck wrote Way of the World with Kristine Nielsen in mind. They talk about the play and their professions
Theresa Rebeck, Kristine Nielsen, and The Way of the World “Are you twins? Sisters?” Theresa Rebeck and Kristine Nielsen were heading past a guard’s desk at Folger Shakespeare Library when the question was posed. The response to the query was a laugh and a “No,” followed by the qualification, “But we’re turning into each other.”