Following in the footsteps of Nick Asbury's bestselling Exit Pursued by a Badger, actor and Royal Shakespeare Company alumnus Keith Osborn tells the story of the company's extraordinary 2008/9 season in Stratford and London, with much drama on and off stage. Keith appeared in Gregory Doran's acclaimed productions of A Midsummer Night's Dream and Love's Labours Lost and, of course, Doran's Hamlet with David Tennant in the title role. Keith's blog was followed loyally by thousands of readers, the book contains some new material covering the early parts of the season and a short account of the BBC's filming of Hamlet in the summer of 2009, rounded out with many rehearsal and production photos taken throughout the season.
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If aimed at the student, it serves as an excellent elementary guide to the basics of stagecraft. If aimed at the Doctor Who fan, there is the sidelight on Tennant s actorly life. He recalls Tom Stoppard s Rosencrantz or Guildenstern, walking a fine line between being the quiet, unambitious courtier or being a real player in the world of Elsinor. --Joseph Chance, Time Literary Supplement
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9 of 9 people found the following review helpful
By Ripple
TOP 50 REVIEWER
Format:Paperback
Following on from Nick Asbury's Exit, Pursued by a Badger: An Actor's Journey Through History with Shakespeare, Something Written in the State of Denmark is an extended compilation of blogs from one of the ensemble cast of Greg Doran's three productions of The Dream, Hamlet and Love's Labour's Lost. It's a fabulous insight into the day to day lives of these exceptionally hard working actors. And while I felt "Exit" suffered from only being commissioned half way through the Histories Cycle, the RSC appears to have perfected the concept of an "embedded blogger" and Keith Osborn takes up the story much earlier in the process - much to the benefit of the book format version.
Like Asbury, Osborn writes very entertainingly and not only do we get an insight into the processes that the actors go through in brining a production to life, but also the demands placed on understudies. There's also plenty of off the stage activity, either in the form of relaxing with his dog or putting together a supergroup of musical actors for charity gigs which seems to occupy his mind just as much as the plays themselves!
One reason that this is a particularly interesting read though is the involvement of the David Tennant Hamlet in the content - and particularly in the way the ensemble had to adapt when Tennant was unable to perform. It is remarkable that such as key character can be seamlessly replaced on stage. Also, there is the added benefit of the description going not just from rehearsal to production, but also in a post production life as the play was subsequently filmed for TV.
It's a fascinating and very human insight. If you have seen any of the productions, doubtless the tales mean more - and there a few production photos (though not quite as many as in the Asbury book - with more emphasis on the rehearsal images). Anyone who thinks an actor's life is an easy one need only read this book to have that image shattered.
Like Asbury, Osborn writes very entertainingly and not only do we get an insight into the processes that the actors go through in brining a production to life, but also the demands placed on understudies. There's also plenty of off the stage activity, either in the form of relaxing with his dog or putting together a supergroup of musical actors for charity gigs which seems to occupy his mind just as much as the plays themselves!
One reason that this is a particularly interesting read though is the involvement of the David Tennant Hamlet in the content - and particularly in the way the ensemble had to adapt when Tennant was unable to perform. It is remarkable that such as key character can be seamlessly replaced on stage. Also, there is the added benefit of the description going not just from rehearsal to production, but also in a post production life as the play was subsequently filmed for TV.
It's a fascinating and very human insight. If you have seen any of the productions, doubtless the tales mean more - and there a few production photos (though not quite as many as in the Asbury book - with more emphasis on the rehearsal images). Anyone who thinks an actor's life is an easy one need only read this book to have that image shattered.
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
By H. Harris
Format:Paperback
This is a fascinating, witty, well-written and detailed diary of a Stratford season. It is not remotely "luvvy" or stuffy, but outlines the sheer hard-work of the teams, backstage as well as onstage, that goes into a successful RSC season. Of particular interest are the details of the understudy rehearsals which, in the case of this particular season, were tested to the full. The company comes across as very much an ensemble where everyone's contribution is valued. The author writes in a light, unaffected and very readable way, with great humour and insight. To any amateur, would-be or armchair thespian, or playgoer this book is a real treat.
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
The facets presented in this book show the life of an actor involved with one of the most exciting productions of the RSC's history. I liked the intricasies of real life detail which illustrated the complexities of working life for an actor e.g his butcher in Alcester, the description of a costume being like " a cat suit sort of thingy" and the amount of travelling involved to dovetail in work and family life - and taking the dog for a walk! The book highlighted the ephemeral nature of an acting life and the necessity to make relationships quickly so that the team will work well. The book brought back the intensity of the production and illustrated very well the fascinating detail involved in achieving a very skilled theatrical production.
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