I love that National Theatre Live broadcasts productions all across the world. It’s a great way to see brilliant British theatre productions when you’re stuck stateside, like me (I’m still lamenting the fact that I can’t be in London in December to see David Tennant as Richard II). Last summer I saw Frankenstein, starring Benedict Cumberbatch and Johnny Lee Miller this way. That was an incredible production, and I’m hoping they show that again someday, so I can see the version with Cumberbatch as Frankenstein and Miller as the Creature.
Obviously, January is several months away, but when Tom Hiddleston tweeted about this I got really excited. Not only am I a fan of Hiddleston (if you only know him as Loki, please look up some of his other works, he really is a terrific actor – not that he isn’t terrific as Loki; I’m a huge Marvel fan as well), but I’m also a huge Shakespeare fan, and I love when my favorite actors and my favorite authors combine. I’m currently working towards a goal of reading all of his plays in the next year – I want to have them all read before I visit Stratford next summer. Coriolanus just got bumped up a little higher on the list, so I can have it read before this airs in the United States. Tom Hiddleston and Mark Gatiss doing Shakespeare together? What’s not to love?
Also, if you’re a Tom Hiddleston and Shakespeare fan in the US, keep an eye out for The Hollow Crown which will be airing on PBS in the fall. It’s an adaptation of Richard II, Henry IV 1 & 2 and Henry V that is absolutely brilliant. I’ve only seen the first two, but they were incredible and I can’t wait to see the rest. The entire cast in those productions is amazing – Jeremy Irons, Ben Whishaw, Patrick Stewart, Michelle Dockery, Joe Armstrong … all are amazing.
And finally, if you’re a Shakespeare fan then you will absolutely not want to miss Much Ado About Nothing directed by Joss Whedon which will be released nationally next weekend. Much Ado is my favorite of the comedies and just knowing it’s Joss Whedon and Shakespeare means it’s going to be epic. Also, if you’re a fan of Whedon, then you already know the entire cast.
There’s my little spiel about upcoming Shakespeare adaptations. You are welcome.
Not Another Dumb Blonde 