Update: Elsewhere in Agincourt

I had previously posted about BBC Two's Henry V, and now have more information to share! Richard Clothier will be playing the Earl of Salisbury in the television production, slated to broadcast this year.

Also, congratulations to Mr. Clothier for winning Best Actor in a Play (Large Theatre) for Richard III in the BWW Boston awards! A full list of winner can be found here.  [e]

Elsewhere in Agincourt

"Where are they now?" type posts are admittedly a bit haphazard, but it looks as if Propeller will be fighting the battle of Agincourt on multiple fronts for awhile. Richard Clothier, last seen wrecking havoc on bloody bloody England as Richard III, will appear in an unnamed role in the BBC Two's television production of Henry V. Full casting news for all four of the BBC Two Shakespeare productions can be found here. [e]

A Letter From London

Over on Playbill.com, Ruth Leon has written a bit about Propeller in her occasional 'Letter From London'. After going to a full day of Comedy and Richard, Leon writes "while my posterior was complaining by 11 PM, my mind and emotions weren't". She also notes that part of the fun with Propeller is seeing actors play vastly different roles from show to show, singling out Richard Clothier for playing Richard with the "requisite degree of menace in the evening" as well as a "hilarious duke in the afternoon".

-cs

Reviews from Neuss

Helga Bittner of NGZOnline has reviews of The Comedy of Errors (original German and hilariously translated) and Richard III (original and translated).

Bittner says Comedy is "wonderfully fun", and calls the many slapstick scenes the "reincarnation of the legendary comedy troupe Monty Python". Tony Bell's Pinch is "simply delicious", and the pairing of Jon Trenchard and Richard Frame and Dugald Bruce-Lockhart and Sam Swainsbury is praised.

Richard III is a "caricature of the horror film genre" that goes "beyond the striking exhibit of brutal and mindless violence". Led by the "wonderful" Richard Clothier, the production finds the "right mix of funny, scary and moving images". Bittner also lauds the use of puppets to portray the two young princes, saying it is "masterfully done, so that they look almost the most human of all".

-cs

Bloody, Bloody Brilliant

Matt Trueman's review of Richard III focuses in on Richard Clothier's performance and the acts of violence perpetrated on both the living and dead in a production that is "thrilling and guttural."  [e]

Sell Your Grandmother

Ellie D.'s 52 Plays blog recaps her experiences with Comedy of Errors and Richard III and, in a smart, funny posting gets to the heart of how Propeller connects with modern audiences.  Ed Hall is "a a genius" while Richard Clothier gives a "masterful performance," and readers are advised to "sell your grandmother, sell your house, travel to Madrid just BOOK YOUR TICKETS NOW."   [e]

A+ in Chemistry

The Evening Standard raves about Propeller's double bill. Comedy of Errors is "fused with demented energy, yet is perfectly controlled," with Dugald Bruce-Lockhart, Richard Frame, Sam Swainsbury and Robert Hands getting specific mentions. Richard III, with particularly fine work from Richard Clothier and Dominic Tighe,  is "direct and engaging" with the entire ensemble contributing to a production that is "gruesomely realised in Michael Pavelka's structurally ingenious design."

"Joyous bonhomie" meets "chilling unease"

Both Richard III and Comedy of Errors get four stars from the Financial Times:

Though hugely divergent in tone and import, both plays depict worlds in which disarray and discord rule. Hall’s exuberant and tightly focused company brings out this connection with boldly coloured productions that take the plays by the scruff of the neck.

Dugald Bruce-Lockhart, Sam Swainsbury and David Newman's performances in Comedy of Errors and Richard Clothier and Tony Bell's performances in Richard III receive special mention in a review that looks at the dream like qualities evident in both shows.

A Ferocious Physicality

The Daily Express gives Comedy and Richard five and four stars, respectively, it being harder to find a "funnier or more vigorous" production of the first and calling the second (and Richard Clothier's performance therein) "genuinely chilling."

"Ingenious, accessible and always true to the spirit of Shakespeare"

The Telegraph raves about Propeller's double bill at the Hampstead, giving the productions five stars and promising you will "reeling with the excitement of Shakespeare’s youthful genius and the sheer inventive panache of Edward Hall and his crack company." Robert Hands and David Newman are commended for their sisterly turn in Comedy of Errors, while Richard Clothier is a "compellingly sinister" Richard III.

Killer Style

The Boston Herald applauds Propeller's productions, though it seems to get stuck on the all-male aspect of the shows. Richard Frame and Jon Trenchard are "the best of a sensational cast" in Comedy and Richard Clothier is identified for being "boundlessly talented" in his portrayal of a "graceful, coy killer" in Richard III.

"You don't even have stage directions."

The Boston Globe has an extensive article talking to Ed Hall and Richard Clothier about Propeller's origins, staging 400 year old plays, the all-male element and the ensemble process.

Splash Zone

foodporn enjoyed the bloody bloody spectacle of Richard III as well as Richard Clothier's "extraordinary" performance.

Killing Doubts

Marlborough People was skeptical of the Propeller hype, but converted after seeing Richard III. Richard Clothier, Dominic Tighe, Tony Bell, Sam Swainsbury, Richard Frame and John Dougall were all mentioned as standouts in a cast with "no weak links."

(reposted on the author's blog)

Richard's Reign at the Watermill

Gazette & Herald praises the group's story-telling and singing abilities, as well as gives Richard Clothier credit for a "brilliant" performance that "both lethal and fascinating".

Michigan and Coming Home

Propeller will be coming home soon, both to England and to their old residence at the Watermill Theatre. Lyn Gardner highlights the return in her What to See column.

AnnArbor.com is as smitten with Comedy of Errors as it was with Richard III, focusing on the music, the energy and the strong performances from a "terrific" cast.

The Detroit News found Richard III "riveting" and had special praise for Richard Clothier, John Dougall and Chris Myles' performances.

The UMS Lobby has a score of blog posts from Propeller's stay, all collected here for easy perusal.

Fast-paced, Slick and Creative

AnneArbor.com could see both sides of the Richard III bloodbath debate, but in the end came down on the side of the production's "distinctly modern, vivid spin on the play," with Richard Clothier, Tony Bell and Dominic Tighe all giving stand-out performances.

Also, Propeller received another kind of good press last week: the Arts Council has awarded Propeller funding for the next few years, a first for the company. Here's to many more great shows!

Riveting

That's the word used by The Oxford Times to describe Richard III, also mentioning the "excellent" performances of Chris Myles and Thomas Padden, Jon Trenchard's "touching" Lady Anne and Dominic Tighe's "regal and vehement" Elizabeth.

The Public Reviews gives the production three and half stars, saying "Propeller manage to make a long winded history play more accessible without losing the wonderful language of Shakespeare; and for that they should be heartily commended."

Writings of a Pensive Observer thinks Richard III continues Propeller's tradition of making Shakespeare "accessible, enjoyable and relevant," calling Richard Clothier's performance "a joy to watch" and pointing to Tony Bell's Queen Margaret as another highlight of the show.

One Big Party

The Jewish Chronicle gives Comedy of Errors four stars and calls it a "magnificent production."

The Public Reviews calls it "enormous fun from start to finish" and points to both Robert Hands and Tony Bell for scene stealing performances.

The Daily Post praises Comedy and Propeller's reputation for being one of the "one of the funniest travelling Shakespeare companies" but hastens to add "to perform something this funny takes a great deal of understanding and a love of the Bard’s language...And that they clearly have."

WhatsOnStage points to Comedy as proof that Propeller "are still soaring high in the league of Shakespearean adaptations"in its four star review... [broken link]

...CityLife says that, with Comedy, "Propeller’s innovative vision proves Shakespeare can be made fun without dumbing down the language for which he is revered"...

...and Jildy Sauce highly recommends the double bill of Comedy and Richard, calling Richard Clothier's performance in the second "brilliant."

And, finally,  commentator on Ballet Alert! also chimes in on the production, with special praise for Dugald Bruce-Lockhart.

Conquering Scotland

Edinburgh Spotlight had reserves about Richard III, but still mentioned Dominic Tighe and Jon Trenchard for their portrayals of Elizabeth and Anne. The Comedy of Errors was more popular, garnering four stars for a "highly entertaining and clear story-telling extravaganza" and performances that highlighted "how strong this ensemble is."

STV praised Richard III for "breathing new life and gallows humour into an old classic," contrasting the casting of Tony Bell and Robert Hands for this show and Comedy as but two examples of a "cast deserving of all the plaudits that come their way." Jon Trenchard's musical arrangements and Richard Clothier's "mesmerizing" performance also receive their due.

Scotsman thinks Richard III may be a bit too busy, but concludes its review by saying "we do need Shakespeare's magnificent and subtle poetry about the horrible logic of political ambition, cast adrift from all moral restraint; and in the end...this production delivers that shuddering poetic climax, with great force." On the other hand, it found Comedy of Errors "enjoys every nuance of the comedy" and had strong performances from Dugald Bruce-Lockhart and Robert Hands.

The Herald Scotland gives Richard four stars, as the company "never loses sight of the play’s inherent seriousness," despite all the playful flourishes.

PlayShakespeare is enthusiastic about both productions, trumpeting that Richard III  "is a sight to behold, and one not easily forgotten" while Comedy of Errors "offers wicked entertainment combined with a clear rendering of the script."