RSC Friends

Tuesday May 5th gave us another marvellous Public Understudy performance with the KING LEAR understudies being given their moment and actors like Greg Hicks, Kathryn Hunter, John McKay and Geoffrey Freshwater showing unselfish teamwork by appearing in cameo roles. As with the recent Public Understudy performance of ROMEO AND JULIET, this ensemble brilliantly show that if an understudy is called on to take over, then the audience will see performances both loyal to the director’s concept and showing the sheer talent of the actor concerned. It is significant that whilst Darrell D’Silva has been recovering from his recent injury, the role of the Earl of Kent has been played by Paul Hamilton. Paul’s performance is a classic example of what I was referring to above. It was also significant that Darrell was in the audience to support his colleague, as was director David Farr to equally support his Assistant Director Vik Sivalingham who had directed this special performance. What IS so special about these Public Understudy treats is that they are enabling audiences to see a performance which will never happen again and as such it is a further privilege that Michael Boyd has offered us. Above all, such performances highlight the advantage of ensemble work, especially when they have been working so long together. Although Tuesday’s performance was a splendid company effort, special mention must be made of James Gale’s performance of Lear and Sophie Russell’s doubling as Cordelia and the Fool. One must not forget the sheer professionalism of the backstage ensemble who with such a brilliant storm also ensure that such performances are ones to be admired and remembered. I am sure we now await these same members of the ensemble giving us the Public Understudy performance of ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA on 18th May. Tony Boyd-Williams