RSC Friends

Rufus bounded onto the stage rather like the friendly and over enthusiastic animal from which one imagines he takes his name. His alter ego, Rob Simpson quickly explained that the choice of name was a much more random process and he could as easily be Jiminy Biscuit! Rufus was disarmingly honest about the journey from stand up comedy to Don Quixote at the RSC. He arrived full of chutzpah on a cold December day and was overawed and temporarily humbled by the RSC edifice resplendent in red neon.

it was fascinating to view Stratford through the eyes of an actor arriving fresh to the RSC . Rufus described how he developed his experience of ad libbing and audience interaction in his acclaimed role as Sancho Panza.He gave us an entertaining description of working with director, Angus Jackson and his dry ripostes; (Rufus) ‘ I was going to do some acting’ (Angus) Yes, we will do some of that.’

Rufus gave us a (mostly) discrete backstage view of  Shakespeare’s 450th double anniversary and the parties that followed it. One informal  soirée on Waterside  included Tim Minchin In deep conversation with the girls from wigs while Rufus Wainwright sang a Neil Young song for some loose change.

Once again, a thoroughly enjoyable and well attended Friday afternoon at a Friends’ Q&A.