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So, those of you who live in the area are probably already aware that the Royal Shakespeare Company is performing Canterbury Tales at the Kennedy Center. Those of you to whom I have gloated about my theater tickets to Canterbury Tales Part I are also aware that the RSC is performing it. This is just to gloat further, because it was good.
Of course it was good. It was the RSC.
Part I showed the General Prologue, the Knight's Tale, the Miller's Tale, the Reeve's Tale, the Monk's and Cook's Tales (sort of), the Man of Law's Tale, the Mariner's Tale, the Prioress's Tale, and the Nun's Priest's Tale. All were beautifully done, though I admit to a particular fondness for everything but the Man of Law's Tale. Er. (Well, I don't know anything about the Man of Law's Tale. I might very well have loved it if I had any idea what to think about as I watched it. I kept thinking, "This story's kind of boring, but I'm sure Chaucer is making interesting statements about religion or virtue or something, if only I could figure out what they are. I wonder if the Wife of Bath's Tale is next?")
The Prioress's Tale, in particular, I thought was brilliantly performed. It was just as visually compelling as it needed to be. I'm impressed that they performed it at all, considering the horrific content therein. There was a line after her tale, where Chaucer the Narrator made some comment about the absurdity of her story. I suspect they needed to put that sentence in in order to make it utterly clear to all audience members that they did not actually approve of what the Prioress was saying. I'm -- not objecting to that particular addition, actually.
The Wife of Bath's Tale is in Part II, much to my dismay. The Clerk's Tale, the Franklin's Tale, and the Merchant's Tale are also definitely in Part II, along with other tales I want to see them perform. You know they put the Wife of Bath's Tale in Part II to entice you to come to the second one, and it would absolutely work, if only I had any possible way to come to Part II.
Incidentally, the Kennedy Center now carries a sizeable selection of products from The Unemployed Philosopher's Guild, much to my delight. I am a big fan of hopelessly geeky products getting their proper recognition.
Of course it was good. It was the RSC.
Part I showed the General Prologue, the Knight's Tale, the Miller's Tale, the Reeve's Tale, the Monk's and Cook's Tales (sort of), the Man of Law's Tale, the Mariner's Tale, the Prioress's Tale, and the Nun's Priest's Tale. All were beautifully done, though I admit to a particular fondness for everything but the Man of Law's Tale. Er. (Well, I don't know anything about the Man of Law's Tale. I might very well have loved it if I had any idea what to think about as I watched it. I kept thinking, "This story's kind of boring, but I'm sure Chaucer is making interesting statements about religion or virtue or something, if only I could figure out what they are. I wonder if the Wife of Bath's Tale is next?")
The Prioress's Tale, in particular, I thought was brilliantly performed. It was just as visually compelling as it needed to be. I'm impressed that they performed it at all, considering the horrific content therein. There was a line after her tale, where Chaucer the Narrator made some comment about the absurdity of her story. I suspect they needed to put that sentence in in order to make it utterly clear to all audience members that they did not actually approve of what the Prioress was saying. I'm -- not objecting to that particular addition, actually.
The Wife of Bath's Tale is in Part II, much to my dismay. The Clerk's Tale, the Franklin's Tale, and the Merchant's Tale are also definitely in Part II, along with other tales I want to see them perform. You know they put the Wife of Bath's Tale in Part II to entice you to come to the second one, and it would absolutely work, if only I had any possible way to come to Part II.
Incidentally, the Kennedy Center now carries a sizeable selection of products from The Unemployed Philosopher's Guild, much to my delight. I am a big fan of hopelessly geeky products getting their proper recognition.
