This summer is bursting with Shakespeare and Shakespeare-ish performance options running all price ranges in the Portland area. Strangely, sadly, I am actually in California for a research fellowship, and so am missing a great deal of the offerings. Regardless, I did want to let you know what was available. Maybe you’ll let me know what you think?
Samuel French Film & Theatre Bookshop, Los Angeles, CA.
¶ Back in 2014, I reviewed a series of teleplays produced by the BBC called The Hollow Crown. Starring Tom Hiddleston, the three-part miniseries based on William Shakespeare’s “Richard II,” “1 Henry IV,” “2 Henry IV,” and “Henry V” was distributed by NBC Universal in the U.S. and aired on PBS.
¶ Having earned several awards and a following via unexpected DVD and VOD sales, this winter PBS is airing the second installment, called The Hollow Crown: The Wars of the Roses, featuring “1 Henry VI,” “2 Henry VI,” and “Richard III,” with Benedict Cumberbatch in the titular role. I am happy to say that I will again be reviewing the series, but this time for my friends over at In The Glassy Margents over the next few weeks. I’ll post the links as they become available here.
¶ The series is still streaming for free on PBS through early January, and via Amazon VOD ($5 for the season).
From left: Tom Sturridge (Henry VI), director Dominic Cooke, and Sophie Okonedo (Queen Margaret) on set.