Privacy & Cookies

Moss Cottage uses cookies to track and improve site performance and enhance your experience.

By using our website, you consent to our use of cookies. To learn more about how we use cookies, read our Privacy Policy

Moss Cottage

Tel. 01789 294 770
Email. info@mosscottage.org
  • Home
  • About Us
    • Blog
    • Local Attractions
    • RSC Reviews
  • Breakfast
  • Rooms
  • Tariff
  • Gallery
  • Contact
  • Book Now

March 15, 2011 by billbruce

The Tempest: Reviewed by Dr Peter Buckroyd

The Tempest in Stratford

Just occasionally theatre can deliver an experience which is sheer magic. It doesn’t happen all that often and sometimes the magic only lasts a brief while or in snatches.

Such is the case with two of the Royal Shakespeare Company’s productions which have opened the new theatre in Stratford. Kathryn Hunter produced all kinds of extraordinary magic in her performance of Cleopatra and, even though she has been replaced for the last performances ,there is still much to enjoy about the production. There is more magic in King Lear. Greg Hicks has grown in the part of Lear during the course of a long run and provides some quite wonderful moments, particularly with the incomparable Geoffrey Freshwater as Gloucester. The scene at the end where they meet up is very moving. So is the relationship between Gloucester and Poor Tom (played with great flexibility both physically and vocally by Charles Aitkin). Kelly Hunter as Goneril and Katy Stephens as Regan create hideously dynamic and powerful monsters, while John Mackay, most unusually, manages to make Albany interesting. There are interesting directorial decisions, too, which create their moments of magic for those who know the text well, such as that when the Fool (originally magnifiently played by Kathryn Hunter and now ably presented by Sophie Russell) makes a clear decision not to follow Lear into the storm. Plenty of magic moments here.

But that’s not why I’m writing this. There is magic in the Swan Theatre these two weeks which lasts for an hour and a quarter and is not to be missed. It’s a production of The Tempest undertaken jointly by Little Angel Theatre and the Royal Shakespeare Company. David Fielder plays Prospero and six other people play nine characters, a range of puppets,  six musical instruments and sing. It’s advertised as appropriate for ages 7+, but there’s also plenty for adults and Shakespeare fans.

From the moment when seagulls indicate a ship at sea and when Prospero creates the storm with his magic staff, to the return of the seagulls as the characters leave to board the ship at the end, you are held spellbound and delighted. Ariel and Caliban are puppets with their puppet masters providing their voices.

There are some fine performances. Prospero makes clear a huge range of emotions and reactions. Anneika Rose is stunning – beautiful, innocent, physically and vocally most impressive and coherent – as Miranda.

I laughed with delight a couple of times at the songs. The kids in the audience (they were the majority and loved it) were shocked, horrified and delighted by Caliban and his antics. The adults were surprised that the text was not modernised and delighted by the amazingly slick character and costume changes.  Those who know stretches of the play by heart were surprised and delighted by the deft cutting and pasting of the text.  There are also some stunning textual interepretations, such as the ballgown costumes which entice Stephano and Trinculo turning magically into threatening dogs and the banquet platters housing not food but beasts. The plot was beautifully clear, the set, consisting of a ship’s hull/cave entrance/bower/chess room/seagull-perch, singers’ and players’ rostrum, a joy to look at.

I have not seen anything so delightful, skilful, slick and engaging for a long time.

If you’re coming to Stratford to see one of the big three, then stay the following morning and see The Tempest at 10:30. It’s a very short run; it’s on from tomorrow (Wednesday 15 March) until Saturday 26 March each day except Sundays at 10:30; today (Tuesday 15 March), Saturday 19 March, Tuesday 22 March, Thursday 24 March and Saturday 26 March at 1:30 and there’s one evening performance – Thursday 17 March at 7:30.

If you’re staying overnight stay that little bit longer to catch it next morning. If not, make a special jourrney. Â

If you can’t get to Stratford make sure you experience  it at Little Angel Theatre in London from 9 April to 15 May.

 And, of course, why not stay the night at Moss Cottage?

Peter Buckroyd

Filed Under: RSC Reviews Tagged With: reviews, rsc

February 17, 2011 by billbruce

A little about Moss Cottage

Hello,

As I have a new web site , kindly provided by David Steel at Stratford web designs, I thought I should tell you a little about my self and Moss Cottage. This also helps me get used to this world of blogs and the world wide web!

My name is William (but please call me Bill) Bruce, After working in engineering for 30 years in London, Kings Lynn and Swansea I was given the opportunity to start afresh in a whole new direction. Taking over Moss Cottage in September 2009 with no previous experience in the hospitality field was a somewhat daunting challenge. But one I have thoroughly enjoyed.

The most remarkable thing about running a bed and breakfast is that you realise there are so many wonderful, charming people in this world. I have had guests from all over the world and can genuinely say that people are the same the world over, happy to visit new areas and meet new people. Stratford-upon-Avon has proved to be a wonderful town to come to; the local people are the friendliest I’ve ever met; everyone has time for each other and happy to stop and chat to visitors.

Since taking over Moss Cottage I have gradually been able to make some changes. First to go were the small breakfast tables so that guests can now enjoy a leisurely breakfast and share their thoughts and experiences of Stratford-upon-Avon and the UK as a whole before starting their day. I have tried to create a warm environment so guests feel instantly at home, greeting new ones with tea or real coffee and a slice of homemade cake after their drive. They can thus settle in while I explain what this charming town has to offer them during their stay.

Having recently joined a new local business association, I have found that this town has even more to it than meets the eye. From the wonders of Shakespeare and the RSC, the Ghost hunts, the river cruises, the small independent shops, it has something for everyone to enjoy.

I hope to continue to improve Moss Cottage as I want guests not only to enjoy their stay here but also to enjoy their stay in this wonderful town.  As one of our guests wrote in our guest book: “It’s so much better than a faceless corporate hotel”.

Thank you for reading this. Please keep checking back for new blogs on Stratford-upon-Avon and its surrounding area.

Bill.

Filed Under: News

February 13, 2011 by billbruce

Welcome to our new blog

New updates will appear here soon

Filed Under: News

  • « Previous Page
  • 1
  • …
  • 15
  • 16
  • 17

Quick Links

  • Home
  • About Us
    • Blog
    • Local Attractions
    • RSC Reviews
  • Breakfast
  • Rooms
  • Tariff
  • Gallery
  • Contact
  • Book Now

About Moss Cottage

Moss Cottage is a charming 1930s detached house located just a 15 minute walk from the very heart of Stratford-upon-Avon … More...

Our Latest Posts

Orchestra of the Swan, review from May 29th concert. Sonnets.

A little about Moss Cottage

Welcome to our new blog

We’re Rated on Tripadvisor!

Tripadvisor Certificate of Excellence

  • TripAdvisor

 

Tripadvisor Reviews

  • TripAdvisor

Contact Us

Moss Cottage Bed & Breakfast
61 Evesham Road
Stratford upon Avon
Warwickshire
CV37 9BA

Tel:  01789 294 770
Email:  info@mosscottage.org

Reviews from the RSC

Rsc review. The Whip.

King John. Review by Dr Peter Buckroyd.

A museum in Baghdad. Review by Dr Peter Buckroyd.

The boy in the dress. Review by Dr Peter Buckroyd.

King Lear, The Attic Theatre, Review by Peter Buckroyd.

copyright © 2015 Moss Cottage | website by studio595