Associate Producer, RSC live to cinemas: The Romans season 2017

Introduction

Between April and October the RSC broadcast, live to cinemas, the four plays that form the RSC Romans season of 2017. Each broadcast included an opening film and two short films.  In total twelve short films , four DCP’s and four DVD’s made for a very busy six months.

Julius Caesar Live April 26th

Antony and Cleopatra Live May 24th

Titus Andronicus Live August 9th

Coriolanus Live October 11th

, , , , ,

Main content

Julius Caesar was the first of the Romans season and 14th live broadcast

Angus Jackson directs Shakespeare’s political thriller that tells the story of the conspiracy against Caesar, his assassination and the defeat of his conspirators.

Mary Beard

Mary Beard enlightening us with some insights about ancient Rome. The second short film has Andrew Woodall, Hannah Morrish and Alex Waldmann discussing their characters in the play.

The company of Julius Caesar perform Act 1 Scene 2 with Martin Hutson as Cassius and Alex Waldmann as Brutus in Angus Jackson’s 2017 production of Julius Caesar with the Royal Shakespeare Company.

James Corrigan gives Mark Antony’s ‘Friends, Romans, Countrymen’ speech from Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar.

The company of Julius Caesar perform Act 4 Scene 2 with Martin Hutson as Cassius and Alex Waldmann as Brutus in Angus Jackson’s 2017 production of Julius Caesar with the Royal Shakespeare Company.

Live broadcast credits

Cinema broadcast credits

Produced by John Wyver for the RSC

Associate producer and Lighting  David Gopsill

Assistant producer Hayley Pepler

Directed for the cinema by Dewi Humphries

Sound supervisor Andy Rose

Senior cameraman Paul Freeman

Antony and Cleopatra was the second play in the Romans season and the 15th live cinema broadcast

Following Caesar’s assassination, Mark Antony has reached the heights of power. Now he has neglected his empire for a life of decadent seduction with his mistress, Cleopatra, Queen of Egypt. Torn between love and duty, Antony’s military brilliance deserts him, and his passion leads the lovers to their tragic end. Iqbal Khan directs Shakespeare’s tragedy of love and duty.

Opening film

A selection of stills from the RSC archive showing past RSC productions of Antony and Cleopatra. The piece of music is by Laura Mvulu which is discussed in the short film about her below.

Inteview film

The second film features Antony Byrne, Josette Simon and Ben Allen discussing their characters

Laura Mvulu

Our interval film is about Laura Mvula who wrote the music for  Antony and Cleopatra.

Watch a scene

Josette Simon as Cleopatra and Antony Byrne as Antony,

Act I scene III of Shakespeare’s great tragedy.

Live screening credits

 

Cinema broadcast credits

Produced by John Wyver for the RSC

Directed for the cinema by Robin Lough

Associate producer and Lighting David Gopsill

Assistant producer Hayley Pepler

Sound supervisor Andy Rose

Senior cameraman Paul Freeman

Titus Andronicus was the third play in the Romans season and the 16th live cinema broadcast

When a society is oppressed it becomes violent. How do we govern ourselves? In the chaos and disorder of 2017 Titus Andronicus is a commentary on the way this world could be going. Blanche McIntyre directs David Troughton in this chillingly contemporary Titus.

Opening film

some props from the show with music by the stage director Blanche McIntrye

Blanche McItyre interview

Blanche McIntyre talks about her reasons for staging the play in this modern form.

Illusion Designer

Chris Fisher explains why a magician is required to work on the production.

Tamora (played by Nia Gwynne) pleads for Titus (David Troughton) to show mercy to her son.

Cinema broadcast credits

Produced by John Wyver for the RSC

Directed for the cinema by Matt Woodward

Associate producer and Lighting David Gopsill

Assistant producer Hayley Pepler

Sound supervisor Andy Rose

Senior cameraman Paul Freeman

 

Coriolanus was the fourth Play in the Romans season and the 17th live broadcast

A full throttle war play that revels in the sweat of the battlefield, Coriolanus transports us back to the emergence of the republic of Rome. Roman season director Angus Jackson completes the Roman season with a visceral production which sees Sope Dirisu take on the title role.

Opening film

Our first short film asks Sope Dirisu, Hannah Morrish and  Haydn Gwynne about their roles. In the second of our short films we look at the important work done by the stage management team and a visit to the  Shakespeare Birthplace trust to look at the prompt book from the 1959 Coriolanus directed by Peter Hall and starring Laurence Olivier.

Watch a scene

Act 3 scene 2

Cinema broadcast credits

Produced by John Wyver for the RSC

Associate producer and Lighting David Gopsill

Assistant producer Hayley Pepler

Directed for the cinema by Robin Lough

Sound supervisor Andy Rose

Senior cameraman Tony Freeman