Farinelli & the King- Mark Rylance

[devonian.t]

Posted: 11/1/15 at 8:29am

If Sonia Friedman brings the latest Globe Theatre production Mark Rylance RUN to the box ofice- it is sublime, hilarious, beautiful and heart-breaking!

 I just saw it in London and it's the best thing I've seen all year!

[dramamama611]

Posted: 11/1/15 at 8:38am

He's already committed to Nice Fish in the states, first on Boston, Jan- Feb, then going St Anne's (I think) in NY.

 

So, it seems unlikely this season.

 

Can you elaborate on the plot?

[imeldasturn]

Posted: 11/1/15 at 8:59am

The plot is quite thin tbh. It's all about the music and Mark Rylance's extraordinary performance.

Updated On: 11/1/15 at 08:59 AM

[Wee Thomas2]

Posted: 11/1/15 at 9:07am

I've said it before I'll say it again:  He's the greatest living English speaking actor today.

[Jane2]

Posted: 11/1/15 at 11:04am

I quite like the story of Farinelli.  Cry to Heaven by Ann Rice, about the castrati was a good read.

[Jane2]

Posted: 11/1/15 at 11:04am

I quite like the story of Farinelli.  Cry to Heaven by Ann Rice, about the castrati was a good read.

Updated On: 11/1/15 at 11:04 AM

[wonkit]

Posted: 11/1/15 at 3:13pm

I am looking forward to NICE FISH. Louis Jenkins writes amazing prose poems and should put together something quite unique for Rylance's talents. (Rylance used Jenkins' poem as his Tony acceptance speech - at least once.)

[devonian.t]

Posted: 11/2/15 at 9:22am

The play examines the effect of music on the spirit/ soul/ psyche as King Philip of Spain's deep depression can only be assuaged by the angelic voice of the castrato singer Farinelli.

It's a bit like a cross between Amadeus and The Madness of George III with political intrigue working to separate the king from his music therapy and thereby bring down the monarchy.  The beauty of the piece is indeed in the magnificent staging, beautiful singing and wonderfully fallible characterisation by Mark Rylance.

I'm hoping that, like with other Globe plays, it could get a dvd release.

[givesmevoice]

Posted: 11/2/15 at 11:46am

This and Gypsy are the two shows I'm seeing when I am in London later this month and I could not be more excited. 

[KathyNYC2]

Posted: 11/2/15 at 1:08pm

I just saw Mark Rylance in the film Bridge of Spies with Tom Hanks. What a quietly breathtaking performance he gave there..

[devonian.t]

Posted: 11/2/15 at 1:32pm

givesmevoice said: "This and Gypsy are the two shows I'm seeing when I am in London later this month and I could not be more excited. 

You are seeing London's best!

 

[ramsay15]

Posted: 11/2/15 at 1:58pm

I saw Farinelli & the King at the Duke of York's Theatre three weeks ago.  It is a terrific production and a very interesting story.  Mark Rylance gives a great performance.  But, in a way, the opera singer (two of three singers alternate) who plays Farinelli's singing double is the star of the show.  Melody Dowd, who plays the Queen, is outstanding, as well.  Any theatre-lover who goes to London and can get a ticket, should make a point of seeing the show.

[PepperedShepherd]

Posted: 11/2/15 at 10:09pm

givesmevoice said: "This and Gypsy are the two shows I'm seeing when I am in London later this month and I could not be more excited. "

 

I saw them both when I was in London in September. You are definitely in for a treat! Two of the best things I saw (the others being HANGMEN at the Royal Court and BAKKHAI at the Almeida).

 

I really didn't have any idea of what I'd be seeing with FARINELLI. I only knew, having seen Rylance in TWELFTH NIGHT at the Globe many years ago, that I'd pay to see him read the phone book. But the play itself was exquisite & fascinating.

 

As for GYPSY: I saw it twice (both times from the first row, which is absolutely perfect for this production).  Imelda's Rose is, quite simply, one of the greatest performances I've seen in 40 years of theater-going.

 

Enjoy!

 

Updated On: 11/2/15 at 10:09 PM

[little_sally]

Posted: 11/2/15 at 10:13pm

I would really love for this to come to NY.

[VernonGersch]

Posted: 11/2/15 at 10:22pm

agreed that rylance is the best actor i've ever had the pleasure of seeing perform live.

i would watch him read the phone book, if there was such a thing that exisited.

[devonian.t]

Posted: 11/3/15 at 7:23am

He plays such a vulnerable and lovable, flawed character you can't help but love him- I could easily see him waltzing off with another Tony.

[TotallyEffed]

Posted: 1/14/17 at 1:54pm

Is this coming to New York?