The first RSC productions in the World Shakespeare Festival are three plays cast from one acting company, looking at migration, exile, and the discovery of brave new worlds. Actors Nick Day and Ankur Bahl share their experiences in rehearsal for The Tempest, Twelfth Night and The Comedy of Errors.
Nick has beached on the shores of the RSC for the fifth time. Having drifted about in a variety of theatre, TV and film roles over 40 years the winds and tides have given him good passage into our waters a little more often lately. He loves it here and has absolutely no desire to be taken off this magic isle.
After spending his youth on the international jump rope circuit, Ankur arrived in Britain six years ago as a postgraduate studying migration and diaspora. Shipwrecked in London, he began performing in theatre pieces about the people he was studying.
October 9, 2012
There is an unspoken rule between theatre makers and theatre critics: the crits won't write anything about a show until the designated 'Press Night'. This means a production can be tried out in front of an audience in previews without the fear of being judged by the local and national press. After Press Night, the production is open to anyone writing anything about it.
by Ankur Bahl
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October 9, 2012
Moving to Stratford-upon-Avon for the season can be a difficult adjustment. It was particularly trying for actor Sandy Grierson; his partner Leah Lovett is pregnant with their first child.
by Ankur Bahl
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September 24, 2012
Head of Wigs Sandra Smith told me that there have been conversations about making a blond wig for me, should I ever have to go on in my understudy role as Sir Andrew Aguecheek in Twlefth Night. Bruce MacKinnon's hair has been dyed for the role, but I didn't think it was mandatory for me to mimic this part of his performance.
by Ankur Bahl
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September 24, 2012
The stage can be a very vulnerable place. It is made more so when your body turns traitor and slips out of your control.
by Ankur Bahl
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September 14, 2012
I walked into the theatre to everyone staring upwards. Sandy Grierson (who plays Ariel) was harnessed and suspended from the lighting rig, waiting to be dropped bungee-style from the sky.
by Ankur Bahl
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September 12, 2012
I've put these blogs into a book. If you've enjoyed following our story, I think you will like it.
by Nick Day
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September 12, 2012
Well, I guess this will be my last - and valedictory - blog entry. Our shows close on October 7th at the end of what was, in so many ways, a marvellous season.
by Nick Day
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August 24, 2012
I started my day at the Courtyard Theatre, where Chairman Nigel Hugill ended months of speculation as he announced who would take over from Michael Boyd as the new Artistic Director of the RSC.
Nigel said 'It's one of our own:' Greg Doran.
As a newcomer to Stratford and to the RSC, I felt a bit like a voyeur.
by Ankur Bahl
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August 23, 2012
I went down to Cardiff last week to catch the RSC/National Theatre Wales co-production of Coriolanus. It was so worth the long journey.
by Nick Day
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August 21, 2012
This week has been much like the hundreds of Indian weddings I've attended. It's chaos as the preparations come together. Everyone has doubts whether it will actually happen. And then, the minute the lights go on, and the band starts to play, all the pieces fall into place, and everyone has a damn good time.
by Ankur Bahl
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