Tag: Theatre Royal Haymarket

Throwback Thursday to London, The Goat, and Meeting Damian Lewis

Damianista’s Note: JaniaJania and I were extremely lucky to see Damian Lewis in Edward Albee’s The Goat, or Who is Sylvia? and meet with him after the performance exactly two years ago. So, on the second anniversary of this fabulous experience, why not join JaniaJania today on a trip back? Enjoy!

The times I can see Damian in person are few and far between. It was at Damianista’s urging, i.e. pretty much taking me by the hand and flying me out to NY, that my first “sighting” and “meeting” even happened. (I have no idea what those quotes mean or why I used them, just go with me here) I vacillate often between “I’d be fine if I never saw him in person again, good riddance to that level of stress-filled gut-wrenching fangrl angst” to “Fine, I’ll see him on stage or something, but no reason to talk to him privately, is there? Can’t we be normal people for once and just go home and not talk to him?” to “OMG, when are we going to see him again, in what circumstances, for how long, can we possibly have it go longer, and what if…etc. etc. etc.” Truthfully, I spend about equal parts brain energy on those three states of fangrl-ness. Quite similar, in fact, to the brain energy allocation of an average 17 year old girl around prom time. Continue reading “Throwback Thursday to London, The Goat, and Meeting Damian Lewis”

Throwback Thursday to London, The Goat, and Meeting Damian Lewis

Has it been a year? How can it be if I still have my dog-eared Rick Steves’ London on my end table? Sure, it’s buried beneath a precipitous “To Read” pile, but, still, it feels like I just unpacked it. The thing about travel is that it becomes a part of you in ways other human experience can’t. In two rich weeks, walking that town, its lovely byways and bridges, at all hours of the day and night, I felt like a Londoner. So looking forward to going back at the first opportunity. It’s Damian’s home turf and that’s an attraction, sure. But, more than that, London, to me, feels like a calmer, quieter version of New York, more amenable to those of us not so tough anymore. A place full of just as many rich experiences, but that doesn’t feel like it would kill you if you stayed too long.

Exactly a year ago, London is where we saw Damian on stage in The Goat. Let’s take a trip back, shall we? Continue reading “Throwback Thursday to London, The Goat, and Meeting Damian Lewis”

Throwback Thursday to Damian Lewis as a Teacher? Yes, Please!

source: Masterclass.co.uk

Damian Lewis taught a free masterclass this spring for young actors aged 16 – 30, as part of the Masterclass, the brilliant in-house charity of the Royal Theatre Haymarket for the last 19 years.

Social media was our eyes and ears for the masterclass, and here is a selection of pictures as well as tweets attesting to young actors genuinely enjoying Damian’s class. The adjectives they use for it include “awesome”, “enlightening”, “brilliant”, “inspiring”, “insightful” and “motivating.” Continue reading “Throwback Thursday to Damian Lewis as a Teacher? Yes, Please!”

Damian Lewis Owns Edward Albee’s The Goat on Stage

A play is as good as its writing and acting. This is precisely what makes Albee and Lewis’ “The Goat, or Who is Sylvia?” a rare jewel. Yes, it is Edward Albee who wrote it, but it is Damian Lewis who owns it on stage.

Albee’s The Goat is one of the finest plays I have ever read or seen. I would be extremely lucky if I read a better one in my life time — minimalist and impeccable writing, full of punches back to back to the reader’s paradigm of morality. Continue reading “Damian Lewis Owns Edward Albee’s The Goat on Stage”

How I Have Fallen For “The Goat, or Who is Sylvia?”: A Review

“Her breath… her breath was… so sweet, warm, and…” – Martin

As much as I believe in live theater as the best art form ever, I also know, alas, due to geographical, financial and time constraints, only a limited number of people have access to a particular play staged at a particular place. Thus, I imagine, recording and streaming the plays for fans all over the world would certainly make theatre a more democratic art form and help young generations fall in love with it, too. National Theatre Live, a project initiated by the Royal National Theatre in London, broadcasts, via satellite, live performances of their productions to movie theaters and art centers around the world. I hope, with technology at hand, this becomes common practice sooner than later.

source: Damianista

Now, having made my desperate statement about theater, I feel extremely lucky to have seen The Goat, a brilliantly written play turned into an acting feast in the hands of the ridiculously talented quartet of Damian Lewis, Sophie Okonedo, Jason Hughes and Archie Madekwe. JaniaJania has already written a fantastic review of the play here and, with a little help from my memory and the pictures I have been able to find online, I will now try my best to “stream” The Goat for you with a bit of commentary on the side. Hope you enjoy it. Continue reading “How I Have Fallen For “The Goat, or Who is Sylvia?”: A Review”