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Tom Holland’s Romeo and Juliet preview mysteriously canceled at the last minute

I have a horrible feeling that the reason they cast such a hard-butch actress as Juliet is because she swaps roles with Holland halfway through the play and plays Romeo to his Juliet. Maybe they just now realized it doesn’t work.

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by Anonymousreply 167June 9, 2024 7:57 PM

Or maybe she plays Romeo throughout the entire play. Note how they put her face next to ROMEO.

by Anonymousreply 1May 11, 2024 12:47 PM

The key art makes him look very feminine and her look very masculine.

This would have been greeted with Producers-type disbelief if they really attempted to do this.

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by Anonymousreply 2May 11, 2024 12:52 PM

Apparently the outside bit - because of course there just has to be an outside bit now - is on the roof.

Rumour on Theatreboard is that Tom Holland is very unhappy and a creative team member was fired, and that both cast and crew are unhappy. And the set was still being loaded in yesterday afternoon.

by Anonymousreply 3May 11, 2024 12:53 PM

What’s an outside bit R3?

by Anonymousreply 4May 11, 2024 12:54 PM

The bit that's on the outside, presumably.

by Anonymousreply 5May 11, 2024 12:56 PM

Maybe he felt his Juliet dresses weren’t sexy enough

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by Anonymousreply 6May 11, 2024 12:56 PM

r4 The actor goes outside the theatre and is projected onto a screen inside. Like the recent Sunset Boulevard, the Joe sings it while walking backstage and then outside and into the theatre

by Anonymousreply 7May 11, 2024 12:57 PM

Holland is too old.

by Anonymousreply 8May 11, 2024 12:59 PM

Thanks, R7. Marry me.

Fank you, R5.

by Anonymousreply 9May 11, 2024 1:00 PM

I was wondering what pointless gimmicks they'd found beyond "Hey its Spider-Man that young actor everyone was really excited about nearly a decade ago!" to justify the 9999 version of Romeo and Juliet. Apparently quite a few.

by Anonymousreply 10May 11, 2024 1:01 PM

I loved Fast Car.

by Anonymousreply 11May 11, 2024 1:01 PM

r10 There's also been talk of drones.

by Anonymousreply 12May 11, 2024 1:03 PM

Excuse me I will have you know I am SEVEN YEARS YOUNGER than Norma Shearer when she played Juliet.

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by Anonymousreply 13May 11, 2024 1:03 PM

Staging R&J after Zeffirelli is like composing a symphony after Beethoven.

by Anonymousreply 14May 11, 2024 1:04 PM
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by Anonymousreply 15May 11, 2024 1:04 PM

[quote]What’s an outside bit [R3]?

Slang for a penis.

by Anonymousreply 16May 11, 2024 1:14 PM

Going by the clothing its Romeo and Juliet set in the present day... Again.

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by Anonymousreply 17May 13, 2024 6:15 PM

It is speculated that the actress looking in the mirror led to the cancellation.

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by Anonymousreply 18May 17, 2024 3:27 PM

Early word from those attending previews is the rest of the cast outshines Holland, and he seems nervous.

Hardly surprising, given his lack of stage experience. And no, Billy Elliot does not count.

by Anonymousreply 19May 17, 2024 11:27 PM

Why don't they rename it Rome-ex and Juliex?

by Anonymousreply 20May 17, 2024 11:32 PM

I guess that athlete Nestor was busy.

by Anonymousreply 21May 17, 2024 11:52 PM

Mickey Jo reviews the show.

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by Anonymousreply 22May 25, 2024 1:58 PM

R10 LMAO

by Anonymousreply 23May 25, 2024 2:01 PM

Actually R11 LMAO

by Anonymousreply 24May 25, 2024 2:02 PM

Sounds horrible. Watch Mickey Jo and save a lot of money. Or, just save a lot of money and avoid this show.

by Anonymousreply 25May 25, 2024 2:06 PM

[quote]A very tedious production! Some good actors were killed off by the direction and that boring use of cameras. A lot of the play was cut to allow for the idiosyncratic conception. Emperor’s new clothes spring to mind except these were second hand charity shop clobber. Oh yes, the audio was terrible and the voice projection non-existent where we were sitting. Doesn’t Lloyd move around the theatre when he’s directing to ensure the production is audible for everyone. That’s a basic amateur error one does not expect when you pay a FORTUNE for the tickets! And finally! Where was the passion? It was non-existent. If you are a Holland fan just watch the DVD of Spider-Man again if I were you.

by Anonymousreply 26May 25, 2024 2:13 PM

This was an easy flop to spot a mile away. What’s that saying? Go woke, go broke.

by Anonymousreply 27May 25, 2024 2:15 PM

Broadway theater dilettantes will love it and hail it as " innovative," 'modern," and "a revolutionary moment in theater."

by Anonymousreply 28May 25, 2024 2:16 PM

They spent all their time sucking their own dicks for casting a black girl, who also happens to be very unattractive, that they forgot to put together the actual production.

by Anonymousreply 29May 25, 2024 2:17 PM

They put together a production. It was just badly conceived and directed.

by Anonymousreply 30May 25, 2024 2:19 PM

Variety

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by Anonymousreply 31May 25, 2024 2:22 PM

[quote] boring use of cameras

What was there to do in this production other than dramatically zoom in on actors faces?

by Anonymousreply 32May 25, 2024 2:23 PM

[quote]Lloyd’s iconic video work plays into the celebrity of his leading man, as Holland walks towards the stage from behind the scenes, trailed by a cameraman who captures only his hooded head and shoulders, surrounded in a cloud of cigarette smoke. The suspense is palpable and fans of the Hollywood actor are unlikely to be disappointed by Holland’s assured performance, which graduates from laddish confidence to rippling rage.

[quote]His talent is easily met by rising star Francesca Amewudah-Rivers, whose confident Juliet appears more woman than girl. She rewrites their courtship in the balcony scene (though no balcony is present here, as Lloyd’s stripped-back staging places Romeo and Juliet side by side), instructing Romeo to “swear not by the moon,” as though surprised he would suggest something so ridiculous. Amewudah-Rivers breathes new life into Shakespeare’s words, reframing the power dynamics at play in her relationship with Romeo. The scene fizzes with chemistry as the pair lock eyes, their bodies only ever inches from a full embrace.

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by Anonymousreply 33May 25, 2024 2:27 PM

[quote]Theatre is necessarily a pretty localised art form, so it's remarkable to see a single production attain the status of a global event. Yet that, undoubtedly, is what a new take on Romeo and Juliet in London's West End has become, thanks to one of its leads – a certain Spider-Man, Tom Holland. You can feel the effect of Holland's very special aura of Gen Z mega-celebrity in the particular hubbub in the audience before the play starts, and you can certainly feel it afterwards, in the unprecedented scenes outside the Duke of York's Theatre, where hundreds of fans teem behind railings, waiting for a glimpse of Holland as he travels from stage door to his car, waving like royalty.

[quote]If only the show itself was able to match this energy. Unfortunately, though, it's a depressingly lifeless affair, which somehow manages to be both overstated and underpowered. This, it should be emphasised, is in no way the fault of the actors – neither Holland, who is fine, nor Francesca Amewudah-Rivers, playing Juliet, who is better than fine, nor the supporting cast. The problem lies firmly with the gimmicky, oppressively dour staging, which consistently works against all of them.

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by Anonymousreply 34May 25, 2024 2:29 PM

Jamie Lloyd has smashed it several times previously but it's always the same style. I wonder if part of this is weariness and wondering if he can manage anything else.

by Anonymousreply 35May 25, 2024 2:33 PM

My agent assured me that I would be on the BBC - actually, he said on several BBCs. Is that different channels or something?

by Anonymousreply 36May 25, 2024 2:41 PM

R30 is autistic

by Anonymousreply 37May 25, 2024 3:04 PM

If it is too much for him, I'm available.

by Anonymousreply 38May 25, 2024 3:13 PM

This whole production is trash. One of the best things I saw during the Covid era was a reading of Romeo and Juliet featuring Josh O’Connor and Jesse Buckley in the title roles, with Tamsin Grieg in a wonderfully wicked interpretation of Lady Capulet. That was only a few years ago (on Masterpiece Theater)…there should’ve been an effort to bring THAT version to the West End.

by Anonymousreply 39May 25, 2024 3:28 PM

Person 1: You want to go see the new "Romeo and Juliet?"

Person 2: That old overdone Shakespeare shit?

Person 1: But, this one has no set, no lighting effects, the actors speak in whispers and don't relate to each other, and... other than Romeo and Paris, everybody's a " person of color"! It's genius, and contemporary.

Person 2: Sign me up. I don't care how much it costs.

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by Anonymousreply 40May 25, 2024 4:59 PM

[quote] One of the best things I saw during the Covid era was a reading of Romeo and Juliet featuring Josh O’Connor and Jesse Buckley in the title roles...

They actually did that as a filmed performance and it is available for rental at National Theatre at Home.

Here's a clip of the balcony scene with Josh and Jesse.

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by Anonymousreply 41May 25, 2024 5:08 PM

R33 She truly evokes 16th century Verona Italy.

by Anonymousreply 42May 25, 2024 5:31 PM

Now Tom will have to double up the fake relationship

by Anonymousreply 43May 25, 2024 5:34 PM

When it moves to Broadway, will Zendaya play Juliet? Will Tom even come or will Romeo be Ben Platt?

by Anonymousreply 44May 25, 2024 5:48 PM

I wish they’d stop pretending that Shakespeare’s play have to have ‘cultural relevance’ by setting them in contemporary or some dystopian future time or no time at all. They are period pieces. Yes, Shakespeare was a genius but doing pared down versions of the play with actors in contemporary clothes just makes the plays the,selves seem more stylized and less involving.

Young love is nothing like “Romeo and Juliet,” but Zefferelli at least suggested the impetuous passion and lust at the heart of the story by casting two beautiful and very young actors in his movie version from 1968.

The best Shakespeare I’ve seen in a theater were the two Mark Rylance productions “Richard III” and “Twelfe Night” that he brought to Broadway. And I seriously question whether an all-male, all white cast would even be allowed to do Shakespeare in a NY theater now. But it was Rylance’s attempt to go back to the roots and essence of the plays as they were done in their time, not ours. And it worked, they were great theatrical experiences.

by Anonymousreply 45May 25, 2024 6:01 PM

Did the producers confuse R&J with Othello?

by Anonymousreply 46May 25, 2024 6:16 PM

The Josh O’Connor and Jesse Buckley production was supposed to have had a run at the National Theatre in the summer of 2020, but was scuppered because of the pandemic. The very lovely filmed version was a conciliatory production, staged around Covid restrictions but using some of the ideas that would have been used in the cancelled run.

I happen to think that Buckley is one of the finest actresses of her generation - it’s unfortunate we never got to see her in a proper run.

by Anonymousreply 47May 25, 2024 6:31 PM

[quote] I happen to think that Buckley is one of the finest actresses of her generation - it’s unfortunate we never got to see her in a proper run.

Not on the stage, but a big opportunity is coming with the film version of the popular novel, "Hamnet," in which Jessie Buckley plays Shakespeare's wife opposite Paul Mescal as Shakespeare. You couldn't ask for anything buzzier.

by Anonymousreply 48May 25, 2024 8:48 PM

R38 Accept nothing less than the best!

by Anonymousreply 49May 25, 2024 8:50 PM

Josh is magnificent in that clip..... boyish, naive, earnest... wow

by Anonymousreply 50May 25, 2024 9:46 PM

Is this a trans love story? Because Juliet looks like she's packing a dick.

by Anonymousreply 51May 25, 2024 9:56 PM

Juliet sho is ugly!

Shug Avery

by Anonymousreply 52May 25, 2024 10:00 PM

No one wants to see an ugly Juliet.

by Anonymousreply 53May 25, 2024 10:04 PM

She's beautiful!!!

by Anonymousreply 54May 25, 2024 10:37 PM

She looks like a power forward in the WNBA.

by Anonymousreply 55May 25, 2024 10:43 PM

R51 And very likely bigger than his, as well.

by Anonymousreply 56May 25, 2024 11:11 PM

Tom at R31 looks like an apprentice monk, grimacing and pulling his chin in to "get away" from the face aggressively coming towards him.

These two actors have reduced their characters of ineffable beauty to the charmless ordinary.

A plague on both their houses!

by Anonymousreply 57May 26, 2024 1:03 AM

This play looks God awful.

by Anonymousreply 58May 26, 2024 1:40 AM

And yet, it will sell out on Broadway. And DLers will be in attendance.

by Anonymousreply 59May 26, 2024 1:42 AM

He is talentless

by Anonymousreply 60May 26, 2024 2:06 AM

R60 His looks are all he's got and they aren't going to last. Hopefully he's been smart with his money.

by Anonymousreply 61May 26, 2024 2:20 AM

R60, at least he can dance.

by Anonymousreply 62May 26, 2024 2:21 AM

r27 How exactly is this production "woke" you dumb fuck? Go on, I dare you to say it.

by Anonymousreply 63May 26, 2024 2:24 AM

Rave review. Makes you wonder if these critics all saw the same show.

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by Anonymousreply 64May 26, 2024 3:16 AM

[quote]Hopefully he's been smart with his money.

That's why he's with Zendaya, who has 10x the money he has.

by Anonymousreply 65May 26, 2024 3:17 AM

Why would it make you wonder that? Critics can't have different opinions?

by Anonymousreply 66May 26, 2024 3:18 AM

[quote]When it moves to Broadway, will Zendaya play Juliet?

No, Billy Porter will.

by Anonymousreply 67May 26, 2024 3:18 AM

Seems cruel to make all the fan girls who snatched up tickets sit through artsy fartsy auteur theater.

by Anonymousreply 68May 26, 2024 5:53 AM

i miss twunk-y Tom, hate this monk-y Tom.

by Anonymousreply 69May 26, 2024 12:07 PM

Does Juliet flash her tits like I was forced to?

by Anonymousreply 70May 26, 2024 12:17 PM

[quote]Early word from those attending previews is the rest of the cast outshines Holland, and he seems nervous.

Hardly surprising, given his lack of stage experience. And no, Billy Elliot does not count.

That was Jamie Bell in BILLY ELLIOT (2000).

Tom Holland was like 4 years old then.

by Anonymousreply 71May 26, 2024 12:32 PM

They should have added the bed scene and have Tom flash his naked ass to the audience.

by Anonymousreply 72May 26, 2024 12:41 PM

R71

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by Anonymousreply 73May 26, 2024 12:52 PM

I'd pay to see Tom in Romeo & Julio with Oscar Isaac.

by Anonymousreply 74May 26, 2024 12:55 PM

Homoeo and Jul'itettishianaynay Boom Boom.

No.

by Anonymousreply 75May 26, 2024 1:11 PM

This would have worked better as a 1970s disco musical.

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by Anonymousreply 76May 26, 2024 1:18 PM

Has anyone actually done a regular performance of Romeo and Juliet set in 14th century Italy since the Baz Luhrmann movie came out?

by Anonymousreply 77May 26, 2024 1:29 PM

r71 You're a fucking moron

by Anonymousreply 78May 26, 2024 3:55 PM

R77, Stratford, 3 yrs ago.

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by Anonymousreply 79May 26, 2024 8:41 PM

With Zendaya at show.

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by Anonymousreply 80May 26, 2024 9:41 PM

r80 That is some aggressive twink death going on in that picture.

by Anonymousreply 81May 26, 2024 10:35 PM

Can he BE any plainer?!

There is not one attractive feature on his face. Zero. Zendaya is making herself look foolish (beards should know better).

by Anonymousreply 82May 26, 2024 11:41 PM

LOL R11

You’re a real cunt but I did laugh

by Anonymousreply 83May 26, 2024 11:55 PM

Tom doesn't sign autographs after the show.

by Anonymousreply 84May 27, 2024 2:37 AM

Tom has things to... I have guys t- I'M FUCKING HIM UP THE ARSE LATER OK?!

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by Anonymousreply 85May 27, 2024 2:49 AM

R85 I've heard such good things - do me too!

by Anonymousreply 86May 27, 2024 2:53 AM

r81 Hilarious people criticise the attractiveness of the actress playing Juliet and yet skip criticising his looks. Hmm wonder why that could possibly be.

Also, does he shave/wax his arms or does he just not grow body hair?

by Anonymousreply 87May 27, 2024 3:53 AM

They're still trying to make Miss Holland str8?

by Anonymousreply 88May 27, 2024 4:03 AM

Juliet looks a like- She looks a like a Man!

by Anonymousreply 89May 27, 2024 4:10 AM

r87, Because he is still reasonably attractive while she is not attractive at all.

by Anonymousreply 90May 27, 2024 4:31 AM

r90 Have you not seen the pictures at r80?

by Anonymousreply 91May 27, 2024 6:44 AM

[quote]Has anyone actually done a regular performance of Romeo and Juliet set in 14th century Italy since the Baz Luhrmann movie came out?

Has anyone seen the '90s rom-com THE OBJECT OF MY AFFECTION with Jennifer Aniston and Paul Rudd about the woman who falls in love with her gay best friend?

Anyway, one of Rudd's gay pals dates an elderly man played by Nigel Hawthorne and they all go see what today would be called a 'woke' production of ROMEO & JULIET, complete with modern-dress and black Juliet/white Romeo, that Hawthorne outright despises and begins lambasting and gets punched by the director.

The funny thing is that the film does not paint Hawthorne's character as being in the wrong. He's actually a sympathetic character.

by Anonymousreply 92May 27, 2024 8:03 AM

How exactly does modern dress or casting a black person equal woke, r92?

by Anonymousreply 93May 27, 2024 11:50 AM

R87, See r81 and my post at r82.

Accepting THESE leads for THESE roles requires a yet-to-be-invented hydraulic lift for any suspension of disbelief.

by Anonymousreply 94May 27, 2024 5:07 PM

Tom Holland would've been better suited to play Richard III

by Anonymousreply 95May 27, 2024 8:30 PM

Someone posted a 1 minute clip of Tom's performance on Youtube.

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by Anonymousreply 96May 27, 2024 9:44 PM

...and then they fucked

by Anonymousreply 97May 27, 2024 10:04 PM

r96 That should be fun if it ever rains during a performance

by Anonymousreply 98May 27, 2024 11:21 PM

Aww, he's still adorable!

by Anonymousreply 99May 28, 2024 12:31 AM

Didn't understand a word said at r96.

by Anonymousreply 100May 28, 2024 1:05 AM

And "Tom Holland" doesn't find out anything about Juliet.

Romeo does.

by Anonymousreply 101May 28, 2024 1:07 AM

R96 - This definitely is a new interpretation. I don't remember on-stage sodomy in the original text.

by Anonymousreply 102May 28, 2024 1:07 AM

R93 it would be considered 'woke' today, because it was a non-traditional, modernized production of a classic play, including choreography.

Plus, black/white partners are a hallmark of 'woke' casting.

In the movie, these radical artists, including the violent director who couldn't take criticism, were being lampooned.

Nowadays, they are the people currently running the U.S. entertainment industry.

by Anonymousreply 103May 28, 2024 1:18 AM

There was another white/black Romeo & Juliet from 2014 staring Orlando Bloom and Condola Rashad. It was filmed then broadcast in movie theaters at that time. So White/Black 10 years ago.

The balcony scene starts at 34:45

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by Anonymousreply 104May 28, 2024 1:30 AM

I blame all of this mess on whoever decided to change the title stylization from a plus to an ampersand.

by Anonymousreply 105May 28, 2024 2:15 AM

r103 No, modern dress does not mean woke. So really what you're saying is that just casting a black actor is woke to you. You're beyond pathetic.

by Anonymousreply 106May 28, 2024 5:31 AM

R102 Let me tell you - embarrassment is finding out that you fucked a stunt double by mistake.

by Anonymousreply 107May 28, 2024 11:47 PM

R106: I'm not R103, but don't be obtuse. It's obviously not about casting a black actor. It's about colorblind casting that is woke. If they're going to be interracial in 15th century Italy, then that's more likely what dooms them than warring families. Do we want to see a mixed cast production of Raisin in the Sun? How about an all-woman production of Boys in the Band? I remember the big fuss made about the brave political statement being made when James Earl Jones and Jane Alexander starred in Long Night's Journey into Day. Really? An interracial couple in 1900 America and their biggest concern is morphine and artistic integrity?

The plays were written the way they were written in the time they were written for a reason, and that reason is not for some supercilious schmuck auteur to fuck around with it just to appear progressive and hip among a sea of similar art-school types.

by Anonymousreply 108May 29, 2024 1:12 AM

r108 So you're one of those who can suspend disbelief when one member of the cast plays another role later on, you can suspend disbelief for the rooms with only three walls and no ceilings, you can suspend disbelief over the lighting and sound tech being visible, you can suspend disbelief over sitting amongst hundreds of other people, in fact you can suspend disbelief over everything...except the skin colour of the actor. Yeah, there's a word for that.

Oh, and by the way, if it was a modern dress production it wouldn't have been set in 15th century Italy, would it?

The genius of Shakespeare and the reason it's still performed is that it can be reinvented in ways other plays cannot. Everyone except the narrow-minded such as yourself can understand that.

by Anonymousreply 109May 29, 2024 3:20 AM

R108 The story should always be the driving point to casting. If someone is being cast in a significant role entirely or even primary because they are X (where X isn't their acting ability), then that choice deserves to be questioned. We need to stop "reimagining" old stories and start writing new ones, if the old ones are so out of touch. On top of that, the notion that people need to 'see themselves' in order to enjoy some media entertainment is insulting and stupid. The whole point is to escape from one's circumstances into the story. People are spending their energy on the wrong things.

by Anonymousreply 110May 29, 2024 3:53 AM

[quote] If someone is being cast in a significant role entirely or even primary because they are X (where X isn't their acting ability)

Ah yes, because a black person couldn't possibly be cast based on their ability, it must be purely because of their skin colour.

Jesus christ, can some of you hear yourselves?

by Anonymousreply 111May 29, 2024 3:56 AM

FF R111

by Anonymousreply 112May 29, 2024 4:38 AM

R112 Yes, some people don't see the "if" in any statement so much as the interpretation they love to get worked up about.

Conversely, have whatever diverse casting you want, but you don't get to mention it or comment on it in any marketing or interviews. If diversity is all that you have to talk about, then your work is about messaging and exploiting messaging to make money. Style over substance.

by Anonymousreply 113May 29, 2024 4:52 AM

r113 "Black people are not allowed to talk about being black"

Keep digging that hole.

by Anonymousreply 114May 29, 2024 4:58 AM

I don't care if his acting is second-rate because I think he's very attractive, especially when his shirt is off and he displays what can only be described as a gymnasts' physique.

by Anonymousreply 115May 29, 2024 5:21 AM

He needs to give up on this desire he has to be seen as some kind of thespian and just accept his limitations.

by Anonymousreply 116May 29, 2024 5:25 AM

R92 I literally grew up on modern Shakespeare.

Baz Luhrmann‘s Romeo and Juliet in 1996, Ethan Hawke as a modern Hamlet in 2000, and the super teeny bopper Othello with Julia Stiles, Josh Harnett, and Mekhi Phifer in 2001.

So it doesn’t seem “woke” to me.

by Anonymousreply 117May 29, 2024 5:54 AM

Because it isn't. But micro-brained right-wingers now just declare anything they don't like to be "woke".

by Anonymousreply 118May 29, 2024 5:58 AM

R113 That’s a stupid logic.

Diversity can bring a new interpretation to a character that we’ve never seen before.

A black Juliet is going to be different from a white Juliet.

by Anonymousreply 119May 29, 2024 5:59 AM

R118 Yeah and I don’t think she’s the first black Juliet either.

by Anonymousreply 120May 29, 2024 6:03 AM

Well, r119, that casting certainly could add another dimension to the enmity between the families.

by Anonymousreply 121May 29, 2024 10:49 AM

Kenneth Branagh invented woke Shakespeare when he cast Denzel and Keanu as brothers

by Anonymousreply 122May 29, 2024 10:52 AM

R115 = Helen Keller.

If this pasty-faced peasant is "very attractive" to you, what, pray, is this exceptional visage?

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by Anonymousreply 123May 29, 2024 10:56 AM

[R109] So you're one of those who can suspend disbelief when one member of the cast plays another role later on, you can suspend disbelief for the rooms with only three walls and no ceilings, you can suspend disbelief over the lighting and sound tech being visible, you can suspend disbelief over sitting amongst hundreds of other people, in fact you can suspend disbelief over everything...except the skin colour of the actor. Yeah, there's a word for that.

Well hello, strawman. Of course people can suspend disbelief to see a play, TV show or movie. But the logic of the entertainment has to be true to it's own universe. If I'm watching The Importance of Being Earnest, I don't want to see Lady Bracknell online using Facebook. It's also a poor conceit to say it's "modern day" when the characters are still speaking in Elizabethan English. It's one or the other, not a mishmash.

In any case, you sound like a person with extensive issues and who perversely finds comfort in the idea of being surrounded by cross-burning racists. You are so enlightened and noble and, ultimately, full of shit.

by Anonymousreply 124May 29, 2024 11:56 AM

R109 - Oh and another thing: The way to combat racism is not through shaming others who, in your warped perception, are bigoted, but rather to explain respectfully why you think their views are wrong and prejudiced. Not doing so makes you seem hysterical and unserious.

We also don't correct historical racism by pretending it never happened. THAT is a huge insult to the millions of blacks who suffered atrociously in centuries past. If you want to address a lack of black presence in classic literature, then write a new play about that. I wouldn't accept a mixed race R&J because it would not have happened in that time period, just as Hedda Gabler would not ever have been an out and proud lesbian in some other painfully misguided "reinvention"

by Anonymousreply 125May 29, 2024 12:04 PM

From the reviews, it doesn't seem as if the interracial casting was the problem with this show, although it will be the first thing blamed. The direction of the show and it's basic concept seems to be the sticking point.

by Anonymousreply 126May 29, 2024 12:29 PM

R123 IKR? He was distressingly pretty and not quite 17 when he started that film.

by Anonymousreply 127May 29, 2024 12:36 PM

[R113] "Black people are not allowed to talk about being black"

We just wish they'd talk about something else, like, at least once a year.

by Anonymousreply 128May 29, 2024 12:58 PM

R128 If your casting being diverse is all you have to talk about, you don't have much to talk about.

by Anonymousreply 129May 29, 2024 1:37 PM

r124 The problem for you and your ilk is that most people can see black people as people. Whereas you can only see them as black people.

Also, your confusion over the mix of modern dress and Shakespearean verse just exposes you for the idiot that you are.

r125 "Be respectful to racists". Fuck right off. I'm sure you're self-loathing enough to beg existence from the homophobes, but fuck that for the rest of us.

by Anonymousreply 130May 29, 2024 2:04 PM

R129, pot - kettle.

by Anonymousreply 131May 29, 2024 4:28 PM

[quote] This was an easy flop to spot a mile away. What’s that saying? Go woke, go broke.

I thought it was limited run production that is completely sold out

by Anonymousreply 132May 29, 2024 6:22 PM

We all know that if black people get a plum job it's because of wokeness and DEI but if a white person gets on, it's because of merit!

by Anonymousreply 133May 29, 2024 6:55 PM

R133 That’s what I don’t understand. The idea that whites are always hired based on merit and skill.

I remember when Omarosa called out Bethany Frankel on her talk show.

Not only was she right but Bethany’s show got cancelled.

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by Anonymousreply 134May 29, 2024 7:32 PM

Producing "shocking" adaptations as a cash grab is lazy and just plain slimy, just like in the opera world. The arts deserve to fail if they can't keep creating NEW interesting things that people want to see. The same goes for the MCU in the film world and every remake that crashes and burns. Every capitalist on Earth is convinced they're the smartest for figuring out how to scam a few pennies, and then the rest of them jump off the same cliff like lemmings and you get this kind of stuff.

by Anonymousreply 135May 29, 2024 7:44 PM

R130 (Etc.} - Full-fledged moron and lunatic.

[quote] he problem for you and your ilk is that most people can see black people as people. Whereas you can only see them as black people.

Oh OK. So does this mean we should stay saying "people of color" and "African-American"?

[quote] Also, your confusion over the mix of modern dress and Shakespearean verse just exposes you for the idiot that you are.

I truly have no words for your abject stupidity.

[quote] "Be respectful to racists". Fuck right off. I'm sure you're self-loathing enough to beg existence from the homophobes, but fuck that for the rest of us.

The problem, dear nutjob, is that EVERYONE is a racist except you and guilt-ridden white friends who are all for BLM "so long as they don't march down my block." No one said make friends with the KKK, but you have to realize that you are quite off your nutter. Seek help. Lots of help. Like a stay in hospital kind of help.

SMDH. You are a joke.

by Anonymousreply 136May 29, 2024 9:59 PM

[quote] I thought it was limited run production that is completely sold out

I'll take your word for it, but as someone who worked in theater ticket sales in NYC -- that sounds like a load. Nothing is ever really sold out, but pretending it is jacks up demand and prices. I'd also be curious to know how much was sold to schools and groups at steep discounts. "It's a HIT!" says every producer.

by Anonymousreply 137May 29, 2024 10:03 PM

My problem with her based on the photo posted above is not with her color but the fact that she seems like a butch lesbian, and an unattractive one at that. So they were trying to tick-off more than one diversity box here. You can imagine the over-thinking:

“We have this cute boy-next-door white boy with a sexy body and a movie and social media following and his girlfriend is even more famous, all of which is potentially great for the box office. Also, he wants to stretch himself doing Shakespeare which has wonderful publicity value too. But he IS total whitebread so we better tick all our diversity boxes with the rest of the cast and especially Juliet. She’s a very talented girl who should be better known, she’s black and butch and not at all conventionally feminine or attractive so we can justify booking the white movie star.”

It’s all just so strenuous and exhausting.

There is no one on earth who would believe these two as a romantic couple and it has nothing to do with her color, everything to do with her lack of looks and conventional femininity. After all, we all know who his real life girlfriend (of color) is. Who would ever believe him hankering for this woman even if she is a talented actress? Couldn’t they at least have made up, dressed and groomed her more ‘glamorously’?

And yes, I’m lookist and shallow. Along with the majority of humanity and the whole potential audience for this play.

by Anonymousreply 138May 29, 2024 10:43 PM

If it doesn't matter how someone looks, why are there costumes? Why are there sets? Why is there makeup? Why is there lighting design? Why any artifice at all?

If gender-blind and race-blind and looks-blind casting enhances productions, why not age-blind casting? Why not Ian McKellen as Romeo? We should choose the best actor for the part, correct? Certainly McKellen is a better actor than Tom Holland. For that matter, why not cast white actors in The Lion King, Raisin in the Sun, and other traditionally black roles? Why not go back to yellowface casting in material such as The King and I? -- assuming, of course, that the actors involved are the most talented and most qualified, whether black, white, or Asian. There's no reason why King Mongkut shouldn't have an afro, if that's the hairstyle the best actor/singer happens to have.

by Anonymousreply 139May 29, 2024 11:37 PM

R129, say what?

And as a biracial man who doesn't confuse equity with God-gimme crap, gurl, please.

See? I don't always call cunts cunts.

by Anonymousreply 140May 30, 2024 12:15 AM

[quote] I’ll take your word for it .

You don5 have to. The NY Times said so 5 day ago. “The London production, starring Tom Holland, sold out in hours.”

by Anonymousreply 141May 30, 2024 12:24 AM

Always hilarious when the racists have a breakdown once they realise that what they thought were their clever arguments fall apart upon contact with reality

by Anonymousreply 142May 30, 2024 12:33 AM

r137 It probably did sell out pretty fast. Duke of York's theatre only seats 640 and the tickets were £25.

by Anonymousreply 143May 30, 2024 12:37 AM

Someone is seriously going to pretend that a show starring Spider Man isn't going to sell out?

by Anonymousreply 144May 30, 2024 12:47 AM

[quote]This definitely is a new interpretation. I don't remember on-stage sodomy in the original text.

That's part of the "woke."

by Anonymousreply 145May 30, 2024 1:34 AM

R135 People always say they want new and interesting but there’s never any proof of it when something new and interesting comes out and does poorly.

by Anonymousreply 146May 30, 2024 1:41 AM

R146 It's almost like the majority is not so impressed with such things.

by Anonymousreply 147May 30, 2024 1:46 AM

We should get back to the important things about this topic, mainly the idea of having Tom Holland pleasured by one or more men on screen until all parties are sweaty and exhausted.

by Anonymousreply 148May 30, 2024 1:58 AM

The audience for this crap show have to suspend their disbelief by watching a hot guy fall in lust with a butt ugly girl.

by Anonymousreply 149May 30, 2024 3:41 AM

R149 Perhaps he kills himself when she wants to have sex with him.

by Anonymousreply 150May 30, 2024 4:35 AM

What hot guy?

by Anonymousreply 151May 30, 2024 7:33 AM

R151, The pudding-faced peasant at r80.

by Anonymousreply 152May 30, 2024 9:49 AM

R152 you keep using the word “peasant” in describing the type of bland boy next door most white people find user friendly and quite appealing. It’s an odd choice of word, and it’s been used more than once on this thread.

Are you one of those Russians undermining the internet to cause dissention and hate? It’s a class hatred word and not one Americans use.

by Anonymousreply 153May 30, 2024 10:48 AM

Yeah, of course, Putin's paying Russian trolls to post about Tom Holland. Get a fucking grip.

by Anonymousreply 154May 30, 2024 12:44 PM

Well, the Russian trolls need to take a break from all the conservative post-bombing on political threads here, so why shouldn’t they moonlight on other threads?

by Anonymousreply 155May 30, 2024 1:31 PM

You're absolutely correct r138. It's all such ridiculous casting.

by Anonymousreply 156May 30, 2024 1:38 PM

[quote] It’s a class hatred word and not one Americans use.

Lucky for anyone who wants to say he looks like he belongs at the bottom of the feudal pyramid that Tom Holland is English then.

by Anonymousreply 157May 30, 2024 1:46 PM

r156 Except r138 referred to Holland as "cute" so they're clearly not absolutely correct

by Anonymousreply 158May 30, 2024 2:07 PM

R153, Mea culpa, sincerely. I thought not of class but of a paucity of attractiveness. As a liberal Democrat, I am in favor of all things social safety net.

by Anonymousreply 159May 30, 2024 10:03 PM

this juliet broad looks like a fat retard. who'd fall in love with her?

by Anonymousreply 160May 31, 2024 11:57 AM

^ a blind person. Of all of the beautiful black actresses in this world, they pick this dud.

by Anonymousreply 161May 31, 2024 1:44 PM

I’d rather look at Tom Holland’s mud flaps!

by Anonymousreply 162May 31, 2024 2:31 PM

I WW threads like this that psychotic Yasss Kweens grey out

by Anonymousreply 163May 31, 2024 2:55 PM

Tom Holland stuck in heinous London ‘Romeo and Juliet’: ‘2.5 hours of my life I will never get back’

Offsite Link
by Anonymousreply 164June 3, 2024 12:44 AM

More people would pay to watch Tom Holland stick his finger in a dyke than endure him doing Shakespeare, which must be like sitting through a Suzuki violin recital for a large group of four-year-old children, each with a solo.

by Anonymousreply 165June 9, 2024 6:24 PM

The majority of the audience for this shitshow are Tom Holland's young female fans.

by Anonymousreply 166June 9, 2024 6:32 PM

R165, Depends on the dyke.

by Anonymousreply 167June 9, 2024 7:57 PM
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