Drama on 3: Le Cid

[gurnemanz]

Just noticed this coming up later on this evening with an interesting-looking cast. I'll be re-acquainting myself with the play, which last occupied my attention about 50 years ago as a French A level set text.

[french frank]

Just noticed this coming up later on this evening with an interesting-looking cast. I'll be re-acquainting myself with the play, which last occupied my attention about 50 years ago as a French A level set text.

Another NEW production? Excellent. And the latest delving into French classical theatre - was the last one Bajazet?

[french frank]

Just listened. After about 5 minutes I had to pause it and seek out my A Level text so that I could follow it (totally forgotten the plot). Whereas I was slightly fearing an adaptation that placed the setting in 'West Side Story' New York, it was absolutely true to the original and, I thought, a good verse adaptation. Whether one can stand the verse and the very typical twists and turns which seem designed to ensure that everything turns out badly may be a matter of how sympathetic one is to Cornelian drama. I thought it was a good performance but perhaps still a bit of a museum piece.

That said, the time seemed to pass very quickly and the verse was spoken well. Certainly adds variety to the Do3 slot. For me

[doversoul1]

I’ve just listened to it and thoroughly enjoyed it. Just like a Handel opera in an excellent period setting.

ff

an adaptation that placed the setting in 'West Side Story' New York

Did I miss something?

a bit of a museum piece

I could do with a lot more of them.

That said, the time seemed to pass very quickly

It did indeed.

[french frank]

I’ve just listened to it and thoroughly enjoyed it. Just like a Handel opera in an excellent period setting.

ff

Did I miss something?

I said that was what I feared, as it's been something of a Radio 3 specialism in the past, but I added that it was 'absolutely true to the original'

I could do with a lot more of them.

Oh, me too. But if people aren't used to French classical theatre, in verse, they could find it a bit disconcerting - and especially the overriding obligations of Spanish 'honour' which Corneille seems to dissect at every turn. I thought it was a fine production so was surprised there was so little comment.

[doversoul1]

I said that was what I feared, as it's been something of a Radio 3 specialism in the past, but I added that it was 'absolutely true to the original'

Oh, me too. But if people aren't used to French classical theatre, in verse, they could find it a bit disconcerting - and especially the overriding obligations of Spanish 'honour' which Corneille seems to dissect at every turn. I thought it was a fine production so was surprised there was so little comment.

Yes, I see what you meant now (re: WSS)

Well, I’m not used to even English modern theatre yet I found this so much easier to follow than more usual modern dramas. Radio drama may be a good medium for introducing classical drama (how about a special series?) if they are as well adapted and produced as this. The website can provide a list of characters and other reference, like it does with operas.

I must say I half expected to hear Rodrigo in a mezzo or a countertenor

[ed.]

the overriding obligations of Spanish 'honour'

It can’t be so alien that people can’t comprehend, surely?

[french frank]

It can’t be so alien that people can’t comprehend, surely?

Well, Chimène does dither quite a lot: first she overcomes her reservations and seems ready to overlook Rodrigo's murder/honour killing of her father, then she decides she can't, then … and so on. And even after five acts, we're still only hoping it will end happily

[doversoul1]

Well, Chimène does dither quite a lot: first she overcomes her reservations and seems ready to overlook Rodrigo's murder/honour killing of her father, then she decides she can't, then … and so on. And even after five acts, we're still only hoping it will end happily

But I imagine that sort of thing goes on for days and weeks in soaps. Seriously, I suppose the idea of honour is more like a museum piece but then people do go to museums and enjoy looking at old things. It may be the question of how well it is ‘curated’.