The Richard Dimbleby Lecture; 16 March 2016

[Stanley Stewart]

Distinguished RSC Artistic director, Gregory Doran, is the guest for this year's Richard Dimbleby Lecture; BBC 1, tonight, 16 March, 22.45-23.30hrs. He reflects on the impact and resonance William Shakespeare still has in the contemporary world, 400 years after his death. Recorder already set.

[Stanley Stewart]

2016 has already given us several distinguished BBC documentaries and last night's Richard Dimbleby Lecture added a further valuable contribution to a wide ranging series over many years. Greg (as he is known in the biz) Doran was the ideal spokesperson to kick-start the William Shakespeare, 400th birthday celebrations, as he invited his audience to emulate Rumour, Henry IV, Pt 2, "Open your ears...". In turn, he brought his wide experience in the Shakespearian canon to offer a scholarly and often witty insight as to why Shakespeare still resonates after four centuries and the frequency in which we recognise our own reflection in the mirror of his work. I still recall the hushed intensity of an audience attending a Shakespearian production as the curtain rose; a bit eerie, in fact, but a degree of rib reserve widening, deep breathing, helps adrenalin and energy release - and, of course the text is a demanding but secure prop on your journey. Trust the author!

Greg also stressed many examples of language in the crucible of invention and reminded us of many occasions when the imagery and invention - Shakespeare added several hundred words to our language over many years - uncannily repeats itself today. Spoke about the matinee of King John, at Stratford-on-Avon, when the off-stage cast stood mesmerised watching the Green Room TV at the time of the destruction of the twin towers, NY, on 9/11. However, the relevance of the shock really struck home later in the performance, Act IV, Sc iii, at Bastard's retort on the callous murder of a child, "Now for the bear-pick'd bone of majesty Doth dogged war
bristle his angry crest, and snarleth in the gentle eyes of peace: Now powers from home and discontents from home, Meet in one line; and vast confusion waits,
As does a raven on a sick-fallen beast, The imminent decay of wrested pomp.
Now happy he whose cloak and cincture can hold out this tempest - Bear away that child, And follow me with speed: I'll to the king:
A thousand businesses are brief in hand,
And heaven itself doth frown upon the land."

The production found a new relevance.

Also discussed was a production of the History Plays, Henry IV,Pt I & II with surtitles as the plays were unknown in China. However,the entrance of Jack Falstaff was greeted with joy and Greg sensed that Falstaff is part of the Chinese psyche!

Fascinated, too, by the dissertation on how words have a neurological effect on the brain and I need to think-on about the research undertaken by the University of Liverpool (?) I've made an overnight DVD transfer of this programme and am eager to see it again. Strongly recommended.

[Nick Armstrong]

Strongly recommended.

Agreed. I recorded it and watched the first half, found it full of interest and humour. Looking forward to finding the right half hour for the rest.

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

Agreed. I recorded it and watched the first half, found it full of interest and humour. Looking forward to finding the right half hour for the rest.

It is very good, isn't it! Perhaps a little "feel-good" about itself, but justified, I think - and very welcome after so much bad news from the Arts worlds.

But didn't he incorrectly say that "In my mind's eye" was said by Horatio in Hamlet? Hamlet himself says it to Horatio.

[Stanley Stewart]

It is very good, isn't it! Perhaps a little "feel-good" about itself, but justified, I think - and very welcome after so much bad news from the Arts worlds.

But didn't he incorrectly say that "In my mind's eye" was said by Horatio in Hamlet? Hamlet himself says it to Horatio.

Indeed, Hamlet's response- Act I, Sc ii. I watched Greg Doran with pleasure and noted that he didn't use a teleprompter throughout and was entirely free from po-faced solemnity, using irony and wit to turn a Lecture into a loving celebration of the Shakespearian canon.

Overall a fine week for the Arts on TV with the start of a new 3-part season,
Art of Scandinavia, BBC 4, (Mon, 14 March), concluding with a fascinating dissertation on Henrik Ibsen and Edvard Munch.

Even this afternoon, 19 March, I couldn't resist another viewing of The Red Shoes, BBC2, although I have several DVD copies on my shelves. I recall seeing the film in 1948 -also the inception of the NHS for this teenager at the time - and being overwhelmed by the sheer frisson of the joint partnership, Michael Powell and Emeric Pressburger's creative power. Powell's 1986 autobiography, A Life in Movies, now off the shelves for Saturday night reading. A pristine remastered print of the film sponsored by Martin Scorsese's company.

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

... entirely free from po-faced solemnity, using irony and wit to turn a Lecture into a loving celebration of the Shakespearian canon.

[Nick Armstrong]

Still got the second half to watch, but I think he was using a teleprompter - perhaps one of those transparent, projected ones. He seemed to be consulting something to his left, above eye-line (i.e. towards the top right of our TV screens).

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

Still got the second half to watch, but I think he was using a teleprompter - perhaps one of those transparent, projected ones. He seemed to be consulting something to his left, above eye-line (i.e. towards the top right of our TV screens).

I wondered if the lectern he was near had some "prompt" technology involved - but the way he delivered certainly made it look as if he was delivering spontaneously.