Evenings at the theatre

I haven't been to non-singing and dancing theater in quite some time. In general, I like to take my culture in musical or spectacular doses (old sense of the word - literal spectacles, and a few sequins never hurt). For an excellent studentish deal and the promise of a somewhat entertaining evening, however, I'll suffer through pretty much anything.

The suffering, happily, was limited to my back. Yes, it was actually difficult to sit erect for several hours at a time. Otherwise, the seats were fantastic, the price could hardly be better, and the theater was so shiny and new that we more-than-imagined faint paint fumes. Ah yes, and the plays were good, too. The actors were very fine performers, with enunciation almost painfully (and spittle-fully) clear and very little scenery-chewing, but in seeing two Shakespeare plays of vastly differing quality and tone in three days (even two plays that flow very naturally together as one LONGA** show), the most striking afterthought was how they presented an excellent study in compare and contrast.

Same actors, but significantly different tenor for the characters, even those that appeared (as the same character) in both plays. Same time period, but an emphasis on romantic tragedy and personal relationships doesn't compare well with the themes of king making (and unmaking) and upholding honor. Mirth and buffoonery doesn't shouldn't solemnity and genuine (rather than calculated) passion. Quite frankly, Julius Caesar kicked Antony and Cleopatra's butt out of the park, but we knew that already...