Photos and interviews from the red carpet opening of Love’s Labour’s Lost at the RSC
THE red carpet was out last Thursday evening (18th April) for the RSC opening of Love’s Labour’s Lost in the Royal Shakespeare Theatre.
The production is the first to be programmed as part of co-artistic directors Daniel Evans and Tamara Harvey’s inaugural season and runs alongside The Buddha of Suburbia in the Swan Theatre.
After the show, which received glowing reviews – not least from Herald Arts, it’s five stars from us – the actors had a turn on the red carpet too. One suspects one or two shandies may have been involved.
Herald Arts stopped to chat to a few of those who’d put their glad rags on for the production opening that represents the dawning of a new era at the company.
Artistic directors Daniel Evans and Tamara Harvey
It’s an exciting night. Your first press night at the RSC – how are you feeling about it?
Daniel: I’m actually quite calm because we’ve seen this show quite a lot now. And we love it.
Tamara: It’s our first press night of our first season, but we have also been at the press nights as we’ve been caretaking previous seasons. So we at least know our way around the building.
Why Love Labour’s Lost for your inaugural show?
Tamara: We want to be artist-led. And Emily Burns, who’s directed it, is an extraordinary young director. When we had the conversation with her about which Shakespeare story she might want to tell, this was the one that she honed in on. And it felt appropriate for the spring.
Daniel: There’s also something lovely that she’s a relatively young director, and this is a young play, from a young playwright. And as we are young, in our season, those three things came together.
What can audiences expect from this production?
Daniel: Great clarity to begin with, the story is so clear. I don’t think I’ve ever understood a plot in a play so much.
Tamara: So clearly. And a very different-looking RST, Jo Scotcher, who’s the designer, has done an extraordinary job in making it feel like a different space.
Daniel: Lots of laughs – it’s a comedy of course. Although it doesn’t necessarily end like a traditional comedy, Shakespearean comedy, but it’s very, very funny.
Tamara: And very silly.
Last silly question, as the play touches upon self-improvement, have you any tips?
Tamara: Try and persuade your children to sleep.
Daniel: I’m just still trying to stick to my gym regime, which helps me in mind and body.
Tamara: And you ran this morning.
Daniel: I did run a 10k this morning.
Actor Samantha Spiro – Mistress Page in new Merry Wives of Windsor at the RSC
We’re looking forward to you coming to the stage!
So am I! It’s an extra thrill being here tonight, knowing that we’re next up [opening 5th June].
How are rehearsals?
It’s really, really fun. I mean, most people say that when they’re rehearsing a comedy and it goes to a stage where you go “it’s not funny anymore”, but we’re still in the moment where we’re enjoying it. And it’s a lovely company as well, we’re already like a family.
What are you anticipating from the production tonight?
Samantha: I’ve heard it looks amazing and I know it’s got incredible people in it. And other than that I’ve never seen Love’s Labour’s Lost so know nothing about it.
It’s not been performed much, not here for a decade anyway.
Samantha: Has it not? Oh well, I don’t feel too bad then! But I’ve never seen Merry Wives either!
