BBC Sherlock Fan Forum - Serving Sherlockians since February 2012 / Richard III

**Posted by gently69** July 7, 2014 12:32 pm

That's not good. That's Shakespeare ... not a concert. I certainly won't do that during Benedicts performance when he plays Hamlet.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/theatre/theatre-news/10949592/Martin-Freeman-fans-ruin-Richard-III.html

**Posted by SusiGo** July 7, 2014 1:25 pm

Let me just add that I read that the new about overenthusiastic fans are quite exaggerated. I hope this is true. On the one hand it is great to get an audience to watch Shakespeare who are not in the "usual target group" and I think that Maureen Lipman's comment from the article sounds moren than a bit snobbish. On the other hand of course you should show enough respect so that the performance does not suffer.

Last edited by SusiGo (July 7, 2014 1:25 pm)

**Posted by gently69** July 7, 2014 1:31 pm

We will wait for other reviews. But apart from that ... the picture ... wow ... impressive!!!

**Posted by SolarSystem** July 7, 2014 1:34 pm

But look at his thin arms... almost loks as if he lost some weight...?

http://38.media.tumblr.com/69ea291681ae95901574ddf90e3a5d3f/tumblr_n88eo3DJg91s6lkf4o3_1280.jpg

**Posted by gently69** July 7, 2014 1:42 pm

Oops, oh yes, he seems to be really thin.

**Posted by SusiGo** July 7, 2014 1:53 pm

Yes, he is. And another strange thing - I saw the pic from the production linked above in b/w and did not recognise him at once. He looked much like Kenneth Branagh in it.

**Posted by Germansherlockfan** July 7, 2014 2:17 pm

gently69 wrote:
That's not good. That's Shakespeare ... not a concert. I certainly won't do that during Benedicts performance when he plays Hamlet.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/theatre/theatre-news/10949592/Martin-Freeman-fans-ruin-Richard-III.html

The director of this production, Jamie Lloyd, has just tweeted that this story is not true, the fans have been very focused and respectful.

**Posted by gently69** July 7, 2014 2:30 pm

Well, here is another denial of it.
http://www.london-reviews.co.uk/2014/07/01/richard-iii-trafalgar-studios-martin-freeman/

**Posted by tonnaree** July 7, 2014 4:08 pm

Some people are just uppity.

I also think some people forget that theater in general and Shakespeare in particular was originally for the masses. Shakespeare is bloody and bawdy. You've got melodrama, beheadings and toilet humor.
Shakespeare is a damn good time. And I wish more of the central population understood that.

**Posted by besleybean** July 7, 2014 4:58 pm

You make good points, but I was embarrassed to read the news stories of: Freeman fans ruin play for others...
I fear for Benedict in Hamlet.

**Posted by tonnaree** July 7, 2014 5:51 pm

BB, did you read the other reviews that denied the claim? The "ruined" statement was one person. Everyone else is saying it's exagerated.

**Posted by besleybean** July 7, 2014 9:43 pm

Well to be fair, I'm not going to see it, so I'll shut up about it.
I will report back on Hamlet.. next year.

**Posted by stoertebeker** July 7, 2014 9:59 pm

Amanda had also tweeted that the report about the disturbing audience is not true.

Has anybody already seen the play? I so desperatly want to see it but it's just to expensive to travel to London (flight, hotel, tickets) .
Has anybody heard if the play will be recorded for the cinema?

**Posted by besleybean** July 7, 2014 10:07 pm

Yes, I just got to that, too!
Thanks, all.

**Posted by SusiGo** July 8, 2014 7:16 am

Interesting article and comments about how to behave during a performance:

http://www.newstatesman.com/culture/2014/07/stop-clap-shaming-first-time-theatregoers-who-martin-freeman-tell

**Posted by gently69** July 8, 2014 7:25 am

Yes, that's really interesting. Now I know how to behave when visiting the Hamlet play next year... though I already know how to behave before ... I guess.

**Posted by SusiGo** July 8, 2014 7:55 am

Trying to breathe and watch and listen at the same time will be the most important thing, I suppose.

Last edited by SusiGo (July 8, 2014 7:56 am)

**Posted by SolarSystem** July 8, 2014 7:56 am

The comments to that article are pretty interesting, too. Both 'sides' do have a point, I dare say.

**Posted by gently69** July 8, 2014 7:59 am

SusiGo wrote:
Trying to breathe and watch and listen at the same time will be the most important thing, I suppose.

I will try, I will try ... though listen to and understand are two completely different things ... LOL

**Posted by Russell** July 8, 2014 8:01 am

Fascinating fuss about it! Sighh…. wish I could see him in such a role (despite sheepishly not knowing that particular play of the bard's). Loving these extra pics also just posted:

http://www.radiotimes.com/news/2014-07-07/not-seeing-martin-freeman-in-richard-iii-heres-the-next-best-thing