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Waiting for Godot
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A production company looking to stage a run of Samuel Becketts play in a university in Groningen in the netherlands, has had to cancel it.
The university has blocked it as the company would not audition for anyone other than men for the characters. The play is about 5 men by the way, and beckett specified before his death that this should not be interfered with.
In the words of Tom, this is all over the news.
The lunatics are taking over the asylum people |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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"A production company looking to stage a run of Samuel Becketts play in a university in Groningen in the netherlands, has had to cancel it."
Because no one showed up? |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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"A production company looking to stage a run of Samuel Becketts play in a university in Groningen in the netherlands, has had to cancel it.
The university has blocked it as the company would not audition for anyone other than men for the characters. The play is about 5 men by the way, and beckett specified before his death that this should not be interfered with.
In the words of Tom, this is all over the news.
The lunatics are taking over the asylum people "
I really like Samuel Becketts plays, very thought provoking.
Did he actually say only men could play the characters in this play?
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"A production company looking to stage a run of Samuel Becketts play in a university in Groningen in the netherlands, has had to cancel it.
The university has blocked it as the company would not audition for anyone other than men for the characters. The play is about 5 men by the way, and beckett specified before his death that this should not be interfered with.
In the words of Tom, this is all over the news.
The lunatics are taking over the asylum people "
How did you feel about a black actress playing an English queen ?
There are women who are very masculine and could play the part. |
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"A production company looking to stage a run of Samuel Becketts play in a university in Groningen in the netherlands, has had to cancel it.
The university has blocked it as the company would not audition for anyone other than men for the characters. The play is about 5 men by the way, and beckett specified before his death that this should not be interfered with.
In the words of Tom, this is all over the news.
The lunatics are taking over the asylum people I really like Samuel Becketts plays, very thought provoking.
Did he actually say only men could play the characters in this play?
"
Yep, he specified it in his estate.
To be fair, its written about 5 men |
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Overall, initial thought without reading anything other than this post, seems like a poor decision from the university. Has to be a place for all men or all women casts when there’s artistic merit to that decision.
But it’s not like government or parliament prohibiting it. A private theatre may have good reasons for deciding that they don’t want all male productions.
And the author’s dead - they don’t have sole rights to interpretation of their work. |
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"A production company looking to stage a run of Samuel Becketts play in a university in Groningen in the netherlands, has had to cancel it.
The university has blocked it as the company would not audition for anyone other than men for the characters. The play is about 5 men by the way, and beckett specified before his death that this should not be interfered with.
In the words of Tom, this is all over the news.
The lunatics are taking over the asylum people
How did you feel about a black actress playing an English queen ?
There are women who are very masculine and could play the part. "
Im sure there are, but they're still women. The play was written about 5 men. |
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"Overall, initial thought without reading anything other than this post, seems like a poor decision from the university. Has to be a place for all men or all women casts when there’s artistic merit to that decision.
But it’s not like government or parliament prohibiting it. A private theatre may have good reasons for deciding that they don’t want all male productions.
And the author’s dead - they don’t have sole rights to interpretation of their work. "
Yes he does, up to 2059,hence why the production company couldn't budge.
The university blocked it on the basis it contravenes their inclusivity policy.
Is this really what inclusivity is intended for? |
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"A production company looking to stage a run of Samuel Becketts play in a university in Groningen in the netherlands, has had to cancel it.
The university has blocked it as the company would not audition for anyone other than men for the characters. The play is about 5 men by the way, and beckett specified before his death that this should not be interfered with.
In the words of Tom, this is all over the news.
The lunatics are taking over the asylum people
How did you feel about a black actress playing an English queen ?
There are women who are very masculine and could play the part.
Im sure there are, but they're still women. The play was written about 5 men. "
What about principle boy in Panto ? |
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By *rHotNottsMan
over a year ago
Dubai & Nottingham |
I agree , venues have the right to choose production companies based on whatever ethical criteria they want. It’s not really news.
If they only audition men for male characters in some ancient text they are not aligned with the university views on modern diversity and equality |
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"I agree , venues have the right to choose production companies based on whatever ethical criteria they want. It’s not really news.
If they only audition men for male characters in some ancient text they are not aligned with the university views on modern diversity and equality "
Surely the content of the work has to trump any of that first, no? |
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There's a tradition in theatre if women playing men and men playing women. I suppose it's a case of who draws the line and where.
Personally I don't care as long as the actor is credible in the role |
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"I agree , venues have the right to choose production companies based on whatever ethical criteria they want. It’s not really news.
If they only audition men for male characters in some ancient text they are not aligned with the university views on modern diversity and equality "
Or are taking things a step too far for fear of offending.
The play is about men. Men's experiences. Men's lives in that period. |
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"There's a tradition in theatre if women playing men and men playing women. I suppose it's a case of who draws the line and where.
Personally I don't care as long as the actor is credible in the role "
I know I should agree with that ..... to an extent I do but I really do think deep down we 'see' |
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"A production company looking to stage a run of Samuel Becketts play in a university in Groningen in the netherlands, has had to cancel it.
The university has blocked it as the company would not audition for anyone other than men for the characters. The play is about 5 men by the way, and beckett specified before his death that this should not be interfered with.
In the words of Tom, this is all over the news.
The lunatics are taking over the asylum people "
It's a shame as this sort of stuff does nobody any good. Presumably the male actors who would have had opportunities will thank their females colleagues for losing them the opportunity.
Trouble with interfering with art is it stifles the process. And yes.. They are already in control of the asylum in some cases. |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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I've written a new play about the futility of responding to a deliberately incendiary thread.
Over two acts, the protagonist gently winds everyone up until someone loses their shit and the thread gets taken down by an invigilator.
I've called it "Waiting for Modot" |
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By *rHotNottsMan
over a year ago
Dubai & Nottingham |
"I agree , venues have the right to choose production companies based on whatever ethical criteria they want. It’s not really news.
If they only audition men for male characters in some ancient text they are not aligned with the university views on modern diversity and equality
Surely the content of the work has to trump any of that first, no? "
No.
But this is is the real issue it’s not about equality or diversity at all it’s about creativity.
The view that it will be better if men play the part just become the writer had them as male characters , quite a ridiculous and backward way of thinking. Might as well just read the book. |
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"I've written a new play about the futility of responding to a deliberately incendiary thread.
Over two acts, the protagonist gently winds everyone up until someone loses their shit and the thread gets taken down by an invigilator.
I've called it "Waiting for Modot""
Exquisite |
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"I've written a new play about the futility of responding to a deliberately incendiary thread.
Over two acts, the protagonist gently winds everyone up until someone loses their shit and the thread gets taken down by an invigilator.
I've called it "Waiting for Modot""
Youll be glad to know you can ignore it so |
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"A production company looking to stage a run of Samuel Becketts play in a university in Groningen in the netherlands, has had to cancel it.
The university has blocked it as the company would not audition for anyone other than men for the characters. The play is about 5 men by the way, and beckett specified before his death that this should not be interfered with.
In the words of Tom, this is all over the news.
The lunatics are taking over the asylum people
How did you feel about a black actress playing an English queen ?
There are women who are very masculine and could play the part. "
Isn't it up the producer and casting director to choose who best is able to convey his production? Black white gay straight male or female fat thin tall short etc...? |
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"I agree , venues have the right to choose production companies based on whatever ethical criteria they want. It’s not really news.
If they only audition men for male characters in some ancient text they are not aligned with the university views on modern diversity and equality
Surely the content of the work has to trump any of that first, no?
No.
But this is is the real issue it’s not about equality or diversity at all it’s about creativity.
The view that it will be better if men play the part just become the writer had them as male characters , quite a ridiculous and backward way of thinking. Might as well just read the book. "
Sorry, i dont follow.
The play was written about 5 men. So by changing the gender of the characters you are changing one of the key tenets of the play.
How is that backward? |
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"Overall, initial thought without reading anything other than this post, seems like a poor decision from the university. Has to be a place for all men or all women casts when there’s artistic merit to that decision.
But it’s not like government or parliament prohibiting it. A private theatre may have good reasons for deciding that they don’t want all male productions.
And the author’s dead - they don’t have sole rights to interpretation of their work.
Yes he does, up to 2059,hence why the production company couldn't budge.
The university blocked it on the basis it contravenes their inclusivity policy.
Is this really what inclusivity is intended for? "
Yes... Preventing artistic performances is inclusive and equal... Nobody can see it or. Take part. In it.. Equally. |
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"I agree , venues have the right to choose production companies based on whatever ethical criteria they want. It’s not really news.
If they only audition men for male characters in some ancient text they are not aligned with the university views on modern diversity and equality
Or are taking things a step too far for fear of offending.
The play is about men. Men's experiences. Men's lives in that period. "
Yes, that’s what it seems it was intended to be about. But it could also be about women’s experiences. As creative, critical, people, from a creator and audience perspective, it’s worth swapping the roles and seeing what we can learn from that. There are numerous examples of production companies reworking older works. Should Shakespeare’s plays only ever be set in the time period they appear to be set in? |
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"I agree , venues have the right to choose production companies based on whatever ethical criteria they want. It’s not really news.
If they only audition men for male characters in some ancient text they are not aligned with the university views on modern diversity and equality
Or are taking things a step too far for fear of offending.
The play is about men. Men's experiences. Men's lives in that period. "
Who better to play it than a woman...
Actually I can see that it might allow a different interpretation... But if that's not what the production is then... Surely... Tough.
It's like casting Warwick Davis as cat woman. |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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I’m sure it wasn’t as big a deal as it is being hyped.
Production company wants to put on an all male play.
University decide to put on a different play because it breaks some of their rules.
No one really cares apart from the daily Mail. |
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By *aitonelMan
over a year ago
Liverpool |
"Why didn't they open the auditions to everyone but choose only those who appear to be men to their eyes? Or would they be asking for evidence?
"
They would have been accused of selecting all men by a small group. In certain cases you just can't win. |
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"I've written a new play about the futility of responding to a deliberately incendiary thread.
Over two acts, the protagonist gently winds everyone up until someone loses their shit and the thread gets taken down by an invigilator.
I've called it "Waiting for Modot""
Ohhh chapeau sir |
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"I've written a new play about the futility of responding to a deliberately incendiary thread.
Over two acts, the protagonist gently winds everyone up until someone loses their shit and the thread gets taken down by an invigilator.
I've called it "Waiting for Modot""
 |
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"I’m sure it wasn’t as big a deal as it is being hyped.
Production company wants to put on an all male play.
University decide to put on a different play because it breaks some of their rules.
No one really cares apart from the daily Mail. "
Nobody is hyping anything.
We're discussing it on a forum. Partake or dont, entirely your choice |
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"Why didn't they open the auditions to everyone but choose only those who appear to be men to their eyes? Or would they be asking for evidence?
"
That would just be disingenuous and no doubt cause even more problems |
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"A bit like the church of England debating as to whether they should refer to God as a man or not! Does it really matter what flavour your imaginary friend is ??"
it’s a good analogy. But it matters a lot! |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
|
"I've written a new play about the futility of responding to a deliberately incendiary thread.
Over two acts, the protagonist gently winds everyone up until someone loses their shit and the thread gets taken down by an invigilator.
I've called it "Waiting for Modot""
Inspired |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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Seems relentless, someone cannot be granted their wishes because of the bureaucracy we have to live with nowadays. Freedom to act, suffocated by the fear may upset someone. Surely, director should be allowed to have the freedom to elect men to play the role and not women and esp. if it's about men.  |
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"Seems relentless, someone cannot be granted their wishes because of the bureaucracy we have to live with nowadays. Freedom to act, suffocated by the fear may upset someone. Surely, director should be allowed to have the freedom to elect men to play the role and not women and esp. if it's about men. "
One would think that would be the happier more constructive option. And then if someone wants to put an all female production on of something... That's their artistic licence too. I'm not sure this kind of action does anyone any favours. |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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"Seems relentless, someone cannot be granted their wishes because of the bureaucracy we have to live with nowadays. Freedom to act, suffocated by the fear may upset someone. Surely, director should be allowed to have the freedom to elect men to play the role and not women and esp. if it's about men.
One would think that would be the happier more constructive option. And then if someone wants to put an all female production on of something... That's their artistic licence too. I'm not sure this kind of action does anyone any favours. "
Disagree, having freedom to truly express oneself without fear of upsetting anyone has to be a good thing not a bad thing.
Not at all suggesting a woman can't do what a man can do. Am simply saying there shouldn't be any issue in one being allowed to express themselves.
Cate Blanchett playing the role of Jude Quinn (perfectly fine).
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"There's a tradition in theatre if women playing men and men playing women. I suppose it's a case of who draws the line and where.
Personally I don't care as long as the actor is credible in the role
I know I should agree with that ..... to an extent I do but I really do think deep down we 'see' "
That's where the credible bit comes in  .
I attended an all girls school so am no stranger to single gender drama. The lead in Hamlet and 'the Scottish play ' (see what a luvvie I am) was always a difficult cast  |
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"There's a tradition in theatre if women playing men and men playing women. I suppose it's a case of who draws the line and where.
Personally I don't care as long as the actor is credible in the role
I know I should agree with that ..... to an extent I do but I really do think deep down we 'see'
That's where the credible bit comes in .
I attended an all girls school so am no stranger to single gender drama. The lead in Hamlet and 'the Scottish play ' (see what a luvvie I am) was always a difficult cast "
I went to an all girls school with an all boys school next door.
Our all-female version of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat worked far better than their all-male Duchess of Malfi. |
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"There's a tradition in theatre if women playing men and men playing women. I suppose it's a case of who draws the line and where.
Personally I don't care as long as the actor is credible in the role
I know I should agree with that ..... to an extent I do but I really do think deep down we 'see'
That's where the credible bit comes in .
I attended an all girls school so am no stranger to single gender drama. The lead in Hamlet and 'the Scottish play ' (see what a luvvie I am) was always a difficult cast
I went to an all girls school with an all boys school next door.
Our all-female version of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat worked far better than their all-male Duchess of Malfi."
What about an all male version of the vagina monologues?  |
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"I've written a new play about the futility of responding to a deliberately incendiary thread.
Over two acts, the protagonist gently winds everyone up until someone loses their shit and the thread gets taken down by an invigilator.
I've called it "Waiting for Modot""
I don’t think that can be beaten. You little genius |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
|
"I've written a new play about the futility of responding to a deliberately incendiary thread.
Over two acts, the protagonist gently winds everyone up until someone loses their shit and the thread gets taken down by an invigilator.
I've called it "Waiting for Modot""
Absolutely spot on! |
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"There's a tradition in theatre if women playing men and men playing women. I suppose it's a case of who draws the line and where.
Personally I don't care as long as the actor is credible in the role
I know I should agree with that ..... to an extent I do but I really do think deep down we 'see'
That's where the credible bit comes in .
I attended an all girls school so am no stranger to single gender drama. The lead in Hamlet and 'the Scottish play ' (see what a luvvie I am) was always a difficult cast
I went to an all girls school with an all boys school next door.
Our all-female version of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat worked far better than their all-male Duchess of Malfi.
What about an all male version of the vagina monologues? "
Bit full-on for a school play, I'd have thought. |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
|
"I've written a new play about the futility of responding to a deliberately incendiary thread.
Over two acts, the protagonist gently winds everyone up until someone loses their shit and the thread gets taken down by an invigilator.
I've called it "Waiting for Modot""
I think this goes in your Hall of Fame for posts, Sir Pete |
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"There's a tradition in theatre if women playing men and men playing women. I suppose it's a case of who draws the line and where.
Personally I don't care as long as the actor is credible in the role
I know I should agree with that ..... to an extent I do but I really do think deep down we 'see'
That's where the credible bit comes in .
I attended an all girls school so am no stranger to single gender drama. The lead in Hamlet and 'the Scottish play ' (see what a luvvie I am) was always a difficult cast
I went to an all girls school with an all boys school next door.
Our all-female version of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat worked far better than their all-male Duchess of Malfi.
What about an all male version of the vagina monologues? "
The Prostate Monologues? |
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By *phroditeWoman
over a year ago
(She/ her) in Sensualityland |
"Thank god Brexit happened so we don’t have to put up with that kinda shit here! 
Bingo "
Thankfully, we are working towards a closer relationship with Europe again... I actually noticed that the diversity of plays and particularly musical events has taken a turn for the worse. Nowhere near as much choice now at opera houses in the UK for example than before.  |
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"I agree , venues have the right to choose production companies based on whatever ethical criteria they want. It’s not really news.
If they only audition men for male characters in some ancient text they are not aligned with the university views on modern diversity and equality
Or are taking things a step too far for fear of offending.
The play is about men. Men's experiences. Men's lives in that period.
Yes, that’s what it seems it was intended to be about. But it could also be about women’s experiences. As creative, critical, people, from a creator and audience perspective, it’s worth swapping the roles and seeing what we can learn from that. There are numerous examples of production companies reworking older works. Should Shakespeare’s plays only ever be set in the time period they appear to be set in?"
Sons of Anarchy has several Hamlet styled/themed plotlines.
The end credits roll with a quote from Hamlet - "Doubt thou the stars are fire; Doubt that the sun doth move; Doubt truth to be a liar; But never doubt I love"
Winston |
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"...What about an all male version of the vagina monologues?
The Prostate Monologues?"
•
Correct.
However, KC², I always hoped it would be called "The Vagina Duologues" because, you know, women always have to be told twice.  |
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"I agree , venues have the right to choose production companies based on whatever ethical criteria they want. It’s not really news.
If they only audition men for male characters in some ancient text they are not aligned with the university views on modern diversity and equality
Or are taking things a step too far for fear of offending.
The play is about men. Men's experiences. Men's lives in that period.
Yes, that’s what it seems it was intended to be about. But it could also be about women’s experiences. "
Ok but its not though, is it. Its about mens experiences |
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