Review: Rakata’s Henry VIII at The Broad Stage

29 Sep 2013 Leave a comment

by Shakespeare in LA in Los Angeles, Reviews Tags: ,

Broad Fundacion Henry VIII

I wanted to see Shakespeare’s Henry VIII/ Enrique VIII at The Broad to see if I would be able to follow the play even if I couldn’t understand the language. The production is being presented by the Madrid classical theatre company Rakatá, in Spanish with English subtitles. It makes its U.S. debut at The Broad following appearances at Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre in London in 2012 and 2013. Rakatá has the distinction of being the first Spanish company ever to perform at the Globe. It is an interesting coincidence that Henry VIII was the play in progress when the original Globe Theatre burned down in 1613.

So what was my experience? There is no doubt that the accomplishment is a triumph for Rakatá. Most productions view Henry VIII’s reign through a very English lens and Rakatá brings a uniquely Spanish perspective to the story. It is an interpretation that makes sense given that Henry’s divorce from the much-beloved Queen Catherine of Aragon is a sore spot in Spanish history.  More

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Two For One Tickets to Henry VIII at The Broad Stage

24 Sep 2013 Leave a comment

by Shakespeare in LA in Los Angeles Tags: ,

Henry VIII 2 for 1 txts

The Broad Stage is offering TWO TICKETS FOR THE PRICE OF ONE for its upcoming production: Fundación Siglo de Oro presents Rakatá in Henry VIII / Enrique VIII. Call (310) 434-3200 or use Promo Code “2FOR1” online to purchase tickets at http://thebroadstage.com/enrique-viii. Performances run September 26 – 29, 2013.

In 1533, the Spanish were enraged by Catherine de Aragon’s divorce from Henry VIII. Eighty years later, Shakespeare engaged with the subject in his last play. Now four hundred years later, Rakatá, Madrid’s premier classical company, re-imagines this play from a Spanish perspective, with the thrilling clarity they bring to their productions of Spanish Golden Age work. Don’t miss what The Guardian UK calls “a supremely accomplished retelling of this most notorious episode in English history.”

Presented in Spanish with English captions.

Fundación Siglo de Oro presents Rakatá in Henry VIII at The Broad Stage

12 Jul 2013 Leave a comment

by Shakespeare in LA in Los Angeles Tags:

Broad Fundacion EVIII-GLOBE-05

Fundación Siglo de Oro presents Rakatá in Henry VIII / Enrique VIII by William Shakespeare at the Broad Stage September 26 – 29, 2013, directed by Ernesto Arias. The performance will be done in Spanish with English subtitles and is adapted by José Padilla, Rafael Díez Labín, and Ernesto Arias.

In 1533, the Spanish were enraged by Catherine de Aragon’s divorce from Henry VIII. Eighty years later, Shakespeare engaged with the subject in his last play. Now four hundred years later, Rakatá, Madrid’s premier classical company, re-imagines this play from a Spanish perspective, with the thrilling clarity they bring to their productions of Spanish Golden Age work. Don’t miss with The Guardian UK calls “a supremely accomplished retelling of this most notorious episode in English history.”

Support for Shakespeare at The Broad Stage is generously provided by Linda and Michael Keston. Members-only ticketing period ends July 15. Call (310)434-3470 or (310) 434 3200 to reserve your seats today. http://thebroadstage.com/enrique-vii

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