Tag Archives: David Woodward

Shakespeare’s R & J

★★★★

Reading Rep Theatre

SHAKESPEARE’S R & J at the Reading Rep Theatre

★★★★

Shakespeare's R&J

“Elijah Ferreira gives a stunning performance as Romeo.”

This intriguing show was written by American Director Joe Calarco in 1997. It translates Romeo and Juliet’s ‘star-crossed lovers’ into pupils who act out the play at a repressive Catholic boys boarding school. The idea of containing a play within a play was very much Shakespeare’s own. A cast of just four are all on stage together for almost the entire evening as we see Shakespeare’s ‘Romeo and Juliet’ unfold through their adolescent eyes. Maybe ten percent of the text is new, including some of Shakespeare’s sonnets, latin drill – ‘amo, amas, amat’ and words from ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’. Right at the start it’s established that Student 1 has feelings for Student 2 and it’s these two that take on the roles of Romeo and Juliet – in intense performances that don’t always get the approval of their fellows.

A note in the programme by Director and Company founder Paul Stacey underlines their commitment to giving voice to the under-represented including those that identify as LGBTQIA+. This powerful production does just that in a way that some may find poses a playful challenge to their expectations. And if a few traditionalists are offended by this re-purposing of such a familiar text, that is their loss.

Elijah Ferreira gives a stunning performance as Romeo. Every word is carefully weighed and delivered with exacting clarity and dedication to meaning. He uses gesture with almost telegraphic expressiveness. Brayden Emmanuel is physically much taller than Ferreira and as Student 2, his involving and energetic Juliet defies any expectation of camp girlishness.

“a lively and rich-textured show”

Luke Daniels is Mercutio, Friar Laurence and Lady Capulet. Expect theatrical fireworks from the start of the second half when Romeo learns of his banishment. Daniel also shines as Lady Capulet in the scene that follows, as well as giving his own take on Mercutio’s memorable ‘Queen Mab’ speech about dreams. Tom Sowinski has some great comic moments as the Nurse and then flips into the brawling Tybalt in the duel with Mercutio.

A clever and beautiful set by Anna Kelsey literally steams with the intensity of the drama and integrates some pleasing lighting (John Rainsforth) which adds great atmosphere to this intimate and involving studio piece. The costumes ring true whilst avoiding the colour coding of the houses of Montague and Capulet seen in some productions of ‘Romeo and Juliet’.

The play within the play employs some stylised devices to considerable effect. A shouting chorus of disapproval condemns the young lovers. Swords become ropes and cloth. Action is slowed. The boy actors (or is it the Shakespearean characters?) observe each other performing and we see their reactions to the story they are unfolding.

Jamie Lu’s sound design is strong on thunder and lightning and for those that know it, there are some touching ‘Heart Stopper’ moments as the two young lovers get together.

This is a lively and rich-textured show that was a delight to watch.

 


SHAKESPEARE’S R & J at the Reading Rep Theatre

Reviewed on 16th October 2023

by David Woodward

Photography by Harry Elletson

 

 

 

 

Previously reviewed at this venue:

Hedda Gabler | ★★★★★ | February 2023
Dorian | ★★★★ | October 2021

Shakespeare’s R & J

Shakespeare’s R & J

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The Alchemist

The Alchemist

★★★★

Mathematical Institute Oxford University

THE ALCHEMIST at the Mathematical Institute Oxford University

★★★★

The Alchemist

“Director Anna Tolputt has successfully transformed this 17th century drama into an immediate and accessible theatrical experience that is great fun for the audience”

There are a few benefits to reviewing plays but having money chucked at you by the performers (as happened to your reviewer tonight) isn’t usually one of them. The stage cash was returned and although I can’t guarantee this exact kind of audience participation if you go along to see Creation Theatre’s take on The Alchemist, I can promise an enjoyable evening with plenty of audience engagement with an enthusiastic and committed cast. And you may even be asked to take custody of an inflatable doll.

A maths institute common room becomes a swanky penthouse (designer Delphine Du Barry) and a view of the dreaming spires stands in for London in this pacey updating of Ben Jonson’s most popular comedy which gleefully and timelessly satirises human greed and fallibility. The play was first performed in 1610, not far from its current venue. At that time the Puritans and the Plague were clamping down on dangerous pleasures like theatre and Oxford academics were banned from attending – but even so it was a hit. It has continued to be regularly performed since late Victorian times. Some historical aspects, such as Jonson’s very understandable critique of the Puritans, may have been lost in this particular translation, but his zest for progressively more manic comedy shines in a smart update in which the Black Death is replaced by a more contemporary pandemic.

Make no mistake, this is a wordy play which keeps up its fairly hectic pace throughout the evening. Jonson follows the classical convention of unity in action, time and place, giving the piece a sharp focus. Sometimes unfamiliar words flow rapidly. It’s language with a feisty and raw quality quite unlike the lyrical beauty of familiar speeches by Jonson’s contemporary and rival William Shakespeare.

Creation Theatre are renowned for their original performances of classic theatre in unusual locations. Director Anna Tolputt has successfully transformed this 17th century drama into an immediate and accessible theatrical experience that is great fun for the audience. A talented ensemble consisting of Herb Cuanalo, Clive Duncan, Nicholas Osmond, Claire Redcliffe and Emily Woodward each take on three or more roles, with Cuanalo, Osmond and Woodward making up a tight knit trio of quick changing con artists that gleefully gull victims played by the talented Clive Duncan and Claire Redcliffe.


THE ALCHEMIST at the Mathematical Institute Oxford University

Reviewed on 13th October 2023

by David Woodward

Photography by Les Gordon

 

 

The Alchemist will play in London from 27 – 29 October at V.O Gallery, W1S, Click on image below for further details

 

 

 

 

More From This Reviewer:

 

Alone Together | ★★★★ | Theatre Royal Windsor | August 2023
Henry I | ★★★★★ | Reading Abbey Ruins | June 2023
Mansfield Park | ★★★★ | Watermill Theatre Newbury | June 2023
Hedda Gabler | ★★★★★ | Reading Rep Theatre | February 2023
Cybil Service | ★★★★ | VAULT Festival 2023 | January 2023

The Alchemist

The Alchemist

Click here to read all our latest reviews