“The gardens provide a stunning backdrop and the church itself adds an element of drama to the production”
Struggling with the searing city heat? Fancy the theatre but can’t face the stifling environment of the auditorium? Head to St Paul’s, the Actor’s Church in Covent Garden and be treated to Iris Theatre’s alfresco performance of The Tempest. The gardens of St Paul’s are a delightful escape from the heat and give a beautiful backdrop to this promenade production.
With almost perfect timing at the opening scene, the wind starts to pick up and rustle through the trees creating the sense of trouble ahead. This continues as Jamie Newall playing Prospero whips up a foreboding storm and sets the fate of the King of Naples and his accompanying crew.
Charlotte Christensen is a delight as Ariel. She plays the ethereal, mystic creature so well you forget she is human as she gracefully moves around the set with an unwavering quizzical stare. Her voice is magical, and her flute playing is mesmerising. She certainly is the star of this show.
Paul Brendan as Trinculo and Reginald Edwards as Stephano delight the audience with their portrayal of drunken fools. These scenes bring a welcomed light heartedness to the evening.
The gardens provide a stunning backdrop and the church itself adds an element of drama to the production. The lighting design by Benjamin Polya used within the church is both clever and imaginative.
Despite the heat of the day the garden is much cooler than elsewhere, enclosed by tall buildings it is very shady and the temperature drops rapidly. You would be wise to take along a jacket or even a blanket to ensure you are not shivering through the closing scenes. Take advantage of the current weather and take part in this special and engaging show.
“David Hywel Baynes excels in his role of Macbeth”
Celebrating their 10th anniversary the Iris Theatre Company use the grounds of the 17th century St Paul’s Church to bring to life their dark and grisly production of Shakespeare’s Macbeth. An immersive promenade theatre that winds its way through the stunning grounds and buildings, drawing you in to one of his most famous tragedies.
Although the play begins in daylight, which feels wrong for such a macabre story, the set designer Alice Channon uses interesting props to enhance the natural setting and increase the sense of despair and destruction. As the light fades the effective use of lighting and smoke adds drama and an eerie spookiness to the stage. The actors themselves lead you from scene to scene, which at times was a little chaotic but added to the overall tension of the play. As with all outdoor theatre you need to be able to zone out a little to the odd passing aircraft, birds and music drifting over from nearby venues which at times may interject at an in opportune moment.
I was slightly concerned when during the opening scenes the witches appeared as part insect, part other world creatures. I wasn’t sure why they had chosen to go down this route and was probably the only negative of the whole performance. However, the strength of the acting from the opening scenes takes over and you end up accepting their roles in this form.
David Hywel Baynes excels in his role of Macbeth. His projection in a vast open space is second to none. His unraveling into a guilt-ridden madness is incredibly believable and you cannot help but feel his pain. Mogali Masuku takes on many roles during the show but it is in her role of Lady Macbeth that stands out particularly with her convincing demise into madness.
With a cast of just seven the roles are very well played and clever costume changes means that you don’t become confused. The acting is all of a very high quality and the oration throughout is excellent. The play by its nature is gruesome in parts and there were times during the play that I jumped or left my seat much to the amusement of the school party in the audience.
I sometimes think the end of a play is a bit of an anti climax but for me the rousing song as the characters leave the stage was a particularly fitting closing.
The team from the Iris theatre certainly deserved the standing ovation they received at the end of this performance.
Reviewed by Angela East
Production Images by Hannah Barton
MACBETH
is at St Paul’s Church, Covent Garden until 29th July
