Canterbury Tales till 24 June 2006.
CANTERBURY TALES Parts I and II; Geoffrey Chaucer, Adapted Mike Poulton.
RSC, The Swan and then on Tour.
Till 10 June (UK) – RSC and Tour, including USA and Barcelona.
Runs in Two Parts, both parts 3h including one interval.
Review: Rod Dungate, 9 December 2005.
Ribald, ruminative and rich in diversity.
If you're anticipating a romp you'll get one – but you get a lot more besides in this reverently irreverent production, intelligently interpreted for modern times by Mike Poulton, whose version is used, and Gregory Doran, Rebecca Gatward and Jonathan Munby who direct. Plus, of course, a whole team of performers and others who bring their own verve, imagination and creativity to bear on this impressive enterprise.
Perhaps I should be getting into the festive spirit and saying how much I enjoyed the ribald comedy, the unselfconscious and glorious references to dangly bits and bouncing bits, bottom jokes, farting jokes and all the rest. Well, I'm not going to. – Oh yes I am . . . It's great and has you falling about. Nicholas in the Miller's Tale (Edward Hughes) elegantly sings to his landlord's young wife 'I have a gentil cock/ You have not seen him yet/ His head is red as coral/ His tail is black as jet.' I take great comfort learning that England was a country of animal lovers even in Chaucer's time (oh yea!) Then there's the physical knock-about (three beds, a husband, a wife, a beautiful daughter and two horny young men) of the Reeve's Tale – Carry On eat your heart out.
But seeing the stories in one go – in a way you can't when you read them – you're struck by the complexity and richness that Chaucer endeavours both to explore and celebrate in these tales. At one moment looking at, say, the dark side of humanity in The Pardoner's Tale – three young men who go looking for Death and discover it lurking inside themselves as murderous greed. This story watched over by Dylan Charles's excellent (and really rather creepy) Pardoner.
Then there's the lovely Clerk of Oxenford's Tale. The 'moral' behind this tale may seem double edged on first acquaintance as young Grisilde is constantly (and irrationally) tested by her husband. But surely this is a celebration of female constancy in the face if male stupidity? At least in Katherine Tozer's beautifully centred Grisilde. (Steadfast in the face of her husband and in the face of some prat in the audience whose mobile rang – and rang and rang!!)
Chaucer is a man exploring psychology as much as he is looking for good yarns. He's investigating the diversity of mankind.
The trio of directors have done a great job in orchestrating this collection of some 21 stories in all. There is no sense of hurry, but time never drags; stories find their own rhythm and there is a constant change of pace, dynamic and tone. Mark Hadfield and Barry McCarthy ably aid and abet in this on-stage as Chaucer and The Host, their easy going manners ensure everything moves along easily and they welcome us into the event.
I can't finish without mentioning The Prioress's Tale – told with great ironic humour by Paola Dionisotti and packing a real punch. And Claire Benedict's Wife of Bath sailing through her long introduction to her tale with consummate ease. And do I have a favourite? – Not really, but if pushed, it'd have to be the Nun's Priest's Tale with the gorgeous white chicken (Pertelote), and even more gorgeous Chauntecleer and a very cunning Col-Fox.
The Squire: Mick Barber.
The Wife of Bath: Claire Benedict.
The Clerk: Daon Broni.
The Pardoner: Dylan Charles.
The Prioress: Paola Dionisotti.
Alison/ Constance/ May: Lisa Ellis.
The Reeve/ The Physician: Christopher Godwin.
Chaucer: Mark Hadfield.
The Man of Law/ The Franklin: Michael Hadley.
Emilee/ Merchant's Wife/ Dorigen: Anna Hewson.
Nicholas/ Aurelius: Edward Hughes.
Absolon/ John/ Damyan/ Crow: Michael Jibson.
The Monk/ The Manciple: Michael Matus.
The Host/ The Nun's Priest: Barry McCarthy.
King Aella/ Walter/ Arveragus: Chu Omambala.
The Shipman: Ian Pirie.
The Miller/ The Summoner: Joshua Richards.
The Knight/ The Merchant: Christopher Saul.
Hippolyta/ Maylin/ Virginia/ Grisilde: Katherine Tozer.
The Cook/ The Friar: Darren Tunstall.
Directed by: Gregory Doran, Rebecca Gatward, Jonathan Munby.
Designed by: Michael Vale.
Lighting Designed by: Wayne Dowdeswell.
Music Composed by: Adrian Lee.
Sound Designed by: Jeremy Dunn.
Movement by: Michael Ashcroft.
Fights Directed by: Terry King.
Music Director: Sylvia Hallett.
Assistant Directors: Donnacadh O'Briain, William Oldroyd.
Company Voice Work: Jacquie Cragg.
2005-12-09 14:28:53