TWO GENTLEMEN OF VERONA: till 16 August
Northcott Theatre Company, Exeter in Rougemont Gardens
THE TWO GENTLEMEN OF VERONA: William Shakespeare
Runs to 16 August in Rougemont Gardens, Exeter
Running time 2 hr 10 min One Interval
Box Office 01392 493 493 Eves: Mon-Sat) 7.30 p.m., Sat Mats 2.30 p.m. (26/7 & 9/8), Signed 29/7,
Audio-described 17/7
Review Hazel Brown 16 July 2003
Edwardian setting suits this witty production
The young cast has enormous fun with the ping-pong, witty dialogue between servants, masters, friends and mistresses. Set firmly in the Edwardian era probably the last time that the English middle classes had full complements of servants and retainers with a lovely simple set reminiscent of the wooden O' of the Elizabethan theatre.
Proteus and Valentine, university chums complete with college scarves and tennis rackets, are preparing to part for the vacation. Valentine's teasing of Proteus for being in love sets the scene for the antics to come. For, when Proteus later joins his friend at the Emperor's court, he finds that Valentine has fallen in love and sets about wooing his lady, betraying friendship, loyalty and his own love, Julia. Why Proteus embarks on this treacherous course is hard to justify. Revenge for being teased, one-up-manship, youthful testing of the depth of feelings? By the end of the play, the young characters have arrived at the beginnings of forgiveness, but forgetting will be longer in coming.
The pairs of characters are nicely contrasted. Danielle Clark is darkly and quixotically attractive as Julia, headstrong and devastated by Proteus' betrayal, with Emma Buckley cool, calm and blonde as the constant Sylvia. Ashley Artus is a brilliantly lugubrious Geordie Launce, extracting every ounce of comedy from the scenes with his dog. Paul Parris makes Speed, Valentine's valet, a cheeky and immensely likeable Cockney with a bicycle helping him live up to his name. The two eponymous gentlemen, James Rochfort blithely suave in his double dealing and Tom Mullion, lanky and earnest, make a believable journey from friendship to betrayal and almost to reconciliation. Jamie R Bradley is a wonderfully effete Thurio and his wooing song for Sylvia, complete with maracas, is a masterly comic moment, whilst David Meyer is imperious in his rage as the deceived father. Mia Soteriou looks after her mistress, Julia, with knowing wit and Italianate exasperation.
There is much to enjoy in this production, not least the splendid court picnic, with cushions, rugs and huge sunshade mirroring those enjoyed in the grassy grounds before the play. (Don't forget your own cushion and rug, either.)
CAST
Ashley Artus Launce
Jamie R. Bradley Thurio
Emma Buckley Silvia
Danielle King Julia
Daniel Leatherdale Eglamour, Outlaw, Musician, Servant
David Meyer Emperor
Alan Mooney Panthino, Outlaw, Host
Tom Mullion Valentine
Paul Parris Speed
James Rochfort Proteus
Ken Shorter Antonio, Outlaw
Mia Soteriou Lucetta, Musician
Director Richard Beecham
Set and Costume Designer - Gemma Fripp
Lighting Designer - Russell Payne
Designer Kit Surrey
Musical Director Paul McClure
Fight Director Kate Waters
Choreographer - Paula Crutchlow
2003-08-10 15:30:20