cast list
Alexis Coward, Lauren Edwards, Marian Elizabeth, Tom Eykelhof, James Hedges, Ramsey Khoury,
Fiona Rebecca Lewis, Ian Patrick, Helen Perry, Hannah Rousell, Charlie Ryall, Edward Schlesinger,
Caroline Short, Frankie-Rose Taylor, Archie Whyld.
directed by
Andrew Cleaver
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Shakespeare's oft-performed play has been given a modern spin by director Andrew Cleaver.
The story has been transplanted to the here and now with the coalition government providing the main source of inspiration: the warring families have become the Montague yellow party
and the Capulet blue party, both eager to win an upcoming election.
This attempt to make the play relevant could seem a bit blatant and forced but Cleaver's production is well-judged and he's aided by some strong performances from the key players.
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The set is minimal, with no more than a few
campaign posters from the opposing parties on the bare walls of the tiny theatre. The company have made the most of the space, and its size makes for a suitably claustrophobic atmosphere for this story of two young lovers desperate for freedom and privacy.
As Romeo, Tom Eykelhof veers from wistfulness to melodrama, a recognisable portrait of love-sick youth. Eykelhof's Romeo is impulsive and giddy but also sensitive.
His performance contrasts nicely with Marian Elizabeth's slightly shy Juliet and their passion is all the more poignant for not being
overplayed.
One of the most pleasing aspects of the production is the way it replaces some of the male roles with female ones. This is most effective in the case of Benvolio
(here Benvolia) played by Helen Perry, who as well as attempting to
keep the peace is also wracked with unrequited love for the young Montague. This gender switch changed the dynamics of the typically male-dominated scenes, particularly those involving confrontation.
Mercutio is played with an intense physicality by James
Hedges, making his stage debut in this production. His swagger and self-assurance is the opposite of his brooding best friend Romeo. Juliet’s trouble-hungry cousin
Tybalt is played by Archie Whyld as a sneering, insolent and confrontational young aristo with emo-inspired eyeliner.
Helen Rousell plays the shallow Mrs Capulet
with considerable flair. Her affection for her daughter combined with her desire to manipulate the situation is well conveyed. She is assisted by Juliet’s gun-toting, black-clad nurse-cum-bodyguard, played by Lauren Edwards.
Some of the contemporary references work better than others and the characters wearing masks depicting the smiling faces of Ant and Dec is one particularly nice touch. But Cleaver's updates are for the most part successful because they don't detract from the text. Though there were a few fumbled lines and some of the cast members were occasionally inaudible, these were small points and easy to forgive as on the whole this was a very entertaining and inventive production.
- Gillian Fisher
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London reviews
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