Shakespeare in Love

Shakespeare in Love The Play, performed by the youth group Horncastle Up Stagers, has been adapted for stage by Lee Hall and is based on the screenplay of the hugely popular film written by Marc Norman and Tom Stoppard.  It tells the story of a fictional event in Shakespeare’s life where, faced with writer’s block and cash-flow problems, he endeavours to produce his next masterpiece.   Set against the misogyny of the day where it was considered an act of indecency for women to perform on stage, Viola a feisty Elizabethan lady decides she is going to break the rules.  In true Shakespearian style she disguises herself as Thomas Kent and auditions for the role of Romeo in Shakespeare’s new comedy play ‘Romeo and Ethel the Pirate’s Daughter’.  True life mirrors verse as the story becomes a play within a play and ‘Romeo and Juliet’ begins to evolve.

Into the mix comes a ruthless moneylender, Fennyman (Jessica) and the hapless Henslowe (Rachel) who owes him money.  To save his bacon (and his toes in an hilarious torture scene!)  Henslow persuades Fennyman to get involved with Shakespeare’s new play as a way of repaying his debts.  Henslowe is happy as long as it’s got a dog in it and sardonically remarks when everything seems to be going wrong ‘it’s a mystery.’  Both played their parts well.

The main characters played their parts very well.  Ruby as Shakespeare was delightful as the love-struck poet trying desperately to impress Viola with the help of his more eloquent friend and fellow playwright Kit Marlowe beautifully played by Elsie.  The scene where he believed himself responsible for Marlowe’s death was beautifully handled.  I also liked her giggling chaperone, Wilhemina!

Stand-out performance from the delightful Amelia playing Viola.  She handled her immense number of lines beautifully.  She was totally believable as the wide-eyed Viola determined to get her moment on stage while out-witting her would be suitor.  Her heartbreak at realising that Shakespeare was married was palpable.  Well done for executing complicated Shakespearean verse with such apparent ease.  A definite star of the future with acting skills well beyond her years.

Other players include the nurse (Elea) who mirroring her part in Romeo and Juliet acts as a go between for the lovers and tries to stall the pompous Lord Wessex (Jack) who is determined to wed Viola for her dowry.  Also the arrogant Ned/Mercutio (Ben) and Burbage (Elizabeth) who both had good diction.

I was particularly impressed with the dynamic personality and physical comedy of Kayden playing the role of Webster.  A young man who loves the more gruesome aspects of Shakespeare and is bitterly disappointed not to be playing Ethel.  He finally gets his revenge on Viola by exposing the shocking truth.  I also enjoyed the bossy Tilney (Dotty) who got his final comeuppance from the Queen (Poppy.)

All of the Up Stagers played their parts well although some were a little rushed with a feeling of getting their lines out rather than acting them but I’m sure this will come with future productions.  Some did require prompts, but this did not detract from the overall performance. Some were performing for the very first time so well done!  The pace was fast with very few pauses which kept the momentum going.  I also liked the use of blue chiffon to create the river Thames and the sound effects and lighting used in the firework scene.  The use of contemporary music but with an Elizabethan vibe added to the overall ambiance.

Directed by Nancy Shackleton (herself a former ‘Up Stager’), Michelle Ellershaw and Mia Murray and a cast of enthusiastic performers we were transported back in time to London 1593 via a simple but effective set.  I especially liked the velvet draped tent at the rear used for some of the scenes including Elizabeth I’s throne room and Viola’s bedchamber.  The two-level staging was used to good effect in the balcony scene. Costumes were excellent and accurate to the period - Viola’s dress was beautiful slipping effortlessly over her male costume.

Well done Horncastle Up Stagers for tackling a difficult and challenging script it was certainly appreciated by your ample audience.

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© NODA CIO. All rights reserved.