Shakespearean

My second visit to see a production by Shakespeare at the George (SatG) was preceded by a friendly welcome by Trustee and Stage Manager, Kevin Connor and a delightful pre-show dinner in the lovely company of James Rowe who I had last seen performing in their summer production of Midsummer Nights Dream as Bottom. This was the third venue for this one act play which was commissioned as part of SatG’s 60th Anniversary year, having previously performed in April as part of the Bridge Arts Festival and at the Cambridge Arts Festival earlier this month.

Over dinner we discussed the possible ways that all 37 of Shakespeare plays might be included and whether we would be able to recognise many. The anticipation was high.

We took our seats in the upstairs ballroom which had been transformed into a theatre in the round. This form is always a challenge to perform but suited the small performance space and cast perfectly. Immediately we were drawn into a Shakespearean world of romance, tragedy, history and after a while comedy. The synopsis explains ‘that the King is dead’ and the action starts with lovers Queen Katherine, played by Writer and Director, Lynne Livingston and her lover General Claudio, portrayed by Perry Incledon-Webber. Soon after we meet Georgina Bickerdike playing Helena once again, although this Helena is very different from her MSND role, she was well matched to Louise West, who had been Puck in MSND, performing the more feminine role of Mariana. Finally, we had the ‘twins’ Chris Thompson as Ferdinand and James Barwise, who I had previously seen as Lysander, playing Antonio.

It was a very clever story line that held together very credibly. This is due to two reasons, a well compiled play and excellent acting by all. I enjoyed seeing Helena turning into Rosalind or was it perhaps Ganymead. Mariana was the all-knowing maid who frequents so many of the plays. The slapstick humour and clever use of hats between Antonio and Ferdinand was well timed and brought a contrasting lightness against the brooding dark presence of General Claudio. Queen Katherine was a Queen amongst the many Queens.

Costumes were excellent and traditional, which I like. The original music by Roy Bellass, was very good. The lighting was sensitive to the room and did not create any shadows on the performers. On the night I saw it there were a couple of sound issues and a mobile phone interruption, the performers are to be congratulated on not allowing these to affect their performance in any way.

It's said that ‘time flies when you’re enjoying yourself’ and the 45 minutes certainly flew by. I was left wondering if there should or could have been more, I would also have loved to have seen the script, so that I could work out when and how all the plays were used.

This was an ambitious project and a fitting way for the society to celebrate its 60th Anniversary, congratulations

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