The Shakespeare Revue

It was a pleasure to be back with Second Thoughts Drama Group after a period of 15 months or so with no theatre.

Second Thoughts have regularly performed the works of their local playwright a certain William Shakespeare. This piece was somewhat different although the links were obvious. Not least the fact the work was first performed by the RSC (Royal Shakespeare Company) in Stratford-upon-Avon in 1994 before transferring to the Barbican and later the Vaudeville Theatre in London.

The work contains a wealth of songs, sketches and skits originally written or devised by a range of household names including Alan Bennett, Monty Python, Cole Porter, Fry and Laurie, Stephen Sondheim, Noël Coward and an obvious piece from Victoria Wood. These works were compiled together with the golden thread of Shakespeare or Stratford (the one in Warwickshire) or both. Although the link was there, it was written in a way not to exclude anyone who is not necessarily a Shakespearean expert.

Originally performed by five actors the performance by Second Thoughts placed into the limelight a total cast of seven people namely Graham Tyrer, Georgie Wood, Vanessa Gravestock Pranav Agnihotri, Tracy Humphreys, Gill Hines and Tim Raistrick, Musical snippets, many resembling musical hall days, were accompanied on a piano played by musical director Andrew Holtom. Work was sung to tunes such as, ‘Teddy Bears Picnic’ and ‘Lets all go down The Strand’. These were great fun and of course the inevitable ‘Brush Up Your Shakespeare’ from ‘Kiss Me Kate’ and the slightly more serious ‘La Traviata’ and ‘La Donna e Mobile’.

Opening with the work of Bernard Levin which always reminds us just how often we use the lines written by Shakespeare in everyday speech, with Quoting Shakespeare such as ‘tongue -tied’, ‘a tower of strength’ and ‘slept not one wink’.

Each member of the company took on the compilation in rapid fire and although the script was available to cast members it was evident much of the work was learnt.

The amount of material would not permit a comment on each, however each person was ‘in the spotlight’ on more than one occasion.

Highlights amongst many were:

Graham Tyrer doing ‘I’m in the RSC!’ This most certainly demonstrated the acting ability of this actor who has performed substantial roles for Second Thoughts in the recent past. ‘Shakespeare Masterclass’ was another highlight and amusing while exploring how a single word is delivered.  

Georgie Wood a quality performer in both music and libretto. ‘Carrying a Torch’ was well performed as was the excellent ‘The English Lesson’. The piece from Henry V which in this case was worked as audition participation.

Vanessa Gravestock worked well with Graham in ‘Shakespeare Masterclass’ and Georgie in ‘The English Lesson’ as well as some of the musical numbers.

Pranav Agnihotri took part in several the company pieces but especially as Othello in ‘Othello in Earnest’ a send up of ‘The Importance of being Earnest’ and ‘Seeing Stratford’ by JB Priestley. 

Tracy Humphreys played with the full quality of a superb piece written by the fabulous Victoria Wood ‘Giving Notes’ the director of a production of ‘Hamlet’.

Gill Hines, two pieces come to mind, both well played. Firstly, with Pranav playing Lady Brabantio with the infamous ‘A handbag’ line only replaced with ‘A sandbag’. Secondly and earlier in the evening was a delightful piece ‘Which Witch.

Tim Raistrick. Again, involved in numerous sections. Picking one has to be as the ‘helpful’ schoolboy in the piece entitled William and the Lost Tourist’ with Georgie as the American tourist tricked into believing she had visited Anne Hathaway’s cottage.

Well done to you all.

The cast were socially distanced on stage as were the audience with the majority sat at small tables in a cabaret style format with drinks easily at hand. The cast nevertheless interacted with each other with eye contact even if not able to work alongside to include any movement. I am aware the technical team had little time to set up, however the lighting was effective, and microphones worked throughout.

Following the performance, it was an honour to present to members of the company their award for best drama from 2019, delayed due to the pandemic. Present at the presentation were Margot McCleary, writer of ‘Wherefore Art Thou, Lady Macbeth’ and ‘Bunty’ in Whisking Eggs. Nick Bate, the voice of ‘Bertie' in ‘Whisking Eggs’. Annette O’Hara, Stage Manager for the Triple Bill and Secretary of Second Thoughts. Jackie Lines, Writer of ‘Whisking Eggs’. Ian McLean, Producer of the Triple Bill and Director of ‘Whisking Eggs’. Tracy Humphreys, Director of ‘Wherefore Art Thou, Lady Macbeth’ and Rachel Alcock, ‘Doreen’ in ‘Whisking Eggs’ along with Ian G Cox, Regional Councillor and Vice Chairman of NODA.

It was good to see Second Thoughts again and look forward to them returning fully when performing ‘The Woman in White’ in November. 

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