A Trip to the World of Shakespeare... Wonderful Storytelling...

Yesterday afternoon I took in When That I Was at Shadow Theatre.  Solo actor Christopher Hunt plays Jack Rice, nephew of Will Shakespeare, recounting his days int he theatre at the height of Shakespeare's career.  We were treated to a multitude of characters and stories as Hunt shifted seamlessly from queen to playwright to Earl, all as they were seen through the eyes of his younger self. I was very impressed with the tightness of the production.  Hunt himself is a gifted story-teller from within the piece.  I must commend the brilliant lighting design (Terry Gunvordahl) which works so well with Hunt to create the quick shifts in time and space seamlessly sweeping the audience up in the story.  There are many, many fascinating characters in the play, all played by Hunt as Jack Rice.  We see Shakespeare in love and jealous and disappointed and resigned. We meet Kemp and Burbage and other actors of the troupe.  We even meet Queen Elizabeth.  It's a great piece for those who love the Bard, for those who love theatre, for those who appreciate the history of the Elizabethan and Jacobean eras into the Puritans, and for those who love a great story-teller.  It also had a few subtle underlying comments about censorship and the political role of artists.  It is on at Shadow Theatre until March 24th so catch it if you can.

On Saturday night I attended a very different evening of storytelling. I caught the APN reading of Secrets by new playwright Jacqueline Dumas.  It was wonderful to hear the whole play read bu two wonderful actors, Alison Wells and Gisele Lemire.  There is something very cool about being able to hear the development of a play as it moves on its journey to completion.  I was in a writing circle with Jacqueline in the Spring and have really enjoyed watching the progress of the piece.  It blows me away that this is her first play. I hope to see it fully staged someday soon!

Shaking Things Up a Bit...

I went to see Antony and Cleopatra at Walterdale Playhouse last night. I did find a date - two, in fact. My mom filled in for Mark and then at the last minute Mark showed up and bought a ticket. Mom and I went to Packrat Louie's before the show for a little supper and it was very lovely. I had only eaten 12 points earlier in the day so I was free to enjoy my dinner (I would've enjoyed it anyhow, but it was nice to know I was still being good points wise).

The show was really well done. I was impressed with it overall. I think, however, because it is a play that I was completely unfamiliar with and a tragedy it was hard to leave it with a excited rush. I find that Shakespeare's language, no matter how much it is raved about, fortifies the fourth wall instead of opening it up. You never lose the sense that a Shakespeare Play is "happening now" because the language adds the the theatricality of the production. That being said, I don't mind that. It just prevents a total emotional investment for me.

The director (who I know as a friend, so I will try to be objective) did some wonderful things with tableau and shadow. It really worked as part of the production and didn't come off as a "drama school assignment" that sometimes happens when people try to use those techniques. He also trimmed the script effectively so that it raced along and kept the audience with it. I liked that because it came in at just over 2 hours and you didn't feel bored. He did a nice job with the edits.

I was also very impressed with the overall calibre of the actors. I was very pleased with all the "men who could act and speak Shakey's language". There was a broad spectrum of ages and no one stood out as weak. Nice to see. The 3 leads were particularly good. I have only seen Cody before (Octavian) onstage. But he, Marc Antony and Cleopatra were all really strong. You believed all three of them. I also really liked Enobarbus.

My only problem, and I almost hate to comment, was a costume/make-up thing. Okay, Here you have Cleopatra, who is giving her heart and soul to her performance. She's really good. You believe her. She's funny, she's passionate, she commands the stage. She is working hard out there and doing her work well. She should be dressed in an outfit that really complements her. One that outshines the clothing of her "women". She is Cleopatra. She's in a society where the opulence of the royalty would be displayed. BUT her primary costume is plain in comparison to her handmaidens and was ill-fitted and distracting. I know it may sound petty, but I think the designer let her down. Why do the handmaidens have sparkles and more elaborate hair. Is she not the queen? I felt it was a mistake of the design. I also wished that all the Egyptian women, and most particularly Cleopatra, had stronger makeup. They looked quite washed out and all were in need of a little lipstick (dark lips ladies!). This is Egypt where the ladies use kohl and henna and paint with gold on their skin. Like I said, it is a minor issue with an otherwise successful production. I just think that all the pieces need to support the work not detract from it.