Romeo and Juliet, Alton Castle
Tuesday, September 01, 2009
Alton Castle, not to be confused with Alton Towers, was the impressively medieval setting for arguably the Bard's most famous play, Romeo and Juliet. Audience members were asked to bring their own seating and picnics and this set a jovial and comfortable atmosphere for the evening ahead.
An outdoor performance is always brave and possibly foolhardy. But as one of the cast members announced prior to the prologue, we are British and we will prevail True to form, the iconic British weather played its part, but waterproof jackets and umbrellas deterred the rain from spoiling our enjoyment.
Lamentably for the cast, both Juliet and Romeo had been struck down by illness, but other cast members had stepped into the breach with only a few days to go. They asked for our forgiveness for any stumbles or forgotten lines, but both actors performed so superbly, an announcement was not needed.
Many roles were doubled up, with Tomas Loftus, for example, playing both the part of Mercutio and Montague – something probably not needed in larger theatre companies, but the performances did not suffer for it. If anything, I was doubly impressed at the sheer talent on display.
Small cast or not, Chapterhouse Theatre Company showed the enthusiasm and professionalism of a company three times its size – and I'm willing to bet that such a company wouldn't cope with continual showers in the same nonchalant way.
If I thought that the weather would hold out, I would suggest that all theatre should be outdoors. It brings a whole different appreciation to the art and brings a sense of authenticity somehow.
Victoria Power, ThisIsStaffordshire.co.uk
Romeo and Juliet opens Woburn's Plays In The Park
25th June 2009
PLAYS In The Park opened the third season at Woburn Abbey this week with Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet to the delight of the crowds.
It's not easy performing open air theatre but the members of the Chapterhouse Theatre Company, who are celebrating their 10th year in the business, make it look remarkably easy.
A nearby tree black with cawing crows, European and long-haul flights on their way to Heathrow and Luton, and the music from a nearby wedding reception meant that the cast had more than the usual distractions.
But luckily, considering last year's performance of The Tempest was sympathetically accompanied by lashing rain, the weather wasn't one of them.
There's a certain elegance and informality to enjoying theatre under the stars. It's also a very accessible way for those unfamiliar with the writer's work to enjoy tales dealing with epic themes of love, jealousy, loyalty and honour.
The setting is intimate, surrounded, as you are at Woburn this year, by a selection of wonderful sculptures that merit browsing before the production begins.
Amid the splendour, in the grounds of one of Britain's grandest family homes, the incoming audience set up their stalls. Out come the folding chairs and tables, picnic rugs and hampers.
Before you know it families are enjoying an outdoor feast as the strolling band of mummers circulate, pressed into dual service as programme sellers and scene shifters.
Romeo and Juliet was presented in its traditional form. There were no attempts to update the location, add music or dance, or deter from The Bard's telling of star-crossed teenage lovers at odds with their families.
All but three of the hard-working cast took two roles in the performance and were adept at quickly changing their costumes, hairstyles and demeanours in a nearby tent.
The bearded Peter Phillipson, looking like a young Russell Crowe, first appeared as the fiery and headstrong Tybalt, Juliet's short-tempered cousin who is prone to draw his sword at the mention of the Montague name.
Dressed in black he more than earned his nickname "Prince of Cats" given to him by the foppish Mercutio.
But moments later young Peter reappeared as the innocent Paris, potential suitor to Juliet and the transformation was effortlessly made.
And so it was throughout the story. Tomas Loftus, striking as the outspoken and rakish Mercutio, close friend of Romeo and the first to defend his chum's honour, later assumed the role of Romeo's father with less impact.
Romeo, David Degiorgio and Juliet, Kasia Halpin made believable young lovers, the former exuding petulance and the shallowness of youth while the latter displaying an innocence and child-like quality, although there were times when she needed a louder voice to compete with the background noise.
Greg Patmore brought weight and maturity to the role as patriarch Lord Capulet while Stephanie Willson made a likeable and garrulous nurse.
The company return this Saturday with Midsummer Night's Dream and my advice for anyone venturing out - ignore the blistering heat of the day and wrap up warmly in fleeces and woolly jumpers.
While the passion may be on the makeshift stage it gets pretty frosty sitting in the stalls.
Anne Cox, Leighton Buzzard Observer
Back to Romeo and Juliet and Merlin the Magician