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| Claire van der Boom and Michael Wahr - photo by Jeff Busby |
Based on the
screenplay by Marc Norman and Tom
Stoppard
Adapted for the stage
by Lee Hall
Directed by Simon
Phillips
Melbourne Theatre
Company
Canberra Theatre to
31 August
Reviewed by Len Power
23 August 2019
When all the elements come together so well in the theatre,
as it does in this production of ‘Shakespeare in Love’, it’s magic and not to
be missed.
Based on the screenplay by Tom Stoppard and Marc Norman of
the 1998 film of the same name, the play was adapted for the stage by Lee Hall
and first opened in London in 2014.
The story depicts an imaginary love affair between William
Shakespeare and a young woman, Viola, while Shakespeare is writing and
rehearsing the first production of what will ultimately become ‘Romeo and
Juliet’. Set against the chaotic theatre
scene of the Elizabethan period when only males could legally perform onstage,
the ingenious plot weaves a few facts with a lot of fiction to create a
believable world of the theatre of the time.
Recognizable quotes abound throughout the play as do
references to the plays of Christopher Marlowe and even Edmond Rostand. It’s all played with a modern day sensibility
that adds an extra layer of fun to the show.
The play has been given a sumptuous production with a
spectacular setting designed by Gabriela Tylesova. The set is a marvel of design, detailed in a
way that we rarely see these days. It’s
worth the price of a ticket just to see this in action. The complex lighting design by Matt Scott is
excellent.
The attention to detail by director, Simon Phillips, is
masterly. It’s played at a lively pace
and the depth of characterizations achieved by his large cast is especially
notable. He draws us very cleverly into
this world of theatre and makes us believe every moment.
The ensemble cast all give superb performances. In the most prominent roles, Michael Wahr as
Shakespeare and Claire van der Boom as Viola are excellent. Their comic timing is impeccable and their
romance is believable and ultimately quite moving. Deidre Rubinstein is suitably grand as well
as unexpectedly street-wise as Queen Elizabeth I. Luke Arnold is an attractively strong,
swash-buckling Kit Marlowe and Daniel Frederiksen is a nicely villainous Lord
Wessex.
The fine music by Paddy Cunneen adds to the atmosphere of
the period and is well-sung by the cast.
This Melbourne Theatre Company’s production of ‘Shakespeare
In Love’ is such a memorable experience that everyone who sees it will remember
it for a long, long time.
This review was first
published in the Canberra City News digital edition of 24 August 2019
Len Power’s reviews
are also broadcast on the Artsound FM 92.7 ‘In the Foyer’ program on Mondays
and Wednesdays at 3.30pm.