Antonio’s Revenge – C ARTS, C-Alto studio

Antonio’s revenge starts as it means to end with plenty of bloodshed and murder. Bad guy Piero Sforza has murdered Andrugio and Feliche junior with plans to marry Andrugio’s wife and gain more power in the process but first he must take care of Andrugio’s son/ his soon to be son in law Antonio. In this Elizabethan play written by John Marston one can expect:  violence, sex, revenge and some very impressive acting.

The text as one can expect is like Shakespeare’s: hard to follow through word alone but the performance is so well acted and directed that these actors could be merely speaking the language of the Swedish Chef, and we would still have a clear idea as to what is going on. It’s fast paced and within the first few moments of the play we have our first death by poison and brutal stabbing (word to the wise think twice about wearing white if you’re going to be sat on the front row). From there on out we will see plots, schemes, seduction and plenty more death, even Hamlet may seem tame in comparison to this story.

The whole cast work well together, with great skill and comedic value. Courtney Basset is a force to be reckoned with playing our big bad villain Piero. They command the stage and instantly become a character that you love to hate, they are fun and a real scene stealer. Amy Beth Waterston plays Maria with such power and control yet changes easily to the much more helpless Melinda, it’s hard to tell at times that it is even the same actress playing both roles. Alex Medland makes for the perfect comedic relief embodying the doting servant and young Julio with such fantastic energy and pace. Caden Smith also works well in the comedy roles but his moral conflict surrounding his son’s death as Pandulpho was compelling and hard felt. Finally, our title role Antonio is played skilfully by Juliet Gentle whose descent into the madness and blood thirst takes Antonio from the romantic wide eyed boy into the blood thirsty vigilante.

Overall, this is a very solid show and cast, extremely dark and definitely not one to bring the children to, I’d heavily question the 12 + guideline. No effort is spared in this blood-filled story of revenge.

Antonio’s Revenge plays at C ARTS C-Alto alternating nights until 24^th August 22:30.

Buy Tickets at: Antonio’s Revenge | Theatre | Edinburgh Festival Fringe (edfringe.com)

Reviewer: Beth Eltringham

Reviewed: 14^th August 2024

North West End UK Rating: