Shakespeare Archives - North West End UK

The Tempest – Ivan Vazov National Theatre, Sofia, Bulgaria

26Nov

By Mark DavorenNo Comments

REVIEWS

The Tempest – Ivan Vazov National Theatre, Sofia, Bulgaria

The term legacy is often over used but the work of experimental theatre director Robert Wilson who sadly passed away earlier this year is rightfully celebrated with his production of Shakespeare's celebrated play that lends itself perfectly to his innovative exploration of time and space on stage. Opening to the travails of a ship at sea, we meet Prospero (Vesslin Mezekliev) and his daughter Miranda (Zhaklin Daskalova), and learn how 12 years ago his brother, with assistance from Naples, had usurped him as Duke of Milan. Put to sea in a rotten boat, they washed up on a distant island inhabited only by the son of a witch, Caliban (Yavor Valkanov), and a spirit, Ariel (Vasilena Vincenzo). Since then, Prospero has ruled the island and its two inhabitants using magic arts and having divined...

19Sep

By Mark DavorenNo Comments

North West

Romeo & Juliet – Everyman Theatre

I’m a long-time fan of director Ellie Hurt – all the way back to The B Collective days – and was looking forward eagerly to her return to Liverpool Everyman with her contemporary take on Shakespeare, but I left with a heavy heart after this production which whilst showing glimpses of her talent, felt undermined by other factors which were perhaps beyond her control. With the cast performing minor ensemble roles in the opening brawl scene, primary roles soon come to the fore as Capulet (Joe Alessi) counsels nephew Tybalt (Milo McCarthy) whilst drawing upon the wisdom of Nurse (Ebony Feare) to communicate with daughter Juliet (Alicia Forde), whilst Benvolio (Kelise Gordon-Harrison) and Mercutio (Elliot Broadfoot) seek out their lovesick cousin Romeo (Zoe West), with the Friar (Eithne Brow...

The Tempest – Immersion at Norton Priory & Gardens, Runcorn

25Aug

By Mark DavorenNo Comments

North West

The Tempest – Immersion at Norton Priory & Gardens, Runcorn

Often played as tragedy with revenge at its heart, director James Tobias has opted to play this adaptation of William Shakespeare’s The Tempest more for laughs which means that this tale of forgiveness, generosity, and enlightenment has more of a pantomime feel to it than the supernatural and mysterious. Opening to the travails of a ship at sea, we meet Prospero (Andrew Pearson-Wright) and his daughter Miranda (Katie Hamilton), and learn how 12 years ago his brother, with assistance from Naples, had usurped him as Duke of Milan. Put to sea in a rotten boat, they washed up on a distant island inhabited only by the son of a witch, Caliban (Lee Birnie), and a spirit, Ariel (Carlotte Balls). Since then, Prospero has ruled the island and its two inhabitants using magic arts and having di...

11Aug

By Danielle FarrowNo Comments

Scotland

Macbeth @ ZOO Southside

It isn’t really the done thing to start a review by simply quoting from the show’s blurb, but here it is - and why? Because The Barden Party absolutely delivers on what it promises: “A thrilling, saucy rendition of Shakespeare's classic tragedy, Macbeth… with a sassy, sexy bluegrass flair… transforming Macbeth into an unforgettable experience full of music, mischief and magic.” ( Read in full here: www.edfringe.com/tickets/whats-on/macbeth ) The Thane of Fife’s relationship with the throne of Scotland unfolds with all the glorious language, tension and moments of humour that makes “the Scottish play” so popular, augmented by song (something that previous centuries have also seen). Macbeth’s ambition is spurred along by her crown-focused husband and the Wyrd Brothers’ witchcraft - most p...

20Feb

By Olivia CoxNo Comments

London

Richard II – Bridge Theatre

London’s theatreland has welcomed its fair share of buzzy Shakespeare productions as of late, and now the Bridge Theatre has gotten in on the action with a production of Richard II starring Jonathan Bailey, whose rising stardom shot into the stratosphere after his leading role as Fiyero in the Wicked movie last year. But this is no stunt casting; with an Olivier award and two WhatsOnStage nominations in his back pocket, Bailey’s theatrical prowess is well renowned by this point, and it certainly never falters in Nicholas Hytner’s new production of the Shakespearean historical tragedy. Hytner’s production brings the action into a loosely modern context, but it doesn’t quite go down the Jamie Lloyd-ification route of black athleisure and barren sets. Instead, here we see traditiona...

Shakespeare’s Mothello and Other Parodies – theSpace on the Mile

23Aug

By Wendy McEwanNo Comments

Scotland

Shakespeare’s Mothello and Other Parodies – theSpace on the Mile

The stars of this hilarious show are sixth-formers from King Edward VI School in Stratford - otherwise known as Shakespeare’s School after its most famous alumnus. The performance, devised by the company, features a series of sketches reimagining Shakespeare’s characters in different situations. Conceited Lady Macbeth (Ella McGovern) is a hot-shot influencer, flogging makeup on You Tube with the assistance of the hapless Macbeth (Eilis Biden). Ophelia (Elizabeth Muldoon) celebrates her one-week dead anniversary, while Hamlet (Cameron Spruce) treats us to a hilarious rendition of his most famous monologue, accompanied by a creepy doll he stole from Macbeth. Romeo (Jay Ballinger) and Juliet (Esme Cornish) take off their rose-tinted glasses and fight about coffee on live TV. Mothell...

Shakespeare: But Just The Deaths – Shakespeare North Playhouse

29Jul

By Paul WilcoxNo Comments

North West

Shakespeare: But Just The Deaths – Shakespeare North Playhouse

The last time I saw Shakespeare performed by Cream Faced Loons, the company formed by Abey Bradbury in 2016, we sat wearing plastic ponchos as gallons of fake blood was thrown around during ‘Titus Andronicus’; the time before, the audience donned paper crowns and fought with wooden swords for ‘King John’. Now Bradbury brings her one woman show to Shakespeare North Playhouse with the intent of describing all the deaths (and gory bits) throughout the Bard’s canon in just under an hour. Spoiler alert - she succeeds - and does so in an accessible and humorous style that makes this show perfect family entertainment for a Saturday evening spent outdoors in the July sunshine. The Edinburgh Fringe roots of this fast paced production are clearly visible as we are taken on a whirlwind tour throug...

13Apr

By Caroline WorswickNo Comments

London

Player Kings – Noel Coward Theatre

If it were not for the promotion of this show, the title would hide the fact that the play came from Shakespeare’s quill. Incorporating both Henry IV Part One and Two, this adaptation faces the challenge of giving the audience a decent slice of the two plays, without losing the essence that makes each play special. It is a brave actor that takes on such a dialogue heavy role as Falstaff, with almost four hours of performance, but Sir Ian McKellen is a brave knight, and despite his eighty-four years, and his acknowledgement that this is a role that he has previously avoided, he is victorious in his joust with words. Adapted and directed by Robert Icke, there is a fresh breeze blowing through this history play. Gone is the chainmail, replaced with khaki fatigues and red berets...

10/400 – Celebrating The 400th Birthday of Shakespeare’s First Folio – The Library of Birmingham

5Sep

By Caroline WorswickNo Comments

NEWS

10/400 – Celebrating The 400th Birthday of Shakespeare’s First Folio – The Library of Birmingham

The Library of Birmingham was the setting, and the team behind the ‘Everything To Everybody’ project collaborated with bardic improvisers, The School of Night, and Shake It Up, to host a free for all event. Celebrating its 10th birthday, the Library of Birmingham played centre stage to bring together likeminded individuals to play homage to Shakespeare’s work, in the form of the First Folio. The ‘Everything to Everybody’ project is a partnership between the University of Birmingham and Birmingham City Council, and funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund, and History West Midlands; to engage the community of Birmingham with their own heritage, and to revive the world’s greatest Shakespeare Library which is housed in the Shakespeare Memorial Room within the Library of Birmingha...

6Aug

By Mark DavorenNo Comments

North West

The Comedy of Errors – Speke Hall

A Shakespearean comedy set around two rival states and two sets of mismatched twins is brought to life in this bright adaptation from Steve Purcell, who also directs, with its central theme of mistaken identity the perfect vehicle for Mark Hayward’s production to explore a number of popular theatre forms in this consistently funny farce that piles error upon error at an increasingly frantic pace. If the challenge of the doubling up of not one but two sets of twins whilst keeping the audience on-board as the only ones who know what is happening on stage wasn’t enough, throw in an open-air venue, forecasted bad weather, and plane disruption from the adjacent airport, and I had everything crossed for the much-reduced cast of four playing all of the roles. I needn’t have worried as with ...