Well here we are, midway through the month of October, and I still have shows to write about at the Stratford Shakespeare Festival this season. I didn't get to all the shows this year; time constraints prevented me from attending the Studio Theatre productions this year, but all of the mainstage productions I attended over the course of the season. My final two reviews close out the Stratford Experience for this season...
Romeo and Juliet (Festival Theatre to November 8) ***
This is a stylish and interesting interpretation of Shakespeare's classic story by Festival Artistic Director Des McAnuff, although it is a little unnerving at first. I say that if, like me, you are not a fan of modern dress Shakespeare. But wait, as what at first appears to be Romeo and Juliet meets The Sopranos, with slick street clothes and knives and pistols brandished on stage by good-looking young punks, is quickly transformed in the first act into period dress for what you might call the "meat" of the play. As the final scene in Juliet's crypt unfolds, we find the main characters again donning modern dress; as I say, it is all a little unnerving until you realize what McAnuff is doing here: driving home the theme of timelessness of the story. The hatred, bigotry and sensless violence knows no bounds or time period, and here, in modern dress the characters actually look like some people we might know from the evening news.
The cast is very strong here, with Gareth Potter as a bit of a cutie as Romeo; Gordon S. Miller as Benvolio; Lucy Peacock a standout in another smaller role as Juliet's nurse; and Evan Buliung as a mercurial Mercutio. But dominating over all is Peter Donaldson as Friar Laurence; a role usually relegated to the background takes centre-stage here with Donaldson's commanding stage presence. The only weak link I found was Nikki M. James as Juliet who was, well, rather weak I thought. I still remember Seana McKenna's wonderful Juliet of a few seasons back; in spite of the fact she has not seen 16 years of age for ages, McKenna made you forget that fact in her portrayal. Still, James grows into the role as the play proceeds and she does display a fair amount of sweetness and innocence needed to pull off the role of Juliet. So, is this the best Romeo and Juliet I've seen? No, no it isn't. But it is a darn fine production, and a very thoughtful interpretation.
Caesar and Cleopatra (Festival Theatre to November 8) ****
I've really left the best one for last this season, both for attending and reviewing. This is the George Bernard Shaw interpretation of the story, and it seems rather odd watching a Shaw play at the Stratford Festival! That being said, this is one spectacular show, with jaw-dropping costumes and minimal yet impressive sets. At intermission, you can't help but marvel at how quickly the first act sped by, due in no small part to the number of laughs offered in the first act. The second act is less humourous, of course, but still possessing wonderful comic moments. It takes a skilled cast and director to pull all this off, and here, director Des McAnuff is driving a Rolls Royce cast led by Christopher Plummer as Caesar. He is funny almost to a fault; a genial, elderly looking Caesar who is still agile on his feet and possessing a kind heart. He is paired with Nikki M. James as Cleopatra, and as was the case with Romeo and Juliet, she appears a little shrill at first before growing into the role as the play progresses. Other cast members worthy of mention are Steven Sutcliffe as Britannus, Caesar's secretary, and Gordon S. Miller as a surprisingly strong Apollodorus, an artist. Some of the best moments on stage come when Plummer shares the stage with Peter Donaldson as Rufio, Caesar's chief officer. The two of them together - what a team! Honourable mentions go to Brian Tree as the Blind Musician and Diane D'Aquila as a campy Ftatateeta, nurse to Cleopatra. If you can find the time between now and November 8th to make it to Stratford, beg, borrow or steal to get a ticket to this show, as you never know when the opportunity to see Plummer live onstage will come again. It's a gem of a show!
October 15th, 2008.
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