Twelfth Night

Comedy at the Courtyard

John Lithgow (Malvolio).

Shakespeare's "Twelfth Night" is playing until 6th October at the Courtyard Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon. It is a rollicking romp of cross-dressing, confusion, fun and laughter.

The RSC always puts a new slant on old favourites and this production is no exception. There are a few surprises in store for the audience.

The atmosphere of smart sophistication in the opening scene, and the gentlemen in "white tie" evening elegance, puts us into the late Victorian or Edwardian era. Duke Orsino (played by "Waterloo Road's" Jason Merrells) is also wearing a brocade smoking jacket. Feste, the clown, is providing the entertainment seated at a grand piano. James Clyde handles this part with aplomb and proves to have a good singing voice as well.

Iain McKee (Sebastian) and Chris New (Viola).

Chris New is very convincing in the role of Viola and looks so like Iain McKee, portraying the twin brother Sebastian, that the confusion and comedy involving these two is enhanced.

Olivia's household is alive with merriment and mischief, of course, on the part of Maria and her partners in crime, Sir Toby Belch, Andrew Aquecheek and Fabian.

John Lithgow gives a simply brilliant performance as Malvolio. He will be remembered by many as the father in 3rd Rock from the Sun. LAMDA trained, this gifted actor has won many awards in America, including three Emmies. Treat yourself to Twelfth Night - you deserve it!

Photographer:
Hugo Glendinning

RSC Summer School - "Simply Brilliant!"

The Dirty Duck - popular spot after the theatre.

Fifteen years ago Antje Reichert visited Stratford-upon-Avon for just one day and fell in love with this beautiful little town where Shakespeare was born. Since the she has been returning at least once every year.

She says she "caught the Shakespeare bug" and nothing can stop her. As soon as she receives the latest theatre schedule from the RSC she makes her plans and bookings.

For the last ten years she has also been a regular at the RSC Summer School which is held every August at the Shakespeare Institute, in collaboration with the University of Birmingham. This is what she has to say:

"Ten years ago I started attending The RSC Summer School which is simply brilliant. You meet up with people from all over Britain and other parts of the world who are as keen on Shakespeare and the theatre as you are. For a week you have lectures by scholars and sessions with actors , directors or other creative people from The RSC, who talk about their work. It is all fascinating and very enlightening.

"The highlight of the day is to see a play at The RST in the evening. I've seen lots of plays over the years and enjoyed most of them. The perfect end to such an evening in Stratford is to have a nice drink at The Dirty Duck, after the theatre. You can spot some of the actors there; and can discuss the show you've just seen, with your friends. Life without trips to Stratford-upon-Avon? Can't imagine it!"

"The Penelopiad"

The RSC

in association with Canada's National Arts Centre

present

'THE PENELOPIAD'

Penny Downie as the dead Penelope

My son & I went to see "The Penelopiad" at the Swan theatre last tuesday. This is a show witha difference: it is dramatised story-telling and the players are all women.

Based on the events of Homer's "Odyssey", the tale is narrated by Penelope, the wife of Odysseus. Penny Dowhie handles this part with unflagging energy and her delivery is perfect.

A chorus of twelve maids add another dimension to the story. These women also play other roles including some of the rapacious men who are competing for Penelope's affections and abusing the maids. We were amazed at how convincing the women are when they portray male characters.

All the various skills of dramatic art are used to good effect in this innovative production. Penelope's narrative anchors the story, linked up by dialogue between characters, while mime and movement sweeps the action along into the different scenes aided by music and special effects of sound and lighting. We are transported onto the high seas when Odysseus sails to Troy; or into Penelope's bedroom where the maids form themselves into a lofty bed for the birth of her baby son.

We see the boy grow from infancy, through surly adolesence to assertive manhood. The epic story unfolds and reaches a crescendo of violence when Odysseus returns. The touching tableau at the end, when the maids meet their fate, is heart-wringing in its very stillness.

What's on at the Swan?

Margaret Atwood

Have you noticed the tremendous interest there is these days in 'family trees' and the researching of ancestoral history?

Everybody's doing it!There has also been an upsurge of interest in the history of mythology which is, after all, the history of the whole human family.

A number of writers are refashioning myths to give the old classical tales a contemporary tone and show them in a refreshingly and bright new light. Margaret Atwood is one of these authors and now she adapted her witty novel "The Penelopiad" for the stage. The world premier of this play is running at the Swan Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon until 18 August 2007.

The story is based mainly on Homer's Odyssey and that wily old warrior, Odysseus, who was the hero of the Trojan war. Penelope was his long-suffering and steadfast wife. Her cousin was the beautiful Helen of Troy who was the root cause of the war.

The new slant given to the tale is that it is told by Penelope and a chorus of her favourite maids. Poor Penelope had to wait patiently, for twenty years, for her husband to return from all his epic adventures. She had to maintain his kingdom, bring up their wayward son and keep at bay one hundred greedy and lustful suitors!

It promises to be good theatre. Don't 'myth' it!