Friday 16 July 2010
Simon Callow Brings An Entertaining & Pretension Free Monologue On Shakespeare To Theatre Royal
I want to get to the point here, there's something missing from Shakespeare – The Man From Stratford, starring Simon Callow at Theatre Royal Brighton, but I just can't quite put my finger on what it is.
The idea is fine, make a lecture about Will S into a play or monologue, include some quotes and make sure it is funny, informative and entertaining, so it cannot be that.
The venue, as ever is great, Shakespeare is never better in our city than at the Theatre Royal so it cannot be that.
The actor, Simon Callow is one of my favourites, bringing his own brand of unique pomp and grandeur to each and every role he plays, so it cannot be that.
The set is a fascinating mix of high tech videos, used sparsely and to great effect, and props all linked in to the storyline. It is pleasing on the eye and not overdone, as is so often the case.
The storyline is well crafted, jumping from the story of the man himself to quotations from his most famous works (as well as the works of his contemporaries). It is as easy on the ear as it is informative, and well paced - so it cannot really be that either.
Oh! Well would you know it! I have just realised what is missing from this production. Yes! I have it at last...pretentiousness.
This is 'pretension free' production, full of honesty, ideas, interest and originality.
Simon Callow might have chosen to read this 'play' as a monologue, with himself as Shakespeare, and if he had I might have liked it more, but he did not and we can assume he had his reasons for this, so lets not debate something we cannot have.
Yet given the strength and quality of what we do have, it might be better to reflect on an ambitious mix of storytelling and quotation that had many members of the audience on their feet and very few people in the audience feeling unhappy with their night out at the theatre.
Surely Will S himself would approve of that.
Shakespeare – The Man From Stratford plays at Theatre Royal Brighton until Saturday 17th July and is well worth a visit. Click Here for more details.
by: Howard Young (Arts Editor)
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Simon Callow Is The Master Of The Monologue
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