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Youth Theatre Reviews |
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The Taming of the ShrewBy William Shakespeare When I reviewed Arden's Dream last year, I ended by saying "This is an exceptional group": this year's production of the Shrew strongly reinforces that opinion. I have seen many far worse professional, let alone youth theatre productions of Shakespeare over the years. And it is worth repeating that this youth theatre company operates entirely without any adult involvement of any kind: everything (acting, directing, admin, finding sponsorship) is done by the members (who range in age from 15 to 18) themselves. (See our article about the company) If there is one word which sums up this production for me, it is "intelligent". Both director Robert Icke and his cast have clearly thought deeply about and understood the play, not just in outline but down to the level of the text. If, as (very) occasionally happened, the diction was not 100% clear, it was of less concern than it might otherwise have been, for the meaning was implicit in the delivery, the voice and body language. Through this understanding they have found the humour in the play, not just of the laugh-out-loud kind but the more subtle wry, under-the-breath chuckle too. What particularly appealed to me was the sense of humour which underlay Nicola Jobson's Katharina's big speech in the last scene ("Fie, Fie..."), a speech which modern audiences find so difficult. There was a sparkle in Katharina's eyes and an exchange of secret grins with Petruchio that suggested that this was a set-up, that she was saying what she knew he wanted her to say but which neither really and truly believed. This was supported by the fact that this Petruchio was rather more thoughtful and considered in his "bullying" and was clearly educating her away from shrewishness rather than pushing her into subservience. At critical moments he exhibited a kind of teacherly delight at his pupil's growing understanding rather than the relish of the bully getting his own way, and we could see, too, how her understanding grew. Interesting, too, was the idea of playing Bianca (Rachel Scott) as something of a spoiled brat rather than the somewhat prissy goody-goody she is often portrayed as being. It made her rather shrewish response to Lucentio's request in the final scene the more believable. Director Icke, who also plays Petruchio, handles his cast well. With his associate directors Daniel Hill and David Kirkbride he has enabled them to understand the text and therefore their characters, and he moves them around the stage with an assuredness that belies his eighteen years. What is particularly appealing - and, to be honest, somewhat unsual in youth theatre - is the high standard of acting of all the company members, even in the smallest of parts. 17 year old Josh Mason, for example, has to be one of the best Hortensios I have ever seen and Daniel Hill, who made an excellent Bottom last year, was a real hit as Gremio, whilst Tom Reynolds (Lucentio) and Simon Cole (Tranio) made an excellent double act. The whole ensemble, indeed, was excellent. One can only hope that, when those who, like Robert Icke, are going off to university next month, return at the end of their first year (during which, I hope, they will maintain their commitment to theatre), they will get together for another Arden production. I'm sure the Arc and their audience will want them to!
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