Review: Two Gentlemen of Verona - Debut Nationwide Tour Triumph

Review: Two Gentlemen Of Verona – Shakespeare at the Tobacco Factory (Bristol) – Theatre Royal, Winchester 11 June 2013 (Opening Night) ****4/5

Two Gentlemen of Verona is widely regarded as being William Shakespeare’s first play. Perhaps it’s not his strongest, as he was laying the groundwork for other work - but that’s no reason not to produce it.

This was a good production too, with fine acting, singing, direction, expressions and moments of fun which only added to the story.

 

I particularly enjoyed the performances of Jack Bannell and Piers Wehner who play Valentine and Proteus (above - Pic: Farrows Creative) and of Dorothea Myer-Bennett, a delightful Julia.

As for the story – well it’s a tale that seems familiar of boy-meets-girl but who may actually be in love with someone else; of love found, lost then found again.

But it also has a dark side at the end; it’s also a tale of the extraordinary bond that exists between friends, although that bond may be stretched to its limit. How can a friend forgive and forget, no matter how bad the crime was going to be? 

The production was polished and the actors well-dressed; an elegant style of early 20th century costume.

The musicians were fine too and even drew enthusiastic applause as they played before the play had actually started and when the audience was still coming in.

There was a moment when I thought the entire company would be upstaged by the dog who features in much of the play. But I dare say that you’ll have to go a long way to meet an animal who is so well-behaved and seems to know the play off by heart, Well done Lollio.

This is the SATTF’s first nationwide tour, and it was a welcome visit to Winchester by a very talented company.

The Tobacco Factory has been urged to get out and tour; as the Bristol Old Vic’s Emma Stenning put it: “Given the paucity of such work at this scale on the touring circuit, it’s insane that it’s only Bristol audiences who get to see it.”

All credit to Artistic Director Andrew Hilton.

Let’s hope they come back with one of the ‘biggies’ once word gets round Winchester just how good they are.