Twelfth Night @ the Northcott

Image Credits: exeternorthcott.co.uk

I recently went to see a production of William Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night at the Northcott Theatre on the 6th November. This production, created by the Filter Theatre Company and directed by Sean Holmes, has been widely praised as being one of the freshest Shakespeare productions of the last few years. These expectations were not unfulfilled, although I may not have seen enough recent productions of Shakespeare to make an informed judgement. I can, however, say with confidence that this production was successful in extracting a fair few laughs from the audience. Every element of the performance, from the music to the presentation of the characters, was flippantly entertaining.

Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night is a story about the madness of love and Filter have captured this very well in how they approach the play. Costumes and props were not the only tools used to emphasise this play’s comedic tone; the actors and actresses put in vast amounts of energy and spontaneity to deliver what was an extremely animated performance.

This was perhaps the main reason why I enjoyed watching it. The audience were kept on their toes, as the cast interacted with them from start to finish. I felt pulled in to the story, feeling the emotions of each character, which was only emphasised by the relatively intimate location. The performance was by no means isolated to the stage (and it is a shame when productions are); members of the cast ran up in to the audience on numerous occasions, further incorporating us in to the action. The audience were asked questions, our answers and responses in part having a direct impact on how the play panned out. I won’t give away exactly what happened, but if you go to see this play and get involved, you may just get a free shot of tequila or slice of pizza!

We were not expecting the level of adult humour. The play was very funny indeed, especially Malvolio’s transformation in the latter half of the play. Let’s just say, my friend and I didn’t know where to look, especially as we were sat in the second row…

Overall, this was a very dynamic performance. The company has a wide range of people working on their plays, ranging from musicians to designers, technicians to the actors themselves, who evidently work together to create exciting performances. I will be keeping an eye out for future Filter productions.

Lucy Forsey 

Twelfth Night is showing at the Northcott until 9th November. For tickets click here. 

'The Complete Works of Shakespeare' Review: To go or not to go?

Who would have thought it possible to transform the whole of Shakespeare’s work into one production! Condensing ‘8oz  every second’ of Shakespeare’s writing does not seem much of an exaggeration, as the famed ‘bad boys of abridgement’ fit all thirty seven of Shakespeare’s plays, into less than two hours of laughter packed theatre!

The ‘Reduced Theatre Company” began in California in 1981. Since then the company has become extremely successful. As London’s longest running comedy at Criterion theatre, ‘The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (abridged)’ certainly lives up to its high reputation.

Criterion Theatre, London
Photo Credits: Bianca Bueno

Racing through Shakespeare’s plays “The Reduced Theatre Company” reinterprets the wit and intelligence of Shakespeare for a modern day audience.  From the word go the company are full of energy, bounding and dancing across the stage and jumping from one play to the next.  Aiming to convert the ‘Shakespeare non believer’ the cast provides nonstop comedy throughout, encouraging high audience participation and laugh out loud humour.

This fast paced, energetic theatre retains momentum right up until the curtain closes and explores a range of theatrical techniques.  What better way to listen to the tale of Othello than through the exquisite medium of rap? What better way to hear the beautiful lyrics of Shakespeare’s epilogues than accompanied the ukulele? Or are you more the sporty type? Well look no further and get involved in a game of American football against all of Shakespeare’s Kings! The Reduced Theatre Company caters for all.

The cast are passionate about their performance, and subsequently the audience believes and enjoys their theatre.  However, amidst all the fun, the audience finds themselves learning too. The plays are effectively grouped, exploring their similarities and differences, but also consider how we study character, historical context and critical debates, such as plagiarism, surrounding Shakespeare.

The play cleverly appeals to the Shakespearian expert, adding modern twists, and fast paced comedy.  However, it also appeals to the complete Shakespeare novice, providing an engaging and exciting way to introduce and encourage people to get involved in Shakespeare.

 4 stars

Francesca De-Rosa

'Refreshingly traditional': Royal Shakespeare Company's As You Like It

Sophie Marston reviews the RSC’s performance of As You Like It on the 13th April.

Maria Aberg’s interpretation was refreshingly traditional, with modern twists well integrated into the script. However, sticking so closely to the script meant one or two scenes did have a tendency to slow the pace of the performance. Modern spins, such as a Rastafarian priest managed to keep things moving, there was only so much they could do to maintain audience interest. Thankfully, they used large amounts of wood used to create the set, which combined with large flames managed to keep me on the edge of my seat throughout some of the duller scenes.

Pippa Nixon as Rosalind and Alex Waldmann as Orlando in As You Like It.
Photo Credits: Keith Pattison

Nicolas Tennant’s portrayal of The Fool was one of the most impressive of the production; with an outstandingly hilarious ad lib stand up performance halfway through the second act. All actors played their parts spectacularly, putting personal spins on traditional characters. Pippa Nixon and Alex Waldmann gave stunning performances of Rosalind and Orlando, with their enthusiasm shining through in their portrayals.

Slightly disappointing though, was the set. It felt too minimalist, resulting in it lacking in atmosphere. There was a tendency for scenes to be acted out in corners of the stage, which made it difficult for large parts of the audience to see. Having more tickets than friends, I was able to swap seats after the interval and experienced similar issues on the other side of the theatre. While the costumes appeared to have come straight out of the window of All Saints, they did work well with the minimalistic set and dark forest. Music was particularly effective, and the slightly strange elements of modern dance added a dark and effective backdrop to scenes.

Image Credits: Keith Pattison

Overall, the production was good, thanks to a terrific performances by the cast. Though the Royal Shakespeare Company’s rendition of ‘As You Like It’ was not without it’s flaws, it is definitely one of the best Shakespeare productions I’ve seen.

4 stars

Sophie Marston 

The performance runs until the 28th September. Click here for more information. 

 

Four Books for the Apocalypse – Michael Morpurgo

In the first edition of our new online feature, we ask literary legend Michael Morpurgo what his Four Books for the Apocalypse would be…

When Exeposé writers Emily Lunn and Tom Bond recently interviewed Michael Morpurgo they asked him:

If it was the end of the world and you were in a bookshop with the time to read any four books of your choice, what would they be?

And he responded:

Oh crikey. There’s a wonderful book called The Man Who Planted Trees by Jean Giono. It’s very short and it’s a story of a student who was walking in the hillside of Provence, meeting up with an old shepherd. It’s a very strange story about this very violent man, the shepherd and how this man makes a forest out of an arid hillside – it’s one of the most important books. I would say certainly you’d have to take the plays of Shakespeare along with the sonnets because you can go on reading them all your life and you wouldn’t understand the half of it. That’s important so that you can constantly be stretching yourself. Then, there’s a very beautiful novella by Paul Gallico called The Snow Goose, which is about an old recluse, living on the East coast of England and a young girl and the saving of a snow goose that is crippled. It is a very very beautiful story. Then I suppose you’d have to take a book of poetry, maybe The Rattlebag by Seamus Heaney and Ted Hughes, an extraordinary collection of the great poems and you’d never tire of reading them.

Don’t forget to look out for the full edition of Michael’s interview in the next issue of Exepose!

"All Hearts In Love Use Their Own Tongues": Your favourite literary love-stories

In the spirit of all things romantic, Exeposé Books asked you, our loving and loyal readers, who is your all-time favourite literary couple. From Shakespeare to Rowling, McEwan to Bronte, there is certainly plenty of romance to be read. We’ve lovingly selected our favourite submissions to bring you Exeposé Book’s favourite literary love stories…

Jane Eyre and Edward Rochester (Jane Eyre, Charlotte Bronte) – Charlotte Broadbent

“It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune must be in want of a wife.”
166 years on, Jane Eyre and Edward Rochester’s romance is one which overcomes all obstacles, transcending social boundaries, centuries and generations.  Ultimately, it is Eyre’s independence and strength, culminating in her refusal to live with Rochester out of wedlock in order to uphold her personal values, which secures Rochester’s respect as well as his love.  A romance of mutual reverence, Eyre and Rochester are a literary couple which have stood the test of time.  Eyre simultaneously follows her heart and uses her head, refusing to marry St. John but gracefully offering to travel with him to India as his sister.  She maintains a strong sense of her identity in the face of her turbulent love story with Rochester.  It is this mutually respectful, supportive relationship which should be aspired to, the reason that Eyre and Rochester are a duo who should be eternally appreciated.

Beatrice and Benedick (Much Ado About Nothing, William Shakespeare) – Freya Godfrey

Beatrice and Benedick are my favourite literary couple because, for me, they are one of Shakespeare’s most realistic pairings. The other young lovers in ‘Much Ado About Nothing’; Claudio and Hero, appear to be attracted to each other on only a physical level. Beatrice and Benedick make a refreshing change from the stereotypical “love at first sight”, slushy pairings offered to readers by so many writers because they are witty and unafraid to banter between themselves. The two may argue untiringly, but this is part of the “merry war” (I.i) that demonstrates their level ground intellectually: theirs is a ‘marriage of true minds’ (Sonnet 116) rather than of good looks. The pair are in love with one another, warts and all: “I do loving nothing so well in the world as you. Is that not strange?” (IV.i)

Daisy and Gatsby (The Great Gatsby, F Scott Fitzgerald) – Lucy Porter

Through the wasteland of the spoilt American dream, my favourite literary couple of all time is Daisy and Gatsby. For me, their unattained love is more tragic than that of Romeo and Juliet; ultimately killed by Tom’s raging jealousy, Gatsby is alone in death as Daisy lives on without him. Did she ever love him? Did she stay with Tom because of her social and financial dependence on him? Or is she just as much of a fool as she hoped her little girl would be? Whatever your interpretation, Fitzgerald’s beautiful poetry brings this story alive.

Edward and Florence (On Chesil Beach, Ian McEwan) – Bethany Stuart

Set in 1962, the reader is dropped into the painfully awkward wedding night of newlyweds Edward and Florence – “they lived in a time when a conversation about sexual difficulties was plainly impossible” (3). Edward is from a somewhat more rugged background than the talented and impeccably groomed Florence; but, as is the case of so many boy-meets-girl love stories, they fall in love with each other’s differences, curious of the world they’ve been invited into. Undoubtedly my favourite literary couple for their hopelessly realistic fate, exemplifying a time when lovers were mutually naïve, their innocence is wonderfully refreshing in contrast to the 21st century’s brash explicitness on matters of sex. Unfortunately, as with so many literary couples, it all goes to pot rather quickly and they go their separate ways. However, their fleeting experience together is achingly personal and is perhaps all the more romantic for its brief span as neither one characters forgets their romantic encounter.

Ron and Hermione (Harry Potter, J K Rowling) – Sophie Hill

The idea of ‘love at first sight’ has always been the professed epitome of true feeling, yet the slow burning affection between Ron and Hermione is far more fulfilling. Fortunately, they do not represent the archetypal notion of the perfect romantic couple; instead, somewhat ironically, their love is far more realistic. They may be fictional characters in a magical novel, but their idea of love is one that everyone can relate to.
The pair act out the classic case of ‘opposites-attract’: friends who possess a certain feverish combative attraction. Ron and Hermione ‘will always bicker’ and ‘there will always be rough edges there, but[…]each has something the other needs’*. As everyone knows, bickering is often a sign of suppressed feelings, feelings that will inevitably come bursting out. These petty arguments are crackling with romantic energy, which finally (thank goodness) culminate in an all-consuming fiery love. This love has its roots in friendship and they provide fuel for the dream of falling in love with your best friend. In addition to that, they give hope to gingers everywhere, that they too, can find that special somebody.

 * quote taken from Crushable

Ed. by Georgina Holland – Exeposé Online Books Editor

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A Tennant top-up!

Image credit: Todd Williamson/AP

Highly successful actor David Tennant is set to star as Richard II in the Royal Shakespeare Company’s production of Richard II, this October, to be directed by Gregory Doran. Tennant previously worked with the Royal Shakespeare Company on their critically acclaimed production of Hamlet.

Those who enjoy Shakespearean drama will likely find this prospect thrilling since not only is Tennant a talented actor but the character of Richard is mysterious, complex and, above all, dynamic. Recently, Ben Whishaw captivated in his portrayal of Richard in The Hollow Crown recently aired on BBC, but Tennant’s substantial fan base is will mean a considerable demand for this latest portrayal of the doomed king.

Doran stated that he was “delighted” at the prospect of Tennant starring in his new production, while also welcoming Oliver Ford Davies. The play will occur in Stratford-upon-Avon from 10 October to 16 November, before transferring to the Barbican Centre in London, from 9 December to 25 January 2014.

Other exciting news has seen David Tennant starring as the lead role in the production Spies of Warsaw, alongside Janet Montgomery (Black Swan) who will play Anna. This new series has received critical acclaim with Christopher Howse of the Telegraph praising its “sense of reality”.

On a different note, ITV has confirmed that Tennant will star in its drama Broadchurch, a new eight-part series which is to be penned by – incidentally – Doctor Who writer Chris Chibnall. Tennant will play DI Alec Hardy, a newly promoted police detective who comes to Broadchurch following a young boy’s death. However, resident in Broadchurch DS Ellie Miller (Olivia Colman, Tyrannosaur) struggles through a professional relationship with Hardy, despite her annoyance because of her belief that the case rightly belonged to her. Chibnall describes this new series as “a story of scale and intimacy, as the lives of the characters are laid bare”.

From king to spy to police detective, these next few months will definitely be exciting times for Tennant and his legion of fans.

Conor Byrne

A Midsummer Night's Dream enchants the Northcott

Grace Mcgeehan gives her views on the Northcott’s current show, A Midsummer’s Night Dream. It runs until the 2nd of February.

A Midsummer Night’s Dream has a cast of eight extremely talented actors who have performed at Edinburgh Fringe Festival and Almeida Festival. The show arrives in Exeter having already received excellent reviews; it has been celebrated as a “quality production,” and a “bold and brilliant achievement.”

I completely agree with these reviews – the group captured Shakespeare’s play with infectious enthusiasm. It was an enthralling performance that I definitely recommend to everyone.

Photo by Exeter Northcott

The show began with the actors playing a group of modern day students in the setting of a classroom detention. The extreme contrast from this to the elaborate Midsummer Woods, where they became lovers, princes and fairies, was captivating. The actors’ versatility, and ability to adapt into different roles so quickly and easily was particularly impressive.

I was swept off my feet – the play was performed at a fast pace, but was easy to keep up with due to its entrancing nature. It was energetic and creative, and although they opted to use the original script for their production, they kept it fresh.

The comedy factor was first class, and the actors dealt well with the uncontrollable laughter, leaving gaps to make sure every single word was heard.

Photo by Exeter Northcott

The set used by the production group was simple, yet effective. Each actor utilized the set and incorporated it into their performance. It meant they exhibited their excellent body language and movement around the stage, something that came across as very natural and easy to the audience. The costumes were also minimal, but perfect for each role.

It was overall an impressive, striking and enchanting performance.

5 Stars.