Last week I went to see Twelfth Night, performed by the Much Ado About Theatre Company. This was no ordinary performance, though, as this tour incorporates one of my other favourite summer activity areas: beer gardens. The venue for the evening I went along to was at the Boathouse in Farndon, just outside Newark. A typically English setting and view, for a very English play. We were seated in a circle/square on the edge of the patio, and the players played in the centre. At the start we were advised not to be on our best behaviour, make use of the bar, and to heckle the actors. Although I wasn’t keen on heckling or misbehaving, I did pop to the bar once or twice mid-performance. Just to see what it felt like.
I wasn’t sure what to expect from Twelfth Night, other than it being a comedy, but I had my beer and I watched with an open mind. Shakespeare can be hard to follow on the best of days if you’re not aware of his works, and this play is no exception. Women dressing as men and being mistaken for their twin brother by the women she is meant to be wooing for her master, who she secretly loves. Mistaken identity and prank letters, drunkenness and timid sword fights are all included, too.
Stellar performances from all the cast, but a few stole the show for me. The Comedy pairing of James Parnham as Sir Toby, a drunk and fun loving fellow, and Sylvia Robson as Andrew Aguecheek, who reminded me a bit of a very dopey Capt. Jack Sparrow. Nick Parvin’s Malvolio reminded me a bit of a panto baddy, and the way Cesario (Hannah Breedon) had to constantly evade the advances of Olivia (Emily Shilan) was amusing to watch.
The crowd certainly had a fun time, with one or two audience members taking up the opportunity to heckle, and the cast certainly gave as good as they got, and quickly. It was a charming evening and so different from the usual theatre experience. Would definitely recommend going along to see this whilst we still have these nice Summer eves.
For more information on upcoming shows visit www.muchadoabouttheatre.com
Review by Johnny Banks
