Hats off to director, Nick Young and Rainbow Shakespeare, for enabling local audiences to see one of the Bard’s lesser performed works.
The play tells two stories – the love affair of the title characters and the ongoing Trojan War that questions honour and foolish pride. In order to ease recognition of the numerous characters a post, either side of the stage, lists their names under the respective headings of Greek or Trojan.
The complex storyline is delivered simply, without gimmicks and with great clarity. A strong cast provide excellent performances.
Newcomer Jessica Strawson delights as a spirited Cressida whilst Charlie Marsh’s Troilus develops from a coy wooer into a fearsome warrior.
Richard Kettles impresses as Pandarus, the bawdy go-between for the lovers, ever ready to look on as they spend their night together. Abigail Watton strongly defines her two contrasting parts – doom-laden Cassandra and Patroclus, man friend of Achilles. However a more masculine costume would have helped.
Young’s direction brings out plenty of laughs – principally from Peter Goode’s booming and oafish Ajax and from Lee Payne as the deformed and scurrilous slave, Thersites who also acts as commentator on the foibles of those around him. Payne makes a fine fool.
Four stars
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