Brighton’s newest theatre got off to the perfect start with both the weather and the Globe Touring Company’s high-spirited production of Shakespeare’s tragedy.
Perhaps the most attractive aspect of the venue is its proximity to Dyke Road Park itself, so the external noises add to the atmosphere – particularly the bird song that accompanies the talk of larks and nightingales.
Dominic Drumgoole and Tim Hoare’s fast-moving production is high on humour. Susan Higgins’ feisty Scottish nurse stands out, as does Steffan Donnelly’s rather camp Mercutio, although hard to imagine his picking a fight with anyone, let alone a bellicose Tybalt.
Samuel Valentine and Cassie Layton as the star-crossed lovers have the right touch of adolescent angst. Layton, hesitating over the word “breast” seems almost frightened by her burgeoning desire.
However, there’s little sense of passion: the scene after the wedding suggest less a night of sexual passion and despair at separation but that sense of despair when it’s double maths first lesson up.
The cast works hard to cope with a bewildering variety of costume changes - those new to the play may find hard to work out what’s going on.
But there’s plenty here to captivate the audience and it’s a wonderful opening to an exciting new theatre.
Four stars
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