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Allison McKenzie as
Hippolyta, Chris Jack as Pirithous, Gyuri Sarossy as Theseus and Frances
McNamee as Emilia. Pictures: Donald Cooper The Two Noble Kinsmen
The Royal Shakespeare Company
The Swan Theatre, Stratford-Upon-Avon
**** IN A rarely performed play penned by
Shakespeare and John Fletcher, Blanche McIntyre’s production of The
Two Noble Kinsmen shows the unbreakable relationship between two
cousins thwarted by the love for a princess. With a setting that stays true to the ancient
Greek backdrop which Shakespeare and Fletcher intended, McIntyre
breathes new life into the tragi-comedy to make a memorable production
with flares of modernity. Arcite and Palamon are Theban soldiers and have
an inseparable relationship. They are still close when they are captured
by Theseus, king of Athens. When they lay eyes on Theseus’ sister in
law, Emilia, they both instantly fall in love with her. This is the catalyst that begins the downfall of
their unbreakable kindred. The mutual lust for Emilia means that only
one may have her and will not think twice about fighting to the death
for her. Of course, some
audience members would have already been introd Allison McKenzie’s Hippolyta is a force to be
reckoned with, topped off with a smooth Scottish drawl. She is equal to
her husband and is always the voice of reason, speaking against power
hungry Theseus. Her pairing with Gyuri Sarossy’s Theseus is a beautiful
match, as they add a terrific ruling layer over a manic kingdom and
dysfunctional household.
McIntyre’s production oozes sexuality. The
roaring lust from each cousin’s infatuation for Emilia is brilliantly
played up by Jamie Wilkes as Arcite and James Corrigan as Palamon. Both
make for a funny double act in a scene where they argue over ‘who saw
her first’ and their rivalry never dies down, even when Palamon is
chained in shackles. Their on-stage relationship has a wonderful
charm, played beautifully by the outstanding actors. In Emilia herself,
when it comes to choosing who to take as a husband out of the two, she
has a hard time comparing their manly qualities. The concept of human
jealousy definitely speaks to the modern audience and pushes the
boundaries of love with the idea of sacrificing a lifelong family bond,
for mere personal gain. Anna Fleischile’s design is interesting and
unlocks the imagination. Greek architectural connotations are seen
within the predominately open plan stage, which the company are left to
fill quite splendidly. The grey stone and high metal walls are a
versatile addition to the setting. They are used within jail scenes,
parties at court and outdoor spying - perfect for dramatic irony. The simple, yet highly effective set does not
look out of place amongst the ever changing scenes and adds to the
playful plot. Fleischile’s costume design was also particularly
interesting. We saw a highly stylised dress, with leather materials of
gold and deep brown. It is definitely not authentic to the apparent
setting, but did not look entirely out of place either. It worked
effortlessly. It was as if the characters were a separate entity
altogether, regardless of time and place. The Jailer, played by the
impressive Paul McEwan, for example, was clothed in a smart modern suit,
much like a business man. However, those at court and indeed the
warriors blended into a delectable world of luxury glitter and leather.
Perhaps these majestic materials were but a reflection of how frail the
loss of trinkets and indulgence can be. It is a shame that
The Two Noble Kinsmen
is a lesser performed
Shakespeare and Fletcher also highlight the importance of womanhood within the play that holds strong themes of chivalry. The playwrights pay respect to women consumed by love, particularly within the character of the Jailer’s Daughter, played by Danusia Samal. She is driven mad by the love that goes unrequited for Palamon and takes a wonderful command of the stage with her lamentations and longing for love, until she is taken by insanity. Danusia Samal as the Jailer’s Daughter. Frances McNamee’s Emilia is also a treat. With a
forever strong presence, Emilia does not let the ruling of her brother
in law steal away her womanly independence. McNamee is fantastic on
stage and encapsulates the conflicted woman with great ease. McIntyre lays out an entertaining production,
filled with fun and light. She allows the audience to enjoy the fun and
cheekiness of Arcite and Palamon, and the entertainment of court. Just
when we forget that this is indeed a tragi-comedy, McIntyre presents the
heart-wrenching moments at the perfect time. With well-rounded
characters and an understandable plot, She shows us the pressures and
worldly matters of all-consuming love. To 07-02-17. Elizabeth Halpin 29-08-16
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uced
to Theseus and Hippolyta and may remember the regal characters from
play
of the Elizabethan era. McIntyre gives the strong feeling that in true
Shakespearean style, there is always the presiding question that regards
the world around us, ultimately, to do what is right for the ones we
love with the audience seeing the consequences of personal ambition and
the dangers of lust.