Reviewed by Tony Annicone
Burbage Theatre Company’s first show of their season is the adaptation of the 1998 Academy Award winning romantic comedy “Shakespeare in Love.” It comes to the stage, complete with sword fights, secret trysts, and backstage drama. Young playwright Will Shakespeare is short on inspiration until he encounters the beguiling Viola, and their star crossed love inspires a masterpiece. Will has writer’s block with his current play he’s working on “Romeo and Ethel, the Pirate’s Daughter” which is a half ass mess. “Shall I compare to thee to a something, something, is the problem Will is facing. His patrons want comedy but Will wants more but can’t figure what that could be. Then he meets Viola, a smart beauty who loves his work and lights his creative flame. But Viola has a secret, and “Romeo” is turning out be anything but a laugh fest. Filled with action packed adventure, fiery romance, and wit, get ready to fall head over heels in love with this lush, lavish and lusty production that celebrates the power of live theatre. Jeff Church directs this Lee Hall adaptation of the Academy Award winning screenplay and comes up a winner with his huge 19 member cast.
Jeff not only directs this show but plays the part of Marlowe, too. He blocks the show wonderfully utilizing every part of the theatre while doing so. The producers, the men with the money have power over the performers to do their bidding. In this show we learn things were the very same back in 1593. The script is unsatisfactory to the powers that be and must be rewritten. The egos are out of control at times and of course, there is always a mishap or two to keep you on your toes. The Queen and actors have been complaining about another Italian setting for Will’s play, however Christopher Marlowe seems to help him overcome his writer’s block. Viola meets Will while disguised as a man and following her true passion of being a performer which was unheard of back then. She yearns to be free of her wealthy class position but it might not be as easy as she might think it to be. Her father wants her to marry the loathsome Wessex who wants her money to move to Virginia to save his tobacco fields. Dillon Medina and Alison Russo shine in these leading roles of Will and Viola. They deliver nuanced performances that rivet you to your seats. Dillon plays the brooding Shakespeare who is unable to write the way he wants to. He does a great job in both comic and dramatic moments. He’s especially funny disguised as Viola’s chaperone. Alison is fabulous actress and is a hoot as Romeo in the early goings on. Later on she becomes unmasked as a woman to become the muse of Will as she ignites his flame to continue writing the way he wants to at last. Their love making scene is beautifully done.
Jeff does double duty in this show by also portraying Marlowe. He helps the fledgling writer to get his footing in show business back then. No matter the role he is given, Jeff always delivers the goods while inhabiting the role thoroughly. Jeff recently won the Motif best actor award for “As You Like It” earlier this year. The loan shark Fennyman is flattered to be offered a small role in Will’s show as the apothecary and thereafter becomes infatuated with performing. Andrew Stigler plays the role to the hilt as one of the producers who continually threatens Henslowe to perform his play so he can get back his money. The once easy going Lord Chamberlain Tilney descends into being a malcontent as the show progresses, shutting down Henslowe’s theater for lewd behavior. He becomes Malvolio complete with yellow tights. Aaron Blanck is a brilliant comic actor and this is another feather in his cap. His wild and crazy antics are hilarious.
The original title of “Romeo and Ethel” is transformed in to the title we all know and we witness them performing bits and pieces of “Romeo and Juliet” especially dramatic is the death scene. James Lucey plays the unlikable Wessex who stands in the way of Will and Viola’s happiness. James does a wonderful job as this chauvinistic cad. Will Wessex win the day or will Shakespeare get the gal even though he’s already married? Wessex is the villain of the show threatening people and stabbing someone to death. Roger Lemelin as Henslowe wants Will to continue the comic routines in the scripts and include a pirate ship in it. Just give them “Love and a bit with a dog” to keep them happy. Roger wins many laughs in this role. Rae Mancini as Queen Elizabeth I enters the scene wins laughs early on with her haughty behavior, later on reveals to Wessex that Viola has made love with another and near the end of the show saves Will from a terrible fate as well as rescuing Viola at the same time. The Queen demands a comedy be written for “Twelfth Night” and he proceeds to do so as the show ends.So for a bawdy and naughty comedy that will leave you laughing and enjoying Shakespeare for a modern age, be sure to catch “Shakespeare in Love” at Burbage Theatre. The gorgeous Elizabethan costumes are by Morgan Clark and are stunning to behold.
SHAKESPEARE IN LOVE (24 August to 16 September)
Burbage Theatre Company, 249 Roosevelt Avenue, Pawtucket, RI
1(401)484-0355 or www.burbagetheatrecompany.org
