‘Shakespeare in Love’ - Theater Mirror

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.

(Nile Hawver/Nile Scott Shots)

by Mike Hoban

‘Shakespeare in Love’ – Based on the screenplay by Marc Norman & Tom Stoppard; Adapted for the stage by Lee Hall; Directed by Scott Edmiston; Original Music/Music Direction/Sound Design by David Reiffel; Choreography/Movement by Judith Chaffee; Scenic Design by Jenna McFarland Lord; Costume Design by Rachel Padula-Shufelt; Lighting Design by Karen Perlow. Presented by Speakeasy Stage Company at the Calderwood Pavilion at the Boston Center for the Arts, 527 Tremont Street in Boston through February 10

You don’t have to know and/or love Shakespeare to be utterly charmed by Shakespeare in Love, the stage adaptation of the Academy Award-winning film now being given a spirited New England premiere by Speakeasy Stage. In fact, since this is a comedy about young Will Shakespeare rather than one by William Shakespeare, the laughter comes a lot more spontaneously than when one needs to run the jokes through the Olde English Google translator of the mind. But whether you’re a Shakespearean scholar or only know his work from the “Gilligan’s Island” episode where Harold Hecuba stages Hamlet, this production is a comic delight.

Tag: ‘Shakespeare in Love’

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