Review: THE TWO GENTLEMEN OF VERONA at Shakespeare By The Bow

Shakespeare by the Bow has been a staple of Calgary summer theatre for the past seven years and yet, regrettably, this was my first year walking through Prince's Island Park to attend Theatre Calgary's seminal programing.

This year's production of Two Gentlemen of Verona is not a play I'm as familiar with so, armed with nothing but a pair of sunglasses and a folding seat cushion, I made my way downtown for what would be 90 minutes of summer fun.

The reduced version of Shakespeare's early work, adapted by Jenna Turk and director Dean Paul Gibson, tells the story of Proteous and Valentine, two friends in love who struggle to keep that love for various reasons: Proteous, who suddenly falls out of love with his betrothed Julia and attempts to woo the fair Silvia; and Valentine, who nearly loses his darling Silvia despite their mutual affection. The women in the story more or less make their own destiny, defying family - and logic - to pursue their loves until both couples find a sort of happy ending (though it should be noted that this production featured an alternate ending in which Julia and Silvia both join the outlaws rather than accepting Valentine's forgiveness of Proteous). Under a bright 1980's background, this cast of twelve (plus two very well-behaved dogs) use the original text to bring to life a story of lust and betrayal, adventure and hijinks, friendship and love.

The main appeal for me in a production that requires a specific interpretation (such as Shakespeare) is not an actor's understanding of the text, but their relatability; the ability of the actors and the entire production to present a script in a way that doesn't require translation. Can their tone and actions tell a story that isn't necessarily understood with words? I think pulling Two Gentlemen forward in time to the 1980s provided an anchor point for an audience that is literally walking in off the street, seeking entertainment. I really enjoyed hearing the audience reactions to Julia walking down the aisle carrying a boombox over her head, or a group of bandits wielding chainsaws and bladed electric guitars. Even if you came in with no prior knowledge of the text, you found yourself drawn in through familiarity.

Our four leads, comprised of Bryson Weise as Proteous, Justin Lanouette as Valentine, Shannon Murphy as Julia, and Nina Solberg as Silvia, had a fairly tight chemistry between them. Weise and Lanouette, certainly portrayed a sense of brotherly love that endured to the last line, but I found the women to have rushed relationships. While I understand that an abridged interpretation leaves little time for true character introductions, I thought Murphy's Julia was too demure and surface in conveying large amounts of information, that I never truly got to know her inner desires. I found my eye wandering to her companion Lucetta (played by Emily Howard) who kept a youthful energy whenever she stepped on stage. With Solberg's interpretation of Silvia, I thought she was charming and confident; it doesn't hurt that I enjoy the character of Silvia, but I think there was an endearing quality to her sass and wit that comes from the actress herself.

I make no secret that I dislike the character of Proteous, but Weise's presentation led me to believe that he had a strong comprehension of this man. He clearly understood Proteous and bought into the character's beliefs, which made it all the easier to participate in the story we were watching. I especially loved the interactions between Valentine and Silvia. Countering Solbergs's cool attitude, Lanouette had the sparks of lustful puppy love, so excited and devoted to his Silvia that I was wholly invested in their happiness.

My absolute favourite part of watching the production outside on a hill by the river, however, was the amount of running those actors had to do. Perhaps that sounds slightly sadistic, but I was very impressed by how active this show was, given the amount of text that had to be delivered to present a coherent, redacted plot. There were very few places to hide when they weren't entering or exiting and even their entrances drew eyes from the top of the hill and all the way down to the stage - they had to be "on" quite a bit, even from far off. As someone who gets distracted by the slightest movement, I did find it distracting to have an uncontrolled environment for a backdrop but if you come prepared with the knowledge that actors and pedestrians alike may be walking through your line of sight, it won't take away from the show.

I'm always curious about what makes a company chose a certain script over another, and The Two Gentlemen of Verona is no different. The actors did their job in presenting an old-fashioned love triangle; but I know I found myself watching with a more modern eye, scrutinizing their decisions as if the story took place a few decades ago, rather than a few centuries. Especially that of Proteous - though I know his entire character is lost in the reduced text - who is constantly changing his mind and making selfish choices when it comes to the people in his life. Bringing the story into the 1980s forced the audience to view these characters not as far off, mythical beings, but as real people with real consequences. Perhaps that was the intention: to bring a sense of nostalgia and youthful enthusiasm to a 16th century dark romance in order to breathe life into an outdated notion of love and companionship.

Mission accomplished; despite my misgivings about certain plot points, I enjoyed myself. I was swept up in the music, and energy, and overall excitement of a summer in love. A twisted romantic comedy is the perfect way to spend an evening out in the heat. It's especially appealing because this is a summer program that supports local emerging artists.

Theatre Calgary's Shakespeare by the Bow (previously Shakespeare in the Park) is currently in it's seventh season of bringing Shakespeare to anyone who happens to be in Prince's Island Park during the summer months. It's free to attend (though donations are welcome and encouraged) and it introduces new audiences to classic stories while offering just a sample of what Calgary's theatre community has to offer.

Not only that, by "Shakesbow" is a program designed exclusively for emerging artists who are making the transition from post-secondary into the professional world. It's an opportunity for recent graduates to work with professional artists and begin making connections that propel their careers forward. The people you see on that stage, are the next group of artists who'll be changing the world through their art.

I highly recommend seeing what they can do.

Shakespeare by the Bow's production of The Two Gentlemen of Verona will be playing in Prince's Island Park from June 29th to August 19th 2018. Find more information on times and location at https://www.theatrecalgary.com/2018-19/two-gentlemen-of-verona.

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