Review: THE TWO GENTLEMEN OF VERONA at The Pumphouse Theatre, Takapuna, Auckland

Opening night of the second play of the Shoreside's Auckland Shakespeare in the Park - and it's raining. However, spirits undeterred - the actors and the audience move into the auditorium, and the comedy begins. The Two Gentlemen of Verona was probably one of Shakespeare's first comedies alongside The Comedy of Errors and The Taming of the Shrew. By writing a play about friendship versus love, Shakespeare was challenging more established writers of the time --namely, Chaucer, Lyly and Francis Bacon. The play incorporates many of the themes, stereotypes and ideas of his later works: how appearance and reality might not be the same thing, the use of disguises, mirror plots, and cross gender performances.

James Bell is to be congratulated on his intelligent direction of this simply constructed play and his use of the cross-gender popular in contemporary theatre practice. His cast is largely female with four roles played by males. At the heart of the plot is the stark contrast between loyalty versus betrayal. Clear contrasts to love are drawn between the upper class and the lower class servants who have a better grasp of the matters of money, sexuality and class. The play is full of treachery and tricksters - and in it, Shakespeare shows just how blind love can be.

True constant, handsome Valentine (Max Easey) is leaving for Milan. He's off to see the world, but more importantly he's going to see the much admired and beautiful Sylvia (Gabrielle Dally). Silvia is the daughter of the outlandishly extravagant Duke of Milan (Terri Mellender) and in love with Valentine. But she is locked away by her father every night as he is afraid Valentine will woo her. Instead, the Duke has betrothed her to the very vain and very wealthy Thurio (Lauren Wilson). All complicated enough -- but now the trouble really begins.

The romantic Proteus (Christopher Raven) decides he will join Valentine in Milan, but before he goes he swears his love for Julia (Aria Harrison-Sparke). They exchange rings and vow to be true to each other. Alas - poor naïve Julia.

Once in Milan, (with audience booing - clearly identifying him as the villain of the piece) Proteus betrays best friend Valentine and continues to go after Sylvia's love. This despite she is clearly not in love with him. "If men were constant, they'd be perfect". Shakespeare tells us that romantic love might be blind to reality - rather than acting in line with it. In one of the best scenes of the play, pretending to be his ally, Proteus goes with the easily conned Thurio to woo Sylvia. Meanwhile, Julia arrives - dressed as a boy, and sees Proteus give her ring to Sylvia - treachery and betrayal! Julia, convincingly played throughout (Ana Harrison-Sparke) pulls at the audience's heartstrings with her "why does he love her and not me" monologue.

But, without a doubt, the scene stealers in this play are the three lower status servants Launce (Bess Brooks), Speed (Kierron Diaz-Campbell), and Lucetta (Cassandra Atkinson). Superbly portrayed, with expressive characterisation, and compelling physicality all three act as foils to their respective masters Proteus, Valentine, and Julia. Launce's pragmatic reasoning about love highlights the pervasive hunger for status and money of the aristocrats' romances. Clown comic Bess Brooks is outstanding - and her manipulation of her dog has the audience in fits. Launce tells us of his perfect woman who can "fetch and carry", " can sew", "can brew good ale", who has "clean hands" and a "sweet mouth", and "to be slow in words is a woman's only virtue". Love is much more simple here.

Speed (Kierron Diaz-Campbell) appears considerably more astute than his master Valentine, and often mocks him with witty banter and repartee, "you're deformed since you loved her". Diaz-Campbell shows great dexterity (and superb articulation - let alone memory) with delivering Shakespeare's word play.

Lucetta, (Cassandra Atkinson) gives practical advice to Julia from the get go. Their first scene together is a masterpiece of timing and playfulness. This is an entirely engaging and compelling performance. Her advice to Julia is practical about disguising herself as a man to pursue Proteus. It reinforces what is socially acceptable and sexually advisable shows that she understands what is socially-accepted and safe!

Shoreside Theatre casts are good at working cohesively to bring Shakespeare's texts to life. There is good immersion in the roles and comic characterisation contrasts well to more sombre moments. The comedy layers are there: farce, extravagant caricatures, commedia del-arte, the clowning, the witty banter and repartee, the dramatic irony, the sexual innuendo.

The multi-levelled venue is employed to its full potential with varied use of spaces, well-timed entrances and exits and well-positioned action. Effective use of levels and the front seats are employed effectively to bring the action forward.

The 2022 Auckland Shakespeare in the Park - presented by Shoreside Theatre (THE MERCHANT OF VENICE and TWO GENTLEMEN OF VERONA) runs January 22 - February 19. Tickets on eventfinda.co.nz or (09) 489 8360. Restricted numbers due to RED but still performing! Booking will be essential. Don't miss out!

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