Review: THE TWO NOBLE KINSMEN, Shakespeare's Globe

Third in line in Michelle Terry's first season as Artistic Director of Shakespeare's Globe is The Two Noble Kinsmen. Directed by Barrie Rutter, the Shakespeare-Fletcher collaboration becomes a lighthearted and wonderfully colourful piece of theatre.

The company juggles irrational infatuation, a love triangle, unrequited lust, death, and more in a joyous whirlwind of colours. Close friends and cousins Palamon (Paul Stocker) and Arcite (Bryan Dick) - the two noble kinsmen from the title - fall in love at first sight with Emilia (Ellora Torchia), sister-in-law to Theseus (Jude Akuwudike), a goodly King. This not only kick-starts a cutthroat rivalry between the two but also generates a series of instances that only the Bard himself could pull off (granted that he was aided by John Fletcher on this one).

Stocker and Dick have their characters nailed down and polished. Where Stocker's Palamon is hotheaded and impulsive, Dick's Arcite is a little bit more of a thinker (but foolish nonetheless). It's a joy to witness them go head to head in their multiple confrontations. Akuwudike balances them perfectly. His Theseus relies on subtle acting and gentle physical comedy; he is often very tongue-in-cheek but manages to keep his kingly image intact.

As Emilia and Hyppolita, Torchia and Moyo Akandé are stunning. They play their sisterly love tenderly, even though Akandé's queen isn't afraid to remind her duties to her counterpart. Far from being a feminist portrayal of women, The Two Noble Kinsmen sees Emilia's free will being ignored entirely. She is a good to be traded and she accepts it; still, Torchia tries to keep a handle on her fate.

The rest of the company is, unsurprisingly, on par with the principal cast. Francesca Mills grabs the attention of the audience from her first lines as the Jailer's Daughter and doesn't let it go until the very end. Jos Vantyler's flare as the Schoolmaster is commendable too, as well as Andy Cryer's portrayal of the Jailer.

Rutter succeeds in keeping the show simple and true to itself anchoring it to safe and cautious choices. It is, however rather classical, a gorgeous sight. Designer Jessica Worral creates a feast for the eyes: intense colours and inventive costumes brighten up the rather bare set. Gowns that hide trousers and leather mixed with soft materials stand out against the mossy coating given to the Gobe's stage. Deep red, purple, blue, and yellow blend with the earthy tones and characterise each character visually.

The Two Noble Kinsmen is one of the less popular and slightly more niche Jacobean plays, therefore it might not be the easiest plot to follow for the general public. However, Rutter's touches of razzle-dazzle ambience give his take a clear and vibrant vibe that immediately captures the crowd and engages the minds.

The Two Noble Kinsmen runs at Shakespeare's Globe until 30 June.

Photo credit: Nobby Clark

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