Review: ROMEO & JULIET, Shakespeare in the Garden

In theory, watching Shakespeare in a bucolic pub garden on a summer's evening is one of the nicest ways to spend your time. Open Bar Theatre was formed in 2016 by Nicky Diss and Vicky Gaskin to produce Shakespeare for Fuller’s pub gardens, with the intention of creating accessible theatre.

Clad in tracksuit bottom rolled up the knees to convey pantaloons and a variety of jackets and hats, the company's enchanting version of Romeo & Juliet raises a surprising number of laughs.

While keeping to the original iambic pentameter, with a few cheeky asides, the company uses several methods to improve understanding of the text. The acts are book-ended by charmingly upbeat Ukelele performances, with lyrics wittily summing up what has happened and what is to come. 

The first half of the production draws more towards levity and often pulls innuendo from the text. Although sometimes unexpected, it works. There is also some clever audience interaction, but, crucially, not too much. There is an atmosphere of joyful playfulness; something you might not expect with one of Shakepeare's greatest tragedies.

Such is the joviality of the first half, the second half jolts you by its sudden lack of levity. A few attempted jokes, such as getting an auidence member to play The Apothecary, feel misplaced. At times, it feels the cast is too earnest in playing the hurt and loss, leading to some scenes feeling overwrought.

The enthusiastic cast of six work hard and is clearly having a great time. They climb up and down a two-storey scaffolding rig clad in flowers, sword-fighting, arguing and falling in love.

As Romeo Thomas Delacourt emphasises the petulant aspects of the character. As such, it is as hard as ever to see what Princess Donnough's child-like Juliet actually sees in him.

There is more than a hint of ham, particularly in the first half. Vicky Gaskin is great as she plays the Nurse for bawdy laughs. Thomas Judd hams it up both as a sharply smart-arse Mercutio and a superior Lord Capulet. Dewi Mutiara Sarginson is a muted Tybalt and concerned Friar Laurence and Harriet Sharmini Smithers is a jovial Benvolio.

Running at three hours, the whole production feels too long and some judicious editing would be welcome. That said, this is a charming and accessible production. If the weather plays ball, there will be few more enjoyable ways to spend an evening.

Romeo & Juliet is touring until 15 September

Photo Credit: Steve Gregson

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