A Quick Glance at Summer at Shakespeare & Company
Lenox
through 9/2
By Shera Cohen
During its 30th anniversary year, Shakespeare & Company never waivers in its excellence in presenting the best in the Berkshires. Especially amazing is the fact that the same actors perform in two plays each (oftentimes on the same day, two in English and two in 16th century English), not to mention their "day jobs" in managerial capacities. Do any of the actors/employees get much sleep? Perhaps not, as they run the summer series from May through September.
The seldom staged "Antony and Cleopatra" was a tour-de-force for actors Tina Packer and Nigel Gore and director Michael Hammond. This tragic and fabled love story amid years of war made for a dramatically balanced play. Having the opportunity to sit in on a rehearsal offered this reviewer a keen look at the challenges faced by actors and crew.
The Bard's often staged "A Midsummer Night's Dream" was the other selection on the roster, and as different from "A & C" as night and day. How these same actors keep their lines straight and never mix the language of the two plays is sheer professionalism. "Dream" is a romp in the forest, literally, with lots of fun had by all, including the audience.
Tom Stoppard's "Rough Crossing" could also be dubbed a romp -- this time onboard ship in the 1930s. Dialogue connecting one player's words with another's was a common humorous thread -- what had meaning for the first player had a second meaning for the other. This was a leave-your-brain-at-home experience.
Shakes & Co.'s Bankside Festival is always free of charge and equally delightful. It includes lectures, mini-pre-shows, dances, and one fully-staged comedy all performed by the student acting troupe. Moliere's "Scapin" took the tent stage. Fitting the usual Moliere formula, this was one of his funniest and less political plays. Full of slap-stick, malaprops, whimsy, mistaken identities, and chase scenes, "Scapin" had it all -- for all ages.
Note: Catch Shakes & Co.'s bonus play, "Sherlock Holmes," in late September/early October.
through 9/2
By Shera Cohen
During its 30th anniversary year, Shakespeare & Company never waivers in its excellence in presenting the best in the Berkshires. Especially amazing is the fact that the same actors perform in two plays each (oftentimes on the same day, two in English and two in 16th century English), not to mention their "day jobs" in managerial capacities. Do any of the actors/employees get much sleep? Perhaps not, as they run the summer series from May through September.
The seldom staged "Antony and Cleopatra" was a tour-de-force for actors Tina Packer and Nigel Gore and director Michael Hammond. This tragic and fabled love story amid years of war made for a dramatically balanced play. Having the opportunity to sit in on a rehearsal offered this reviewer a keen look at the challenges faced by actors and crew.
The Bard's often staged "A Midsummer Night's Dream" was the other selection on the roster, and as different from "A & C" as night and day. How these same actors keep their lines straight and never mix the language of the two plays is sheer professionalism. "Dream" is a romp in the forest, literally, with lots of fun had by all, including the audience.
Tom Stoppard's "Rough Crossing" could also be dubbed a romp -- this time onboard ship in the 1930s. Dialogue connecting one player's words with another's was a common humorous thread -- what had meaning for the first player had a second meaning for the other. This was a leave-your-brain-at-home experience.
Shakes & Co.'s Bankside Festival is always free of charge and equally delightful. It includes lectures, mini-pre-shows, dances, and one fully-staged comedy all performed by the student acting troupe. Moliere's "Scapin" took the tent stage. Fitting the usual Moliere formula, this was one of his funniest and less political plays. Full of slap-stick, malaprops, whimsy, mistaken identities, and chase scenes, "Scapin" had it all -- for all ages.
Note: Catch Shakes & Co.'s bonus play, "Sherlock Holmes," in late September/early October.
Labels: berkshires, shakespeare and co, theatre
