Grosvenor Park Open Air Theatre, Chester – until 24th August 2019
Reviewed by Julie Noller
4****
The Open Air Theatre is as well known around Chester as The Cathedral or the Roman Legion who marches masses of school children through the streets. However you could be forgiven for thinking it had been a summer mainstay for longer than it’s celebratory 10 years in 2019.
I am ashamed to say for many reasons I have never ventured inside the wooden gates, perhaps more to do with the fact I am a wuss when it comes to the great British weather. However fear not, for it’s a whole experience unlike any other theatre you may visit. There’s a check list I feel I must share, you will be offered depending upon ticket either a directors style chair or perhaps like us sat up under cover (phew) a folding seat back (it’s a god send). Most importantly take a cushion, do not look at the rain and leave it in your car, you will not forgive yourself and neither will your derriere. The staff on duty are warm and friendly, if you have any issues they will quickly resolve them. Picnics are welcome and as throughout the 3 hour performance we heard plenty of corks popping, there’s a sense that it’s more of a social inclusion theatre experience. You may if the performance finishes late and ahem mother nature has been stamping her feet again, take a blanket. There were plenty of ponchos purchased because the front rows including those directors chairs are completely open to the elements.
There’s a sense with an open air production that you could be anywhere around the world, transported into an imaginary land and time, I loved the immersive atmosphere, striped back stage setting, lack of technology – after all Shakespeare didn’t have the use of sound decks and flashy lights. I’m a history buff and so I wondered if this is what it would’ve have been like to sit in The Globe Theatre, albeit they were a far harsher naughtier audience. Shakespeare the man, the genius. I’m sure when his plays were written he never believed hundreds of years from now, school children will have to study me. I’m sure if like me you were put of having to listen to others opinions of what you should interpret instead of like I did last night just sit and watch and enjoy a story that’s funny, naughty and full of slapstick humour.
Twelfth Night packs it in, each character full of depth and well rounded. I came to realise that it is the performer who must bring their interpretation of those words to life, I really feel there could be no stopping as to the fun they could have. The history of Twelfth Night is that it was written after the death of one of his twins, Hamnet in 1596. Some will say the story of twins separated in a shipwreck, where waves wash over you like grief washes over you may be a gentle look at grief and loss a child. You don’t need to have studied history to enjoy this performance just a love of humour and theatre. When Shakespeare himself passed away in 1616 he bequeathed many things but to Judith his surviving daughter (and twin) he left Twelfth Night, perhaps there’s a message in there and the story contains words that he was unable to say in life.
I may have mentioned Twelfth Night was written by Shakespeare, It’s one I didn’t fully understand and hadn’t read or even seen before. So the whole experience was an exciting one for me, thoroughly enjoyable and a night I would like to repeat again – perhaps with better weather though; damp as the night was it didn’t ruin the performance.
Marc Benga and Whitney Kehinde are our twins Sebastian and Viola/Cesario; they become separated in a shipwreck each fearing the other dead. Viola carves a life for herself as the male Cesario pursued by Olivia (Sarah-Jane Potts) who in turn is pursued by Count Orsino (Steven Elliott). Viola herself has a crush on the Count and the whole love triangle situation becomes a tad confusing and takes on a Benny Hill vibe. Some of the actors on stage are better at projecting their voices than others and if they turn their backs towards you then you may struggle to hear words clearly, some speeches do take a good ear to understand but not grasping every word doesn’t deflect from the story and somewhat chaotic scenes unfolding on stage.
Within the cast there are many who deserve a mention, Chris Wright as the mostly drunk Sir Toby Belch – even his name suggests a man of low morals. Seren Vickers, who sings and whips her guitar around the arena delighting us as Curio. The audience favourites as always are the camp and extremely amusing Malvolio (Samuel Collings) all I can say is wow those Yoga moves, wow those very very yellow stockings and whit woo that silky gown. Mitesh Soni as the equally camp and somewhat trying to be very manly yet failing Sir Andrew Aguecheek. We spend far too much time these days discussing gender and how we are perceived as if it’s a modern concept, yet here was Shakespeare over 400 years using gender fluidity and bringing those differences to life.
As always with Shakespeare he kept the masses happy, there’s some naughty words, sexual suggestion, hip flexes and wanton desire. But in equal measures there’s comedy, fun and laughter and the deep message of forbidden love, unrequited love but better still there’s a happy ever after ending. We left smiling not just at a great story brought to life but the rain had stopped!