Flip through the latest issue of Gulf Weekly.
WHO would have thought Shakespeare could be so much fun? Three crazy actors performing all of the Bard’s 37 plays in 90 minutes with teachers Martyn Wharrie, Jacob Rusling and Rory Adamson certainly living up to the billing of being utterly bonkers.
They are also dynamic on stage delivering majestic performances, with healthy measures of wit and merriment, impressive timing and some strong believable charismatic character twists and turns.
I went along, not convinced entirely it would work, and walked out with a beaming smile on my face after some hearty laughs and classic comedic moments to cherish.
Get ready to be part of the plot if you are sitting in the audience, there’s no escape from the Bard and I promise you, it only gets better and quicker… and make sure you get a seat on the left (stage right) as there’s less words to recite.
Manama Theatre Club has staged this play written by Adam Long, Daniel Singer and Jess Winfield to help celebrate the 450th birthday of William Shakespeare.
It’s an irreverent, fast-paced romp through the Bard’s plays and was London’s longest-running comedy having clocked a very palpable nine years in London’s West End at the Criterion Theatre.
Theatre-lovers are urged to join these skull-clutching, madcap men in tights, as they weave their wicked way through all his Comedies, Histories and Tragedies.
The props and stage settings are perfect … and watch out for karaoke king Wharrie’s guitar-plucking to a Herman Hermits classic, Adamson’s plucky swordsmanship and Rusling’s outrageous barfing bearded-lady routine (putting aside an impressive speech which gives you a taste of what a seriously good actor is hidden under his wig) which are worth the entrance fee alone.
Good night, good night! Parting is such sweet sorrow for two of these characters, as one prepares to fly off to the Australian outback and another back to Blighty during the summer holidays. Give them a good send off.
Top marks also to stage manager Karen Ralph and co-directors Marina Tadayon and Jenny Falcus.
* The show runs until Friday at the club’s premises in Um Al Hassam.
Tickets cost BD5 for club members and BD7 for non-members, with donations made to charitable causes. They are available from the club’s reception and The Great Deli Café, Najini Centre, Saar.
– Stan Szecowka
