Love Midlands Theatre

  • Home
  • Reviews
  • Contact
  • Home
  • Reviews
  • Contact

As You Like It Is Uplifting And Full Of Charm

17/7/2015

Comments

 
Picture
What I like the most about Union Theatre is the variety of productions they take on, they don't play it safe or stick to easier scripts, they challenge their members and with a dedicated creative team everyone appears to embrace the challenges and the final product shines.

This evening the Solihull-based company are performing Shakespeare's pastoral comedy As You Like It. 

The show starts very traditionally with music and dancing as the audience are acquainted with the entire cast. Faces glow with enthusiasm and delight, there is a magic in the air this opening night. Warm, attractive costumes flatter the eye, with decadent crushed velvet and exquisite top hats decorated with sheer ribbon and feathers.

The company have the ability to bring Shakespeare's words to life on the stage and though many performers have taken on multiple roles, not one word falls out of place. Scenes flow smoothly, assisted by the talented musicians who form the small band. With music composed, adapted and arranged by John Gough the sounds created are uplifting and full of charm. 

The setting of the United Reformed Church has been transformed into a theatre, with a backdrop of dark trees with red leaves that resemble jagged hearts. The production, Directed by Mark Firmstone, makes full use of the venue, using aisles for entrances and exits, bringing the audience closer to the action.

Performers of all ages confidently tread the boards and bring their own personalities to the stage. Marcus Queenborough is wickedly camp and quirky in style, conveying 4 roles throughout. The young James Williams (who plays Dennis) delivers his lines with perfect articulation, and Lucy Williams (Celia) has great stage presence, emitting the most wonderful energy.

Special mention should be given to Sian Heath who plays a terrifying and ruthless Duchess Fredericka. The young and charming Orlando (played by Alex Barber) is well matched by Victoria Ellery-Jones' feisty and determined Rosalind who uses the entirety of her being to express her emotion. Donning male apparel in fear of her safety it is the scenes with Rosalind and Celia that drive the tale of misplaced love, jealousy, deceit and redemption. 

For a thoroughly enjoyable evening out do not miss Union Theatre's As You Like It, running until Sat 18 July at Solihull United Reformed Church. Daily performances are at 7:30pm and tickets are available on the door: £10/£9.
Comments

    Love Midlands Theatre

    Sharing the latest theatre news and reviews around the Midlands.

    Picture
    Tweets by @midlandstheatre

    Subscribe to our mailing list

    * indicates required

    Archives

    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015

    Categories

    All
    Amateur Theatre
    Birmingham
    Coventry
    Love Midlands Theatre
    Professional
    Review
    Solihull
    Stafford
    Tamworth
    Theatre
    Wolverhampton

    RSS Feed

Proudly powered by Weebly