Under Development
Derby Shakespeare Theatre Company's latest production may
be set in Italy, but the climate at Elvaston was far from Mediterranean last night.
The English weather did its worst but, despite a brief shower, it failed to put a
dampener on proceedings.
Best known as Lady Viola's favourite play in Shakespeare in Love, Two Gentlemen of Verona is a tale of desire, intrigue and betrayal. While it is not his best work, it contains all the usual ingredients of a Shakespearean comedy - a dog, cross dressing and enough dirty jokes for three Carry On films.
This production's talented amateur cast do Shakespeare's script full justice. David Guest and Ian Arnot are suitably stately as the Duke of Milan and Antonio, while Chris Sparham is wonderfully petulant as the foppish Thurio. Joan Garratt gives a wonderful comic performance as the waiting woman Lucetta, skilfully milking the script without overdoing it. And Adrian Robinson makes sleaziness into an art form as Proteus.
Period costumes hired from the Royal Shakespeare Company and a trio of minstrels added to the Globe-like atmosphere. The show's only real flaw was that its set did not fully exploit its picturesque setting.
Once again, Derby Shakespeare Theatre Company has delivered a slick and thoroughly entertaining production."
Helen Grady
Derby Evening Telegraph, 11th July 2001