Tickets were gifted in return for an honest review
The Two Gentlemen of Verona is a delightful concoction of a love triangle, a whimsical forest, clever disguises, and even a dog! Shakespeare’s charming and often hilarious tale now comes to life in an 90-minute adaptation at The Other Place, making it an ideal introduction to The Bard for families this summer.
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| The company of The Two Gentleman of Verona. Photo by Helen Murray |
Directed with finesse by Joanna Bowman, this vibrant revival transforms the space into an intimate theatre-in-the-round experience. The staging ensures that every moment is engaging, drawing the audience into the action. You are kept engrossed throughout.
Bowman and co have done an admirable job of cutting the text down whilst maintaining the heart of the piece. The narrative remains crystal clear often moving at a really fast pace.
The striking atmosphere of Francis O’Connor’s design paired with the colour palette of Derek Anderson’s impressive lighting creates a real feeling with in the theatre. This pulses further once you are greeted with the actor-musician company who play John Patrick Elliott’s score with real skill.
Jonny Khan impresses as Valentine, he carries the role with real skill and navigates the circumstances the character faces. Lance West is also superbly cast as Proteus, the initial bond between the two breaks after they meet Silvia. West excels as the character tries to drive his own ambitions and affections. Siân Stephens (Sylvia) captivates as the object of their affections, while Aisha Goodman (Julia) brings charm and depth to her role. There’s a real sense of watching stars of the future in watching all four of the lead roles.
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| The company of The Two Gentlemen of Verona. Photo by Helen Murray. |
The ensemble works seamlessly together to deliver an amusing and captivating narrative that keeps the audience engrossed from start to finish. Tom Babbage shines as Speed as well as Thurio, he knows how to draw out a laugh whilst Stu McLoughlin switches superbly between Launce, Sir Eglamour and an Outlaw.
There’s one undoubted star of this production and that is Lossi the dog, who plays Crab. You can feel the audience change as soon as Lossi enters the stage, compelled to watch it’s every move. Often drawing a laugh or an aww from the audience.
This adaptation strikes a perfect balance of fun and poignancy, highlighting the trials and tribulations of friendship and love. Whether you’re a seasoned Shakespeare fan or a newcomer, you’ll find this rendition both fast-paced and thoroughly enjoyable as you are swept along. Staging it in-the-round is a master stroke by Bowman.
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| Siân Stephens and Stu McLoughlin. Photo by Helen Murray |
Do not miss this engaging delightful staging of one of Shakespeare’s earliest plays. The Two Gentleman of Verona runs at The Other Place in Stratford-Upon-Avon until Sunday 31st August 2025.
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Visit https://www.rsc.org.uk/the-two-gentlemen-of-verona for tickets.
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