theatre review

Romeo And Juliet

The Pantaloons

This is a riotous, rough and tumble restaging of Shakespeare's classic. Beginning with a 'Merchant Of Venice' 'gangster rap' and a piece of 'Hamlet' reggae, both using the bard’s original verse as lyrics, the tone was set for an amusing show wherein well used original dialogue was intertwined with self-referential modern humour. The five member troupe mix surprisingly believable romance and effective tragedy to create pure entertainment. The adults and children in the audience get involved in the antics, whilst any mishaps are artfully ad-libbed over; it’s hard to think of anything better to do than lounge around on the grass under the trees and enjoy a pop-culture Shakespeare for the masses as his contemporary audiences must have done. Dynamic, energetic, delightful.

Preston Park (outside the clock tower), 23 - 25 May, times vary, free, fpp 53

tw rating: 5/5

published: Jun-2009

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