Romeo and Juliet - Marloo Theatre

Good reveiw - who sent it to you Melz - who is it by? Cheers John

I had intended to post a comment about R & J this morning after watching last night's preview, but the above has echod my thoughts entirely. It is one of the most beautiful productions of Romeo and Juliet that I have ever seen, so get yourselves a ticket before the word goes around. DO NOT MISS IT

As the review says, it's by Ruth Bertenshaw

Who am I to criticise such a nice review - except to comment that the handome Derek Clauson's delivery of his lines requires no 'deliverance'.

One more cavil: He (or She) who writes of 'authenticity' to Shakespeare and of a nude love scene in R & J in the one review needs to revise Elizabethan Theatre 1.01 : Women on Shakespeare's Stage – or at least have another look at Shakespeare in Love. Never mind – bring on the 'House Full' sign!

Ah! I wondered when someone would assume that the nude scene was there simply to put bums on seats. I am somewhat surprised that it should be a cast member, who is in a position to know that the nude scene is in no way gratuitous nor exploitative. Yes, the Director is well aware that on Shakespeare's stage the roles of women were taken by men - the point is made in the notes in the programme - but allowances have to be made to the changed expectations of modern audiences and shrill pre-pubescent boys dressed as girls are an obsolete convention and would have been a distraction to modern audiences. In addition, had it not been for the Puritans of his time I am fairly sure in my own mind that Burbage would have cast women if he had had that option. Interestingly, "Shakespeare in Love" parodies the exact scene we are discussing - and does it nude.

Women were not played by "shrill prepubescent boys" but by specially trained male actors with genuine vocal skills. Can you imagine a pre pubescent boy bringing the depth of performence needed to portay Cleopatra as a mature woman or Lady Macbeth. And the point about women was not that the puritans were against it but that pretty much the entire population was against it. And while we are on the subject I loved "Shakespeare in Love" but it had not a shred of historical accuracy. Edit: I also agree that claiming authenticity and having a nude scene does have some problems and once again with relation to "Shakespeare in Love" the scene which you refer to is not a parody as such but a suggestion of how Shakespeare may have come by the inspiration for that scene. Is that all there is? Well if that's all there is my friend, then let's keep dancing. www.tonymoore.id.au

Never mind the obscure points and what is or what isn't "historically accurate" - just go and see the production and thoroughly enjoy it!!

Sorry Norma, I would go and see it but it's a little to far for me I'm in Adelaide. The "shrill prepubescent boy" line got up my nose a bit and I stuck it in where I probably shouldn't have perhaps. I wish the company the best of luck with the show. Is that all there is? Well if that's all there is my friend, then let's keep dancing. www.tonymoore.id.au

My point, Douglas, was to encourage reviewers to be analytical. It never occurred to me that you would not be aware of the apparent inconsistency in your approach - which I have in no way suggested is gratuitous or exploitative.. Haven't read the program notes yet. Shakespeare in Love had little to do with Shakespear, but makes it clear that Juliet should have been payed by a boy. Otherwise, half the comedy of the film would have been out the window. CHIZZ

Oh goodness - "Juliet should have been payed by a boy." We can only hope that's a typo ;) Sticky Apple Legs www.freewebs.com/stickyapplelegs Puppets in Melbourne www.thepromptcopy.com/pip

Certain lines in R&J have become something of a cliche but in this production all the lines were delivered with a freshness and passion that was totally absorbing and believable. Outstanding contribution by the lead actors, I'll be going again!

Women first acted professionally in England in 1660. In fact the first perfomance credited to a professional actress was in Shakespeare's Othello on the 8th of December. Although it not known conclusively who the actress was (the best guess anyone can make is that it was Margaret Hughes who was listed as Desdemona in a later production in the "Roscius Anglicanus" by John Downes, other contenders were Katherine Corey and Anne Marshall) thanks to a preface written by the poet Thomas Jordan we know that a woman played Desdemona in that December 8th production. I won't bore you any longer :) Congrats to Marloo on what sounds like a wonderful show. With any luck I may actually be able to make it to the theatre to see it. Melissa (wearing her PhD research student hat)

In the interests of disclosure let me first say that Romeo & Juliet is my LEAST favourite Shakespeare... Congratulations to Marloo for tackling the bard... when was the last time? The Merchant of Venice some fourteen years prior? A long time between drinks! First mention must go to the power Design Triumvirate that seem to be one of Marloo's current great strengths: Marjorie DeCaux, Richard Coleman and Michael Hart. Marjorie and Richard have gone for period realism, admittedly from two totally different periods, and melded them almost seemlessly. I have said before that Marjorie ain't no Wardrobe Mistress... this woman is a Costumier! Beautifully stunning and appropriate Italian Renaissance costumes beautifully matched and fitted to the performers. The set was stunningly Tudor and very effective. The disparaty between the two periods was hardly noticeable to the untrained eye, in fact I loved it! (Although there were times looking at the set when I sat back and wished that I were seeing Merry Wives of Windsor rather than R&J) The bedroom scene especially was a stage picture that shall linger in my mind's eye for quite some time, just as the morning light seemed to linger through the casement.Well done all three of you and your entire teams. It is unfortunate that this high bar set by the design was only occasionally cleared by the rest of the production. It is difficult in amateur theatre to manage an equally high level of performance in such a huge cast, but the level of achievement in this show widely, widely varied. Top marks must go to the Warners... Jacqui Warner as the Nurse was a pure delight and lifted the entire stage every time she walked on stage. A strong character that never descended into caricature, which is a constant dager for this role, she was believable the entire time. I would have no hesitation in naming her Best on Stage! Katy Mitton (nee Warner) was a stunning Juliet. An actor who was born to play this role, and play it well she did. She possessed an innate understanding of the role and the lines which are so well known and so often mis-played. This is one of the few times I have heard a Juliet get the meaning of "...wherefore art thou Romeo?" Lisa Skrypichayko completes the triple threat of the Capulet women holding her own against the two previously mentioned. Nary a trace of Canadian in her portrayal, her English was totally believable, as was her portrayal. An equally stunning portrayal. [Note to Derek Clauson: I think the character of Romeo is half the reason why I hate this play... he is so... wet? Don't take it personally that I haven't mentioned you... the only Romeo I have actually EVER liked was Nureyev in the ballet. Well done with such an insipid role... It's a tricky one and you didn't suck! The fault is half Will's and half mine... and none yours] Against the astounding achievements of these three the rest of the cast varied between very good and painful. Amongst the very good mention must also be made of Richard Coleman's Prince (When are we going to see you play Falstaff? Start harassing people now, Richard!) Michael Hart's Friar Lawrence and Phil Mackenzie's Capulet. Solid performances, giving a grounding that the show sorely needed. The Prince and Capulet's dialogue during the ball was a refreshingly real exchange. "Person To Keep an Eye On" would have to be Paul Hunt as Benvolio. I am led to believe that he took the role on very late in the process, and yet he was by far the most assured of the younger males on stage, ah, to imagine how he would have been had he had the role from the start! The production on the whole seemed to drag mercilessly. The pace was slow and precise and... well... lifeless? This wasn't helped by some bad scene changes that seemed to halt the production in its tracks. Even just covering them with music would have done a lot. And some of the choices left me cold. Couldn't Romeo have died a second later or Juliet woken a second earlier? I always think that when Romeo dies before Juliet wakes then Romeo gets off way too easily. Whereas when Juliet starts to wake after he has taken the poison but before he has actually died he gets that very brief moment of "Oh my God, what have I done!" The choice to place Tybalt's corpse in the tomb as well was inspired. "Of course!" I said to myself as the light's came up "Of course his corpse would also be there" nicely picked up. In summation: a very traditional and somewhat uninspired production saved by great design and brilliant portrayals by the Capulet Women. Remember, it is far nobler to aim beyond your grasp and just miss than to never attempt. And here's hoping that we don't have to wait another fourteen years for the next one!

Norma's correct, go and see this show, be captivated and watch some real talent 'strut their stuff'. I too put my hand up to Jacqui Warner who just gets better and better and Katy who was excellent and the rest of the cast who worked very hard to make this show so easy to watch. It's easy to find fault with anything, this show wasn't perfect but excellent value at $40 a head and a bargain at $20 or $16, whatever you have to pay to get a seat.

Dear Alan, Thanks for your kind words - it is a real pleasure to be in a production with such great people involved! "Excellent value @ $40 a head" is a lovely compliment, but I'd like to clarify (just in case) that DTPs ticket prices for R & J are $20/$16/$14 --- special deal for you, my friends!

Hey guys! Just a word of thank you to everyone involved in whatever way!!! and of course thanks to the people who came and saw us!!!! This productions has been one of the best theatre productions I have EVER been in, I know that does not mean much-as I have very little experience...however, there are a few people I would like to sincerly thank for making it such a fabulous time! I'll be short (in saying that I'll drag on all night). Katy Mitton (one of the two best juliets in the world!), My Drama coach, and the person that actually got me involved in the production in the first place! Katy scored me the role of Gregory (until I was upgraded! Which suprised us all) thank you for being such a trustworthy friend and mentor, same goes to Ineke. Many thanks to David Green and his Bro, for teaching me how to use a sword!!!! Yay violence!!! Thanks to Dylan Searle, for providing humour to the backstage scene and for entertaining journeys home from Marloo to Karrinyup! Tybalt your an excellent enemy "Vile Montague" lol. Tracey!!! Your the best Aunt I could have asked for!!!! luv you tonnes. David Sorensen, wow! you know why, I don't need to explain (Lets be mature and not take that out of context)-An Amazingly new and fresh performance, so very different from sean's, yet still, very effective. Richard that set you built...I was in tears when they started pulling it down! (partially because I stubbed my toe on that bloody stair to the changing rooms). John (Hillan) and Graham and Ted. Those jokes you told me backstage have had me in a LOT of trouble at school... "Have you heard of the two Irish..." Jacqui!!!!! OH MY GOD!!! It must run in the family! I KNOW It runs in the family! your an excellent actress/actor. Make sure you tell me when your next performance is! I'm your number one fan! PS Happy B'day for whenever it is! 21?? Buddy Clarke....loose the glasses! hahaha. very funny, I was worried that no one would make a joke on the last night (unproffesional as it is), but of course Buddy delivered. Lee, I still have you bar of chocolate... (cadbury)...somewhere. I fear that by the time I see you again it will be gone. Rosemary! Bugger. I think it was becaue you were cosest to the door when I whistled....(She broke her ankle and couldn't perform on the last few nights) Megan...Don't lie on the road honey...even if you are sunbaking...keep licking those fingers (don't take that out of context please)... Claudia (the singer) Well done! good luck for the future. Douglas-well done! controlling a cast as large as that is never an easy job -and thats what Rob was for. good insight. Jannelle Bynoe!!!! You made me look BEAUTIFULL again!!!!! there was a time when I to, had no pimples-AND YOU BOUGHT THOSE DAYS BACK TO ME!!!!!!!! wow. I think I have just aout mentioned the whole cast. so much for "I'll be short" Oh yeah-who could forget Michael Hart (I might as well keep on rambling, I don''t think may people are going to bother reading the whole comment). A very enthusiastic and bouncey friar! Phil, great job, that bit where you say "my fingers itch!" really did have me worrying for katy/Ineke's lives! All of the above people-and more have made this performance the best it could ever be!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Ok, Im going to go to my truckle bed now (sorry mercutio I stole your line) this studio if much to cold (no heater). sorry to anyone I may have annoyed or embarressed (I think It is mainly myself)... but I think only the cast will be reading the comments now the show is over! Thank you all! this has been an experience I will NEVER forget so long as I live! I hope to work with you all again! PS To all those I did not give boxes of chocolates and cards too...it's not because I hate you. let leave it at that. I suddenly felt the urge to edit some of the spelling mistakes I put there. Good luck to you all ANON! BENVOLIO -INSERT LEG (BOW)

ahaha such wit mr steed. ul be gettin put in a stable in a minute

www.romeoandjuliet.org.au

Clever tie-in marketing & cool looking website but unfortunately being in different states, not many folks will be able to enjoy both productions... chookas to all & hope you enjoy it as much as we did! :-)L

why go to a UNSW production when u can go to NIDA across the road. haha jokes guys iv seen nuts in action they do sum good shite. luck fellas