Theatre Review

Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre presents

TROILUS AND CRESSIDA

Photo by John Tramper

by William Shakespeare

Director: Matthew Dunster

Designer: Anna Fleischle

Composer: Olly Fox

Choreographer: Aline David

Shakespeare’s Globe

Until 20 Sept 09

A review by Jafar Iqbal for EXTRA! EXTRA!

Playing word association with Shakespeare plays is a doddle – star-crossed lovers, bloody hands and poisoned chalices immediately come to mind, not to mention that endless list of legendary quotations. Plays such as Romeo and Juliet and A Midsummer’s Night Dream have become synonymous with the world of theatre and contemporary culture, getting revamped and adapted constantly. So much love for these landmark pieces of theatre seems to have distracted audiences from the rest of the Bard’s plays, however, they not getting the coverage and exposure that a Macbeth or a Hamlet would.

One of these ‘hidden’ plays is Troilus and Cressida, written by Shakespeare at the start of the seventeenth century and currently brought to life at the infamous Globe Theatre. Directed by Matthew Dunster, the play centres on the struggles facing young Trojan lovers Troilus and Cressida as war rages on with the Greeks. Problems arise as Cressida’s father defects to the Greeks and, helplessly, the young girl is forced into an exchange. She is sent to Greece, traded in for the safe return of a Trojan prisoner. Heartbroken, Troilus vows to bring his lover back, setting the stage up for a violent and tragic end.

Like most of Shakespeare’s work, the play with deals so much more than just the plight of the two title characters. The war between Greece and Troy is explored in great length, with brave Hector, arrogant Achilles and dim-witted Ajax engaged in a war of words and, eventually, on the battlefield. Shades of grey appear in all of the characters, uncharacteristic and somewhat refreshing to see.

As expected, the production was of epic proportions. A massive cast of actors grace the stage, all given their individual chances to shine and seizing them with great success. Each character was perfectly cast, the actors not only putting in strong individual performances but sharing great chemistry with the rest of the troupe. Paul Stocker and Laura Pyper, Troilus and Cresida respectively, are excellent as the lovers. Pyper, especially, with her slight tinge of Northern accent, is mesmerising on stage. Both as flirtatious, carefree lover and desperate, helpless pawn, the intensity in her performance adjusts so; Stocker, too, follows suit – the angry warrior at the close of the play is in stark difference to the almost lovesick boy at the beginning, handled with conviction.

Other cast members are just as good. Stand-out performances come from Trystan Gravelle, as a Welsh-accented Achilles, and Matthew Kelly as Cressida’s uncle Pandar, but the truth is that everyone pitches in with brilliance. Humour and comic timing is impeccable throughout the show, but it is at moments of strong emotion where the cast truly shine.

Technically, too, the show did not fail to disappoint. Within the incredible Globe Theatre was constructed a fantastically elaborate and beautiful set, complete with detailed props and authentic costumes. What really sticks in your mind, however, is the outstanding use of live music. Drums, trumpets and accordions are just some of the instruments playing throughout the play, adding a completely different dimension to the performances. This is all capped off with one final musical performance at the end of the show, a fitting tribute to the hard-working musicians.

There is genuinely nothing to fault about this production as it is obvious that all the time and effort has been taken to make it as close to perfect as possible. Performances are exceptional, music and staging is excellent, and the crowd goes home feeling more than satisfied. Troilus and Cressida is a play that is only just starting to get the recognition that it deserves, and this particular performance is a giant leap in the right direction. This is not just a hidden play, but a hidden gem from the master playwright; and, with credit going to everyone involved with the production, a must-see gem.

Photo by John Tramper

Box Office: 020 7401 9919

Tickets:

Standing: £5

Gallery seating: £12 - £33 (based on visibility)

Shakespeare’s Globe, 21 New Globe Walk, Bankside, London SE1 9DT

http://www.shakespeares-globe.org

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