Shakespeare in Love, this term’s College production, was an entertaining smash hit – delighting a packed out Big School audience throughout the penultimate week of term. We are thrilled to share that the production has been nominated by the National School Theatre Awards for:
- Best Play
- Best Male Actor (Maxim Read)
- Best Female Actor (Annalise Dixon)
- Best Supporting Male Actor (Luke Bermejo)
Click here to read the National School Theatre review of the production, and continue reading below for the College review, written by College Archivist, Rebecca Worthy.
Shakespeare In Love
The Bardcore music, a musical coup de foudre, was much commented on by the audience. It set the right tone and pace for a show that promised laughter and intrigue, and from the outset this tight cast and crew delivered a memorable show indeed.
Maxim Read, fast becoming a seasoned Epsom College performer, was a superb Shakespeare. He captured the very essence of the character, vacillating between bravado and self-doubt as he falls hopelessly in love with Viola. In turn, Annalise Dixon, as Viola, carried herself admirably as she quickly changed between her female role and male guise within the story. She acted with sensitivity, responding to the bawdier elements with Viola-like grace.
Luke Bermejo brought dynamic energy to Marlowe, delivering his lines with impeccable diction and full engagement. His scenes stood out for their vitality and impact. Paired with Maxim Read, the duo’s chemistry convincingly portrayed a friendship that outshone their characters’ rivalry, showcasing the strength of the casting.
A fast-paced romp
One of this show’s defining elements is that it is a fast-paced romp, and this was facilitated by lots of cast movement. All the performers moved, danced, hopped, ambled and climbed in ways that gave a feeling of relaxed confidence for the audience. Whether gathered around Shakespeare or observing rehearsals, the cast stayed alert, aligning their movements with their characters. Benjamin Senior, Will Cooke and James Bedford are consummate experts at this, and they punctuated scenes with their physicality, which the audience responded to immensely.
The play skilfully accommodates strong performers by weaving multiple narrative strands into a cohesive whole. Each storyline unfolds before another is introduced, creating a richly layered tapestry that ultimately intertwines seamlessly. This dynamic structure invites the audience to relax and enjoy the ride, with still, serious moments giving way to bursts of energy and pace and the cast kept the audience enthralled throughout.
Daniel Strange stood out as Lord Wessex, mastering the art of both relentless booming and stage combat with remarkable aplomb. Sophie Clark was equally compelling, portraying a character increasingly fraught as she struggled to control her charge. Her expressions of visible panic upon Lord Wessex’s entrance were delivered with precision and clarity. Gabriel Nel dominated the stage as Burbage, delivering sharp and memorable dialogue that commanded attention, while Jacob Secker brought stately gravitas to the role of Robert de Lesseps.
A multitude of strong female actors
It was welcome to see a multitude of strong female actors, and Eve Wingate and Phoebe Chesser clearly relished their roles. They both brought excellent presence and strength to the stage, keeping the story moving and adding importance to their scenes.
Two seasoned performers delivered exceptionally well in their roles: Caroline Bartram as Fennyman and Lucy Peer as Queen Elizabeth. Caroline’s delivery of a character who is unpleasant for most of the play yet ends their journey as seemingly redeemed was perfectly acted. Her confident and expressive delivery was a valuable part of the play. Equally confident was Lucy Peer’s portrayal of Queen Elizabeth; both playful and disdainful in equal measures – she entirely captured the part.
The importance of ensemble roles can never be underestimated. Not only do they add a different perspective, but they give the audience multiple facets of interest. Consequently, Elisa Bauer, Ada Ucuncu, Iustina Bogdan, Nikita Nasse, Lara Sennaro, Amarah Chaudry, Mary Baihinga, Bay Andreadis, Isabel Henderson, Genevieve Chan, Jack Paulson and Rhys Entwistle all contributed their skills to the highest, forming a tight acting group indeed. Moving like a school of fish at times they managed to assemble and disassemble on stage at remarkable speed whilst staying in character.
Plenty of comic elements
There were plenty of comic elements to the production and it was clear the cast played them with great effect to the audience’s delight. Rupert Metcalfe displayed tremendous comic timing indeed, particularly as the Boatman. James Roberts demonstrated great skill playing Sam and magnificent vocal acting ability, particularly when his character’s voice breaks, preventing him from playing Juliet. The play-within-a play moments were also brought to life deftly by Rafael Menassa, playing the somewhat arrogant yet loveable star of the stage, Ned Allen.
Ned Frost as Wabash portrayed his character, who struggles with a stutter, with much sympathy. The confluence of his finding his voice on stage and the sympathetic music led us towards the conclusion of the play compassionately and with the security that all’s well that ends well.
Epsom’s own Morecambe and Wise
Finally, we must appreciate in full Epsom’s own Morecambe and Wise: Macmillan and Crabb. Hector and Ollie delivered the comic moment of the show with their portrayal of Lady Capulet and the Nurse on the stage of The Curtain Theatre. These two actors held the audience’s attention entirely, making us laugh in abundance and offer spontaneous applause. Their vocal inflections, physical skill and huge comic presence was a triumph.
The ever-popular pupil Tech Team has a technical expertise that is entirely advanced for their years. Stage Managers Amelia Jallot and Fleur Veillard steadied the ship backstage, managing scenery, props and some very quick costume changes. Yasmin Canty and Edith Piper led the lighting and sound. Seren Callaghan, Sasha Gershtein, Freddie Hawkins, Amara Kansal, Lauren Lees and Stein Mackintosh supported the production in its entirety. From learning how to apply facial hair, to exploring period hair styles and co-ordinating the mise en scène, they all engaged with the process with much skill indeed.
“Let me explain about the theatre business. The natural condition is one of insurmountable obstacles on the road to imminent disaster…But it always works out in the end,” Henslow tells Fennyman. Well, we can be in full-hearted agreement that not only did it work out, but Shakespeare in Love was a huge, rollicking success. Hearty congratulations to all those involved on and off-stage, with notable thanks to Technical Lead, Mr Keiran Kerswell, Assistant Director, Miss Charlie Atkinson, and, of course, the Director himself, Mr Damon Young.
