Dunedin Summer Shakespeare presents Excerpts From Three Plays
Sunday February 19, Chingford Park
Review by BRENDA HARWOOD
A sudden squall sweeping through a peaceful Chingford Park glade sets the scene for storm-tossed seas, as an exuberant cast launch into The Tempest — one of three plays showcased in last weekend’s Dunedin Summer Shakespeare performance.
Attracting an audience of more than 300, the ‘‘Magic in the Air’’ themed performance featured some of the city’s top actors, in excerpts from The Tempest, Macbeth, and The Merry Wives of Windsor, with occasional support from a team of drummers.
Directed by Lisa Warrington, scenes from The Tempest offered a high spirited start to the show, with Sarah Georgie as Prospero and Miriam Noonan as Miranda keeping the fun to the fore while offering insights into the story.
They were joined by Simon Anderson, in very fine voice as Caliban and Prince Ferdinand, and Anna Noonan — doubling with Miranda as the spirit Ariel and with Anderson as a very effective and quite creepy Caliban.
There was audience participation, some sweet hand-outs, and hi-jinks galore, in this entertaining segment.
The tone was darker and more mystical in Macbeth, directed by Jessica Sutherland-Latton, and featuring herself, Kilda Northcott, and Amalia Latton as the three witches, with Cheyne Jenkinson as Macbeth, and Andrew Brinsley-Pirie as Banquo.
Movement was to the fore in this piece, with the three witches making dramatic dance-like gestures as they plotted and schemed and a superb sword fight enacted by Jenkinson and Brinsley-Pirie, keeping the audience enthralled throughout.
The final piece was a quick-witted, funny showcase of The Merry Wives of Windsor, with superb comic actor Phil Grieve as the wicked Falstaff, very ably supported by Rosella Hart as Mistress Page/Puck, and Rosie Collier as Mistress Ford/Titania.
The trio worked wonderfully together to depict the tricking and downfall of Falstaff in a series of quick scenes — culminating in his mock beating with pool noodles, keeping the fun and laughter flowing throughout.
With its glorious setting at Chingford Park, and at just an hour in length, the Dunedin Summer Shakespeare offering was a quick-fire taster that definitely left the audience wanting more. Bravo!
