Shakespeare in Love: star-crossed lovers, laughs and a dog
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Expect star-crossed lovers, laughs and a dog when Shakespeare in Love opens at Canberra Theatre Centre this evening.
“Love and a bit with a dog, that’s what they want,” says Phillip Henslowe, owner of The Rose Theatre, to struggling playwright Will Shakespeare, early on in Shakespeare in Love.
Will is suffering writer’s block as he tries to finish his latest play, Romeo and Ethel The Pirate’s Daughter. When Thomas, an untried actor, impresses him with a powerful audition he thinks he’s found the perfect Romeo. Little does he know that Thomas is actually Viola, the daughter of a wealthy merchant who is pledged to marry the unpleasant Lord Wessex and desperate for a life of her own.
When he finds out, Will ignores the ban on women performers in the Elizabethan theatre, and the two fall in love. Will this be a case of star-crossed lovers or a happy ever after?
Henslowe, with his helpful advice, is hoping to inspire young Will to give up tragic tales of loss and despair and actually write something the public wants to see. And considering how delighted the audience was when a dog ran across the stage during the Canberra Theatre Centre (CTC) 2019 program launch last year, I’d say he was definitely on to something.
Credit: Jeff Busby.
That particular star turn way back in November 2018 was highlighting that the Melbourne Theatre Company’s Shakespeare In Love was coming to the CTC in 2019, and I’ve been looking forward to the opening ever since.
I’ve also been wanting to know who will be playing the pooch and now I have the insider knowledge thanks to a chat with cast member Deidre Rubenstein, who tells me that the part went to Daisy the dog, who Deidre describes as “adorable”.
“Audiences love her and call out for her to take curtain calls with everyone at the end.”
But it’s not just audiences who have loved the play, with rave reviews following the production from where it’s just wrapped in Melbourne.
Deidre, who plays the roles of the Queen, Viola’s nurse and a tavern prostitute, is equally complimentary of all her cast mates. “It’s been the happiest rehearsal room I’ve been in,” she says.
Directed by Simon Phillips and with Michael Wahr as Will Shakespeare, Deidre and Claire van der Boom (Viola) are the only women in the cast, which allows the production to play with gender in even more ways.
“We have 13 men and two women. During the ball scene all the gorgeous girls are actually all very handsome men in wigs and huge frocks.”
Credit: Jeff Busby.
The frocks in question, created by costume designer Gabriela Tylesova, are works of art. There are 80 costumes and 30 Elizabethan ruffs made by hand to bring the 16th century to life right in here in modern day Canberra. Better yet, we’re the only city the Melbourne Theatre Company is touring the play to, making us extremely fortunate.
“I really hope Canberra takes the play to its heart,” says Deidre. “Audiences in Melbourne have absolutely loved it and are transported. People know the story from the [1998] film with Gwyneth Paltrow and Joseph Fiennes, but the stage play does have some changes. Kit Marlowe is now a much bigger role and is played perfectly by Luke Arnold. He played Michael Hutchence [in INXS: Never Tear Us Apart] and he brings that quality of rock star poet to this role too.”
Like Deidre, most of the cast play multiple roles, which means costume changes have to be precisely timed. When I ask which is her favourite of her three costumes, she lets me in on a secret.
“I do enjoy being the saucy tavern wench and sashaying around, but I absolutely adore being the Queen, complete with crown atop. The gown is so huge though that it’s like wearing a table. It goes on over my nurse’s costume and I’ve gotten very good at getting it on quickly. I struggled in the first few performances, definitely trial and error, but now I can do it in 45 seconds.”
Deidre describes the play as a love letter to the theatre.
“It’s different to performing a Shakespearean play. We’re not in verse but at the same time we’re part of the 16th century.”
When I ask her if she thinks Shakespeare was actually the author of the plays, she tells me there are, in fact, some playful swipes at one of theatre’s greatest conspiracy theories in the production.
What’s not in doubt, however, is how charming this romantic comedy is. Playing at the Canberra Theatre Centre from 22 to 31 August, this is set to be a memorable night at the theatre…complete with a dog!
the essentials
What: Melbourne Theatre Company’s Shakespeare In Love
When: 22-31 August 2019
Where: Canberra Theatre Centre
How much: Tickets from $69-119
Website: canberratheatrecentre.com.au/show/shakespeare-in-love
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