A Review of Two Gentlemen of Verona

Oxford Drama plays host to quite the array of performances from the purely good fun to those bordering on professional. However, it has been a long time since the Oxford Playhouse has seen the world of professional theatre truly merge with student theatre, the last time being 1966 with the performance of Doctor Faustus staring Richard Burton and Elizabeth Taylor. This week the city has the pleasure of witnessing this merging yet again, this time with a professional director leading a student team of cast and crew upon an adventure to Milan. Greg Doran’s Two Gentlemen of Verona is an opportunity to witness what can be achieved when the budding talent within OUDS is given the chance to truly shine.

There are some excellent performances across the board; however, there is no denying that the standout performance comes from Rocky as Crab. Hold the lead of the adorable dog stealing audience hearts is Jo Rich’s outstanding performance of Launce. Every second of his time on stage is a hilarious pleasure to watch, being the perfect contrast to the more tense scenes of the plot (notably Will Shackleton’s emotional moments as Valentine). Without a doubt, this is an example of perfect casting. Equally, leads Rob Wolfreys and Shackleton are a well balanced duo, complimenting each other excellently. Wolfreys has entered the university scene with a bang, this energetic first role highlighting that there is certainly a successful career on offer within the society if he chooses. Of course, the other half of this duo is a name that is by all accounts not unfamiliar, yet perhaps parts of this performance will be, the actor playing a more conventional role than audiences are likely used to. As always, he does not disappoint. With a large cast there is the temptation to discuss all; however, in an aim not to make this too lengthy, I will just quickly say that both Lilia Kanu as Julia and Rosie Mahendra as Silvia ensure that their characters are not simply the objects of male desire but strong women in their own right. With a final shoutout to Leah Aspden’s Lucetta and a certain drag performance, I will move on.

This talented ensemble perform amongst a rather unusual set, the great metal structures being rotated at various points within the play. While I am unsure exactly how this contributes to the general aesthetic of the play, the scenes taking place between them include a lively range of different sets that add a vibrancy to the classic tale. At the back of the stage and certainly not to be forgotten are the orchestra, led by musical director Daniel Savage. Setting the scene as the audience enter, they are sometimes visible and sometimes hidden in what is undoubtably one of the most efficient and effective set ups the musicians of Oxford Drama have had the pleasure to work with in some time.

Despite the high level of professionalism on display across the production, there was still the opportunity for an OUDS in joke… notably the opening to the second half (without giving away a spoiler). This highlights the presence of collaboration, which Doran has regularly stated was important to him. Therefore, Two Gents did exactly what it set out to achieve, bringing Doran’s experience into student sphere and enabling those who worked with him to thrive. It is a love story and it clear how much passion has been poured into the production.

Image courtesy of Geraint Lewis