Two Gentlemen of Verona

Given the turmoil in the city’s financial district, the distraction of a little lunchtime theatre in the near vicinity should prove welcome.

With a duration of around about 45 minutes, Shakespeare’s comedy fits in nicely to allow a bit of culture before returning to the office.  Bridewell Theatre’s Lunchbox Theatre drew a large and mixed crowd for one of the Bard’s earliest works.

Much like Shakespeare’s other comedies, the play revolves around a collection of lovelorn fools who stumble and err due to their romantic fervour. There is Valentine and Proteus, two friends whose relationship is threatened by the presence of Silvia, a woman to whom Valentine is betrothed and with whom Proteus is besotted. Such is Proteus’s newfound ardour that he instantly forgets his ties to Julia, whom he has left behind in Milan.

He even goes so far as to split the Valentine and Silvia up by revealing his friend’s plans to spirit Silvia away by night to her father. Julia comes to Verona in order to find Proteus but must dress up as a boy. All sorts of misunderstandings occur, but I don’t think I’m giving anything away by revealing that all ends well and everything returned to how it was.

The production by C Company is certainly a sprightly one and perfectly suited to the lunchtime audience. It felt slightly under rehearsed although as it continues its run into next week I expect it will become a lot more fluid. The actors need to settle down a little more and not appear so nervous and unsure. They are able to get the laughs but not with the punch one might expect. However, special mention should go to Ed Hulme for his portrayal of Thurio. It’s one of Shakespeare’s best comic parts and his lurid and smarmy interpretation is the highlight of the play. It’s only a shame that his dog could not also make an appearance.

This is an amiable production that will improve greatly as the run goes on. There are one or two weak spots but to concentrate on them would be to miss the point of the spectacle. For those around the City, in desperate need of cheering up, they could do a lot worse than spend 45 minutes learning that they are simply part of life’s wicked comedy.

Two Gentlemen of Verona is at Bridewell Theatre until Friday 10 July.

Bridewell Theatre
Bride Lane
Blackfriars
EC4Y 8EQ

Box office: 020 7353 3331