Thank you very much for inviting me to New Stager’s production of Shakespeare’s classical play “The Taming of the Shrew” recently at St Anne’s Church. It’s my second visit to a New Stager production and was a pleasure to attend.

A near full house in an uncomfortably warm auditorium (it was the peak of the hot spell) sat back as the action commenced in a somewhat unique fashion. With the football world cup still in vivid memory, an unruly, inebriated gentleman regailed in full English supporter kit was seemingly being escorted from the church hall. It was indeed the aforementioned Christopher Sly being introduced to us in a very clever way and informed us to the fact that this version was to be staged with largely traditional dialogue but in a contemporary manner. The fact that New Stagers TC are able to present a shakesperean play with little obvious cuts to the script and engage a vast cast is quite an achievement. Allied to the fact that there were no weak links in the ensemble. Sure one or two were not as confident or as expressive in their dialogue as others but there is no doubting this society's strength in depth. It has a real 'club' feel about it with a varied dramatic programme, 70+ members and non participating players helping throughout show week.

The church hall by definition has limitations for a performing society. The last time I attended you used the floor and this time I was glad to see the extended stage being used. indeed your directorial team made good use of all entrances and exits to highten the stage interest and help the action to flow from scene to scene. Imperative when there are many scenes as there are in this five act dramatic piece. From your informative programme notes, it is clear how much work went into this production. I was also delighted to see that the directorial team of Mike Ainsworth and Richard Frampton used modern costume, settings and characterisations to bring out the comedy of the piece. Shakespeare can be turgid if left to drift in its original state but by giving it a fresh twist your audience were fully engaged. I thought the background of mafioso was well intended, a female Baptista intriguing and the portrayal of 'Biondello' as a 'chav' was truly inspired. The production was technically strong. A good Lighting plot was in evidence especially given the restraints and I could hear every word with perhaps only the minimum amount of amplification necessary. Costumes were modern and suitably stylish for the central characters where necessary and all props were appropriate for their needs.

The large cast looked well rehearsed and focussed in their roles. Amongst the principal performances;

Eamonn O'Reilly strode on as a Gaelic ‘Petruchio’, however this romantic idea of our hero’s interpretation was misguided as his clever guiles showed the dominance of his character and he won his lady although she was tamed and not broken

Frances Holmes as ‘Katherine Minola’ or the shrew of the story, was every bit a match for ‘Petruchio’ in character and moved easily from winsome lady to hellcat in the snap of a finger

Letitia Fussell impressed as ‘Bianca Minola’ the fair and virtuous one. Usually cast as pretty but with no substance, in this production Letitia had both looks and presence

Jon Bentley as the lovesick ‘Lucentio’ had an air of authority about him which is necessary for the role and Giles Checkley as ‘Tranio’ and Stuart Butler as ‘Grumio’ were faithful puppy like manservants and both had some amusing moments as they stealthily plowed through some thorny issues

Ian Pring as ‘Gremio’ was very natural on the eye, every movement and inflection had a purpose and ‘Hortensio’ in the form of Jake Flint had great command of the stage. Both in their time unsuccessful lovers

John Laing as ‘Biondello’ – I have already waxed lyrical about the Direction of the character but John kept a straight face throughout and reminded me of the type of character from a TV programme which no one can remember the name of!

Stephen Childs opened the show as the tinker ‘Christopher Sly’ and caught us all by surprise in his football gear. He played a decent enough drunk – more practice required

Paul Checkley as ‘Vicentio’ had much to say early in the piece and just about got through it unscathed.

As previously mentioned this was an ensemble production and should be treated as such. Good strength in depth and a hard working support team were much in evidence.

Congratulations to New Stagers Theatre Club for an entertaining evening

I am looking forward to seeing you again in the not too distant future.