The Bard Bearded
Just back from Upstart Crow at The Gielgud Theatre - Ben Elton’s comedy – following on historically from the TV series; David Mitchell’s Shakespeare is now writing for the Jacobean Theatre.
This is a funny and touching play, closely referencing Lear and Othello, with nods to many others, particularly 12th Night. Elton, on song, writes beautifully, and this doesn’t have a poor line (well, much is Shakespeare’s, so not really surprising); he is well served by his actors, including (especially) Mitchell, not a stage actor by training or experience but wholly comfortable with stagecraft, and whose TV comic timing transfers well.
Stuffed with clever ‘woke’ reference (Shakespeare is challenged as to why he should be writing a play about a Moor, when he isn’t one); when the final scene (played out on the Globe stage) is staged between Othello and Desdemona (played in this by a real black actor and a real woman – don’t ask how this comes about) the anomaly of that casting in 1605 is more than just noted. Like the TV shows before this (and like Blackadder) this is comic writing of the highest order, well informed by historical (and literary) knowledge (you can’t parody what you don’t understand). It’s had great reviews, and deserved them.
Maybe this isn’t ‘great theatre’ – but it’s a great night out in a theatre.
And then – the First Lockdown – and nothing until open air concerts in July and August.