Front row: Rob Lyndon, Fiona Belchamber, Simon Bolton, Wendy Killian, Dawn Finch, Sally Gilfillan, Simon Boughey, Bob Reitemeier; Back row: Paul Sayers, Jonathan Reuben [Otherwise occupied when the photo was taken: Richard Brown]
PERFORMING Shakespeare in the park is a brilliant idea on a balmy summer's night.
Unfortunately Rooftop Theatre Company, which has put on its second such production at the Inn on the Park in Verulamium Park over the last fortnight, has been plagued by the weather yet again.
The cast and audience have faced rain, wind and unseasonably cold weather for July so all credit must go to Rooftop for carrying on regardless - the old adage that the show must go on has never been more apt.
This year Rooftop opted for The Taming of the Shrew and to describe the production as quirky is something of an understatement. Set in the sixties, it featured a clearly much-loved Mini car, very short mini skirts and men - or rather a man - in skirts.
It all made for a slightly odd but enjoyable production of a play which is so politically incorrect it is a wonder it is still performed today.
The story of The Taming of the Shrew, immortalised in the musical Kiss Me Kate, is about the subjugation of the feisty Katharina by her suitor Petruchio. Sally Gilfillan and Rob Lyndon in the two roles used humour as the weapon of subjugation so it was believable that Katharina appeared to bow to the wishes of the boorish Petruchio.
But I was mystified by Petruchio turning up for his wedding in a dress, making him into a figure of fun instead of the male chauvinist he is always perceived to be, although that may have been part of the theme of humour eventually winning her round.
Sally Gilfillan was an excellent Katharina, from her ranting and raving down to her final call for her husband to put his foot on herhand - as she pushed him backwards. She and Rob Lyndon were a well-matched if somewhat odd couple.
Better matched were Paul Sayers as the lovestruck Lucentio and Wendy Killian as the rather soppy Bianca whom all the men were intent on wooing. Dawn Finch as the manipulative Madame Minola, mother of the two girls, hit just the right combination of hard headedness and maternal love.
Fiona Belchamber as Grumio acted her socks off but a combination of the wind on Saturday night and having to recite some very uninspiring lines meant it was hard to follow what she was saying.
Having said that, the youngsters in the audience loved her, watching her avidly and laughing at every nuance of her over-the-top performance.
Rooftop did not quite hit the same note with Taming of the Shrew as they did last year with Love's Labours Lost but they clearly appeal to the St Albans theatre-going audience judging by the size of the attendance and the enthusiastic applause.
It would be interesting to see them tackle Shakespeare in a more conducive location in the so-called British summer.
MADELEINE BURTON
AUDIENCE FEEDBACK FROM THE FIRST WEEK
"Entertaining, good fun and great props. Full of energy, great to watch"
"Thoroughly enjoyed it, excellent production"
"Great food, reasonably priced. Great views close to the action, lovely atmosphere"
"Intimate setting, good food"
"Great entertainment, loved the ending"
"Excellent cast, particularly Petruchio"
[we don't have permission to give the names of people who have provided feedback but the forms are viewable at the box office]
