WHAT can a dog puppet do that a human can’t? Find out in York Shakespeare Project’s The Two Gentlemen Of Verona at Theatre@41, Monkgate, York, from tomorrow to Saturday.
‘Two Gents’ is possibly the first play Shakespeare ever wrote and certainly the only one with a part for a canine.
Settling into a mission to bring all Shakespeare’s plays to York on a second cycle, these facts could have presented YSP with some interesting challenges. Luckily YSP found a director eager to deliver a fascinating take on this 1593 comedy.
Originally from the United States of America, Tempest Wisdom studied theatre at the University of Chicago before pursuing a Masters degree in theatre-making at the University of York.
Already making their mark on the York theatre scene as the creator and host of the bi-monthly Bard at the Bar, a Shakespeare karaoke night at Micklegate Social, now Tempest is bringing their enthusiasm and talent to YSP’s autumn production.
“I’m setting The Two Gentlemen Of Verona in a Victorian music hall,” says Tempest. “A bawdy, raucous place where a host of variety acts will come together to stage the play.”
Theatre@41 will be transformed for the occasion, giving cast members the exciting challenge of becoming variety performers, each delivering their special act as well as lines from Shakespeare’s play, including Launce with his performing dog, Crab.
“The play-within-a-play structure combines Shakespeare’s signature wit with the razzle-dazzle and slapstick of an evening of variety,” says YSP chair Tony Froud. “A live pianist will add to the Victorian feel of the evening; Shakespeare’s characters will seamlessly rub shoulders with classic music-hall songs, such as Champagne Charlie and The Lass Of Richmond Hill, as the newly assembled company of knife throwers, strongmen, musicians and comedians pool their skills to bring together this rarely-performed comedy.”
Tempest explains the rationale behind the music-hall setting. “Two Gentlemen is one of Shakespeare’s earliest works, and you can already see the characteristic zaniness of his comedies beginning to take shape: cross-dressing, love songs, ribald humour.
“In my opinion, the best Shakespeare productions use their setting to complement the themes and tone of the text, and I thought a music hall, with its quick pace, slapstick and bawdiness, would be the best way to bring that zaniness to its full potential.”
The Two Gentlemen Of Verona is known by some as the play enjoyed by Dame Judi Dench’s Elizabeth I in the 1998 film Shakespeare In Love. The Queen is particularly taken by the performing dog, Crab, who, in time honoured fashion, outshines the actors.
The appearance of a dog is one of the most famous features of the play. In YSP’s production, Crab will be a puppet, built and brought to life by the capable hands of York theatre-maker and puppeteer Wilf Tomlinson.
“Working with Wilf is a joy,” says YSP cast regular, Lara Stafford, who plays Crab’s owner, Launce. “Crab might not have any lines but he’s got a huge presence; it’s a complete double act, and we’re having a great time in rehearsal. There are a lot of things human actors aren’t allowed to do that dog puppets can get away with. It’s going to be very funny.”
Who’s in the York Shakespeare Project cast for ‘Two Gents’?
Proteus: Nick Patrick Jones
Valentine: Thomas Jennings
Silvia: Effie Warboys
Julia: Lily Geering
Chairwoman: Jodie Mulliah
Pianist: Stuart Lindsay
Panthino: Charlie Barrs
Speed: Liz Quinlan
Launce : Lara Stafford
Crab: Wilf Tomlinson
The Duke of Milan: Mark Payton
Thurio: Charlie Spencer
Antonio: Stuart Green
Lucetta: Anna Gallon
Sir Eglamour: Jonathan Cook
The Outlaws: Pearl Mollison, Kay Maneerot and Celeste North Finocchi
York Shakespeare Project in The Two Gentlemen Of Verona, Theatre@41, Monkgate, York, Tuesday (cut-price preview) to Saturday, 7.30pm plus 2.30pm Saturday matinee. Box office: tickets.41monkgate.co.uk. “Book now for the event of the 19th century!” says Tempest.
