Romeo and Juliet

It’s a shame that more Shakespeare is not included in Community Theatre playbills. James Anderson’s production has assembled a great 15 member cast for this tale of the star-crossed lovers. Jack Harbour and Stephanie Toft take the title roles and are supported by some of the Coast’s most experienced performers:  Tara Page, Noel Thompson, Kate McNair and Joel Beskin leading a worthy band of players.

The production had pace, action and emotion.

Minimalism is fine, but in this production (I feel) it was taken too far. Those audience members who were not familiar with the story would have found it hard to follow the plot just by listening to the Shakespearian dialogue which (on numerous occasions was hard to hear) without the “visual” support of period costumes, suitable scenery and props, all of which were left to the audience’s imagination.

The technical side of the production added greatly to the success of the play. Creative lighting and appropriate music enhanced the ambience of Verona in the sixteenth century.

I hope that Community Theatre will include more plays by “The Bard” in their seasons.

Roger McKenzie

Photographer: Murray Rix