Venue:
Bristol Old Vic
Date: 09/07/2017
I saw this Kneehigh Theatre production back in 2005 at Warwick Arts Centre – brilliant both then and now. Notionally a tragedy, but framed by the device of being played within ‘The Club Unloved’. The players and musicians all played members of this club at times dressed in kagouls, glasses and balaclavas.
The play is partially in verse, includes a fantastic stage set, top-notch musicians up in a ‘Crows Nest’, dancing and much more.
Apart from the excellent leads playing the lovers, the Cornish King Mark and his sidekick (a brilliant Kyle Lima as Frocil), the show was nearly stolen by a pantomime dame-like Brangian (Yseult’s Irish maid). The show does break the ‘4th wall’ in many respects and there is some audience participation, but no-one is shamed or embarrassed – some balloons were involved.
Uplifting, zany and energetic – the show throughly deserved its standing ovation. Anything that has the cast dancing and mugging furiously to ‘Get Lucky’ has my vote. You even get serenaded by band and cast members during the interval (‘Only The Lonely’ being one selection).
The audience:
A mixture of ages. Unfortunately, the people behind us had brought a couple of young teens who were wont to snigger at some of the sexual/erotic parts of the production. Also a young boy and a baby(!) somewhere. I know it was a matinee, but the theatre listing did suggest over-16. Very responsive to cast/open-minded crowd.
It made me think..
What a high quality of theatre we have in this country – players who can also sing, dance and play instruments at a fantastic level. it is a pity this is probably the last tour for this show.
Oh I wish we’d caught this! Haven’t braved the cobbles for years now; really must make the effort again soon. I’ll subscribe forthwith to their email newsletter again, thanks to your review.
And even if it’s a matinee, anyone bringing kiddies let alone a babe in arms to the theatre should be turned away at the door. It’s selfish and inconsiderate. Sorry, but this is not the 16th century, and it costs more than a groat to go to a show these days, so carrying in a guaranteed distraction that will diminish other’s enjoyment while enhancing the life of the toddler not a jot is simply out of order.
It’s in Bristol until 15th !
It’s also damn near sold out on Saturday evening, the only time we could make it! One solo £40 seat in the Pit left. Another time I guess, if there is one.
Absolutely seconded. We saw it at Theatr Clwyd and we both thought it was the best theatre we have seen in goodness knows how long. Do go if you can. Otherwise I believe it is in Galway next (!).
I was once at a show where someone brought a baby, an unhappy baby.
The show : a performance of Beethoven’s Third Symphony at the Usher Hall in the Edinburgh.
I was in their curvy circle, so I could see pretty much the entire audience open-mouthed trying to figure out if they were really what they thought they were hearing.
Some people are very odd.
Kneehigh are just wonderful, saw them loads in Cornwall. If ever you get the chance to see them in the Asylum, their huge tent, grab it.
The generally anarchic nature of their shows, certainly in less hallowed surroundings than the Bristol Old Vic (ie a field in Cornwall), means that you can get quite of lot of kids. I saw a baby seamlessly incorporated into the action once.
That seems quite,Punk.