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Love for Love
Jan. 17th, 2016 12:58 pmI don't remember why we originally booked tickets for Love for Love, possibly it was the only play in the Winter Season at the RSC which originally appealled. Whatever reason, it's a Restoration Comedy by William Congreve, performed by mostly the same cast as Queen Anne. And in fact, when we were leaving the Swan Theatre, the stage crew were already in changing the scenery over ready for the evening performance of that play.
To me, the play itself didn't have that much to recommend it, but the performance was excellent. From the start, when the actors were on stage before the play began, and whilst the audience were still finding their seats, there was a feeling of involvement, such as would have been present during the original performances. Some of the actors walked amongst the audience, one discovered someone had come on their birthday, and Lizzie, whose birthday it was, was unexpectedly song to by the whole audience.
Once again, it was great entertainment. There was singing (including Jonathan Christie, an excellent counter-tenor) and dancing. There was humour - including a long running duck sound whenever anyone was referred to as mad, until the duck was shot and fell to the ground. There was a great liveliness to the production. The costumes were bright and cheerful. The five musicians were in costume. It wasn't a play to make you think, but wonderful entertainment for a bleak January afternoon.
I was particularly taken with Carl Prekopp, who played Jeremy, Valentine Legend's servant, and pleased to note afterwards he was one of those I had liked in Queen Anne. Of the others I mentioned last time, Jenny Rainsford made an excellent Miss Prue, but the other two had small parts, which although well played (as did all the company) did not provide opportunity to stand out.
To me, the play itself didn't have that much to recommend it, but the performance was excellent. From the start, when the actors were on stage before the play began, and whilst the audience were still finding their seats, there was a feeling of involvement, such as would have been present during the original performances. Some of the actors walked amongst the audience, one discovered someone had come on their birthday, and Lizzie, whose birthday it was, was unexpectedly song to by the whole audience.
Once again, it was great entertainment. There was singing (including Jonathan Christie, an excellent counter-tenor) and dancing. There was humour - including a long running duck sound whenever anyone was referred to as mad, until the duck was shot and fell to the ground. There was a great liveliness to the production. The costumes were bright and cheerful. The five musicians were in costume. It wasn't a play to make you think, but wonderful entertainment for a bleak January afternoon.
I was particularly taken with Carl Prekopp, who played Jeremy, Valentine Legend's servant, and pleased to note afterwards he was one of those I had liked in Queen Anne. Of the others I mentioned last time, Jenny Rainsford made an excellent Miss Prue, but the other two had small parts, which although well played (as did all the company) did not provide opportunity to stand out.
