Truth be told, it has been a long time since I attended a Bard on the Beach performance. The reality is I am not a big fan of the dramatic arts, and having to sit still for two hours plus. I blame it on the ADHD. That, and my old English Shakespearean is a lot rusty.
However this season’s “The Two Gentleman of Verona” is one I would make an exception for. For those unfamiliar with the play, it is the story of friendship and love and how fickle both can be, but made modern with an 80’s flair and an ending that better aligns with the times and people’s awareness.
Performed on the BMO Mainstage at Vanier Park, the following is how their website describes the show. “OH, YEAH! It’s The Two Gentlemen of Verona—with a twist! This nostalgic visit to the ‘80s features a soundtrack of that candy-coloured decade, from unforgettable dance hits to tear-jerking ballads, as it celebrates friendship and the foolhardy ways young love makes us behave. Sent to court to learn to be “perfect gentlemen,” Valentine and Proteus are derailed by their attraction to Silvia, the ruler’s daughter. Adding to the fun, the role of Crab will be played by an actual dog, the only dog role in the Shakespearean canon.”
I was not familiar with the play before this show and didn’t know what to expect. So my review is written from that perspective.
The stage was set with neon lights and pop art. Characters were styled with rock mullets and teased big hair. Dressed in faded denim sets, geometric patterns, and lacquer jewellery. Costumes included unitard work out gear, mesh tops, and over-sized blazers with shoulder pads.
I was most amused by the stage hands dressed as 80’s pop music group: Deco, with yellow coveralls and orange cone hats. Yet another one of the clever ways to make the performance more 80’s driven. Those who understood the references got the most joy out of the performance, half the fun is trying to catch them all.
Without ruining it, but instead offering an “I Spy” game of sorts, (for those who decide to attend for themselves). I caught nods to the Terminator, Back to the Future, Mad Max, and Weekend at Bernies. “Steven Segal” won over the crowd each time he was on stage.
There was plenty of 80’s music to set the tone, and to help transition between scenes. We were escorted to the “Danger zone”, where our “breaths was taken away”, and left at a “careless whisper”.
As the preamble promised, the dog stole the show, he even had an understudy that came around to greet the attendees during intermission.
He was met with “aww’s” and his indifference on stage added levity. However, I am not sure how he tied into the whole play. His scenes served as a break and side story. Much like his on-stage care taker, who was the only one to speak in regular English, and not old English like the other characters.
I really enjoyed the pace of the play, how they added situational and physical comedy to help bridge the potential loss in translation from language.
I did find that it tapered off at the end and leaned on a splashy musical number to finish it off on a “good note” (intentional pun). From two men to a group of women from Verona.
Show-runners kept the ending open to interpretation and the crowd left in reflective chatter.
The following is my interpretation of the finale, so mind the spoiler. Considering that the two best friends got back together again, and the women were left in the dust flashing their boobs to one another, the message might be “Bro’s before hoes”?
In conclusion, this was so well done. You can’t help but pay attention throughout the show as to not miss any of the references. It kept our focus as each scene featured something new, even the monologues were made interesting thanks to the great costuming, feelings of nostalgia, and eye-catching neon lights. It was also amusingly ironic that majority of the actors were too young to understand the 80’s references they were acting out.
I highly recommend Bard on the Beach‘s The Two Gentleman of Verona for a great time.
Bard on the Beach Shakespeare Festival
1695 Whyte Ave, Vancouver, BC V6J 5C3
(604) 739-0559
bardonthebeach.org
