REVIEW: Shooting Shakespeare - Bath Theatre RoyalThe blend of film, theatre, surreal comedy and visual trickery make a performance by Forkbeard Fantasy a unique and memorable experience.
Shooting Shakespeare, premiered at Bath Theatre Royal as part of their Shakespeare Festival 2004, did not disappoint.
The company was formed by brothers Chris and Tim Britton in 1974 and traces its roots to the long tradition of experimental performance art and theatre.
The company merges action on the stage with the screen including dialogue and movement between the two. A character walking through the screen at the back of the stage where a dark, deserted street is projected, and appearing to walk into the distance, for instance.
They also project film images on all sorts of curious objects including the sail of a ship and a balloon.
Shooting Shakespeare is concerned with the attempts by early pioneers in cinema to create silent films of Shakespeare's plays in this instance the challenge set to Desmond Fairybreath of the Old Queen Theatre to make a film of The Tempest. Ageing theatre star Dame Theodora, played by Chris Britton, is called upon to star as Miranda and steals the show.
The subject the decline of theatre following the introduction of film is a curious paradox, coming from a company that so successfully and hilariously combines both.
The mood of the play combines the darkly gothic with pantomime.
Shooting Shakespeare is a feast for the eyes and ears, extremely funny, and highly recommended.
Sarah Singleton
Shooting Shakespeare
Bath Theatre Royal
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