UK Theatre Network

THE ARDEN OF FAVERSHAM, Rose Theatre, Park Street SE1, until July 7 2010

A trip to the theatre besides the river is always a treat, especially on a balmy Summer's evening and to meander round the small back streets to seek out England's oldest tragic comedy in London's oldest theatre promised to be a special event - and indeed it was.

Currently under archaelogical excavation, the Rose was the first Elizabethan theatre to be built on Bankside in 1587 and seeing the show here lends a palpable atmospheric backdrop that would be quite impossible to recreate elsewhere. The play itself, still author unknown, is a historical gem with all the ingrediants for a good night of theatre going; domestic unbliss, a murder plot, buffoon comedy potential assassins, star-crossed lovers and a host of other supporting players.

At the centre is the 'Lady Macbeth - like' character of Alice of Faversham, played by Rachel Dale. An outstanding performance, Dale brings so much to the plate - her Alice is a living, breathing, manipulative, loving, animal-like creature who vividly fills the space she inhabits for the duration of the unfolding drama. Alice wants her husband Arden (Mark Carlisle) dead - simple, so she can be with the object of her desire, her flighty lover Mosby, (Jonathan Woolf), whose affections for her are based on what his material gain would be once Arden is disposed of. Alice knows not this truth and goes full throttle to do what she can to have Arden ousted and thus the plot unravels.
Around this, employed to do the deed, are the stooge - like characters of Black Will (the excellent Dan Gingell) & Shakebag (good support by Simon Pennicott) , whose attempts to fulfill the contract are continually thwarted - their entertaining comedy duo providing a successful counterbalance to the increasing emotional intensity of the lovers and the domestic wranglings. The inevitable, when it does happen, is excellently done with graphic, visceral realism.

The two hour play moves swiftly on without an interval, never once losing your attention - a tribute to the strong ensemble work of the cast, sharp direction and good storytelling. This is a little gem and most certainly worth seeking out down amongst the bowels of Shakespeare's Southwark heartland. See it before it ends on July 7.

For information on the Rose Theatre Campaign: www.rosetheatre.org

Em-Lou Productions Present...

The Most Lamentable And True Tragedie of Mr. Arden Of Faversham

Anon. (1592).
Directed by Peter Darney

Bookings

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Tickets £10.00 / £8.00 concessions
Box office: 020 7261 9565
Email: boxoffice@rosetheatre.org.uk

Tuesday 8th June - Wednesday 7th July
All performance at 7:30pm (no performances on Monday 14th, 21st and 28th June)

Mr. Arden of Faversham is in trouble. His wife Alice wants him dead. His wife’s lover Mosby wants him dead, so do Michael, Greene, Clarke, Black Will and Shakebag. Come and see which, if any, succeeds...

A darkly comic tale based on a true story, full of the lust, greed and ambition of real people, showing what this makes them capable of. Argued by many to be Shakespeare’s earliest surviving work, Arden of Faversham is the first English domestic tragedy.
There will be a Q and A with cast and team on 16th and 30th June.