Romeo and Juliet at Logie Steading
Logie Steading outdoor theatre, 2/8/24
Illyria Open Air Theatre, ‘Romeo and Juliet’, William Shakespeare
Over two hundred people braved the Scottish summer to enjoy Illyria’s touring show, one night only, performance of the Bard’s most popular play. This brave open air touring company have been delighted audiences for over thirty- two years travelling the breadth of the UK from Cornwall to the Highlands and even the hallowed ground of the Palace of Westminster. They always present a Shakespeare play, and this year it was the turn of ‘Romeo and Juliet’. What can I say about the play? Having produced , directed and taught it, the play still has the power to move and provide insights into the text missed before.
From Baz Luhrmann’s Hollywood movie to a stunning production of Prokofiev’s Ballet by Ural Opera Ballet, it never fails to move the audience to tears. Last night under a darkening sky, and a strange wind, the audience were silent as the lovers lay dead in an embrace. That is not to say that it was all doom and gloom. Illyria pride themselves on performing the full text with a cast of just five actors on a clever outdoor truck. There are twenty- seven named characters in the Dramatis Personae so a lot of quick changes are required, plus characterisation. The cast achieved this with aplomb, obviously relishing the chance to put their acting chops to work, particularly the male contingent. It would be churlish to pick out one actor, but Christopher Laishley was outstanding as Mercutio, incidentally the best part, and his delivery of the Queen Mab monologue was terrific. He also brought a nice touch to his Lady Capulet as she checked on Juliet at bedtime. Sarah Coyne was a feisty Juliet and Lydia Waller embraced full comedy of the Nurse role as well as being a pretty good swordsman as Tybalt. Samuel Adams made a fine Paris and Benvolio. All played multiple roles without losing the sense of the piece.
The courtyard of Logie Steading with its stone buildings provides good acoustics and the companies attention to diction ensure you never miss a line. Sometimes this makes for a race against time, losing the finesse of the emotions, but the iambic pentameter makes sure the meaning isn’t lost. An extra note. With the cost of programmes escalating Illyria produce a cracking one for only two pounds. Full of information, (they have signed up to Equity’s charter for Outdoor Theatre ) and they pay proper rates. They test the audience by producing anagrams of cast names, challenging you to decide ‘who plays what’. Congratulations to Panny Laing of Logie Steading Estate for ensuring that the Highlands can enjoy first class outdoor theatre. I can’t wait for ‘The Hound of the Baskervilles’ in August.
