THE Proteans perform their summer Shakespeare in the beautifully preserved Walled Garden at Down Grange.
It is the perfect backdrop to Shakespeare's text, with bird sound as an atmospheric soundtrack and rich, leafy greenery behind the simple set design.
This year's production, The Comedy of Errors, directed by Mary Swan, embraces the novelty of performing outdoors alongside the farcical nature of the play with bright physical comedy, an absurd collection of props and contemporary music interludes.
Whether music from The Beatles actually fits alongside the Shakespearean text, or a long-stemmed rose, dog toy and bubbles are
suitable tools for a conjurer to restore sense to a man turned mad, are questions that add to the bizarre nature of this play about mistaken identities.
The question is not what makes sense here but rather, what doesn't, and the light, funny performances by the Proteans allow us to really enjoy the nonsense.
From a drunken Adriana played by Helen White to the ridiculous antics of Dromio of Syracuse played by Liam Elvish, the cast are a strong ensemble.
Jeanette Hobden's performance as Luce is a real highlight; witness the zest she gives to wearing a fruit bowl on her head, playing the fool and threatening the audience with her singing.
Mary Swan utilises the freedom of working outdoors to achieve things that would be otherwise problematic in an indoor space, such as an impressive flaming cross carried by the conjurer Dr Pinch and a grand chase between Luce and Dromio across the Walled Garden pond.
Her openness to experiment pays off with a feeling that anything goes, and it is imperative simply for the audience and actors to have fun.
This is most evident in Mary's staging of the play, as the playing space extends behind and within the audience, allowing us to be part of it.
This is the real strength of The Proteans. This community of actors welcome the audience to be part of their work, and this production is no exception.
Lydia Thomson
Performances continue from June 27-29.
Tickets: £10, concessions £9 under 16s and full time students £8 9online booking fee applies)
wegottickets.com/proteustheatre
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