I loved this.

I saw a Stage Two Production (the Auckland University Theatre Company which evolved into the Stray Theare Company) at the late, lamented Musgrove Studio in a devised piece based on Coleridge’s Rime of the Ancient Mariner in 1976 and still remember how mesmerising it was even after all these years.

Ashamed to say this is my second viewing of this company – well, I have been out of town a lot! It will not be my last.

Written as a tragedy by William Shakespeare and full of youthful extravagance, dancing and sword play with sudden violence and swift transactions, it has been adapted by Josh Liddell-Trotter and Casey Roberts into the 1920s here in Tamaki Makaurau at the Auckland University with two rivalling university theatre companies competing daily for the title of best performing arts club.

A terrific idea which isn’t fully followed through. Either go whole hog or not at all. Some very funny modern dialogue which the young audience (great to see) enjoys really is not enough to make the premise a complete entity. My favourite of the night – “My protégé, my star, dead! ” 

The Directors’ notes mention letting the actors choose pronouns and costume. A mistake as it creates confusion and the Directors must have complete control of the vision to make it work as a whole.

The direction by Yue Pilbrow and Ruby Haddon is innovative, pacy and uses the Pitt Street Theatre space very well. They ensure that the characters intentions shine through even if clouded by some poor delivery.

The play is about, and driven by, the characters in the title and they can make or break a production.

I have seen six attempts at this play, three professional and three amateur, and Matthew Whitwell and Viola Ember are the best I have seen. Outstanding performance with clear diction, perfect understanding of the script, both the subtleties and the comedy, melded into bewitching performances from both.

The balcony scene is superbly acted with just the right amount of sexual inuendo and comedy but never loses the rich language, that make this scene worth the ticket price alone. 

Nat Churches’ Mercutio also shines. His Queen Mab speech, arguably one of the most eloquent and fanciful in all of Shakespeare, is delivered with the skill of a professional of many years standing.

The whole cast is to be congratulated with all contributing fine performances to create a most pleasurable evening of hugely entertaining, quality theatre.

Auckland theatre is in fine hands with this bunch and yes, Shakespeare is the winner on the night.

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