[Review] Two Gentlemen of Verona by Pembroke Players of Cambridge University

Hello my lovelies,

How have I longed for a nice English play in Japan. I was not expecting much since it was advertised to be a play played by amateurs (most probably art and theatre students) and I was more than glad to have travelled that far and spent that much. The show was just brilliant.

Working Poster of Two Gentlemen of Verona

Two Gentlemen of Verona is believed to be one of the first comedy by William Shakespeare. A simple play with very small cast compared to other Shakespearean plays.
 Curtain went up and it was the emotional good bye between the two gentlemen Valentine and Proteus. While Valentine was set for his life adventure to Milan, Proteus decided to stay in Verona on his pursuit of love.
 Meanwhile, the love of Proteus life Lady Julia is discussing with her lady in waiting, Lucetta about the only man that has not pursue her in hand of marriage. When Lucetta presented her with the letter that was long awaited, Lady Julia modestly play the silly game of “I don’t want it, send it away” when she finally shred the notes and quick to regret it. When Lucetta left, Lady Julia pieced the letter piece by piece kissing it with much affection.
 While in Proteus house, having heard the talk of others about not sending his son abroad to be a well-rounded person, Proteus father demanded for him to join his bosom buddy Valentine in Milan.
 In Milan, Valentine was having an adventure of his own courting the beautiful Silvia. Though, when Proteus arrive and saw lady Silvia, he too fell for her. Knowing Valentine’s plan to elope with lady Silvia, Proteus decided to tattle on his best friend and got him sent away from his love.
 Back in Verona, lady Julia decided to pursue her love for Proteus by disguising herself in manly clothing and traveling to Milan. Sadly, only to find the love of her life was hitting on someone else. While the turmoil of a love story between Proteus, lady Silvia and lady Julia is heating up, Valentine was riding through a forest between Milan and Mantua, when a band of outlaw pounded on him. Yet, having lied about killing a man, the band of outlaw took him as one of them and made him the leader of their merry band of thieves. Still in love with the love of her life Valentine, lady Silvia and her best mate took off into the forest in search of Valentine, instead lady Silvia was kidnapped. Knowing his daughter ran away, the Duke (lady Silvia’s father) sent for a search group for his daughter and Proteus tagged along.
 Lastly, in the end when they knew about their identities, they made up and forgave each other. Valentine finally suggested for a double wedding in the end and they had a huge reception at the Duke’s place

Pembroke Players of Cambridge University was not our average every day theatre students. There are more professional than most smaller black box players I have seen here.

When I first heard of this play from a friend, I was actually expecting a schoolgirl play with a really bad Shakespearean play interpretation. But I have never been more wronged in my life.

Not only their performance was one of the best amateur plays that I have ever seen it was also one of the best interpretation of a Shakespearean play. Also it was the most awesome reversed-role play that I have ever seen. They did not in anyway change their voice nor did they change their bodily look. All they did was to wear the opposite gender clothing and to act like one. Which for me, works and did not seem gross.

Their character possession was amazing even though some of them carried more than one role. They did amazing in switching between one role to another and they were remarkable at supporting each other as well.

Of course there’s mishaps and stuttering here and there, but they were really great at covering up. It’s really hard for me to really judge one by one of the actors since this was the first time I saw them and all I remembered was that they were almost perfect.

Their voices were clear and crisp. Their articulations were faultless. Their movements were fluid. Their character possession were clearly projected and performed.

Though the biggest kudos should be given to the director and the assistant director for the crystal direction and awesome staging. The music arrangement was not bad but the lighting was a little slow at some parts and a tad bit too fast. Yet it was a really good performance.

All in all this play deserve a well seven out of ten (7/10). I do hope to see more from this company and the directors. I do hope to see them on a bigger stage so I can clearly observe their voice projection over the music and effects. Also double thumbs up for the boys for their (fake?) Irish/Scottish accent and making me fall in love more with them.

Love and kisses,

GWRL