When the sun shines there is no better way to spend an afternoon in London than at Regent’s Park open air theatre. Yesterday was a fabulous example – and designed especially for kids. I’d spent some time chatting to the coaches at the public tennis courts and then sipping chilled lemonade in the beautifully scented rose gardens before entering the theatre.
Surrounded by groups of school children (from age six years up to teens – who had no doubt seen the “She’s the man” film which is based on the story) and a handful of tourists, I shared their sense of awe and wonder at the amphitheatre itself which is surrounded by trees and greenery with climbers all around the hidden cafe. It is a magical location.
The stage was surrounded by tall sunflowers – which featured in the production – and the front was littered with blue buckets and bricks. We started with audience participation as we practised some Mexican waves so that we could be a part of the storm that shipwrecks Viola and Sebastian from their bath-tub boat. Everyone laughed at the newspaper sea gulls. And I am still singing the song “It raineth every day”.
The love meter – indicating when each person in a love triangle was struck – helped the audience keep up with the plot. Everyone loved all the characters – whether the bereaved Olivia, the drunken Sir Toby Belch, camp suitor Sir Andrew, mad Malvolio and the deep-voiced and brilliantly entertaining Feste.
Musical interludes added an interesting dimension as did the audience’s attempt at joining in with the dancing. There were pirates, police chases, shaggy dogs, water pistol fights and escaping chickens to add to the fun. There were modern references too – humming the song “Let it go” and Elvis Presley songs. The kids giggled away delightedly all the way through the two hour (with 15 minute interval) production.
Well done to all the teachers there who ensured their charges kept on their sun hats, remained cool and drank lots of water. But they didn’t have to do much to control their kids as they were all utterly absorbed in the production.
It was superb story telling. All I can say is “Well done” for making Shakespeare accessible and relevant to youngsters without being condescending.
