THEATRE REVIEWS

Barrie Rutter and his band of players strolled into "The Round" and performed the result of an E-mail from him to Alan Plater. The outcome is a play with Shakespeare's characters nattering about the bard in a pub soon to be called the Boars Head. Boring this play is not, for the man himself turns up with two of his players. The man himself, meaning Shakespeare and Plater who sat in the audience with his family to watch the result of his efforts. He should be well pleased, for the evening went well for everyone in the theatre and that includes the audience who thoroughly enjoyed themselves.

So what did they all become involved with? The superb versatile group of musicians, who played toe tapping music by Conrad Nelson, were also actors who joined their colleagues to act their socks off. A simple set of an table, stools, beer barrel on tap and a smokey stove allowed the innkeeper, Nell (Sarah Parks), to dispense drinks and try to keep her motley group of customers in order as they found fault with William and the result of his labours. You will see most of Shakespeare's main characters, Jack, a sportsman (Barrie Rutter), Simon, a balladeer (Max Rubin), Peter, the painter (Richard Standing), Jane, the clown (Claire Storey), Mac, a wrestler (Andrew Vincent), Matthew and Mark, the bellows-mending twins (Andrew Cryer and Conor Ryan), barmaid Bella (Ruth Alexander-Rubin), Nicholas, a thief (Simon Holland Roberts), Will, a poet (Conrad Nelson) and to represent the other side of life Kate, a lady (Zoe Lambert), Thomas, a gentleman (Guy Parry) and Ralph, a constable (Gary Skelton). Well, they all need to be mentioned when you're part of a winning team.

This band of rude mechanicals have obvious parallels with Shakespeare's characters, all nicely mixed to give pleasure to a modern audience. Look below the surface and listen to every word for Plater has the gift and Rutter's players do the rest. Sample this play if it comes your way or be forever in want of knowledge, as it will give you enjoyment at the same time. © BA

“Sweet William” is at the Round in Scarborough from the 8th June to the 11th of June, 2005. This is a No Smoking theatre.