MOVIE REVIEW: Two Gentlemen of Verona

Published Sep 26, 2014

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TWO GENTLEMEN OF VERONA

DIRECTOR: Simon Godwin

CAST FROM the Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC): Michael Marcus (Valentine), Mark Arends (Proteus), Pearl Chanda (Julia), Sarah Macrae (Silvia), Jonny Glynn (Silvia’s father)

RUNNING TIME: 2 hrs 45 mins;

RATING: 4 stars (out of 5)

Diane de Beer

THIS is the first time in 45 years that The Two Gentlemen of Verona has been per-formed in full production on the Royal Shakespeare Theatre stage.

For Shakespeare fanatics, this will be enough reason to see this version as it might be their first viewing.

In the introduction they explain that it is one of Shakespeare’s earlier plays and not thought to be one of his more mature plays, but they wanted to give a young director and cast a chance to stage it.

The approach is fun and there’s much explaining and emphasis on the relevance, importance and brilliance of the play. But this is young Shakespeare still finding his feet – which is a good reason to see it.

Many of the themes he expanded on in later years are recognisable and scenes and devices as well. Not claiming to be a Shakespeare specialist, it did seem to me as if the rhyming was more obvious and as if he hadn’t yet found those spectacular rhythms that is so much a part of his iconic oeuvre.

But still, young Shakespeare is quite a revelation as he comments on friendship, love, constancy and fickleness in what is more than anything, a period rom-com of sorts.

The two gentlemen are Valentine and Proteus, who are best friends, until they fall in love with the same girl. Proteus is a rascal and one of those people who reacts on his every thought. Fickleness is thy name, one could say of him.

The director uses everything at his disposal to make Italy and the countryside sexy, which isn’t a hard thing to do. As it is a contemporary setting, the cast follows suit as they tell this story that’s deliciously dilly. Even if some hearts are cracked along the way, Shakespeare sets it right as he flings the heart’s arrows swiftly and sharply between his youthful protagonists.

The film starts with a 10 minute overview of the Royal Shakespeare Company, followed by 20 minutes of interviews.

For info, visit: www.cinemanouveau.co.za. The filmed version of the live stage production has four screenings in South Africa, on September 27, October 1 and 2 at 7.30pm, and September 28 at 2.30pm, at Cinema Nouveau Rosebank Mall in Johannesburg, Brooklyn Mall in Pretoria, Gateway in Durban and V&A Waterfront in Cape Town, Somerset Mall in Somerset West, Garden Route Mall in George and Bedford Centre in Johannesburg.

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