![]() In addition, the two lovers are equally "star-crossed" - they are not ultimately destined to be together (since Viola is of rich and socially ambitious merchant stock and is promised to marry Lord Wessex, while Shakespeare himself is poor and already married). Will and Viola play out the famous balcony and bedroom scenes like Juliet, Viola has a witty nurse, and is separated from Will by a gulf of duty (although not the family enmity of the play: the "two households" of Romeo and Juliet are supposedly inspired by the two rival playhouses). Sunday.įor tickets, call 70 or go to main source for much of the action in the film is Romeo and Juliet. Will Will’s true love will out? That is the question.įor an evening of Shakespeare lite, try “Shakespeare in Love,” which opened Thursday night at the Meroney Theatre in downtown Salisbury. Many tense moments ensue, with actors backstage and onstage and the annoying chamberlain threatening to arrest everyone. Will writes some of his best stuff when inspired by Viola, lines that are familiar, indeed, from “Romeo and Juliet.” Will Viola be discovered as actor Thomas Kent? Will her demanding husband-to-be expose her (in more ways than one)? Will her dream to be on stage ever be realized? ![]() The action takes us through Will’s struggles writing the play, and the struggles of the various theater owners and actors who know Will’s plays are sure hits. It’s a huge cast, with men, of course, as all the actors in Will’s play. Technical glitches should have been worked out by Thursday night’s opening. Some problems with the sound system on preview night garbled some of the lines or ate them completely. Corinne Mauldin is strong as the Nurse, Viola’s caretaker, much in the way of the nurse in what turns out to be “Romeo and Juliet.” Lori Van Wallendael wears the most gorgeous costumes, thanks to Ashley Ward of Eastern Costume Co., as Queen Elizabeth, who likes dogs in plays. He’s loud, obnoxious and unpleasant, and a threat to the young lovers. The handsome Jonathan Leach plays the dastardly Wessex, who has bought Viola as his bride in a deal with her father for tobacco in Virginia. Other familiar faces to Salisbury theatergoers include Big Joe McGee as the father of young Viola and the actor Wabash. Fennyman, a theater producer and an imposing presence, indeed. The ever dependable Shawn Van Wallendael is the hapless and demanding Henslowe, and the giant Aaron Trusky is Mr. He needs to raise money, and fast, lest he be done away with by Mr. ![]() While Burbage wants a play, so does Philip Henslowe, another real character from Shakespeare’s time who was a theatrical entrepreneur. Will has promised a comedy, but the working title of “Romeo and Ethel, the Pirate’s Daughter” leaves something to be desired. He also owns a theater and is jealously seeking the newest play. Marc Anderson is loud and demanding as Richard Burbage, the English actor who played leading roles in many a Shakespeare creation. And, as in many comedies, there are blustering villains, mouthy actors and conflict after conflict to separate the people in love. As with many Shakespearean works, mistaken identity plays a part in this play about the greatest dramatist of all time.
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