Shakespeare In Love At The Little Theatre, Leicester Review

Reviewed by Catherine Brown

‘Shakespeare in Love’ is a humorous and heart-warming play being performed by Leicester Drama Society at The Little Theatre, Leicester. The play was first performed in 2014 in London’s West End, although you may be more familiar with the 1989 film starring Gwyneth Paltrow and Judi Dench. This stage version, arranged by Concord theatricals and adapted by Lee Hall, is skilfully directed by Steve Illidge who has created a truly unique version of the story.

The performance begins with a dramatic ballet style prologue setting the scene for Will Shakespeare to abandon Anne Hathaway (Nikki Favell), whom he has married and had twins with. Instead of domestic bliss, Will leaves his wife to follow his passion of writing, selling his script to the highest bidder along with his close friend Kit Marlow. Clever staging successfully takes the audience back to an Elizabethan playhouse where writer’s block is creating tension.
Another person frustrated by the obstructions of the theatre is Viola de Lesseps, a young girl desperately wanting to appear on stage and break the rule of actors only being allowed to be men. Much of the story revolves around Viola’s deception of Will and his friends as she manages to secure a part in his play Romeo and Ethel, the pirate’s daughter, stating that her (his) name is Thomas Kent. However Viola is due to marry the obnoxious Lord Wessex (John Moulding) who, along with Queen Elizabeth (Jane Durant), has suspicions that her heart does not belong to him. When a wager is made, Will has to prove that a play can show the truth and nature of love.

One of my favourite characters was Viola’s nurse played by Sue Dale who is complicit in the trickery and seems to revel in the mischief making. Max Mayer plays Kit Marlow superbly, a supportive friend with wise words who encourages Will to keep following his dreams. The stars of the show though have to be Ed Turner as Will and Nicole Collins as Viola / Kent. The chemistry between them and their frustrations as Wessex discovers their dishonesty make them endearing characters.

The set is cleverly arranged to change between the rehearsal space of the theatre, Viola’s bedroom and a local tavern. Costumes are typically Elizabethan with an additional twist of modern converse shoes bringing an element of fun. Even the dog got his own ruff! The musical director Grace Bale does a fantastic job of creating the mood of the era along with incorporating dramatic sounds such as thunderstorms at key moments.

‘Shakespeare in Love’ is at The Little Theatre, Dover Street, Leicester LE1 6PW until 8th July 2023 including a Saturday matinee performance. Tickets can be bought at www.thelittletheatre.co.uk or by phoning the box office on 0116 255 1302. Standard tickets cost £15.50, concessions (£14) and Premium tickets (£16.50) are also available.

Fans of Shakespeare or newcomers to his work will love this entertaining show that gives a twist to his life.

Rating: 5/5