Rough Magic at the Sam Wanamaker Playhouse at Shakespeare’s Globe Review

DISCLOSURE – TICKETS TO SEE THE SHOW WERE GIFTED TO THE REVIEWER AND GUEST FOR THE PURPOSES OF WRITING THE REVIEW

Reviewed by Mel Randle

Yesterday afternoon we spent a lovely couple of hours in the Sam Wanamaker’s Playhouse at Shakespeare’s Globe on the south bank watching Rough Magic. We’ve been to The Globe several times, always incorporating it with a meander down the Thames. However, this was our first visit to the indoor theatre, founded by Sam Wanamaker, back in 2012. It is modelled on 17th century theatres from Shakespeare’s time. It is a really intimate space enabling you to enjoy the show from whatever seat you are sat in. It also lends itself perfectly for audience participation, of which there was plenty in this production! For us, just watching a show in this gorgeous theatre was a treat in itself and worth the money!

Rough Magic is The Globe’s summer offering for families during the summer holidays. It welcomes the audience to become Apprentice Guardians at a ceremony hosted by The Weird Sisters – the witches from Macbeth. It is loosely based on Macbeth but with reference to other plays. Puck from A Midsummer’s Night Dream has a role, so it’s a great introduction to Shakespeare for children. It’s performed by four actresses who take on several roles with quick (but very slick) backstage changes, and two ‘animals’ – the creature below stage who appears to be akin to the Krachen and Doug the Dog!

I laughed my way through this show from start to finish, from the silliness of a rubber frog being passed amongst the audience to the Blackadder-esque comedic style of Henry The Ninth, played perfectly by Kerry Frampton (co-productor). Her portrayal of the French enigma The Shadow also ranked up there as one of our favourite characters! Then you have the organic comedy born from the unexpected. When you include audience participation, it’s as much as a surprise to the actors on stage as it is to the audience what you are going to get, therefore the interaction is unrehearsed and genuine. We were offered a dad who threw himself wholeheartedly into it and no doubt embarrassed his kids, to another whom you could see wished the floor would open up and swallow him. Of course this is like red rag to a bull with the actors and between them all created a brilliant segment for us all! The kids just belly laugh their way through it all. There was humour for all ages!

The set was simple so didn’t distract away from the comedy but with fabulous props such as the smouldering cauldron. The actors used all areas of the auditorium for entrances; there were trap doors and a balcony from the musicians’ gallery. Our attention was captivated at every given opportunity so the children didn’t get bored throughout the 1 hour 50 minute performance (including 20 minute interval). In fact, for myself and my daughter (9) it left us wanting more!!

I highly recommend this show whether you’re 5 or 50 and whether you like Shakespeare or not! I guarantee you will leave the theatre a happier family than you went in because it has all the ingredients needed to put a smile on your face for the rest of the day!

Rating: 5/5

Rough Magic is showing in the Sam Wanamaker Playhouse at Shakespeare Globe until 23rd August.

Tickets are £15 – £30 Seated.

For more details and to book visit www.shakespearesglobe.com