OnHamptonRoads - Lay on MacDuff, 2006 Shakespeare festival a hit!

Lay on MacDuff, 2006 Shakespeare festival a hit!

Written by David Springstead

Saturday, 08 July 2006

Now playing at the Phi Beta Kappa Hall on the campus of William and Mary College is the 2006 edition of the Virginia Shakespeare Festival. The season has opened with "The Scottish Play" (sorry, I shall not mention the name, even in this review) and is well worth the time and money one needs to see it.

Is it a flawless production? Quite nearly so. Enjoyable? Very. The cast could be understood speaking all those "old English words" without amplification? Oh yes!

The great tragedy that is this show has been masterfully directed by CHRISTOPHER OWENS. His sense of timing for the characters, the overall pacing of the show, and the energetic spirit within the cast prove this. He understands of what it is onstage the audience needs to be made aware, and the focus within the scene that doesn't allow the watchers eyes to wander across the stage. Even when there are many actors scattered about the scene there is no question as to where the audience is to look. Superb!

In the lead role is JOHN AMMERMAN, supported most ably by APRIL WOLFE, his Lady.

Mr. Ammerman's portrayal of the Scottish nobleman who turns traitor for his own ends was riveting.

Mr. Ammerman's portrayal of the Scottish nobleman who turns traitor for his own ends was riveting. His intial entrance where he and Banquo encounter the three witches sets the stage for what is to occur over the next two and one half hours. Told of his future, he starts the process wherein he shall come to the throne. He returns to his home where his Lady, who's been told in a letter all that has transpired, awaits him with great anticipation. The sensuality of their homecoming adds a new element to their relationship for the audience. And we discover that she, moreso than he, is thirsty for power.

Ms Wolfe's performance is stunning. Presenting a combination of youth, passion, sex, and strength she brings to the character everything she has as an actor. The mad scene in Act II is worthy of the great ladies of the stage. She very nearly steals the show.

Other performances of mention include the three witches (BODDE BAUER, ROZ KOOKER, STERLING OLSON), Banquo (KARL KIPPOLA), MacDuff (STEVEN BREESE), Lady MacDuff (RACHEL HIRSHOM), and Ross (ROBERT NELSON). Mr. Nelson, no stranger to local theatre, gives his usual steady performance.

Of special mention are J. DAVID BLATT (Scenic designer), STEVE HOLLIDAY (Lighting Designer), PATRICIA M. WESP (Costume Designer), and DAVID DOERSCH (Fight Director). The set design is very user friendly, allowing the audience to be transported to every locale with minimal scene changes. The lights transition us smoothly from scene to scene, and the costumes do not detract from the setting of the show. The fights in this show can be quite hazardous as the cast uses swords, axes, etc. in the telling of the story. But the weapons are handled with grace and agility, proving that Mr. Doersch took great pains in setting the choreography with the company so that they could battle upon the stage with little risk of real injury.

If this production is an indication of the rest of this too short summer season, then the audiences who attend will be richly rewarded.

The show closes on Sunday evening, so there's still time to catch the last performance. On Thursday evening the Briggs and Frampton musical "Illyria" opens.

Information about the Virginia Shakespeare Festival may be found at www.vsf.wm.edu

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