Romeo and Juliet

Performed June 2009

Romeo & Juliet by William Shakespeare, Pelican Theatre, June, 2009.

By Gordon Gribbin,

It might not be right for an actor in a play to write the review. But what the hell! All I did in Pelican`s Romeo & Juliet was stagger around the stage with a walking stick, bellowing occasionally. So I was able to watch the main action through a lazy glass of Shiraz and take a dispassionate view.

We had a handsome Romeo who threw himself into the part with conviction and let Fate and Love rule Reason, we had alternating beautiful Juliets who brought two different interpretation to the same part and who both made this love-obsessed bimbo into a real person.

We had the Nurse, played by my wife, Cynthia (I`ve got to say she was good, but she was anyway), who brought rich and robust comedy to the play and portrayed the complexity of the master-servant relationship perfectly. We had a robust, ribald and riotous Mercutio, a loyal Benvolio, a sweet and loving Lady Capulet, a stormy, brooding Tybalt and a wise, kind, interfering Friar. Plus other Lords, Ladies, wenches and knaves who were convincing and decorative. The Hastings Hall was transformed by beautiful and imaginative lighting, the dancing was a great addition to the play and Tchaikowsky`s music was magnificent and emotionally spot-on.

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Hastings and Westernport should be proud that they had a good quality Shakespeare production in the heart of their town and that there was the enterprise and talent in the town to put it there.

Pelican Theatre may not put on the blockbuster shows that other companies make a fist of on the Peninsula, but we pack an intense punch and Romeo & Juliet was a knock-out production.

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SEXY, FUNNY, DANGEROUS

By Jeff Cox

 And it was! This was one of our best attempts at bringing people, young and old, together to perform for your enjoyment.

With almost faultless performances from the enthusiastic Cast, to the stunning lighting effects and music, this show attracted great audiences who showed their appreciation at the end of each performance.

It`s quite amazing how our Artistic Director Gordon Gribbin, Directors Paul Harris and Leigh Piper, Choreographer Fiona Brake, and the entire Cast and Technical Team transformed the good old Hastings Hall into our version of a period of time written about by Shakespeare in 1591, but set in Verona in the year 2120.

This is what we do, and we love doing it.

And of course, we greatly appreciate our many sponsors for their generosity.

Romeo and Juliet once again proved that Pelican Theatre Company Inc. is catering for the need in the local community for the expression of talented individuals, and the need for there to be entertainment for the general public other than watching the telly.

To those who attended one of our performances, we thank you very much. We hope to see you at the next one, to be performed in October 2009. (which was Children Overboard - click here)