Leaving aside the novelty value of Shakespeare’s almost-never-seen last play, co-written with John Fletcher, this production affords a rare opportunity to watch some extreme morris-dancing. For that alone, much thanks.
Kinsmen, which has as its source material Geoffrey Chaucer’s The Knight’s Tale, is a broad-brushstroke narrative that eschews psychological depth in favour of the simplicity of a fairy tale. It feels both remote and truncated, and Barrie Rutter’s lively production fails, as most do, to make sense of it. I was bewildered from the start: who are the three queens addressing Theseus (Jude Akuwudike) and what connection have they got to do with everything?
Arcite (Bryan Dick) and Palamon (Paul Stocker, pictured) are Theban youths who swear eternal brotherhood after capture in battle. But that’s before they spot the Emilia (Ellora Torchia). After that, the love battle is on.
Torchia confirms the promise she showed in All’s Well at the Sam Wanamaker Playhouse earlier this year. There’s vivid work too from Francesca Mills as the Jailer’s daughter driven demented by love for Palamon. The two women are far more compelling than their love interests.
In rep until June 30
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