By Gary Lemal
I’ve visited Fulneck Theatre several times and have always enjoyed their productions. I’ll admit I was slightly apprehensive before this one — would I enjoy a Shakespeare play with its 450-year-old language? I wondered if it might feel a little too “high brow”.
Those concerns quickly disappeared. From the warm welcome at the theatre to settling into our seats with a drink from the bar, the atmosphere was relaxed and inviting. Within the first scene I found myself accustomed to the language and completely drawn into the story.
Directed by Dave Robbins, this lively Fulneck Dramatic Society production marks a welcome return to Shakespeare at Fulneck after a ten-year break. The staging is simple yet effective, with minimal props that create just enough sense of place without distracting from the performances.
The story introduces us to a web of family feuds and romantic intrigue.
Orlando and his brother Oliver dispute their late father’s inheritance, while cousins Rosalind and Celia navigate the tensions between their feuding duchess mothers. When Rosalind is forced to flee from the court, she disguises herself as a young man and escapes with Celia to the Forest of Arden — where Orlando also finds himself. What follows is a witty and charming tale of disguises, mistaken identities and love.
Madame Le Beau, played by Slavica Rankovic, guides the audience through the unfolding drama, helping bring the characters and their relationships to life.
This production is a reminder that Shakespeare can be both accessible and thoroughly entertaining. The cast delivered confident and engaging performances throughout, bringing humour, warmth and energy to the stage.
Fulneck Theatre once again demonstrates the strength of local theatre — talented performers, thoughtful direction and a welcoming atmosphere that makes audiences feel part of the experience.
The most famous quote from the play comes from Jaques (Dominic Adams) in Act Two, scene seven;
All the world’s a stage,
And all the men and women merely players;
They have their exits and their entrances….
There were a number of new faces in the cast and all gave excellent performances.
The immensely talented Claire Andrews and Jack Massey played the lead characters, they along with the whole company gave the performance a life of its own, a credibility to this Rom-Com.
It is amazing how a well produced, written, directed and performed play can still engage audiences after so many years.
The cast (in order of appearance)
Madame Le Beau (Senior Civil servant) – Slavica Rankovic
Orlando de Boyes – Jack Massey
Adam (manservant to Oliver de Boyes) – Dick Porter
Oliver de Boyes (Orlando’s brother) – Chris Lang
Denise (one of Freda’s bodyguards) – Georgiana Grant
Charles (one of Freda’s bodyguards and a noted wrestler) – Joe Braham
Celia (Duchess Freda’s daughter) – Alex Wallis
Rosalind (Freda’s niece/Celia’s cousin) – Claire Andrews
Touchstone (Freda’s court comedian) – Greg Adams
Duchess Freda (the new ‘duchess’) – Chris Robbins
Eleanor (the old, now deposed ‘duchess’) -Chris Porter
Amiens (former cabinet member) – Magda Lydon
Lord Kohli (former cabinet member) – Sriharsha Neergundha Nagaraj
Jacques (a melancholy former Scottish MP) – Dominic Adams
Silvius (wannabe farmer in love with fab Phoebe) – Charlie Crozier
Corin (Silvius’ shepherd) – Paul Cullingford
Audrey (a sluttish goatherd) – Helen Chesterman
The Goat (voiced by) – Claire Andrews
Rev Oliver Martext (An American Evangelical preacher) – Mike Heyes
Phoebe (glamourous shepherd not in love with Silvius) – Amy Woodruff
William (a forest born lad of little brain) – William Lindley
Landlord of the Arden Arms – William Lindley
Hymen (a Godlike traveller) – Paul Clarke
The crew
Stage Management – Kate Walsh and Isabella Inman
ASM on the Book – Alacoque Marvin and Liz Sargeant
Lighting and Sound – Emily Tasker
Stage Joinery – Paul Clarke and William Lindley
Set Painting / Sign Writer – Bruce Newton
Wardrobe – Chris Porter and Chris Robbins
Programme Design – William Lindley
Publicity – William Lindley and Chris Robbins
Box Office – William Lindley
Front of House Manager – Barbara Badland
Photography – Paul Clarke.
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