Rough Magic Raves On
Mystical magic forces were at work in the post-work rush to transport young reviewer Woody from his end of Year 4 celebrations at his Rotherhithe school to the Globe Theatre. We hurriedly vanish underground and re-emerge in Borough having mysteriously gained a lost tourist from Boston. We helped her locate the Tate and were soon swiftly taking our seats in the intimate, atmospheric, oak interior of the Sam Wanamaker Playhouse, ready to enter the spiritual realm of Rough Magic, write Woody and Ed Gray.
A youthful and buzzing audience awaited the ensemble cast. First onstage was a spritely young witch who informed us that we were apprentice guardians invited into this sacred space to learn about the structure of the magical realm. We were introduced to the fairy, spirit and ghost worlds, all ruffs and jerkins, in the brilliantly comedic manner that Splendid Productions carry off so well. Pitched to perfection for a young audience and crammed with clowning, this is the kind of physical theatre that would tickle the bard himself and have him chuckling along in the aisles.
Magic of one form or another runs through most of Shakespeare’s plays. It’s a plot device that allows him to change the course of a play swiftly or explore the complex competing realities of individual human nature. Weaved into this play are many references to Macbeth and The Tempest, among others. I turn to explain one reference to Woody but before I can pass on my dadly wisdom he whispers, ‘I know Dad, they’re talking about when Puck puts the love potion in the wrong person’s eyes in Midsummer Night’s Dream’.
He is bit of a Bardologist to be fair, but the beauty of this production is that you don’t need to know anything about anything that flowed from young Will’s quills to enjoy Splendid Productions’ Rough Magic. Just imagine the gasp of a room full of 5 to 85-year-olds as the queen witch suddenly disappears live onstage in one brilliantly choreographed moment. A collective hushed wonderment fills the air, while the next moment the house is coaxed into becoming the rave soundtrack for wannabe King Henry 9th as he parties till dawn!
Kerry Frampton is a joy to watch as Henry, deprived of his divine right and desperate to reverse his chosen destiny. The audience gleefully jeers his narcissistic pomposity as he is brought down to earth through various shenanigans. ‘This is a really smart story,’ beams Woody, never one to willingly suffer an autocrat.
Eventually the witches come to realise that humans can overcome their chosen destiny, which is an empowering message to take away as we leave this beautiful theatre, destined for the Jubilee Line with a little drop of Shakespearian magic still in our eyes, Woody happily clutching a tiny compendium of all of Shakespeare’s plays. Rough magic raves on.
Shakespeare’s Globe, Sam Wanamaker Playhouse, 21 New Globe Walk, Bankside, London, SE1 9DT until 24th August. Times: Tues – Sat: Varied.
Full Details & Booking: www.shakespearesglobe.com
