theSpaceTriplex – Studio
Aug 20-24
18:05
Going into theSpace Triplex venue at this years’ Edinburgh Fringe, I joined the queue for an After Shakespeare production of the Bard’s famous (weren’t they all?) Richard III. Being called ‘After Shakespeare’, I was uncertain as to what flavour of Shakespeare this night would prove to be. To my joy, there sat Richard III in full resplendent costume on an equally plush red chair. Quiet comments stirred in the room with early praise for the performance of these two actors, celebrating the Bard’s own treatment of villains, heroes and exhausting conversations.
I soon settled into proceedings, relaxing and just enjoying the talents of the show. Lexi Wolfe wrote the piece, and performed it with all the sturdy intricacies contained in that handful of royal characters, providing a fresh look at the History Cycle of plays. Interjecting her own prowess of styles, Lexi played the lead, with great levels of conviction, whether the part was male or female.
The story was rooted with many turns, progressing magically with a rich bellyful of believability. I very much enjoyed this evolved performance as it so delightfully unfolded, bringing the kind of diction that has you watching faces, lips and physicality with great interest.
The play’s innate confidence oozed into everything as its director, Andrew Slade, sat at the back taking care of lighting and stagecraft, looking like a proud and supportive father. Seduced by the script, real tears were shed and great vexations caused through the stage a presence I was precisely there to see, and to cherish that medieval love of our kings in the brittle world of Shakespearean royalty.
After Shakespeare’s production for this year’s festival is a strong, reverential, crowd-enthralling work that grace to each character. Villain or hero, along gently caroused along their merrily written way.
Daniel Donnelly
themumble.uk 