Shows

^{Reviewed by Martin Borley}

As the Royal & Derngate fights its corner for public subsidy, its essential that their latest production is the very best that tax payers' money can provide.

The theatres' largest donor, Nothampton Borough Council, is considering slashing its grant by a third. The theatres claim that this will cause a domino effect with grants from other bodies (including the Arts Council and the West Northants Development Corporation) being dropped in turn.

The Royal & Derngate say they're not over dramatising when they claim the theatres will be forced to close.

So is the theatres' latest show up to scratch? My view is quite simply, yes.

Fabian, Sir Andrew and Sir Toby

Painters' eye

The director, Laurie Sansom, has put together a show that's funny, full of atmosphere and beautiful to look at.

Simon Rorstrand's design, which echoes the Royal theatre's elaborate Victorian décor, is simple and effective. Coupled with Sansom's painters' eye for positioning his actors, the whole show has a feeling of elegance.

"If music be the food of love..." muses Orsino. Music is always an essential part of Twelfth Night and in this version there's an original score composed by Loz Kaye that's easy on the ears. The musicians three talented actors: Greg Barnett on cello (who also plays Antonio and Valentine), George Franco on Guitar (also the Sea Captain and Priest) and Kenon Mann on violin (who also plays Fabian and Curio).

Orsino and Viola

Heart wrenching

The female actors are especially strong in this production. Rebecca Grant is convincing and amusing as Viola, a woman pretending to be a young man. When she starts to fall for her boss, Orsino (Paul Fox), the heart wrenching pain is real. Orsino is also a little perturbed to find himself falling for a man but full marks to Laurie Sansom for not trying to hide Orsino's bisexual urges.

Natalie Walter is very funny as Olivia, the mourning countess who spurns the love of Orsino but falls for his messenger Viola, believing he's a he and not a she. She uses a voice that's a cross between Queenie from Blackadder and Amanda Barry's Cleopatra in Carry on Cleo! But it never becomes a stereotype.

Lucy Speed is superb as Oliva's cheeky gentlewoman, Maria. I should also mention Stephen Critchlow's noble drunk Sir Toby Belch and the pompous Malvolio played by Stuart Fox. The bullying of Malvolio and his subsequently punctured pride was skillfully handled.

Bubbly

The first half of the play was a little slow and lacked sparkle but I'm sure that'll improve as the run continues. But the second half was light and bubbly.

The quality of this show in Northampton is amongst the best you can see anywhere in the country. The Royal & Derngate claim that shows like this are only possible with sufficient funding from tax payers. Is it an expensive luxury we can do without? Or is it a necessity for the cultural life of our county town? Politicians will soon be deciding.

^{Photos by Robert Day}