CULTURE CLUB
BACKSTAGE Shake (speare) it Up STEELY WOMEN, MEDDLESOME MEN AND LAUGHS ABOUND IN DRAMA IMPACT’S THE TAMING OF THE SHREW, FINDS MIRIAM BALANESCU
7-9 July
hakespeare is often praised for the never-wilting universality of his work, from star-crossed lovers in Romeo and Juliet to power-
hungry politics in Macbeth . Infamously, one play that has not aged quite so well is The Taming of the Shrew – a tale of one unwieldy woman who must be subdued before she can be married. Due to its controversial plot line, many theatre companies hesitate before taking it on. But Drama Impact, now touring the UK, sees that as part of the appeal. “During lockdown, we all got together as a group and read about 25 plays on Zoom,” says David Houston, Drama Impact’s founder, playing Petruchio. “It’s always a big thing to produce one of these plays, because there’s a lot of time and investment involved. “As it’s so controversial, there’s something edgy about it,” David continues. “We were a bit scared, to be honest. But eventually realised the crux is that it’s a love story. My vision became this meeting of two powerful, extreme characters, and the situations they found themselves in – particularly Katherina.” Joanna Nevin acts opposite him as the shrew who must be tamed. “Women living in a world where they’re under pressure to conform is an enduring issue,” she says. “It’s how you negotiate your way through a world like that. Kate’s initial response
GET LOST IN THE DRAMA The Orchard Tea Garden is the ideal picturesque location to soak up the play
speak a few words and have a lot of fun,” explains David. Joanna adds: “It’s about making Shakespeare not just for the elite.” Alongside the shows, they run educational workshops and have toured open-air theatres since 2018. “Shakespeare’s plays were written for the daylight hours, not a conventional theatre. One of the wins you get when performing
is: ‘The only way I’m going to avoid being married off to a man I don’t love is to make myself utterly repellent.’ Petruchio and Katherina eventually find a way to be themselves in this world, but still survive. I believe that Shakespeare gives Kate the longest speech in the play for a
in that setting is the relationship with the audience,” says Joanna. “It’s an invitation to look people in the eye, ask them questions and invite their answers.” “We all have to be honest with our stagecraft, feeling the space – it’s natural, it’s in the moment, and
There’s a lot of time and investment involved
Drama Impact will take to the grassy stage at The Orchard Tea Garden from 7-9 July – although this venue isn’t without challenges. “We definitely get our 10,000 steps,” says Rich Watkins. “It’s a little adventure every time we go – it’s not the biggest space we perform in, but the journey to get from our wings onto the stage is like an outdoor track.” The cast recount planes, orchestras, cats, dogs and many other disturbances among their experiences outdoors. And, of course, says David: “The rain it raineth every day.” Come wet weather or shine, audiences should expect expert improvisation, audience interaction and side-splitting laughs from The Taming of the Shrew this summer. Tickets can be booked at dramaimpact.com
reason, with words of extreme eloquence. We’re now in the voyage of discovering what she is really saying with those words, in our rehearsal process.” Founded in 2014, Drama Impact is a group of independent actors whose Elizabethan productions come with a twist. “We do a pre-show workshop, where we invite people up to try on the costume,
we’re really present as the characters,” says Lillie Prowse, playing Tranio. “Looking out at these beautiful locations can change the way the words have meaning.” In the 13th century, actors plied their trade from wooden carts trawled around the streets. By Shakespeare’s time, the Globe Theatre was one of the most prominent performing venues.
18 JULY 2022 CAMBSEDITION.CO.UK
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