Michael Rowan ventures South to The Bread and Roses Theatre, 68 Clapham Manor St, London SW4 6DZ, in pursuit of the Bard
Not that easy to find and with soaring summer temperatures it has to be something special to get me to venture south of the River Thames. Fortunately, ‘Now I Am Alone’ was well worth the effort.’
50 minutes running time with no interval, there is plenty of time for a drink and perhaps a meal in the bar below. Special mention to the Bread and Roses bar which is trying to do something different.
This one man play is definitely one for us Shakespeare lovers – what a treat.
The simple set has the actor, Dori Engel running through his lines before his dressing room mirror as the audience take their seats. Over the sound system various lines from Shakespeare percolate, overlapping and running into each other, like the thoughts in the actor’s mind.
Shakespeare’s metre was clear in every speech and my main problem was trying to recognise each speech as they came thick and fast. Edmund railing against his illegitimacy, Helena debasing herself for love and Shylock pointing out Christian hypocrisy, lost none of their power as Engel stepped seamlessly between the characters, bringing them to life.
The common thread is that the characters are all outsiders and in a break from the Bard the actor steps down from the stage and addresses the audience explaining how Shakespeare was himself an outsider and for some time he lived amongst outsiders.
The show tells the story of these people and proffers up their unique viewpoint on life and as a result suggests the viewpoint of Shakespeare himself.
The show is a delight for any who love the poetry of Shakespeare, beautifully delivered even if like me you can’t place all the speeches.
The show ends on Saturday July 8th and will hopefully reappear but in the meantime if you can make it to Clapham – get thee hence.
The Bread and Roses Theatre, 68 Clapham Manor St, London SW4 6DZ
info@breadandrosestheatre.co.uk