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Stafford Castle
6/7/05

by Angie

Despite a stormy start to our trip to see Romeo and Juliet, we eventually had a brilliant time. Earlier in the day, that hadn’t seemed possible. I drove down to Stafford with my nephew, in a mix of heavy showers, and by the time we parked in Stafford, this had turned into a steady downpour.

Undeterred, we trekked around town, determined to track down some information on the play. We only found one newspaper office (Express and Star) but they were very helpful. They invited us in to sit down and look through all their recent back issues. I was really looking for pictures of the Open Doors session at The Gatehouse Theatre, but there was nothing in any of their daily editions. I did however find a magnificent aerial photograph of the castle and set, looking down on the stands and back of the stage. That was really exciting, as I then realised that the actual arrangement of the stands bore little resemblance to the seating plan on the website. In fact, the stands were much closer together, and the stage neatly tucked inbetween. It meant that the audience would be very close to the set. I have ordered a (very expensive) print of this photo, partly because it will be useful for my nephew’s theatre studies work, partly because it will make an excellent souvenir.

The rest of the Express and Star coverage was variable, but I bought two back papers with reports on the show. The best one of the two, which had a full length photo of Bruno in costume, was sold out. However, the very obliging worker went upstairs and produced a copy from the staff room. Because it had already been well-read, she didn’t charge me for that one, so I saved 32 pence!

We then went over to The Gatehouse Theatre for some lunch, except they had stopped serving, so we only got a cup of tea. But it was nice to see the theatre decked out in R+J posters still, and I later took a pic of Laura outside. I did try and check out “who” had taken those mysterious Open Doors photographs, but no-one seemed to know. All the people associated with the production were in a meeting. I hoped they weren’t discussing the weather! Anyway, I now have a number to ring up for more information when I can.

We called in a few more newsagents, but just picked up a copy of The Staffordshire Newsletter, which has a promise of a full report of the show in this Thursday’s issue (7^th July).

Over to The Swan Hotel next, to meet up with Laura and her mum. I spotted them as they entered the café, where we were drying out and warming up with double hot chocolates! Laura however, turned and went out. Oops! I ran after her and dragged her back!

We made introductions, ordered more drinks, and caught up on the gossip. As we sat in the window of The Swan Hotel, watching the rain pouring down, Shakespeare (and Bruno) did not seem a likely outcome to our trip. Laura and I discussed how bad it had to be before performances were cancelled, or curtailed in some way. Even if the play wasn’t cancelled, what if Bruno was ill? Our gloomy thoughts matched the weather!

We decided to head off over to The Castle, the waiting around was making us too nervous. It was very easy to find, except that the sign is literally opposite the entrance, so if you’re driving to the castle, and have got someone driving up your back-end, indicate early! I reckon it is far too far to walk from the station, 15 minutes, yes, but only if you’re Paula Ratcliffe!

We parked in the first row of the car park, and got out the goodies (no not Bruno, the picnic!) It had stopped raining, but it was far too wet to picnic on the grass.

We then had a little flurry of excitement, as a car pulled up further along the row and I spotted Rachel Bell walking across in her wellies! Hmm, cast parking with the public? My mind ran riot, and Laura’s ran even quicker!! Was Bruno about to appear or was he already here? What a hopeless lot we were. Four people in a car and not one of us knew what a Fiat Punto looked like. Where is Ben when you need him?!

We didn’t have chance to wonder for long before a minibus appeared and pulled into the car-park immediately opposite us. Amid much speculation several people emerged, none of whom we recognised, apart from a man who could have been the producer, Stephen Freeman. (It was, I found out later – I recognised the Crombie!)

Then a people carrier appeared to our left, this looked more promising, and Laura and her mum were busy trying to work out who was emerging from within. In the meantime a little mini (new variety) had pulled up on the road in front of us. We couldn’t see the front, it was obscured by a tree, but as the others’ attention was elsewhere, I noticed a baseball cap and a familiar pair of legs marching round to the boot, extracting a small case and emerging into view. Bruno!

It took a minute or two for the others to register where I was pointing, and another minute or two to decide what to do. Sandwiches were flung aside, and three of my crew went off in hot pursuit. Actually it must have been luke-warm pursuit, or Bruno must be very fit! (OK, OK, I know which you think it is) as he had apparently disappeared up the hill to the castle by the time the posse followed.

Not being one for close encounters (of the celebrity kind) I took my time collecting the debris together and securing the vehicle, and followed at a leisurely pace. The climb up to the castle isn’t as bad as described – it is part-tarmacced for a start, but a bit wet after the rain. The view is great, castle, stage, stands, cast portakabins and beer-tent. All duly noted in case we needed them at short notice. Also portaloos – my advice – don’t drink too much! We didn’t, but I’m sure Laura will dob me in on that one later!

Ok, we walked down to the small marquee that was selling programmes. I had a chat with the staff from the Gatehouse (I’m well-known there now!) and my nephew managed to ask Steve Freemen the producer, about taking pictures of the set. This was strictly forbidden, which is why we have NO photos of the performance. However, Steve gave him his number, so he is hoping to get a print of the set at a later date to include in his theatre studies project.

Laura had taken up portakabin-watching duties just outside the marquee. She is very dedicated to task, and had already seen Bruno popping in and out as he completed his pre-show ablutions (I’ll let her tell you more about those.) Meanwhile we walked round the castle, and got a couple of photos of the setting from above. As you can see the stage itself is very cleverly concealed from that angle.

Although we thought we had arrived early, it didn’t seem long before we were allowed into our seats. We went down the slope ever closer to the portakabins (but not close enough!) and along the front of the set. The steps up to the stands were steep and slippery, but the seats are great – tiered at a steep angle, so there is an excellent view from wherever you sit.

The set is just unbelievable. It is staged on a slope of about 20 degrees, so just keeping it there must be a remarkable achievement, and well done to John Brooking for the design!

There is a fountain right at the front, below spectator level. Steps, flanked by lampposts, take the actors up at both corners onto a first level, set behind a little wall. Then three shallow steps, up to a raised platform, with gates and an inner darker area behind. This is framed by a planted trellis to the left and more steps up to the right, with the balcony inbetween! A further level above that was just backdrop. As well as the main stage area, there were green carpeted sections to the front and sides, very close to the audience. At various points in the play the actors spill out into this area and even between and behind the stands, so there is a whole lot going on.

The actors were coming and going all through the performance, and were often spotted walking, jogging and running behind the stands as they re-appeared after costume changes. It was very cleverly done, if the actors approaching were part of the plot, they could be seen through the stands (the lights fell on their costumes as well as the stage). If their appearance was to be a surprise the actors donned dark hooded capes. It became quite a game to spot the turn of ankle, just in case it was you-know-who!

The play started in daylight, with just a little blue background lighting. By this time (about 8.15 p.m.) the sun was out, slanted across the stage from our right. Beautiful.

I must admit that as the narrator began the familiar opening lines, I was shaking slightly. It was only at that point I realised this play WAS going to happen after the dreadful day we had experienced.

Even though I was on Row F the view was magnificent, in more ways than one! ;-) Bruno looked great and we were so close to the set. That in itself is amazing, but I thought the whole production was wonderful, and romantic, and very well acted.

I was so impressed with Bruno - his voice was picked up wonderfully with the little head mike, so you could hear every breath. Knowing this, I thought he managed to range his performance from the intimate to the intense, with some angry and amusing moments inbetween. Great to hear him getting low and gutteral when he was angry - it reminded me of the scenes with Jason and Sarah before he left Corrie. I though the rest of the cast were excellent too, and Scarlett didn't overshadow Bruno - in fact I thought she was also excellent.

I was very impressed too with Rachel Bell as the nurse, she was staunch and very funny in her almost pantomime-like role. Of the other actors, Peter Prentice as Mercutio was memorable, but had some unfortunate stumbles over the text. Bruno, on the other hand, never faltered once in the script. If I had any concerns, it was just that he talked rather fast at times, but this seemed to be when he was sparring verbally with Mercutio, and the style of their witty repartee does lend itself to the words tumbling over one another in that fashion.

I love those moments of Shakespeare where the humour is in the use of the language, yet it is usually the more obvious visual humour provided by the nurse that gets most laughs, as it did last night.

Little moments of Bruno I either noticed or made me laugh – the very breathy way he approached his first encounter with Juliet. Lots of boyish sighs and longing looks, then as soon as everyone’s backs were turned they were snogging in the middle of the ballroom. There’s quite a lot of passionate kissing between the two during the course of the play (sorry guys!) Of course, those cheek mikes pick up every slurp!

His athleticism; - he had to climb up and down that trellis a fair few times, and mostly he did it with style and grace. His shoes looked rather large (see pics in local paper!) He was much more physically demonstrative than he usually is – throwing his arms wide, hugging or play fighting with his mates, remonstrating to the heavens. There was a wonderful soliloquy right near the end where he stood front and centre stage, looked to the heavens, and of course that was just such a “beautiful eyes” moment – I had the binoculars out then, which is why I noticed it particularly. Not that you need binocs, but they did come in handy for the extra detail!

Scarlett performed really convincingly as Juliet. She was quite playful and girlish, her small stature made her really look like a naughty fourteen year old when her father was ordering her to marry Paris, whilst she was still (secretly) mourning Romeo’s exile. She had to do a lot of weeping and wailing near the end. I did think a role in Eastenders must have been a good grounding for that! She carried it off very well.

And in the love scenes, Romeo and Juliet were lovers, on both sides the acting was entirely convincing. The ingenious bed scene (you see I told you I was worried how they were going to fit that bed into an outdoor set, but they did! I can’t tell you how, as others have not yet been to the play) was a joy to watch, although by then, we knew that their love would be short-lived, so it was a bitter sweet experience.

As the play progressed into the second half, the darker scenes onstage were mirrored by the deepening night, with further dark clouds gathering above the set to provide a menacing backdrop to the drama. On stage, too, the atmosphere was dark and brooding.

Romeo here displayed his darker side, buying poison illegally and killing a rather insipid Paris before a tender but tragic death scene on Juliet’s bier.

Romeo and Juliet is not one of my favourite Shakespeares, all my best bits are in the first half of the play, and I have no sympathy for inevitable tragedy generally speaking, but it is the best production of a Shakespeare play I have seen in a long time.

Don’t take my word for it. My nephew, seventeen and a fan of neither Bruno nor Scarlett (so somewhat more objective than me!) thought the whole play was breathtaking, and couldn’t separate Bruno and Scarlett in terms of their excellent acting. The two people who sat next to us (both in their 70s I would guess) said it was magical, and the female said to me “Don’t they make a handsome couple?”

It was a long play, and it was very dark when it finished, about 11.20 p.m. The applause was long and loud, with extra cheers for Rachel, Bruno and Scarlett, and a choreographed group bow from the cast to each stand, which Bruno carried out with some enthusiasm! In fact, he nearly turned 270 degrees instead of 180 at one stage, such was the flourish he gave it!

Unlike a pop concert, you don’t get an encore with Shakespeare (and one would be exceedingly difficult with half of the main characters dead!)

So, we gathered our things and descended from the stand into the chilly night. There was a pause for a quick portakabin-scrutiny from Laura (again, I’ll leave her to report on that) before we came up to the brow of the castle (now flood-lit in the darkness), ready to step back down into reality.

However, before our evening was concluded, there was just time for one more Bruno-moment! We could see people emerging from the portakabins and crossing to the famous beer tent. It was quite dark, so we were going more on silhouettes, by this stage. We waited awhile, and soon we saw Bruno skipping down the slope (in t-shirt and jeans, even though it was really cold) and ducking without breaking stride to avoid banging his head on the opening as he went into the beer tent. There was no mistaking his gait! Just from the way he moved, we could tell he was really on a high the way he danced down there. And so he should be after that performance.

I suppose there might be a slight disappointment to feel that there was no better opportunity to greet Bruno personally. But he had worked so hard and surely deserved to relax away from over-curious eyes. We had seen what we really came for, so we turned and made our way back to the car, each deep in different thoughts.

I can only speak for myself, but for me, the play was enough; - a wonderful, colourful experience and one I will treasure for a long time.

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