2013 Company Profiles

Chris Bianchi

ACTOR

This season: Edward IV and James Tyrell in RICHARD III. Previously for SATTF: Murellus & Cinna the Poet in JULIUS CAESAR, Agrippa in ANTONY & CLEOPATRA, Lear's Fool in KING LEAR and Gaev in THE CHERRY ORCHARD.

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Two Gentlemen of Verona

Venetian Lovers by Paris Bordone (1500-1571) The Yorck Project DIRECTMEDIA Publishing GmbH

Directed by Andrew Hilton

Two Gentlemen of Verona
Proteus forsakes his love, Julia, in favour of his best friend’s intended, Sylvia, in a story of life-long loyalties vowed and betrayed. Following the huge success of The Comedy of Errors in 2011, SATTF offers another vibrant early comedy. With exquisite music, genuinely funny comedy, an edge of darkness that calls to mind Twelfth Night, and the disgracefully incontinent dog, Crab, The Two Gentlemen of Verona will surprise and delight.

Two Gentlemen of Verona Spring Tour

The Dukes, Lancaster                                     7 - 11 May

Everyman, Cheltenham                                  14 - 18 May

Stephen Joseph Theatre, Scarborough            28 May - 1 June

Exeter Northcott Theatre                                 4 - 8 June

PRESS REVIEWS

**** The Independent: 'Hilton discovers in Two Gentlemen of Verona an unblinking portrait of love’s madness.... this production has a different kind of charm. And it’s not all down to the dog.' (Elizabeth Davis)

The Stage: 'A production set to delight audiences both in Bristol, where Two Gentlemen hasn’t been seen professionally for 62 years, and as far afield as Scarborough and Exeter on the tour.' (Jeremy Brien)

'After a month in Bristol the production is touring to Lancaster, Cheltenham, Scarborough, Exeter and Winchester. I urge you to go: it’ll be a long time before we see another production of the play as good as this.' (John Campbell)

*** TheGuardian: 'As Andrew Hilton's revival proves... It has charm and high spirits, as love is tested and found wanting among four would-be lovers.' (Lyn Gardner)

**** The Arts Desk: 'As in other productions from Shakespeare at the Tobacco Factory, the casting is pitch-perfect and the acting first class, down to the star performance of a hilariously mournful black dog.' (Mark Kidel)

****Exeunt Magazine: 'The SATTF Two Gentlemen is full of laughs, peppered as it is with bizarre plot-turns and unexpected changes of heart, cross-dressing, a bit with a dog, and plenty of song and dance. By following Richard III with this broad comedy caper, Hilton and company seem capable of anything.' (Geraldine Giddings)

8/10 This is Bristol: 'This splendid Andrew Hilton production headed by excellent performances.' (Gerry Parker)

Blackmore Vale Magazine: 'Don’t miss this Two Gentlemen – you won’t see a better.' (G - PW)

Gloucester Gazette: 'With love, betrayal and comeuppance – and sexual gags, dancing waiters and an actual dog – what’s not to like?' (Lucy Fulford)

'And it’s moving for the audience, because Hilton and his cast always play the truth of the situation to find the comedy, as in the way Julia tears-up a love-letter for show, then scrabbles on the floor piecing it together, fearful the wind might blow fragments away. A tender, sympathetic kiss becomes a deep embrace comical in its passionate surge.' (Timothy Ramsden)

: 'Hilton’s direction has once again brought out beautiful verse-speaking from his cast, ensuring that ancient jokes are still funny and creating a fast-paced show... Hilton has another great show on his hands.' (Eleanor Turney)

Bristol Culture: 'At the performance I saw there were tears rolling down faces;... because the Bard’s words have been brought to life by a talented company under the direction of Andrew Hilton.'

REVIEWS ON TOUR

VL - Lancaster : 'This production should be seen - not only because it is a rare opportunity, but because the acting is excellent and the production hits just the right, light note.' (Jane Sunderland)

'Go and see Shakespeare at the Tobacco Factory’s production of Two Gentlemen of Verona. It is beautifully done and finely acted – but don’t let the dog distract you.' (Michael Hasted)

Gloucestershire Echo: 'Superb, funny, uplifting production of Two Gentlemen - see it now!' (Colin Davidson)

: 'It’s a real pleasure to encounter Bristol’s Shakespeare at the Tobacco Factory, venturing North for the first time in 14 years of productions... Even before the performance starts, it’s possible to guess (correctly) what the strength of SATTF is: the director, , has been responsible for 24 of 25 of the company’s productions and the cast, which hardly bristles with famous names, is full of actors with a long SATTF pedigree. In other words, the strength is the ensemble.' (Ron Simpson)

Express and Echo: (Exeter) 'This excellent production by Bristol-based touring company Shakespeare at the Tobacco Factory certainly validates director Andrew Hilton’s claim that the play richly deserves revival.' (Gordon Richardson)

Clockwise from top: Piers Wehner as Proteus, Jack Bannell as Valentine, Eva Tausig as 1st Outlaw, Alan Coveney as Eglamour, David Plimmer as 3rd Outlaw and Thomas Frere as 2nd Outlaw, Lollio as Crab, Lisa Kay as Silvia, Marc Geoffrey as Speed, Dorothea Myer-Bennett as Julia, Paul Currier as Lord Turio Photos: Toby Farrow, Farrows Creative.

Cast

Jack Bannell Valentine

Peter Clifford Duke

Alan Coveney Eglamour

Lollio   Crab

Paul Currier                                 Turio

Christopher Donnelly   Launce

Thomas Frere Pantino/ Outlaw/ Musician

Marc Geoffrey                              Speed

Nicky Goldie                                 Lucetta

Lisa Kay Silvia

Dorothea Myer-Bennett Julia

David Plimmer Antonio/ Outlaw/ Musician

Eva Tausig Outlaw/ Musician

Piers Wehner Proteus

Production

Director Andrew Hilton
Designer Harriet de Winton
Composer John Telfer

“A revelation. This early play is more than a comedy... Unmissable”
★★★★★ The Sunday Times (on The Comedy of Errors 2011)

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