Romeo and Juliet - Summer 2010

"Absolutely brilliant... I think I'd like all performances to have this moving quality"

 

THE STAGE Review   Published Tuesday 3 August 2010 by Jon Holliday

Hopefully the sun will shine all summer on this open-air, promenading performance of the popular love story of star-crossed teenagers. Against an ever-changing backdrop of the famed Roath Park rose garden, with its streams and pathways through wooded areas, the audience strolled to the set-scenes of this play, accompanied by the strumming of a guitar.

 

The eccentrically-dressed youthful cast of disabled, sensory-impaired and non-disabled actors then performed with commendable zest in the punch-ups between the opposing families, particularly when the transgender Mercutio and Tybalt of Nikki Warwick and Beth House were involved.

 

Anja Conti’s Juliet displayed a touchingly innocent passion, well matched by Samuel Bees’s boyishly naïve Romeo, especially during the balcony scene, which was played up a tree, partly sung and with some delightful moments of comedy. Asides and odd pairings added spice to Elise Davison’s well paced staging. There were stand out performances by Neil Hancock doubling Capulet and Friar Lawrence, and Chloe Clarke as a rumbustious Nurse. Support is given by Thomas House as Benvolio, Rhys Llewellyn as Montague and Apothecary, with the remaining roles swept up by Caroline Beasley and Sian Hawthorn. The music is composed and directed by Thomas House. The two-month tour visits 15 venues of parks, castles, historic sites and gardens throughout Wales, finishing at Valle Crucis Abbey, Llangollen on August 21.

"Wonderful setting, physical performance kept us all on our toes.  I loved the costumes so bright with the natural setting, fabulous use of the relics of buildings in the woods - got to be taken to other venues! Loved it all"

"What a beautiful and memorable production. My entire family aged 12 - 65 all thoroughly enjoyed the show.  All the children in the audience were mesmerised by the magic of theatre and the story was so accessible to all.  This is the way forward for inclusive theatre.  Thank you very much!"

Youth Arts Manager,

Mess up the Mess Theatre

"A truly magical play and setting, it felt at home watching it amongst the flowers, plants and birds....
I didn't want it to end"

Many Thanks to The Arts Council Wales, The Rotary Club, Cardiff, our wonderful volunteers and all the people who sponsored fairies!

For more information about booking this show at your venue Summer 2009 please contact us at takingflighttheatre@yahoo.co.uk or admin@takingfligththeatre.com

“absolutely magical performance at the Botanical Gardens today. - I haven't laughed so much for a long time, and the mixture of life, love, lust, enthusiasm and magic was a feast for the senses and heart and soul. - I do hope you will come back next year”

 

“a delight for those with hearing problems to experience Shakespeare in this way.”

 

“full of energy and hilariously funny”

 

“The thought given to wheelchair users and the less mobile was wonderful”

 

“an enjoyable and  innovative performance”

 

“It was amazing the way you used the environment and we were completely absorbed in the action, not to mention it was hysterically funny.”

A Midsummer Night's Dream - Summer 2009

"Magic! Brilliant acting, costumes, music and movement... Especially in such atmospheric surroundings"

The company has such energy and  and gave a totally convincing and engaging account of the text. The way in which you engaged the children present was excellent - holding their attention for two and a half hours takes some doing.

 

'I Saw you guys this evening in Roath Park and it was one of the best pieces of live theatre I've seen in a long, long time. You're an original, fresh, hilariously funny, totally heartbreaking and humongously talented group, and I can't wait to see more of your performances! Two thumbs very enthusiastically way up!!'

Natalie Richards, Cardiff

I should like to say how much I enjoyed the Taking Flight promenade production of Romeo and Juliet on the Stackpole Estate on Sunday 18 July, 2010.  I found it a bright and funky  production, which moved at a brisk pace, aided by the well-conceived musical element.  The cast performed ably and spoke Shakespeare's verse with commendable clarity and verve. The lively style of the piece gives it a wide appeal, and as a former secondary Head of English I am sure that it would be a hit with school audiences.  I hope the company goes from strength to strength and shall certainly look forward to future productions.

 

Best wishes,

Dr James Cunningham.

 

Even in a wet and muddy Pembrokeshire woodland these amazing people made Shakespeare highly accessible to wheelchair users and deaf alike - a wonderfully magical experience. Taking Flight excells in making theatre truly accessible in any environment.

Pierce Murphy (Pembrokeshire Access Group)

Radio Wales

Listen to our interview on BBC Radio Wales