Prequels and sequels are quite common nowadays especially with Star Wars, J. R. R. Tolkien stories, Star Trek and even Jane Eyre. For Shakespeare it’s a bit of a novelty. In principle it would certainly be interesting to know Falstaff’s back-story or to find out what happened to Prince Hal after … well we know what happened to Prince Hal, but you will agree it’s an intriguing idea.It is on this premise that the company Finding the Will base their act. They take well-known characters from Shakespeare and move them to a time frame outside of the play and let them tell their own story. It’s a very clever idea and it tickled me. I love clever but it should not be taken as an end in itself. It is merely a way of presenting and telling your story. And this is what Finding the Will do.
The company is currently presenting two of its pieces – in the form of monologues – at the Everyman Studio in Cheltenham. Under the canopy of Bard Heads, Dog, Book & Scandal is the story of Friar Laurence from Romeo & Juliet after he has been banished from Verona. It’s a compelling and moving story beautifully written and performed by Richard Curnow. Jules Hobbs’ portrayal of Miranda from The Tempest, thirty-five years on, was a tour de force performance, again beautifully written by the performer.
Although Miranda’s brave new world had turned rather sour it was, however, difficult to imagine her becoming the Thatcherlike harridan portrayed in The Queen’s Speech. Consequently, although great fun, I don’t think this piece was quite as believable.Finding the Will say in their blurb that no previous knowledge of Shakespeare is required. I’m not so sure. Why would you be interested in what happened to Miranda or Friar Laurence if you had never heard of them or at least know where they were coming from? Besides which, that is rather the point, it’s their back-story that make them interesting.
In spite of the small reservations mentioned above I really enjoyed Bard Heads. It was entertaining, amusing and thought provoking. And, of course, very clever – not least in as much as it provides Finding the Will with an endless source of material. I wonder whatever happened to that Rosalind…… ★★★★☆ Michael Hasted
