9.05°C Paul T. Davies reviews King John, staged at the Headgate Theatre.
Now in its fourth year, the Colchester Fringe Festival is the biggest one yet. It has ten days of theatre, comedy, dance, and music, with companies from the local area presenting work alongside national and international artists. Rendered Retina Theatre Company bring their interpretation of Shakespeare’s “worst” play in an energetic, fast paced and hilarious production that cuts a three-hour slow epic down to a crisp one hour. Fresh from winning the audience and creative awards at the Prague Festival, the company set out to silence the critics and prove that this really is one of Shakespeare’s best plays!
Alex Mangan, Tom Mangan, and Jordan Choi are highly skilled performers and musicians who are instantly likeable and make a strong connection with the audience. Swiftly moving from character to character with a superb collection of hats, it reminded me a little of The Complete Works of Shakespeare (Abridged), but here, finding joy in one of the lesser-known plays. The pace doesn’t drop for a second, and particularly impressive is the battle scene, which is then recapped at double the speed, and the absolute joy that shows off the physical clowning of the performers. The original music is designed to make the narrative of the play centre stage (although I would be pushed to summarise all of this meandering play!), but it also makes the show contemporary and accessible; not for nothing is the age recommendation 3 years plus!
The company certainly reach their mission of creating striking, energetic and visual performances, aided by a simple but versatile set, the revelation of a prison cell is another delightful moment. Taking influences from Commedia Dell’Artre, combining mime and physicality (the fall from high battlements another excellent moment), this show does exactly what it sets out to do – to entertain! And, considering King John is perhaps Shakespeare’s least performed play, Bard collectivists can tick it off their list!
