Last Thursday I went to Shakespeare's Globe for the first time. My friend and I displayed our tickets and made our way to huddle in the yard. I tried to imagine what it must have been like watching a play there during the 17th century. Surrounded by stinking knaves and washer women with buckled yellow teeth, the faint aroma of excrement and rotten chicken on the air. Hundreds of years ago it would have been quite the spectacle. I think it still is, just instead of the excrement and rotten chicken, there is the faint waft of imported Danish pastries in its place. That is the magic of the Globe. It is how Shakespeare should be done. Outside, big gestures, lots of different smells.
I was totally unfamiliar with 'All's Well That Ends Well' before I stepped into the Globe. It was performed with such simplicity and energy that it was made very easy to understand. The actors' energy and facial expressions gave the language a magical and natural rhythm, which lies proudly in Shakespeare. The second scene in particular was performed with such audacity and articulation, I could barely tear my eyes away from the action.
Undoubtedly, James Garnon stole the show. His portrayal of Parolles was delivered with comical charisma and inhabitance. Garnon created a somewhat dominant presence on the proceedings, whenever he was off the stage everyone was quietly wondering when he would next be on. His performance was closely followed in suit by Michael Bertenshaw. Bertenshaw played Lafew, his energy and subsistence closely mirrored that of Garnon's but with a more experienced and anchored aura. It was brilliant to see them so immersed in their characters, that at times you could see the saliva rocket out of their mouth. Bertram was played by Sam Crane. I thought Crane's performance was like a roller-coaster, clinking its way to the top of a mighty first drop, but just before the climax, an alarm sounds and all the passengers have to evacuate and make their way down the emergency steps, never having felt that first kick of adrenaline. In summary, he failed to deliver, and was completely out-played by the other actors. Ellie Piercy performed the role of Helena. She played this very elegantly, but I felt wasn't given much to work with from Crane. Janie Dee played The Countess of Rousillon. Even that name sparks some sort of desire, deep within my mojo, to make some passionate boy-like move towards Dee if I saw her in a bar. If only I was 20 years older, spoke eloquent RP, and had studied at RADA. Maybe, just maybe I could be in with a chance. As you might have guessed from the previous sentence, Dee was very good. Her experience and her gift of speaking Shakespeare shined through. The King of France was played powerfully by Sam Cox, who like Bertenshaw and Garnon, had immersed himself into his character with such valor, that he too often let the odd bit of spit escape his mouth.
An essential item to take to the Globe is a small bottle of Bell's Whiskey. During the interval, take it out and start to slurp and wince as it goes down. In the first half I started to feel my lower back ache and my feet were starting to feel as if I'd walked round and round on the circle line. As soon as the whiskey hits you, all these aches and pains start to disappear. You start to fully enjoy the play again, laugh more heartily, and for some reason clutch onto your belly while you laugh. This is only if you are standing in the yard however, you couldn't possibly think to do such a despicable act being sat down. Keep the whiskey to the yard.
I really, really enjoyed this play. Hat's off to all the cast (apart from Crane) and John Dove, the director, whom I haven't even mentioned. You have created a magical production. I'll definitely be coming to have a look at your work again. Go and enjoy this play for yourself. Shakespeare is always there, and always will be. Productions like this get you pumped to see Shakespeare again and again. Jolly Good.
