A CONSIDERED and polished performance from the Colwall Players brought one of Shakepeare's lesser-known plays to life.
The contemporary production succeeded magnificently in making the Bard accessible, without tampering with his work.
Director Lee Farley played Angelo, who is left in charge of a crime-ridden Vienna after the Duke (Jim Howden) ups and leaves.
Angelo rules with a rod of iron and promptly imprisons Claudio (JJ Smith) for getting Juliet (Dee Lannie) pregnant out of wedlock.
He then attempts to have his wicked way with Claudio's nun sister Isabella (Dianne Lloyd) in return for her brother's release. The Duke, meanwhile, has returned in the guise of a friar and is watching the proceedings with great interest.
All the lead actors played their characters with a depth and feeling rare in amateur productions.
Particular mention must go to Lee Farley's cruel and calculating Angelo and Adrian Mealing's gurning and highly amusing pimp, Pompey. There was also strong support from Harriet Elkins as the good-hearted Provost, John Denham as Escalus and Andrew Howie as the braggart Lucio.
The Colwall Players have a cracking line-up of actors at its disposal, which bodes well for future productions.
Phill Tromans
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