Novato Theater Company’s latest production of Shakespeare in Love was a great way to spend a Saturday night. Many of us remember the movie, for which Gwynnie got her Oscar. And for those of us, there was a lot to live up to.
The fictional story of the great baird, before he was great, and how one of his most famous plays was inspired by his fierce love affair with a woman betrothed elsewhere, drew me in.
It’s a great, great story. And funny. Humor adds so much. Tom Stoppard and Marc Norman’s script is beautifully crafted and structured. A well written play’s the thing…
What I witnessed, unfolding in front of me, was a lively, spirited performance, strongly acted with a great heart. What the movie couldn’t give us is the spirit of live theater. We had riffs on the difficulties of the writing process, and true to Shakespeare, there was a play within a play. There’s something about a troupe of actors playing a troupe of actors that adds an extra dimension of unique, joyful energy.
And too many standout actors to list, go and see it, and judge for yourself. A special shoutout for Queen Elizabeth’s fabulous dress, it sparkled, as did the actress, Michele Sanner, herself. (It put Gwynnie’s pink one to shame)!
There were some nice audience interactions too, ‘a which way’d he go?’ here, and some pamphlets handed out there, to immerse us further, a nice touch.
Costumes, sets, performances, music all pulled me straight into the atmosphere of Elizabethan London. It was exhilarating to see Shakespere in Love re-conjured, and so well. Bravo to all involved.
I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again. We’re lucky to have community theater of this caliber in our neighborhood and we should take advantage of it as much as we can. Each play is born from thousands of volunteer hours and lots of love, and that certainly showed itself in Novato Theater Company’s delightful production of Shakespeare in Love.
May 18 - June 11, 2023
Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30pm
Sundays at 2:00pm
$27 Regular/Senior, $15 Youth (18 and under)
Novato Theater Company, 5429 Nave Drive, Novato
