CHAUCER’S CANTERBURY TALES
The ADC Theatre 9 to 13 July 2024
Revied by Barry Brown
The Canterbury Tales were amongst the first books ever published, some 76 years after Geoffrey Chaucer’s death, having been written in a way that was as close to the common speech of the time as possible and 200 years before Shakespeare. As a result, they are largely read now as an academic exercise. Which is a pity, because they give a vivid portrait of Medieval life, with all its vigour and superstitions and battles of the sexes. In other words, much like today. Nick Warburton’s adaptation brings out these parallels and this production, far from being laboured, is fresh and enjoyable and light on its feet.
The evening is a treat from start to finish with the excellent cast engaging, enlightening and
entertaining the audience in a hugely entertaining way. They address us individually and
enthusiastically as a company of strolling players with their rather wonderful cart, and we
immediately want to hear more. They do not mug or strain for laughs, they do not batter us into submission, this is not “Carry on Roistering” or the “Revels that go Wrong”. It is much subtler and skilful than that. It is more like the play given by the locals for the Court in “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” when, as in the best productions, they are real people doing their best. The quick changes may not always work, some of them are plainly miffed at acting scenery and there is always the danger of an unscheduled commercial break from one of the more entrepreneurial members of the company, but it is all done lightly and with a sort of quicksilver innocence that is utterly winning.
The Show was originally planned for the open air, but they and we benefit from the resources and focus of the ADC Theatre, so that nothing is lost, there are no distractions and it doesn’t rain except through the speakers. Given the fact that all of the Cast are excellent and multi-faceted, it would seem invidious to pick out individuals, and the set (Sarah Deboys) is appropriately simple, with the cart playing as many parts as the actors (including improvised squeaks); the costumes (Kimberley Tongish), some of which have a life of their own, are just right; lighting and sound play their part in creating the atmosphere of the outdoors and Ian Favell and Madeleine Forrester introduce little moments of original music and dance that weave the Company together. A delightful evening.
CHAUCER’S CANTERBURY TALES
by Geoffrey Chaucer
Adapted by Nick Warburton
Produced by Bawds Theatre Group at the ADC Theatre
Performance: Thursday 11th July 2024
Review by Berenice Mann of Backstage View
A joyful and vibrant production of the Canterbury Tales, bringing to life the characters and stories with their combination of hilarity, satire and tragedy.
I’ve never read the original Chaucer, but I really enjoyed this adaptation into modern English, allowing creative storytelling to thrive on the stage. Not only did Nick Warburton write the adaptation, but he also directed this production, bringing these tales from the 14th century to life for the modern audience.
Chaucer’s Tales are told by a motley set of pilgrims on the way to Canterbury, some tales have a moral, others are entertaining and some are satirising the characters whether from the church, the wealthy nobles or the commoners, and these tales mostly ring true today.
The ensemble of thirteen performed six of the Tales, swapping characters, sharing the storytelling seamlessly and creating a wonderful rapport. The Tales were lively, vibrant, laugh-out-loud funny and the actors played to the audience who chuckled along and were absorbed. It was a truly joyful production to watch.
The set looked simple but amazing, with trees in the background and a wooden cart that played as many roles as the cast. There were some good sound effects and music, and a few little dances which worked in really well. Costumes were colourful and versatile, adding to the overall ambiance.
Ben Martineau and Tim Drummond were brilliant as the love-sick knights and the women were all amazing, with Madeleine Forrester making a scary fiend, not to mention all the crones, love interests and magicians – what a bunch of versatile actors! Great to see so many roles for all ages of women.
Overall – highly recommend seeing this show, Bawds theatre group setting a high bar on the Cambridge stage.