Theatre / News
Bristol best of 2014: Theatre
1. Arcadia, Tobacco Factory Theatre – March-April
The always-excellent Shakespeare at the Tobacco Factory tackled Tom Stoppard’s vaultingly ambitious play with its themes of thermodynamics, algorithms, chaos theory… not to mention those two storylines taking place in the same stately pile almost two centuries apart. As ever, SATTF’s version was a perfectly-staged, beautifully-dressed, sensitive and witty triumph.
2. Minotaur, Bristol Old Vic – April
Adam Peck’s play, produced in-house by the Old Vic, made a classical Greek myth instantly accessible to contemporary and younger audiences. It also had high production values, some excellent performers and simple but effective design by Chris Gylee – and even some canny audience participation. It’s not often you see kids enthusiastically lining up to be sacrificed to a hideous monster.
3. Jane Eyre, Bristol Old Vic – February-March
“The best thing that’s been on Bristol Old Vic’s main stage for years,” enthused our reviewer. Epic and ambitious, demanding of its audiences over its two parts, Jane Eyre used the stage well in its depth and width and sweep as a story. A strong ensemble cast was admirably directed by Sally Cookson, including a passionate and mesmerising performance from Madeleine Worrall as Jane.
4. Frogs, Alma Tavern Theatre – June
Self-important deity Dionysus and his slave Xanthias visit the underworld to settle a petty squabble in heaven: who is the greatest writer of them all? Hecate Theatre’s fresh, all-female take on Aristophanes’s classic drama was able to lure Bristolians away from their barbies during a June heatwave. Five actors formed a flexible cast of one froggy chorus, two famous writers, a Greek god and a host of cameos along the way.
5. One Man Two Guvnors, Bristol Hippodrome – June
A modernised version of Carlo Goldoni’s 1743 comedy Il Servitore di Due Padroni, with a big chunk of Fawlty Towers mixed in too, this was comedy joy. Richard Bean’s play constantly messes with the audience, leaving you occasionally bewildered (is this scene improvised? Intentional? A terrible mistake?) and always roaring with laughter.
Photo credits:
Arcadia – Graham Burke
Minotaur – Paul Blakemore
Jane Eyre – Simon Annand
Frogs – Hecate Theatre
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