This production by the Babes with Blades company at the Raven Theatre is truly a gem. The story itself was effectively edited by the director, Brian LaDuca, who manages through excision and conflation to keep the heart of the story intact and the running time to two hours. He highlights enough of the bawdiness of the Bard to keep the pace entertaining, and is true to the language. Well done!
With the cast being completely women, I wondered what gender-inspired changes there would be, and the good news is - none. Not that I would have objected, mind you, but the audience's inability to distinguish man from woman based on their physical appearance means we must focus on the characters themselves. And this company is clearly capable of strong acting - not just amazingly compelling "violence."
Special kudos are due to Amy Harmon as Mercutio, and Eleanor Katz as Nurse, and Ashley Fox as Juliet - though there wasn't an actor "beneath the salt." Ms. Harmon in particular had her dialogue, timing and acting down cold, and managed some of the more challenging fight scenes with such skill that they seemed effortless.
The set - a two-story affair, with a trestle between up- and down-stage - was used very effectively to allow scene transitions to begin in the back while the former finished in front. The effect of this was to keep the pace ratcheted up an extra notch, and the cast certainly was adept at maintaining that energy.
All in all, the classic story was told in a slightly unconventional way that did not intrude, but in fact enhanced the original tale. The language was easily understood, elocuted clearly and punctuated nicely by smart direction. And the fight scenes were glorious, as one can expect from Babes with Blades.
Hie thee to the Raven, and see this gem before it departs on 30 April.
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