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As Bard in the Botanics returns to Glasgow Allan Radcliffe talks to director Gordon Barr about the challenge of making Shakespeare more accessible
i you accept the notion that ‘a sad tale‘s best l‘or
winter". it lollows that a pair of cotnedies make
the best entertainment tor a summer backdrop. ’I‘he programmers behind Bard in the Botanics certainly appear to think so. This year. (ilasgow‘s outdoor Shakespeare l'cstival it‘ltltlt'es an exciting new take on Hit” .i/i'n'lninl of \i'm'i'i' as well as a llronienade version of .lliu'Ii {It/(i .Ii/mu/ Nor/1171.2.
'\\'e try to create a mix ol‘ things our audience won’t have seen at the Botanics bcl'ore and shows that lend themselves to the outdoor setting.~ says director (iordon Barr. ‘.i/('r('/1u/1/ til l'i'nii'ix is something we haven't done bel‘orc and film-h {Ii/U xI/mlll Nor/uh}; is a real summer play exactly what you would expect l‘rom this type oi programme.~
.'\s Barr makes clear. it‘s the potential for interpretation and exploration in both works that particularly fascinates him.
"This is a gt'eat pair to have together because of
their complexity. .II('/'('/I(III/ of l'i'nii'i' treads a line line between comedy and darkness throughout while .iliu'li dr/U is a romantic comedy that has a richly dark vein running right through it.‘
One ol~ the biggest challenges in staging the l‘ormer play lies in how to depict Shylock. the rich .lewish ttsurcr who l‘amously demands a pound of lilesh Il'Ulll Antonio. In exploring Shylock‘s thirst for vengeance against his (‘hristian tormentors. Barr has chosen to update the play to gt more recent tumultuous period in Iiuropean history.
‘I had a very clear social context I wanted to explore. particularly in relation to Shylock. and 1030s Italy had all the resointnces that l was looking l‘or.’ he says. ‘lt was a time when the world was sitting on the edge ol‘ something terrible. where good and evil and a person’s actions and responsibilities
86 THE LIST ' I ,'
‘WE'RE RECRUITING AN ARMY OF SHAKESPEARE AF ICIONADOS'
towards each other suddenly started to come sharply into locus.~
While the promenade production of Much Ado About Nothing allows a greater focus on the stunning visual backdrop oi the gardens. choosing an appropriate period setting for the play was also crucial. particularly as a backdrop to the tnale characters‘ mistrust ol‘ l‘emale sexuality.
'I wanted it to be taken liar enough back in time to a world of soldiers and duelling. where it would be likely that a woman would be punished for inlidelity. I was also considering what would look best in the gardens and what would suit the characters. We arrived at the late lh’th century 7- pre-Jane Austen. but still very romantic.‘
lnevitably. Bard in the Botanics is the kind ol‘ play season where every performance has the potential to be different. based on l’actors that are entirely outwith the company‘s control -- such as the notorious (ilasgovv weather. ‘:\l'ter seven years we’ve got used to some of the things that can go wrong. but we still have to keep on our toes.‘ laughs Barr.
The director is particularly proud ol‘ the fact that the festival is fulfilling its remit ol’ making Shakespeare more accessible and immediate. "Three quarters of our audience is made tip of people who wouldn‘t otherwise go to the theatre. That said. the same people come back year alter year so we‘re recruiting an army of Shakespeare aficionados that’s all our own.
Bard in the Botanics opens with The Merchant of Venice, Botanic Gardens, Glasgow, previews Wed 25 & Thu 26 Jun, main run Fri 27 Jun-Sat 12 Jul (no performances on Sundays or Mondays).
IJST
THE BEST THEATRE & DANCE
. T z
3|! Les Pa nts Terrible: Complex family passions are explored in Dundee Rep‘s revival of Jean Cocteau’s boulevard farce, which features fine performances from the ensemble. See review, page 89. Dundee Rep, until Sat 27 Jun.
it Evita Familiar songs, impressive vocal talent and slick chorus numbers keep Rice/Lloyd Webber’s perennial favourite sounding as fresh as the day it was born. See review, page 89. Playhouse, Edinburgh, until Sat 21 Jun.
* The Winter’s Tale Globe Theatre director John Dove brings Shakespeare’s late comedy to Glasgow in a new, open—air touring production. See review, page 88. Main quadrangle, Glasgow University, until Sun 22 Jun.
1‘ Ascendance Dance Company in Standing Stones, one of Europe’s most innovative dance companies celebrates the permanence and splendour of cathedrals through dance, visual image and music. See preview, page 87. St Mary's Episcopal Church, Glasgow, Wed 25 Jun; St Mary's Episcopal Church, Glasgow, Fri 27 Jun.
* Antigone in New York Theatre Found transforms Glasgow’s Kelvingrove Park into Central Park for a lively promenade production of Janusz Glowacki’s adaptation of the classic Greek tragedy as part of the West End Festival. See preview, page 87. Gilmorehill 612, Glasgow, Fri 27—Sun 29 Jun.
* The Merchant of Venice The first of this year's Bard in the Botanics productions is an intriguing take on Shakespeare's most complex comedy, set in 19308 italy. See preview, left. Botanic Gardens. Glasgow, Fri 27 Jun-Sat 12 Jul.