REVIEW: ‘Enthusiastic, passionate and dedicated performances’ Enjoy BMH’s double bill Romeo & Juliet and Troilus & Cressida at Oxford Castle

Two families at war; one couple in love – we all know our ‘Romeo and Juliet’, but hands up, how many are familiar with ‘Troilus and Cressida’ who face such a similar conundrum? No, didn’t think so. I certainly didn’t.

“well done BMH Productions for bravely coupling the famous with the obscure”

So well done BMH Productions for bravely coupling the famous with the obscure, and staging a Shakespeare double-bill at Oxford Castle Courtyard. READ ABOUT IT HERE

Each play is presented in truncated form (one hour apiece) with the idea that we can enjoy them individually and/or mull over the similarities and differences between them.

Troilus and Cressida the couple, seem undecided about how they feel about each other and their personal story plays out among many subplots. (Top tip – gen up on the synopsis before you go!) Special mention must be given to actor Angus Fraser, who plays the meddlesome Pandarus and really helped with the plot by regularly narrating scenes.

By contrast, Romeo and Juliet’s relationship is a full-on passion with a straightforward storyline to match. Standout mentions here must be given to Joshua Varty who plays an excitable Benvolio and Rinre Grace Olusola as an exceptionally menacing Tybalt.

‘bmh makes make the point that war and love are constants despite the stories being a thousand years apart’

Both plays make full use of the wonderful Oxford Castle setting and the audience really feels amongst the action. As it is an outdoor event ‘Romeo and Juliet’ benefitted from being staged last as it got darker and colder at the same time as the storyline, creating a heightened atmosphere.

Troilus and Cressida is performed in period costume, Romeo and Juliet in modern dress, which makes for a refreshing contrast and presumably aims to make the point that war and love are constants despite the stories being a thousand years apart.

As we all know, it doesn’t end well in either play, but instead of departing with a heavy heart, I left Oxford Castle feeling uplifted by the enthusiasm, passion and dedication that I witnessed in both of tonight’s performances.

Edward Bliss

BMH PRODUCTIONS PRESENTS A SHAKESPEARE DOUBLE-BILL AT OXFORD CASTLE & PRISON: ROMEO & JULIET, WITH TROILUS & CRESSIDA until Saturday June 29. BOOK HERE