From the weathered pages of Geoffrey Chaucer’s 14th century work comes to life a wickedly smart four-handed reworking of The Canterbury Tales, proving once again the timelessness of Chaucer’s work and the unlimited potential of the modern adaptation.
As Alex Wilson (morphing into the charming if hapless host of the evening) announces: “Our tale begins as all great tales do, down at the pub!” and thanks to set designer Hazel McIntosh the beautiful space of Oxford’s St Mary Magdalen Church transforms into a lively English hostelry with fairy lights strung across the stage, illuminating the old-age wooden bar.
What unfolds is a series of wonderfully raucous stories, transporting the audience from a small English pub all the way to the Wild West, suburban domesticity and even a fantastical Chaucerian English realm.
‘What unfolds is a series of wonderfully raucous stories, transporting the audience from a small English pub all the way to the Wild West’
The four-person cast possess an exceptional range of musical talent, Eden Tredwell’s unique score nothing short of genius. Ranging from saxophone to piano, this show is a tour de force of musical excellence. Georgia Lelia Stoller’s performance on the guitar, playing the role of ‘Death’, was particularly marvellous, bringing a new lease of life to this well-trodden tale.
Littered with musical instruments and centred around a great wooden sign pointing towards Canterbury, Chaucer’s tale imagines a mismatched group of travellers, each venturing on a pilgrimage together. Except that Half-Cut Theatre lifts this tale into the modern age, with the original figures transformed into something more recognisable.
‘Half-Cut Theatre’s pay-as-you-go mentality ensures their work reaches as many people as possible’
Thus Hollie-Anne Price is a flirty if unfulfilled Wife of Bath, Georgia Leila Stoller, the Miller- a sleazy womaniser – and James Camp, a hilariously crooked estate agent. Alex Wilson morphs into ‘Geoff’, the aptly named host leading this story-telling pilgrimage who masterfully brings these mismatched characters’ lives together.
This show is also packed full of laughs, Half-Cut Theatre’s fast-paced revival giving Chaucer’s classic a breath of fresh air. But more than that, not only is the original material dealt with in a highly effective manner, but it’s accessible to all ages and would undoubtedly make for a fabulous family outing.
‘bear in mind, Half Cut theatre might just pull you on stage, place a rubber glove on your head and ask you to cluck like a chicken’
Throw in Half-Cut Theatre’s pay-as-you-go mentality to ensure their work reaches as many people as possible, let alone such a rare and amusing revival of Chaucer, and you’re onto a winner.
So be sure to book yourself a ticket, take your friends, kids, grandparents, confident in the knowledge that everyone will have a laugh. But bear in mind, if you do, Half Cut might just pull you onstage, place a rubber glove on your head and ask you to cluck like a chicken.
Half-Cut Theatre’s tour is now moving onwards to Suffolk, Greenwich in London and finally Canterbury, closing on the April 7. https://www.halfcuttheatre.co.uk/book
ISABEL RAPER
