HOLLYWOOD goes to Stratford-upon-Avon to ‘do’ Shakespeare – mildly interesting.
How much more interesting when Hollywood chutzpah mistakenly turns up in Stratford-St-John in Suffolk, expecting to be welcomed into the real home of the world-famous Bard.
This second Stratford is totally fictional and the premise of the play does stretch the imagination, but despite that the plot is easy to follow.
Basically, a desperate group of amateur dramatic enthusiasts hit upon a nutty wheeze to persuade an aging Hollywood star to appear as Lear in their last ditch attempt to save their theatre.
Enter all-action hero Jefferson Steele, full of “Let’s get this show on the road, folks” but an overwhelming ignorance of all things Shakspeare.
It’s the combined writing talents (listen out for wonderfully acerbic observations throughout the action) of Ian Hislop (editor of Private Eye) and Nick Newman (national press cartoonist) which rescue what is essentially a mad situation.
This is easy, enjoyable entertainment which runs until 28 June.
Ann Shaw
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