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>>> Shakespeare In Love sizzles on stage

SHAKESPEARE IN LOVE adapted by Lee Hall from Marc Norman and Tom Stoppards film (Stratford Festival). At the Avon (99 Downie, Stratford). To October 16. $25-$189. stratfordfestival.ca. See Listings. Rating: NNNN

Many elements dont translate from the screen to the theatre in this stage adaptation of the Oscar winner. But Shakespeare In Love still winds up being very entertaining.

William Shakespeare (Luke Humphrey) owes more than one producer a new play but has a bad case of writers block. Even friend and fellow playwright Christopher Marlowe (a charming Saamer Usmani) cant help him. Will does find his muse in the person of Viola de Lesseps (Shannon Taylor), who adores the Bards poetry and secretly wants to join his troupe. Unbeknownst to him, she dresses up as a man to play the lead in Wills still unwritten play.

Much is made of the mistaken identity theme, but the main arc is Shakespeares discovery of his voice and the invention of his tragedy Romeo And Juliet.

Strangely, Lee Halls adaptation of Marc Norman and Tom Stoppards near-perfect screenplay downplays the miracle of theatrical invention. Its a mystery, that comically repeated line from beleaguered producer Henslowe (Stephen Ouimette) describing the creative process, doesnt resonate. And the gradual realization among the players that theyre in the process of developing something thrilling is never made obvious.

But the cast does very well with whats on the page. Ouimette is hilarious as the debt-ridden theatrical angel desperate for Shakespeares pages. Brad Hodder, as the egotistical actor Ned Alleyn, preens and blusters to terrific comic effect. And Rylan Wilkie as the baddie determined to marry Viola revels in his wickedness.

Im not sure why director Declan Donnellan allows Karen Robinson to play to the nurse as if shes a mammy right out of Gone With The Wind. Its the shows only real weakness.

Humphrey is highly watchable as he pines for Viola and expresses his personal and artistic frustrations. Taylor, though she couldnt pass as a man for a second (something of an inside joke, since doubtless those Elizabethan cross-dressing actors werent always credible) injects Viola with great energy, and the chemistry between them crackles.

Special mention should go to composer Paddy Cunneen and musicians George Meanwell and Trevor Patt. The period music is gorgeous and taken together would make for a terrific stand-alone concert.

And, yes, as the queen (the regal Sarah Orenstein) wishes it, there is a dog.

Get stage event listings here and don’t miss our Hot Summer Guide out of town picks.

susanc@nowtoronto.com | @susangcole

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