The show opens to reveal a desert island scene with what seems to be a body and, our own Robinson Crusoe, Blaine (Michael Knighton). He’s been alone on, as he’s called it, Blaine Island for a considerable time.
His solace has been his copies of the collected works of William Shakespeare. We are treated to a show where the plays of The Bard blend with high fantasy.
When ‘the body’ awakes we’re introduced to Wells (Andrew Couch), the ‘heathen’ as Blaine calls him, who we realise is basically an ignorant lad about town. We learn that both of them were on the same wrecked liner.
Blaine is relatively happy with his lot but Wells is the archetypal ‘angry young man’. The two diametrically opposite men spar throughout.
The rest of the show surrounds a ‘magic’ basket whose memory challenged genie (Sarah Mann) grants wishes. The sparring continues as they argue with the use of said wishes and pandemonium ensues. It appears that there’s been an HR issue as Genie hasn’t issued the the required warnings at the onset. The fact is that the ‘boss’ is not from ‘above’ but ‘below’ and the men have to swap their souls for wishes. Her boss Simkins (Mark Brailsford) arrives ‘fragrantly’ to the scene to supposedly sort out the problem.
Unfortunately the ‘fix’ causes even more trauma between the men as Juliet ((Kitty McNeill) emerges from the sea. Both men fight for her affections and more chaos ensues.
The end of the play has to be kept under wraps – no spoilers here – and it’s perfect.
The actors are sensational, particularly with their ability to slickly, fall into Shakespearian language from modern English. They all have experience with Brailsford’s Brighton Shakespeare Company which shows in their ability to make Shakespeare’s words come to life so beautifully.
However I had a particular soft spot for Sarah Mann and her Genie. Her performance truly is a tour de force on all levels.
Mark Brailsford has achieved something special in his writing of Shakespeare’s Lost. He’s blended the language and fantasy of The Bard with great humour from modern characters. It’s a joy to behold.
Just two shows left to go in this run so get yourselves along to The Lantern Theatre as the sun dips and immerse yourself in a great piece of theatre. I promise you won’t be disappointed.
Cast
SIMPKINS : Mark Brailsford
GENIE : Sarah Mann
BLAINE : Michael Knighton
JULIET : Kitty McNeill
WELLS : Andrew Crouch
Writer and Director
Mark Brailsford
Venue & Tickets
£14.50 (concessions £13.50)
The Lantern Theatre, 77 St James’s Street, Brighton, BN2 1PA
https://www.brightonfringe.org/events/shakespeares-lost/
Remaining Performances
At 9pm on
Saturday 23 May
Sunday 24 May
