The Two Gentlemen of Verona

Shakespeare's play begins as a light romantic comedy about Proteus, who abandons Julia after falling for Silvia, daughter of the Duke of Milan—a woman who is also the object of affection for Proteus's best friend, Valentine. But the piece turns darker when Proteus betrays Valentine to win Silvia for himself and Julia arrives in Milan disguised as a boy—only to find her former lover wooing another while claiming that she herself is dead. The tonal shifts are one of the key reasons that The Two Gentlemen of Verona is not performed with the regularity of many other of the Bard's comedies. But this sprightly modern-dress 2014 staging by Simon Godwin and the Royal Shakespeare Company at Stratford-upon-Avon makes a strong impression. The cast, which includes Mark Arends (Proteus), Pearl Chanda (Julia), Sarah MacRae (Silvia), and Michael Marcus (Valentine), are uniformly excellent. They are joined by a hilariously dour pooch named Mossup, playing Crab, a dog that accompanies comic-relief character Launce (Roger Morlidge). Some of Godwin's more extravagant conceits—including a few dance numbers and one outrageous song sketch—are obviously designed to add energy, as are some of the glitzy sets and flamboyant costumes. This may discomfort traditionalists, but compared to the rock musical version that Galt MacDermot (of Hair fame) made for Broadway in 1971, it's positively sedate, and most will find it enjoyable. Extras include audio commentary by Godwin, an introduction to the play, a featurette on Mossup, and a cast gallery. Recommended. Aud: H, C, P. (F. Swietek)