Night of Shakespeare karaoke down at the Palace

You have to applaud the Palace Theatre in Paignton. They offer something for everyone.

Last Friday I went to watch, what I’ll describe as Shakespeare karaoke. However, in the main theatre there was a sold-out Dolly Parton tribute act. Two nights before, John Lydon, otherwise known as Johnny Rotten of The Sex Pistols was the main attraction in the bigger auditorium. 

However, I had been invited into the smaller space ‘Stage Left’ which was perfect for a more intimate two hours of excerpts from the bard, in a touring performance by The Inn Theatre Company, based in Dartmouth.

Being close to Halloween and Bonfire Night, the theme was on the mystical nature of some of Shakespeare’s plays focusing on the fairy’s, demons, ghosts, and magic in his work.

I am delighted to tell you that not only was the show well-supported, which I was surprised at, but also that the standard of this performance was incredibly high.

This was less surprising as this group had been putting on first-class full plays for many years, in the stunning outdoor setting of Dartmouth Castle.

Last year it was Richard III and next August is A Midsummer Night's Dream. Both those plays featured heavily here, but we began, of course, with Macbeth’s witches.

The evening was compared by Jo Loosemore, whose clear voice and reassuring presence will be familiar to listeners of BBC Radio Devon. She took us through a total of 27 different excerpts from a variety of plays, most lasting no more than five minutes.

Featuring everything from Banquo’s ghost in Hamlet to the ghost of Julius Caesar, there were plenty of familiar greatest hits as well as more obscure plays such as Troilus and Cressida or Joan of Arc as a witch in Henry VI Part 1.

The actors made great use of simple props like scarves and candles and overall, it was cleverly directed by Roni Jay, making good use of the space – there was even some audience participation. It’s a bit of cliché to comment after a show: ‘How did they learn all those lines?’; but I did leave marvelling at how the actors switched so easily from one character and play to another, and every one of the eight main players deserve to be singled out.

Jasmine Coxwas a joy of facial expressions and physical acting; Holly Hoskins added musicality and authority; Millie Partridge was a near perfect Tatania with her striking red hair; and Nicola Samule-Stevens was possibly the highlight of the night for me as a powerful Queen Margaret, from Richard III.

Josh Frost switched effortlessly from hero to villain, playing Romeo one minute then Macbeth the next. Richard Haighton delivers lines with killer meaning and directness and Al Wadlan is clearly very talented whether playing a troubled Caliban from The Tempest or switching to playing the flute. 

Special mention should go to the kilted James Osben, who physically looks like he’s born to play Shakespeare’s meatier parts and who shows a versatility which must be exceptionally useful when deciding which scenes to feature.

This is a brilliant show that exceeded my expectations and is a perfect night out for both newcomers to Shakespeare and those more familiar with the plays.

The Inn Theatre company should be praised for being brave enough to try putting on a show like this. I’d recommend going to see anything by them, as the standard of acting is as high as anywhere in Devon. 

Not since the Dartington players did open air Shakespeare more than a decade ago, has there been anything of this calibre and I hope they return with more Shakespeare karaoke next year.
Dreams, Charms and Phantoms is on in Teignmouth on November 13 and Ashburton on November 15. For more information visit theinntheatrecompany.co.uk