By Chuck Graham, TucsonStage.com
photo by Tim Fuller
In this early Shakespeare comedy, its the ladies who have the last word. They are, from left, Chelsea Bowdren, Bryn Booth, Carley Elizabeth Preston and Sophie Gibson-Rush.
Of all William Shakespeare's comedies, “Love's Labor's Lost” must have the most playful language. Not just in its unexpected puns and sly synonyms but also in the rhythms of each actor's conversations.
The Rogue Theatre's new production of this merriment, directed by Joseph McGrath, vibrates to the rolling beat of words spaced out and shifted in their pronunciation, often followed by chopped phrases that fill with trills of exhilaration.
If you could add disco lighting and a thumping bass beat it would fit right in.
This being one of the Bard's early comedies, he is exploring the possibilities of language by expanding and elaborating on intricate twists of literary meaning, a distinction of style that would become one of his trademarks. Such as saying, for example, “Let love be a force, but don't force my love...” (not a quote but my own homespun example).
According to program notes, the play is set “In the year 1586 or perhaps 1587” when Ferdinand, King of Navarre (Aaron Shand) and three friends meet up with the Princess of France (Carly Elizabeth Preston) and three of her elegant companions.
Another friend of the court is Don Armado (Matt Walley) who gets a bright red costume and several animated speeches adding colorful zip to the plot.
Among those three princely pals of Ferdinand, it is Berowne (Ryan Parker Knox) who is the most dramatic.
Seeking to purify the quality of their lives, the King, Berowne and their courtly buddies Longaville (Jeffrey Baden) and Dumaine (Robert Anthony Peters) swear to devote the next three years of their lives to academic study – and to eschew all contact with any females of any sort.
What could possibly go wrong with this plan?
Quicker than you could say “Besmirch me not!” the Princess of France appears on the scene with her lovely entourage of Rosaline (Bryn Booth), Maria (Chelsea Bowdren) and Katherine (Sophie Gibson-Rush).
Suddenly these idealistic men of the King's court are having hilarious second thoughts about their oath of purity and – of course – quickly start hatching some desperate schemes.
Love letters are passed around. The ladies, getting into their own spirit of fun, hope to confuse the men by donning various disguises.
Shakespeare, always eager to stir the pot more generously, also adds a play within the play that involves humorous swords and shields.
Not to be outdone, the men disguise themselves as macho Russian dancers, performing outrageous steps choreographed by the Rogue's own Claire Hancock.
However, the play's ending does seem to imply more of a warning than a celebration. These women have the last word saying, if the men are sincere about their promises, they will come back same time next year.
“Love's Labor's Lost” runs through May 5 with performances Thursdays through Saturdays at 7:30 p.m., matinees Saturdays and Sundays at 2 p.m., at The Rogue Theatre, 300 E. University Blvd. Tickets are $47 general admission; student rush tickets, when available, are $15 with student ID. The running time is two hours 25 minutes including a 10-minute intermission.
For details and reservations, www.theroguetheatre.org, or phone 520-551-2053.
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