Shakespeare's Globe Theatre Company brought their production of "A Winter's Tale" to Liverpool's St James Gardens, in the shadow of the Anglican Cathedral.
The Globe Company used a catwalk as a stage, enabling them to move the action around.
As this was a traditional production no microphones were used. It was presented as it would have been in Bill's time and occasionally the dialogue was lost.
But that was not the main problem. It is the actual location. St James' Gardens look good, and should be good for theatre, but alas is not and it's not the actors' fault.
The planes flying over at regular intervals, the pidgeons cooing in the trees, the traffic noise along Hope Street. Background music provided by the chimes of the ice cream vans, all helped to drown out the actors.
Then the house martins joined in (not the 80s band) assisted by the squawking seagulls. As it got darker the bats flitted and squeaked around the trees after the midges that were flying about in great abundance.
I was waiting for an appearance of Bill Oddie and Kate Humble, who would not have looked out of place in this production of "A Winter's Tale" as the cast was not short of bad beards and beautiful wenches.
The play is the thing and in the end the script won over even my chilly fifteen year old daughter. Very impressive production.
As the path through the park was still open to the non-paying public, comedy was provided by a succession of extras who included, One lady clip clopping in high heels.
A group of half a dozen lads on bikes who stopped to watch proceedings before continuing their cycle ride.
Then a Bunch of footballing youths who had brought their own goal along for a kick-about.
The very best was the young "Chav" with her 3 white pit-bulls who stopped and rang her friend to tell her, "There's something going on in the park, Shakespeare or something."
This was in broad Scouse, and she looked blankly at people telling her to be quiet. When a security lady approached her she still carried on talking on her phone, while the 3 dogs happily wagged tails and jumped up at the security lady.
When eventually she continued her walk she forgot to clean up after one of her dogs, which had left a large deposit on the path.
I must be honest and admit I did not go after her and offer her a poopa bag.
All the phrases, "Valiant effort", "Brave Decision not to mic up", and "Superb effort" can be used to describe this production, I just wonder if St. James' Gardens is the most suitable location for Traditional Shakespeare.
The Shakespeare Festival is brought to us by local theatre group "Lodestar Theatre Company" who will be presenting Shakespeare's "A Midsummer Night's Dream" in the gardens from 13th August until 7th September.
Take a picnic, a good bottle of wine, don't forget your camping chair and a jumper in case it gets cool and enjoy a great night out. A totally different experience.
This production will be "mic-ed" up, so there should not be the same problems that were experienced during "A Winter's Tale".
Before that on Thursday 7th August starting at 9 p.m. will be "cinema in the park" Oscar winning film "Shakespeare in Love" kicks-off a short season of films with a Shakespeare connection.
Tickets available in the Anglican Cathedral shop for the films and "Midsummer Night's Dream"
"It's a Wonderful Life"
(Thu 02/12)
TURN IT DOWN.
(Thu 11/11)
Do we need another Beatles book.
(Mon 11/10)
President or Pope, who is most welcome?
(Mon 16/08)
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