Arts:Blog

Theatre Review: Love's Labour's Lost ****

Michael Cox reviews a 'frequently funny, occasionally poignant but wonderfully entertaining' production.

Love’s Labour’s Lost is not Shakespeare at his best. The script has some solid moments, clever word play and a few fun characters, but the text is slight, and perhaps more interest to Shakespeare fans will come from seeing where greater plays and characters originated from, most specifically Much Ado About Nothing and A Midsummer Night’s Dream. It does have one of Shakespeare’s best comedic scenes, but it also includes a few shallow moments and an abrupt ending, all of which can be troublesome for even the most seasoned of theatre companies.

So it's an absolute pleasure to report that Bard in the Botanics don't just manage to pull their production off but do so with relish and aplomb.

Directed by Gordon Barr, this Labour is a promenade that makes excellent use of Glasgow’s botanic gardens. The trees and hills become integral to the action, with actors running, hiding and slipping around their surroundings, adding extra zeal to the shenanigans at play. It's a production that is far better staged and paced than it appears on the surface, making everything look light and easy.

The plot, with so many of Shakespeare’s comedies, is pure nonsense. A young king and three friends swear to devote several years to academic study and vow to spend no time with the opposite sex. Upon signing a rather ridiculous contract with outlandish penalties, the princess of France arrives with an entourage and…well, one thing leads to another.

Who pairs off with who is inevitable—the enjoyment comes in watching how it all plays out. This is where Barr’s production really shines—he has created an ensemble that consists of likeable performers who are easy to root for and a pleasure to spend time with. There's a cheeky glee and a glint in the eye throughout, and the production is frequently funny, occasionally poignant but wonderfully entertaining throughout.

Midges, rain and unscheduled onlookers be damned: this is a pure delight more than worth enduring the outdoor elements for.

Performs at Glasgow’s Botanic Gardens until July 11.