What a treat! I was able to see more theatre in the last two days than I have in the last two years thanks to Dr. Greg McNamara’s efforts to bring the Shenandoah Shakespeare Express’ “Rife with Mischief” tour to Macon State College for two performances and two workshops. I was unable to attend the workshops, but the performances were exceptional. Last night was Oliver Goldsmith’s She Stoops to Conquer, a lampoon of 18th century British society’s quirks and customs, from matchmaking and marriage to character and class. William Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night, a play that I had seen before at the Asolo when I was a graduate student, is a problematic comedy that begins with death and ends with marriage, but leaves a man psychologically broken: Malvolio, played subtly by Jeremy West.
The whole cast was exceptional, but Christopher Seiler‘s Sir Toby Blech, Paul Fildago’s Tony Lumpkin and Sir Andrew Aguecheek, and Jason Vail‘s Young Charles Marlow stood out for me. My only regret is that they didn’t perform Measure for Measure.
Thanks, again, Dr. McNamara. Your efforts have not gone unnoticed. Huzzah! If you have the opportunity to see this troupe, I strongly encourage you to do so.
