The Upcoming
  • Culture
    • Art
    • Cinema
      • Movie reviews
      • Film festivals
    • Food & Drinks
      • News & Features
      • Restaurant & bar reviews
      • Interviews & Recipes
    • Literature
    • Music
      • Live music
    • Theatre
    • Shows & On demand
  • Fashion & Lifestyle
    • Accessories
    • Beauty
    • News & Features
    • Shopping & Trends
    • Tips & How-tos
    • Fashion weeks
  • What’s On
    • Art exhibitions
    • Theatre shows
  • Tickets
  • Join us
    • Editorial unit
    • Our writers
    • Join the team
    • Join the mailing list
    • Support us
    • Contact us
  • Interviews
  • Competitions
  • Special events
    • Film festivals
      • Berlin
      • Tribeca
      • Sundance London
      • Cannes
      • Locarno
      • Venice
      • London
      • Toronto
    • Fashion weeks
      • London Fashion Week
      • New York Fashion Week
      • Milan Fashion Week
      • Paris Fashion Week
      • Haute Couture
      • London Fashion Week Men’s
  • Facebook

  • Twitter

  • Instagram

  • YouTube

  • Tumblr

  • RSS

CultureTheatre

The Two Noble Kinsmen at Shakespeare’s Globe

The Two Noble Kinsmen at Shakespeare’s Globe | Theatre review
31 May 2018
Jim Compton-Hall
Jim Compton-Hall
Avatar
Jim Compton-Hall
31 May 2018

Theatre review

Jim Compton-Hall

The Two Noble Kinsmen

★★★★★

Dates

25th May - 30th June 2018

Price

£5-£47

Links & directions

TwitterInstagramFacebookWebsiteMap

A tremendous blast of fun, thrills and hilarity; Barrie Rutter’s The Two Noble Kinsmen is dancing up a perfect storm at Shakespeare’s Globe.

The Bard’s final play (a collaboration with John Fletcher) is based on The Knight’s Tale, the first story in Geoffrey Chaucer’s The Canterbury Tales. The princes Palamon and Arcite are the closest of friends. But things turn sour after they are imprisoned by Theseus when he defeats their uncle King Creon. While at first content as long as they have each other, the pair soon spot Emilia through the prison window. Both princes instantly fall in love with her and a bitter rivalry ensues.

The production is sprinkled with ambitious and flawless morris dancing routines that alone would be an impressive show to watch. But within this play, they add a lively and enthralling energy.

Nearly 400 years on, the humour of Shakespeare (and Fletcher) is still able to fill a theatre with roars of laughter. Though a lesser-known work of the iconic playwright, this staging is hilarious, aided by the perfect delivery from the cast. Rutter has directed a play with the highest precision comic timing.

Bryan Dick and Paul Stocker play the princes and provide a fantastically funny and likeable duo to follow. When they are off stage, there is a longing for them to come back. This is especially impressive given that this is Dick’s Shakespearean debut.

But that’s not to say the other actors and their characters aren’t just as sharp and entertaining. Francesca Mills as the jailer’s daughter turned madwoman is no less than amazing. Her dancing and comedy are some of the most joyous highlights of the play. And there are some brilliant moments between Hippolyta (Moyo Akandé) and Theseus (Jude Akuwudike).

To experience any Shakespeare at the Globe is magnificent, but a show so perfect as this is an even greater treat. The Two Noble Kinsmen is joyful, spectacular and easy to follow for those who are new to the dramatist’s canon. And as this particular play so rarely gets an outing – compared to the Bard’s better-known works – it is an absolute must-see this season.

★★★★★

Jim Compton-Hall
Photo: Nobby Clark

The Two Noble Kinsmen is at Shakespeare’s Globe from 25th May until 30th June 2018. For further information or to book visit the theatre’s website here.

Watch The Two Noble Kinsmen in rehearsal here:

Related Itemsreview

More in Theatre

The Ocean at the End of the Lane at the National Theatre

★★★★★
Brooke Snowe
Read More

“Sting always makes me want to choreograph”: An interview with ZooNation director Kate Prince

Cristiana Ferrauti
Read More

A Kind of People at the Royal Court Theatre

★★★★★
Connor Campbell
Read More

Thriller Live at Lyric Theatre

★★★★★
Sophia Moss
Read More

The Snow Queen at Park Theatre

★★★★★
Ghazaleh Golpira
Read More

Three Sisters at the National Theatre

Michael Higgs
Read More

The Duchess of Malfi at Almeida Theatre

★★★★★
Connor Campbell
Read More

A Taste of Honey at Trafalgar Studios

★★★★★
Jonathan Marshall
Read More

Christmas Carol: A Fairy Tale at Wilton’s Music Hall

★★★★★
Grace Walsh
Read More
Scroll for more
Tap

Theatre review

Jim Compton-Hall

The Two Noble Kinsmen

★★★★★

Dates

25th May - 30th June 2018

Price

£5-£47

Links & directions

TwitterInstagramFacebookWebsiteMap

Tickets

Theatre tickets

  • Popular

  • Latest

  • TOP PICKS

  • Secret Cinema Presents Stranger Things: An uncanny, immersive delight
    Cinema
  • Three Sisters at the National Theatre
    Theatre
  • Five of the best Christmas afternoon teas in London
    Food & Drinks
  • IT London in Mayfair: Authentic and refined Italian dishes in a swanky restaurant
    ★★★★★
    Food & Drinks
  • The Duchess of Malfi at Almeida Theatre
    ★★★★★
    Theatre
  • The Ocean at the End of the Lane at the National Theatre
    ★★★★★
    Theatre
  • “Sting always makes me want to choreograph”: An interview with ZooNation director Kate Prince
    Theatre
  • A Kind of People at the Royal Court Theatre
    ★★★★★
    Theatre
  • IT London in Mayfair: Authentic and refined Italian dishes in a swanky restaurant
    ★★★★★
    Food & Drinks
  • Thriller Live at Lyric Theatre
    ★★★★★
    Theatre
  • The Ocean at the End of the Lane at the National Theatre
    ★★★★★
    Theatre
  • IT London in Mayfair: Authentic and refined Italian dishes in a swanky restaurant
    ★★★★★
    Food & Drinks
  • The Snow Queen at Park Theatre
    ★★★★★
    Theatre
  • Three Sisters at the National Theatre
    Theatre
  • A Taste of Honey at Trafalgar Studios
    ★★★★★
    Theatre
The Upcoming
Pages
  • Contact us
  • Join mailing list
  • Join us
  • Our London food map
  • Our writers
  • Support us
  • What, when, why

Copyright © 2018 FL Media Ltd

Translations at the National Theatre | Theatre review
Circolombia at Underbelly Festival | Theatre review