Kevin Kline did a reading of Shakespearean love scenes as a benefit performance for,the SW Shakespeare company atnthe Mesa Arts Center.
There were definitely similarities to the Bedford production "The Lunatic, the Lover and the Poet", done at Stratford a few years ago. Kline had three women supporting cast members (Lana Buss, Justine Hartley, Maren Maclean) which made the transitions from one play to the next more obvious and gave Kline someone to play to, where Bedford did a one man performance. It was a reading, but no less enjoyable for that, as Klien and the women all acted the roles very effectively.
Following the performance, there was an interview with Kline, moderated by Jared Sakren, with questions from the audience. Sakren and Kline went to school and toured together many years ago, and are clearly good friends. Sakren is the Producing Artistic Director of South West Shakespeare Company. We will look forward to seeing their productions next winter.
Kline's show was better than Bedford's, partially because he treated it more lightly, rather than as a quasi-religous experience; but also I think because of the actresses - just having them there made the performances more rounded, but also the three of them did an excellent job.
ReplyDeleteThis makes me look forward to South West Shakespeare's performances next winter.