Street Theatre Reviews 2006

BUXTON DRAMA LEAGUE - The Shakespeare Jukebox

BUXTON DRAMA LEAGUE

GERARD CRAWSHAW & MARIA CARNEGIE

Twas on a night, last eve, verily both bright and dull above by turns,
That we did venture unto the court of fore that does befront the house of opera,
Yet did we eschew that merriment and general pomfery that is the Buxton Festival,
And in its stead did sup from a cup more modest yet as pleasing fair,
That does by the name of Shakespeare's Jukebox go, or - and prattle ye not -
So well bedecked were those players two in garb of first Elizabethan tone
That this should indeed be be A Box of Dukes!

Tis a simple pleasure, and though not by far the first to espouse its theme,
My Liege of Crawshaw, who doth don the codpiece large for the second of two years,
Does great credit to this verse of old, with stately gait and dignity,
And gestures bold and broad that did arouse the memory of one Henry Five on Crispin's Day.
Joined was he by one Maria fair, of raven locks and oft times feisty voice,
That as strong Kate did most certain give that Petruchio a bloody good talking-to.

A number large of samples short and long from the pantheon this pair did offer.
Romeo and Juliet, Henry Five, As You Like It and the Shrew's Taming
Did make up but a brief quartet of these,
From which we did select for the price of but one English pound,
With lager, crisps and bitter by the name of Fringe to hand.

There was but one brief grey cell lapse, with verbal stumble to accompany,
But as so oft with these affairs, this did more the player concern
Than the small but happy crowd, supporters all.
Twas but a ripple in the river of blank and meter that did flow from these players mouths,
And we, that had by now gone softly into that night of fog that is inebriation,
Could no rebuke or hint of critique, or even good assistance, make, as we were a bit pissed.

And at the close, dear cousins, if thou dost of an evening find thyself
Upon that paved zone that does bestride the theatre and Regional Food Hall frontage,
Take in a breath of air that does from this good Jukebox escape,
From the sixth hour of the evening, for but sixty turns of the clock,
From this very night until next Saturday, day ten and four of this, great Julius' month.

"There is much Fringery in this piece - more than many an indoor pleasure!" - The Buxton Advertiser.

AA