This article contains minor spoilers of the play “The Wild Goose Chase.”
With its upcoming production of “The Wild Goose Chase” this week, Shakespeare on the Lawn is taking two steps to shake up their traditional model.
First, “Goose Chase” is a light comedy, the polar opposite of the sorts of Shakespearean tragedies and histories that have been well represented in SotL’s past productions. More surprisingly, however, the show is not even by William Shakespeare — rather it is a Renaissance play from Shakespeare’s contemporary John Fletcher. The Cavalier Daily was fortunate enough to see a preview of several scenes during the production’s dress rehearsal last Monday night, and had the opportunity to speak with members of the cast and crew.
SotL President and cast member Thomas Hische, a fourth-year College student, said this show is “a chance to do something a little different for [SotL] … [and] to break ground for our organization as we approach our 20th Anniversary.”
Although unusual for a Shakespeare performance group to perform a play by anyone but the Bard, this romantic comedy looks to be a fun change of pace, coming just in time for Valentine’s Day weekend.
The play takes place in Paris where, in classic screwball tradition, matches are made, hearts are broken and lovers try to woo, incite jealousy and win love. The scenes proved to be a terrific representation of a rom-com with charming energy, conducting everything smoothly, and a colorful cast of characters plotting to win hearts.
Hische described the tone well, saying that it has “no deaths, [and] everyone gets married.”
Although not written by the Bard, the vernacular is very similar. Don’t be intimidated by the Shakespearean-esque prose — the actors admirably convey the meaning of the text so the story is always clear.
Fourth-year College students and director Billy Baker called the show a nice change of pace.
“People don’t realize how many Renaissance writers there were [since Shakespeare overshadows them],” Baker said.
Baker said he was drawn to the show because it was “something to break up SotL’s streak of tragedies and death. … [and] showcase the breadth and depth of [the] organization. … [It] forces us to think creatively.”
The show contributes to the variety in SotL’s season this year, which has included the classics “Romeo & Juliet” and “Richard II” and will conclude this March with “King Lear.” Ultimately, “The Wild Goose Chase” should be a fun on-grounds attraction for students looking for something exciting to do this Valentine’s Day weekend.
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