Shakespeare’s words turned into songs

There were some special moments and even some ‘firsts’ at Play On. In this performance Shakespeare’s words are ingenuously set to music and turned into songs. We even heard one of The Bard’s sonnets sung in te reo Maori.

New Plymouth also gained the honour of being the first venue in the world to sell the newlyreleased vinyl Play On: The Album.

Since the Play On group premiered at the Pop-up Globe in Auckland last year they have been busy recording this album. Their Taranaki show was the first time they had played together in public since the Globe.

Former New Plymouth Boys’ High School principal Mac (Michael McMenamin) was personally acknowledged. While growing up in Whangarei, musician/composer Paul McLaney’s English teacher was Mac. McLaney credited him for igniting his love of Shakespeare.

The songs were definitely a form of Shakespeare that most of the audience had never heard before. Yet, as a former English teacher in the audience exclaimed: ‘‘It works so well. Shakespeare’s words were made to be put to music.’’

Although it wasn’t everyone’s cup of tea, most were surprised to instantly recognise The Bard’s familiar speeches and sonnets. However, now we heard them in a new way.

The first half was quiet, almost meditative. It concentrated on love and romance. As accompanists, the string players from The Black Quartet were amazing to watch as they used their bows to pluck, vibrate and strum.

Julia Deans and Mara TK joined McLaney in singing. They showed a lot of passion for the words.

Mara TK appeared almost tortured by the lyrics as he sang with closed eyes and clenched fists.

Soon the programme became much more fiery as it focused on death. When Deans’ voice soared to the heights of the spiegeltent, her rendition of Lady Macbeth’s speech became many listeners’ favourite piece.

As the programme came to a close a hushed awe settled over the audience while we listened to Sonnet 18 in te reo.

Several people gave a standing ovation. It seems a love of Shakespeare is still alive 400 years on, in a small antipodean city and in another language.

You have to wonder what Shakespeare himself would have thought of it all.

Accompanied by a young school teacher and a 4-year old, I felt I had most age groups covered when reviewing Dirt and Other Delicious Ingredients.

Strangely enough though, it was the after show that fascinated us all. We could touch the props strewn along the stage edge. We felt, smelt and dug among piles of leaves, sticks, coffee beans and cinnamon.

It was a sensory, calming experience. However, I suspect the young four-year-old was searching for vegetables and creepy crawlies as he ‘matter-of-factly’ pointed out that was what you found in dirt