The Courier & Advertiser (Angus and Dundee)
Travelling Fools share the love at Glamis with their Romeo and Juliet
Glamis Castle visitors can expect to be wooed this summer, thanks to the aptly-named Three Inch Fools.
The travelling Shakespearean theatre company, named after the English Bard’s expression for “an admirable person”, brought their Romeo and Juliet production to Glamis Castle this week for a night of passion, poison – and audience participation.
And if you missed them, fear not – it’s been a long lockdown, and they’re coming back, with their rendition of Shakespeare’s The Merry Wives Of Windsor and a new non shakespearean run of Robin Hood.
“This is my first time in Glamis, and it’s the first time I’ve really got to explore Scotland so far,” said company member William Shackleton. “It’s absolutely beautiful.
“It’s been such a lovely opportunity to perform in such gorgeous settings.”
Indeed, the grand castle and sweeping gardens on a (mid) summer’s night provided the perfect backdrop to watch one of Shakespeare’s most renowned tragedies unfold.
“We’re excited to be hosting a series of open-air performances from the Three Inch Fools this summer,” said Helen Buchanan, general manager of Glamis Castle.
“We look forward to welcoming visitors to enjoy their musical take on popular Shakespeare plays while also experiencing the dramatic setting of Glamis Castle and Gardens.”
And the Fools’ simple wooden stage, with two smaller platforms all joined with minimalist string lights, contrasted delightfully with the grandeur of the surroundings.
With the (socially-distanced) audience hunkered down on picnic blankets and in camping chairs dotted around the stage, the atmosphere was festive. And the Tipsy Duck catering van helped ensure spirits remained high throughout the evening.
But, of course, the main event was the play itself, and the Three Inch Fools did not disappoint.
The troupe provided a spectacle that kept the spirit of Shakespeare firmly at its heart, but brought a vitality and energy that cast off any preconceived notions of stuffiness around the writer.
“In a way,” actor Hazel Monaghan explained, “what we’re doing is very traditional in that we’re a touring group of travelling players, who add music to the plays, and fun, and take it into different communities.”
“Yes!” jumps in Edward Kaye. “I’d say what makes it non-traditional is both the multi-roling. It’s five of us playing at least three characters each.
“Also, the company’s love of audience participation or kind of ad-libbing with the audience.” (A particularly charming moment was had when Romeo picked out a young woman in the front row as the subject of his first love, Rosaline.)
“And also,” Kaye added, “The music! All of us play music, and there’s loads of music in both shows.”
He’s not exaggerating. A capella harmonies transition the players from scene to scene.
And the actors play guitar, violin, accordion and percussion live on stage to accompany the famous monologues – and add sound effects to the energetic battle scenes.
The lead couple are played with unflinching sincerity by Monaghan (Romeo) and Isabella Hayward (Juliet), in a refreshingly modern inversion of the “men playing women” trope.
To catch the Fools at Glamis Castle, or for information on their “Riotous Summer of Theatre” productions, visit threeinchfools.com