Former Coronation Street star Eric Potts has gone from the heights of the nation's favourite soap right to the Bottom...and he's loving it!
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| Copyright Darren Thomas |
In a far cry from the cobbles of Weatherfield, the actor who played baker Diggory Compton has become the star turn in a summer production of Shakespeare's comedy A Midsummer Night's Dream.
And Potts himself is thrilled about the chance to play one of the Bard's most beloved characters, Nick Bottom, among a group of craftsmen, known as the Mechanicals.
As Potts says, "I've wanted to play this role since leaving drama college, but it's taken me 26 years to play it on stage!"
His performance is the focal point of the open-air Stafford Festival Shakespeare - now in its 23rd year and growing impressively in popularity - set in the grounds of Stafford Castle.
With appearances in Aladdin, Dick Whittington and Jack And The Beanstalk on his CV, it will come as little surprise to learn that Potts' Bottom ranges from the bombastic to the pantomimic. Indeed, it is fair to say that his Bottom is loud and explosive.
Although originally from Ayrshire, Potts delivers his character's lines in a Coronation Street "talk-as-I-find" accent, where subtlety gives way to direct blows on the funny bone. Or, why knock in a nail with a hammer, when you can use a JCB?
Set loosely in the Edwardian period, Bottom and his fellow Mechanicals - dressed aptly in ivory jackets and boaters - slowly get things started musically, as each plays a different instrument and they offer renditions of various Gilbert and Sullivan classics.
Indeed, director Peter Rowe relies heavily on a music hall-style interpretation and this "overture", which includes audience participation, serves to introduce the Mechanicals, as well as warm up the crowd.
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| Copyright Darren Thomas |
As the "overture" ends, Theseus (Robert Fitch) and Hippolyta (Simone James), who double up later as Oberon and Titania respectively, begin a stately descent from the castle on the top of the steep hill to a set cleverly designed by Libby Watson.
She has seamlessly linked the verdant stage design to the natural grassy banks that skirt the castle approach, interspersing them with three strategically placed pavilions, one of which serves as a bandstand for the Mechanicals.
The actors all use head-attached, almost unobtrusive, microphones, which, for regular indoor theatre-goers can seem a little strange, but is understandable, bearing in mind the open-air performance can always fall victim to the vicissitudes of the English weather.
Chief among the main protagonists is Jennifer Greenwood, whose entirely engaging performance as Hermia is a real hit. Her woodland "battle" with Helena, played wittily, by Georgina White is, suitably, one of the highlights of the production.
Their lovers, Lysander (Craig Fletcher) and Demetrius (Eamonn O'Dwyer), acquit themselves with intelligent vigour and all the lovers have an acute sense of comedic timing.
As for the fairy Puck, Lanre Malaolu plays him with an intentional freneticism that is highly watchable.
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| Copyright Darren Thomas |
But the Mechanicals, inevitably, are the ones who have the audience howling with laughter, with Potts in the lead, but closely followed by Quince (Phylip Harries) and Flute (James Haggie).
It's knockabout Shakespeare - not necessarily for the die-hard purist - but certainly, and most importantly, a lively way to introduce youngsters to the delights of the Bard and provide families with a truly memorable evening out.
Two airy marquees adjoining the purpose-built auditorium accommodate a bar and a restaurant. The latter, provided by one of the region's most respected hoteliers, The Lewis Partnership, serves first-class food at a very reasonable price and is the perfect "starter" before the main course of the theatrical experience.
As Potts, who is starring in his fourth year at the Stafford Festival Shakespeare says, "I love the atmosphere up on the hill and, weather permitting, you get a lovely evening with people coming up early for picnics and evening meals before seeing the show. It's a lovely family fun day with views over Staffordshire and a great piece of entertainment."
Or, as Bottom would say: "'Tis a sweet comedy."
