King John (Northern Broadsides)

With two productions of Shakespeare’s little known and rarely seen history
play hitting the boards at more-or-less the same time, which will win the
King John bragging rights? Of course the companies in question –
the RSC and Northern Broadsides – will be tackling the piece in their own
idiosyncratic ways.

Now I can’t speak for Gregory Doran‘s bunch as I’m unlikely to see their
effort but, speaking as a proud northerner, I know who my money is on.

Northern Broadsides’ version, which is doing the rounds along with The
Merry Wives (true to their Yorkshire roots, Barrie Rutter and his
gang have spurned the “of Windsor” suffix), follows the company’s style
book to the letter. Minimalist set (designed by Jessica Worrall),
emblematic costume, energetic and passionate performances and those
northern voices making Shakespeare’s words spring to life in ways that you
never thought possible. It is what fans of the company have come to expect
and yet, somehow, this time it doesn’t quite come off.

And, in light of the fact that the tactically brilliant co-directors Rutter
and Conrad Nelson are still adhering to the winning formula, we can only
lay the blame at Shakespeare’s feet.
Like a Rolling Stones’ concert where the crowd are only there for the
encore of (I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction, what the obscure King
John fails to provide is a famous speech for us all to sing along to in
a flat-vowelled manner. King John also lacks the bawdiness that
Broadsides are so very, very good at.

Major caveats then. But all is not lost, and Nelson and Rutter take us
briskly through the political episodes that make up the play. The text, all
in verse, gives the cast plenty to chew on. And in Faulconbridge (Nelson)
we have the original theatrical bastard, while Adam Sunderland is a
skulking adolescent as Arthur, rebellious nephew to Fine Time
Fontayne‘s King John, who will do anything to hang onto the throne.

Northern Broadsides’ usual quirky penchant for props with wheels also
surfaces with the use of huge mobile kettle drums which are beaten come
battle-time.
Northern Broadsides never did, nor never shall, lie at the proud foot of
the RSC. Nah, despite one or two problems, Rutter, save for a few
battle scars, remains unwounded.

Dave Windass