The Two Gentlemen of Verona

'Two Gents' was one of only a few Shakespearian comedies not yet tackled by The Castle Players.  This production once again set modern music against a traditional Elizabethan setting and brought three memorable new members into the group.  Antonio Giovannini and Gianluca Marghieri were two real 'Gentlemen from Verona', opera singers who flew in to help promote the show during production week - and to appear in a final scene in a cheeky deviation from the original.  They braved torrential rain to perform at venues across the region and to entertain the audience as they ate their sodden picnics.

The third new member was Bruno the dog - winner of The Castle Players' very own 'Bone Idol' competition against over twenty competitors.  Unfazed by lights, crowds or noise, he played the part of Crab alongside Gordon Duffy-McGhie's Launce.  A natural performer despite unpromising beginnings in a rescue centre, Bruno also proved to be an escape artist to rival Houdini and his unrehearsed exits from the stage kept cast and crew on their toes.  Our thanks to the Coates family from Middlesbrough for providing a canine taxi service to bring Bruno to rehearsals and performances.