These Civil Rogues are Roguishly Uncivil

By Amy Stow

Tim Norton’s Civil Rogues is a Jacobean romp through the hallways of Lady Margaret Cavendish’s house, where three players are hiding in drag, posing as maids as the Lord Protector hunts them down. Cromwell has ordered that no plays must be put on; however, Lady Cavendish has other ideas, and intends to stage a lavish, expensive play rather than let the crown seize her treasury. Do our three maids know of any actors that wish to be highly compensated for a spot of illegal acting? Why, of course they do madam! What follows is a semi-farcical jaunt involving actors with multiple identities, revolving doors, trunks in which to hide, ill-fated love interests and amusing if predictable gags.

The acting in this production is, in the main, very good, with the three protagonists (Laurie Davidson, Sam Woolf and Elliot Ross) making both excellently demure maids and cocksure players. Danielle Winter is also strong as the straight character, a maid who is non-plussed and slightly bolshy as the farcical antics ensue. Nonetheless, some of the direction and technique seems a little too obvious and predictable (although the style of this show admittedly does allow for this) and the ending was distinctly abrumpt. No loose ends were tied up, and a serious undertone to the issues of lady boy players and puritanism during Cromwell’s reign was sorely lacking. Still, Civil Rogues is a pleasant way to spend an hour if you’re looking for something a little less meaty and a lot more frilly.

★★★

Civil Rogues @CivilRogues

Pleasance Courtyard @ 17:00 (1 hour)

August 13-25th

@PostScriptJour

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