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A CurtainUp London London Review
Punishment Without Revenge


"The theatre is a mirror . . . . that reflects our life and honour. " — Duke
Punishment Without Revenge
Frances McNamee as Cassandra (Photo: Jane Hobson)
What an exciting life a London theatre critic has! A play about twentieth century feminism is followed the next night by an early seventeenth century play from the Spanish Golden Age of Baroque literature, full of honour and reputation with women little more than possessions and adornment. Lope de Vega is a contemporary of William Shakespeare writing about highly formalised Spanish society and the rules of courtly behaviour and misbehaviour.

The second play in the Spanish Golden Age Season has benefitted from a lovely new poetic translation from Meredith Oakes although what cannot be wrapped up in translation is the deep sexism of the play. What I also have problems with is the idea that your reputation is more important than what you have actually done, so it is ok to commit murder as long as no-one knows that you are a murderer. It's a morality I don't recognise as having any basis in justice or salvation in religion.

The Duke of Ferrara (William Hoyland) is a libertine, sexually promiscuous and unmarried. His only son Federico (Nick Barber) is illegitimate but the duke has adopted him as his heir. However the duke's subjects demand that he marry and provide them with a legitimate heir. The duke sends his son to collect the beautiful Cassandra, Duchess of Mantua (Frances McNamee) for their wedding but Federico and Cassandra fall in love. The duke goes off to fight a war for the Pope leaving Federico and Cassandra on their own and Federico ruling in his stead. The duke's niece Aurora (Katie Lightfoot) who is hoping to marry Federico will be the whistleblower. "The count was measuring Cassandra's red lips with his own," she reports.

Laurence Boswell's production in the small space of the Arcola is gripping. The costumes are beautiful. The excellent Simon Scardifeld as Federico's servant Batin delivers much of the humour without which this tragedy of honour would be rather heavy. There is a delightful moment when Batin asks Cassandra's companion Lucrecia (Annie Hemingway), "The one (Lucretia) from Rome?" "No the one from Mantua!" she replies. "That's a relief!" says Batin.

The performances from the women are excellent, especially Frances McNamee as the duchess and although there were times when I found Nick Barber's overhanging shirted Federico a tad self indulgent, it is a difficult part requiring intensely heightened emotion. William Hoyland's duke is thoroughly dislikeable and his outcome for his wife and son detestable, conniving and tragic. The duke says, "He who punishes in public loses his honour, not once but twice."

Should you wish to see more of Lope de Vega's work, there is plenty to choose from as 1800 plays have been attributed to him. That is provided you can find companies putting these plays on!

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Punishment Without Revenge
Written by Lope de Vega
Translated by Meredith Oakes
Directed by Laurence Boswell

With: Chris Andrew Mellon, Jim Bywater, William Hoyland, Hedydd Dylan, Nick Barber, Simon Scardifield, Frances McNamee, Annie Hemingway, Doug Rao, Katie Lightfoot
Designed by Mark Bailey
Composer and Sound: Jon Nicholls
Lighting: Ben Ormerod
Movement: Lucy Cullingford
A joint production between the Ustinov Studio Theatre Royal Bath, Belgrade Theatre Coventry and the Arcola.
Running time: Two hours 30 minutes with an interval
Box Office: 020 7503 1646
Booking to 15th March 2014
Reviewed by Lizzie Loveridge based on 23rd January 2014 performance at the Arcola Theatre, 24 Ashwin Street, London E8 3DL(Overground: Dalston Junction)

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