Writer and Director: Stephen Hyde
The weather up North has been so dull lately and so an evening of outdoor theatre perhaps shouldn’t appeal. Don’t lose your heads just yet though as the Stage@TheDock provides the perfect setting on a rare sunny evening in Hull. The Secret Diary of Henry VIII is heaps of fun with some really interesting staging from director Stephen Hyde.
The company of four play with skill and there’s laughter-a-plenty, though some of the gags seem a little over-egged.
The offering tonight from the Three Inch Fools is illuminating and the cast have bags of energy – enough to hold the audience as the weather starts to turn colder in the latter half of the show. Gender blind, and playing multiple roles it would be remiss of this critic to single out in this quartet. Charlotte Horner, Peter Long, James Aldred and Lucy Chamberlain all deserve a mention and their commitment to the style should be commended.
Their story on ‘how to keep your head in the Tudor Court’ is expertly experimental as it deals with the highs, lows and turmoils of the infamous King Henry who is thrust onto the throne without a clear vision to lead. This heartwarming piece is a pure joy and the deft actor-muso’s perform with skill. The pace is just the right side of frantic and this critic will definitely be looking out for this company in the future.
Looking through the programme and seeing the company’s tour dates it seems the players don’t pause for breath. With two shows (this one and The Comedy of Errors) running up and down the country the actors certainly have their work cut out for them.
If The Comedy of Errors is anything like this royal romp then audiences are in for a treat. Congratulations on a brilliantly put together production. This is work of real merit.
Runs until 19th June
