Three pieces, four hundred years
Lancaster University Theatre Group (LUTG) recently put on three very different pieces recently from the sixteenth, eighteenth and twentieth centuries. That time-span alone shows a laudable, impressive and not-often seen commitment to, experience of and interest in a wide range of diverse forms, idioms, structure and language.

(Follow these links for the seperate reviews of The Rivals by Richard Brinsley Sheridan, Habeas Corpus by Alan Bennett, and Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet. See also a preview of next term's LUTG season.)

Gown comes to town
What was also commendable was to see LUTG come down from the ivory (or rather concrete) tower into the heart of the town and take Sheridan's deeply satiric comedy of manners The Rivals to The Gregson. The Group tells me that they are keen to work in the wider community, and this indicates a positive, outgoing attitude not often seen in academic circles. And the production of this rarely-done, unfathomably-unfashionable but wickedly ribald and overtly funny romp was intelligently thought through and stylishly done.

Unlikely double-billing
At the Nuffield Theatre on campus at Bailrigg, there was a double bill, over two nights, of Yorkshire-born Alan Bennett's Habeas Corpus at 6pm, followed by Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet at 8.30. An unlikely mix, you might think, but in practice a good balance. The pairing surprisingly worked. I saw both pieces on the same night (it was a two-night run to allow the two to be enjoyed separately for those with less stamina), and was impressed - but not over-sated. The flexible spatial and other resources of The Nuffield Theatre were imaginatively used, and we saw a range of acting and other theatre skills of a high order in all three offerings.

(Follow these links for the seperate reviews of The Rivals by Richard Brinsley Sheridan, Habeas Corpus by Alan Bennett, and Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet. See also a preview of next term's LUTG season.)

NEXT TERM'S SEASON

Future plans – across millennia
In a season which spans millennia rather than mere centuries, I see that LUTG is planning a reworking of Antigone, one of Sophocles' plays from the Oedipus trilogy, next term for their home patch at The Nuffield. If you have never seen any classical Greek drama you have missed out; it is some of the earliest theatre in existence and stands with Shakespeare and X ( fill in the blank with whichever your favourite contemporary dramatist is) for vivid and heart-rending, intimate social, personal and political theatre.

Do not be deterred by its stuffy, school-book and ‘unfashionable' reputation. That attitude is as damaging as the faddism seen so often in British theatre, particularly in London but still all too commonly across the country, except for a few innovative houses and companies.

Moving forward across the centuries, next comes Jim Cartwright's Road, a "Northern ‘Under Milk Wood' high on pills and booze', according to the august Sunday Times. This can only be seen in St Thomas' Church on Penny St. in Lancaster.

Thirdly, they will also be tackling and interpreting work by the popular and populist John Godber, of Hull Truck.

There is more …

‘Happy Jack' and ‘September in the Rain' are written by the third most performed playwright in the country (after Ayckbourn and Shakespeare) John Godber. The Lancaster Venue is confirmed as The Gregson Centre and potential venues include Brewery Arts Kendal, Ambleside Hall and The Student Theatre, Durham.' Ugh – Ayckbourn? But that is just me and I suspect I am not alone.

This sounds an exciting line-up, not least because they are ‘playing away', as Godber might say. Good for them – that is what being a student is all about, and it demonstrates a clear commitment to integrate the work of the University with not only the City, but the wider surrounding area. This is just how it should be.

Check out the LUTG website at http://www.theatregroup.co.uk/ for a great deal more about these forthcoming productions.

Copyright © 9 February 2004 Michael Nunn