Juliet Takes Center Stage in Bold Shakespeare Satire
Calgary's theatre scene welcomes a refreshingly irreverent take on classic literature with Juliet: A Revenge Comedy, currently captivating audiences at the Martha Cohen Theatre. This innovative production delivers exactly what it promises: hilarious, kickass entertainment that cleverly subverts expectations while paying homage to the Bard's enduring legacy.
A Fresh Perspective on a Classic Tragedy
The play reimagines Shakespeare's tragic heroine as a thirteen-year-old who questions her predetermined fate. After repeatedly experiencing the devastating conclusion of Romeo and Juliet, this version of Juliet embarks on a quest to change her destiny. Her journey becomes a meta-theatrical exploration of agency and authorship within Shakespeare's canon.
Along her transformative path, Juliet encounters other Shakespearean women who met tragic ends, including Lady Macbeth, Ophelia, and Cleopatra. Through these interactions, she makes a startling discovery: it's Shakespeare himself who controls these characters' fates through his Complete Works. This revelation sets the stage for a clever battle over narrative control that blends academic insight with pure comedic entertainment.
Masterful Performances Bring the Satire to Life
The production's success rests on the shoulders of three talented performers who navigate multiple roles with impressive versatility. Lili Beaudoin portrays Juliet with a compelling mix of youthful melancholy and cunning intelligence, capturing both the character's artistic sensitivity and surprising athleticism in a memorable scene involving theatre railings.
Carly Pokoradi demonstrates remarkable range as she embodies all the other Shakespearean women Juliet encounters. Her characterizations are deliberately exaggerated yet distinct: a slightly vulgar Lady Macbeth, a delightfully mad Ophelia, a sensuous Cleopatra, and a hormonally-charged Miranda from The Tempest. These bold choices ensure clarity even when Pokoradi must portray multiple characters within the same scene.
Ryan Gladstone completes the talented trio, playing Shakespeare himself along with various disguises including one of the witches from Macbeth, Prospero, and even Juliet's nurse. Gladstone clearly relishes these outrageous portrayals, matching the audience's enthusiasm with his committed performances.
Balancing Highbrow and Lowbrow Humor
What makes Juliet: A Revenge Comedy particularly engaging is its successful blending of intellectual and physical comedy. Gladstone's script demonstrates genuine respect for Shakespeare's original texts while playfully highlighting plot holes in Romeo and Juliet and delivering famous lines for laughs. This sophisticated approach provides the production's highbrow appeal.
Simultaneously, the production embraces lowbrow humor through outrageous physical antics and broad characterizations. This combination creates accessibility that makes the play equally enjoyable for high school students encountering Shakespeare for the first time and seasoned Shakespearean scholars. The production proves that satire and slapstick can indeed form a happy partnership when executed with this level of skill and intelligence.
A Must-See Calgary Cultural Event
Running as part of Calgary's Rodeo events, Juliet: A Revenge Comedy offers performances on Friday at 7:30 PM and Saturday at 2:00 PM and 7:30 PM at the Martha Cohen Theatre. This production represents exactly the type of innovative, boundary-pushing theatre that deserves support and attention from Calgary audiences.
The play's unique approach to Shakespearean adaptation, combined with its exceptional performances and clever script, makes it a standout addition to Calgary's cultural calendar. Whether you're a lifelong Shakespeare enthusiast or simply seeking an evening of intelligent laughter, this production delivers on every level while giving Juliet the last laugh she so richly deserves.
