Lexi Wolfe takes After Shakespeare

★★★★½

Piling four Shakespeare characters (King Hal, Hamlet, Portia and Lady Macbeth) into a one woman show is risky business, and you would be forgiven for gritting your teeth in anticipation, especially if you’re a big fan of Shakespeare. I found that my jaw could relax with ease; what I found in Lexi Wolfe’s performance (directed by Lexi Wolfe and Andrew Slade) was nothing short of imaginative beauty.

Each character is written in their own context; a casual encounter at the pub, in the afterlife, in the confession booth. Each monologue wades deeper into their memories, wrongs and regrets. Whether or not you are familiar with the individual plays, their characters are clear. 

The play opens with King Hal brooding in a dark corner of a pub, swirling beer around his pewter tankard. He talks to the audience. We are the stranger who asks for his war stories, about his scar and his past. After Shakespeare has finished with him, Wolfe picks up his voice seamlessly, creating an engaging and empathetic space for Hal have the final word.

Wolfe moves on to Hamlet, then to The Merchant of Venice’s Portia, separating her performances through blackouts and costume adjustments behind a screen. The character change impressed on me the sensitivity with which Wolfe considers her role. I almost forgot they were played by the same person, as if After Shakespeare was not in fact a one-woman show. 

With such an immersive performance, I couldn’t help feeling what a shame it was that noises from the outside world were entering the space, such as a coughing fit and a woman arranging a coffee date on the phone. This I cannot hold against the performance, and can only wish that Slade Wolf Enterprises are given a better-insulated room next year! Having said this, the quality of Wolfe’s performance made it easier to block out distractions.

Finally we turn to Lady Macbeth, truly saving the best for last. I could not fault the calibre of Wolfe’s storytelling, her immaculate accent, her empathy and imagination. I have always found Lady Macbeth an enigma, largely disappearing from the action of the play after the murder (or shall I say revenge?) is done. Lexi Wolfe’s upheaval and portrayal of her character’s historical context was entirely convincing, and utterly brilliant. 

After Shakespeare runs until 28 August. Do not miss it!

Mali Delargy

Photos via Richard Daniels