By Beverly Andrews
Summer holidays can be magical for children—but perhaps less so for their parents, who often spend the period frantically searching for activities to keep them entertained. Rough Magic, however, is proving to be a hit with both parents and their sometimes hard-to-please offspring. A hilarious retelling of the witches’ story from Macbeth, the show proves that fun and Shakespeare need not be contradictory terms.
Rough Magic opens with the three witches still reeling from the chaos caused by their prophecy to Macbeth—particularly the youngest witch, who is bemusedly scolded by the others for predicting he would one day become king. Defending herself, she protests, “I only said what I saw!” only to be reminded that, sometimes, silence is golden. Now, however, the witches face an even bigger problem: a man desperate to become Henry IX, despite the small historical detail that such a monarch never existed. Determined to rewrite history, this would-be king—played with infectious hilarity by Kerry Frampton—will stop at nothing to achieve his goal. Will the witches be able to prevent history from being rewritten and avoid a repeat of the Macbeth debacle? That’s the question the play poses.
The show is a madcap, magical journey from start to finish, brought to life by an exemplary cast: Rosemarie Akwafo as Nona, Janet Etuk as Morai, Kerry Frampton as Henry IX, and Bryony Twydle as Audeja. Together, they conjure up a theatrical spell that keeps both adults and children utterly enthralled. Directed by Director of Education Lucy Cuthbertson and co-written by Splendid Productions’ Artistic Director Kerry Frampton and Associate Director Ben Hales, Rough Magicwas nominated for an Olivier Award—and it’s easy to see why. The production shimmers with ghosts, witches, fairies, and monsters, all vividly brought to life in a way that feels both playful and enchanting.
With only a few performances left, Rough Magic is that rare production able to captivate audiences of all ages from start to finish.
Rough Magic runs until August 23rd at the Sam Wanamaker Theatre.
