Gentleman Jack Theatre aim to present their productions in non-theatrical spaces. Founded in September 2011, they have staged Timon of Athens in a crypt in Southville and The Revenger’s Tragedy at the Bierkeller. Their latest production is All’s Well That Ends Well in a chapel in Brunswick Square.
All’s Well That Ends Well is a little-loved Shakespeare play. As director Philip Parry writes in the programme notes, it has a “hero almost every modern critic has hated and whose heroine few have positively liked”.
So a brave decision then to choose this as Gentleman Jack’s latest production, hosted in the round at the Unitarian Chapel that despite outside appearances is not particularly interesting inside.
The staging was dominated by step ladders and umbrellas, used to best effect as the whole cast of 10 formed a battalion of soldiers and used the umbrellas both as defence and weapons.
Even with a tickly cough, Alison Campbell was impressive as Helena. With his exaggerated tales, Anthony Wright-Wilson made for an enjoyable Parolles, while Benjamin Crispin had fun as the clown Lavatch.
All’s Well That Ends Well is at the Unitarian Chapel, Brunswick Square, until December 8. For more information, visit www.gentlemanjacktheatre.co.uk.



