Shakespeare's Merchant succumbs to a tempest (From This Is Wiltshire)

Shakespeare's Merchant succumbs to a tempest

4:42pm Tuesday 7th July 2009

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When Graham Paton, as Antonio, opened Shakespeare Live's production of The Merchant of Venice by declaiming “I know not why I am so sad,” he may have been being slightly economical with the truth.

From his position on the grassy stage at Hazelbury Manor he must have had a far better view of the gathering storm than those of us seated in the covered stand.

Although I suspect not even he knew of the horrors to come, as for only the second time in the company's history they were forced to abandon a performance because of the elements.

Monday evening started so well: theatregoers picnicking on the lawns, some with fullly laden tables and basket of goodies, others with a more modest rug and sandwich, all looking forward to the company's 20th anniversary year.

"What happens if it rains?" my daughter enquired when I told her we were going to see open air Shakespeare. "Oh, the seating's all under cover," I blithely replied.

So when a few drops of rain fell as performance time approached we laughed it off, gathered our rug, made for our seats and admired the clever stage set, which made full use of the sloping embankment of the lawn, neatly clipped topiary and summer blooms.

A rainbow even appeared to add an extra touch to the backdrop.

Sadly it was soon clear that our ears were going to have to work overtime tonight, as Nic Proud, as Bassanio, was suffering from a sore throat and struggled to find the booming boastful tones the character needs.

The first few scenes went well enough, although a groundswell of murmuring among the audience was beginning as it was becoming harder and harder to hear over the drumming of rain on the roof and the sharp snaps of bits of loose canvas as the rain intensified.

Matthew Bragg, as Gratiano, played up well and brought a good sense of character to his role, but it looked at first as though the female leads had the edge over the men, with Portia, played by a buxom Liv Hussey, and Nerissa, a sparkling young talent in Rhiannon Neads, seeming to show stronger characterisation.

Then came Paul Batson's Shylock, striking a good balance between oily charmer and offended man of business - and the storm intensified, making the important scene which ends Act 1 a virtual dumbshow.

A 20 minute break followed, hoping for better weather and enabling the backstage crew to produce waterproof capes for the cast, in a bid to both protect the costumes and avert pneumonia. We wrapped the rug round us as protection from the rain which was now driving into the front of the stand.

They re-played the last half of the scene to make sure the audience had understood the nature of Antonio's bloody bargain with Shylock and tried to continue, Moroccan prince Gareth Leake reaping an unintentional but totally forgivable laugh with his line about his complexion being due to the brilliant sun and Rod Moor-Bardell more than earning praise as he played the fool brilliantly as Launcelot.

But finally, just after 9pm, the producers had to admit the weather had beaten them, bring the evening to an close and apologise to the audience, who were offered tickets for another night.

A sad end to what had all the makings of a promising production, with both Portia and Shylock showing potential to create a really dramatic courtroom battle.

Not, however, the best way to win over a teenage to outdoor theatre. "I think," she said, continuing to clutch the picnic rug round her as we plodded through the river running down the Manor drive on our way back to the car, "that Shakespeare's better inside."

There are still tickets available for Friday and Saturday. Call the box office on (01225) 722987 or see the website www.shakespearelive.com/booking/html.

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