Andrew Gillies (5/10 Two Gentlemen from Verona)
Excerpt from Stratford Festival 5/10: Andrew Gillies
The Two Gentlemen of Verona
by William Shakespeare
Directed by Dean Gabourie
Studio Theatre
Jul 30 to Sept 19
Opens: Aug 10
About the Play
Proteus and Valentine are the best of friends until Proteus also falls for the new object of Valentine’s affections - Silvia. Forsaking his own betrothed, Julia, Proteus sets out to betray his unsuspecting friend, only to find that both Silvia and Julia have a thing or two to teach him about loyalty and love.
A young man’s folly drives the action in what may have been Shakespeare’s first comedy: a madcap romp that bubbles over with the playwright’s own youthful energy.
Content Advisory
Suitable for all ages. The production will have elements of vaudeville comedy.
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Andrew Gillies
Panthino
Third season: Panthino in The Two Gentlemen of Verona and appears in The Tempest. Stratford: Orlando in As You Like It, Macduff in Macbeth, Valère in Tartuffe, Bassanio in The Merchant of Venice, Benvolio in Romeo and Juliet. Elsewhere: Hamlet in Hamlet (Vancouver Playhouse), Cyrano in Cyrano (Royal Alex), Tony Blair in Stuff Happens (Studio 180, Royal Alex), General Burgoyne in The Devil’s Disciple (Neptune). Fourteen seasons in leading roles at the Shaw Festival. Appearances with Theatre Calgary, ATP, National Arts Centre, Tarragon Theatre, Necessary Angel, Canadian Stage. Eleven productions at Manitoba Theatre Centre, including Frank in Educating Rita, 2010. Film/TV:The Virgin Suicides, Wild Girl, That Touch of Pink, The Associates, Paradise Falls, Monk, Flash of Genius. Radio: Many plays and documentaries for CBC. Training: Simon Fraser University. Awards: Best-actor nominations: Andrew Allen Award for radio, Dora for theatre. 2009 Merritt Award (best supporting actor) for The Devil’s Disciple (Neptune).
© Stratford
Excerpt from Canoe Jam Theatre 8/11/10: Andrew Gillies
‘Verona’ a unique interpretation
By JOHN COULBOURN, QMI Agency
STRATFORD -- If The Two Gentlemen of Verona was, as some believe, the first-ever play penned by an aspiring young playwright from Stratford-upon-Avon, then clearly, that playwright -- one William Shakespeare by name -- wasn't going to be troubled overmuch in subsequent work by the sophomore curse.
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With strong work from its principals and a supporting cast that includes Trish Lindstrom, Wayne Best, Stephen Russell, Andrew Gillies and a host of others, it is good fun, at least until it all starts to wear more than a little thin.
© Canoe
Excrpt from National Post 8/13/10: Andrew Gillies
Love in the time of Victrola and silent film
Robert Cushman, National Post · Saturday, Aug. 14, 2010
A quick rundown on the plot of The Two Gentlemen of Verona, possibly Shakespeare's earliest comedy and almost certainly his weakest: The two gents are Valentine, who laughs at love, and Proteus, who sighs about it, and sighs especially for Julia, who sighs and loves right back. Valentine goes off to Milan, where he promptly falls for Silvia, the Duke's daughter, who reciprocates. Proteus joins him there and also falls for Silvia, so heavily that he forgets Julia and gets Valentine exiled, which doesn't do him any good with Silvia. Valentine is waylaid by outlaws, who make him their captain. Julia follows Proteus to Milan, disguised as a page. It all comes right in the end, sort of.
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There are pleasing cameos from Andrew Gillies as a painstakingly proper English manservant, Wayne Best as his huffy employer, and Stephen Russell as an elderly knight vowed to chastity with, his eyebrows tell us, occasional lapses.
© http://www.nationalpost.com">National Post