Repertory Theatre

Repertory theatre is a term that has a bunch of different meanings.  But the main idea is that you have two shows going on at the same time, often with the same cast, and performances flip back and forth.  It’s a really cool way to experience theatre, especially when you’re watching two completely different shows.  Quintessence Theatre did just that, alternating between two iconic Shakespeare plays- A Midsummer Night’s Dream and Antony and Cleopatra.  Honestly, I’d never really experienced repertory theatre.  And I’m super glad I was able to see both of these shows.  It was a good way to start off a new experience.

The idea and using of repertory theatre dates pretty far back.  It has been used in many different ways, with many different variations.  Hedgerow Theatre was also running a type of repertory theatre recently.  Although the casts were different, they were running two shows concurrently.  Fun fact!  Hedgerow Theatre is America's oldest resident repertory theatre.  This dates back to the 1920s.  It’s super cool to have that in our own backyard.  What Hedgerow was doing, and what Quintessence was doing, is absolutely stunning.  When you really think about it…there’s so much involved in these things.  And you really do have to think about it!

To start with, you only have one stage.  Sets have to be simple enough to break down and put up again, since you have two shows running on the same stage.  There are going to be elements that are shared by both shows, of course, because you just can’t do a ton of changing.  Quintessence used the same basic set for both shows, with different elements for each one.  It actually worked out really well for them…it was really interesting seeing how they used the same space for two very different shows.  The set was lovely, with different levels and doors, and they used the whole space, including the aisles.

I really want to look at what Quintessence did.  I’m extremely lucky that I got to see both A Midsummer Night’s Dream and Antony and Cleopatra.  They were using the tagline, “The Reckless Romance Repertory”.  This is extremely fitting.  Although these shows couldn’t be more different, they are both definitely reckless romances.  On one hand, we have the comedy of A Midsummer Night’s Dream.  On the other hand, the tragedy, Antony and Cleopatra.  The reckless romance idea ties them together.

It was really incredible seeing the actors completely nail A Midsummer Night’s Dream.  I’ve seen that show about ten million times, and this was the absolute best production of it I’ve ever seen.  The acting was phenomenal.  The costumes and set and props, while simple, were fun and flirty and used well.  And then, a few weeks later, seeing Antony and Cleopatra, I was blown away again.  These actors that I had laughed at weeks before were now playing roles that brought pain.  Again, the costumes and set and props were very simple.  They made it work, and they truly embodied the idea of repertory theatre.  This ensemble conquered two Shakespeare plays that couldn’t be any different.  It was amazing.

It’s astounding that all these actors learned and mastered two Shakespeare plays.  To put that into perspective, that’s two sets of lines (even more for actors who played multiple characters), two sets of blocking, two shows to learn props for, two shows worth of entrances and exits…and they went back and forth with these two plays.  There were days where they did both shows in one day.  It’s phenomenal.  I almost question the sanity of the actors, but I definitely couldn’t, because I would do that in a heartbeat.  I can only imagine that, for as crazy as it was, it had to be a ton of fun.

Hedgerow did things a little differently.  They had two shows running, I, Banquo and Nora: A Doll’s House.  These were two very different shows, though it was set up much differently than Quintessence’s repertory.  They still ran back and forth, on the same stage.  Both of those shows were absolutely incredible as well.  Again, I’m so glad I was able to see both shows.  Seeing the stark changes between sets was very interesting…I, Banquo was extremely simple, just a sheet and a cauldron full of fake blood.  Nora had a bit more complicated setup, but knowing what the set looked like for I, Banquo made it extremely interesting.

Repertory theatre is something that will continue to live on, and I think that’s fantastic, especially when theatres like Quintessence are doing things like what they did.  And although I did have an actor say to me, “Zoe…we’ve been doing this for three months,” I didn’t doubt for a moment that he loved every second of it.  Why else would someone devote themselves to something this insane?  And Quintessence’s run was extremely long.  What these actors did was so impressive and so meaningful.

Although it took me this long to experience true repertory theatre, I’m so glad that I got all of it in one go.  Looking at Hedgerow, and looking at Quintessence, I feel like I really have an understanding of what actors, set designers, lighting designers, costume designers, directors, and everyone else involved in these things do for something like this.  So much heart and soul goes into something like this.  If you’re going to run A Midsummer Night’s Dream and Antony and Cleopatra at the same time…you have to do it right.