By Eric George Tauber
SAN DIEGO — In a lovely, verdant garden behind a wrought iron gate, the young King of Navarre and three young lord attendants determine to make their kingdom a wonder of the world for academia. To this end, they sign a vow to forego the pleasures of the flesh and devote themselves solely to scholarship for three years.
‘Tis but a three year fast. The mind shall banquet, though the body pine.
Kieran Campion as Lord Berowne is not keen to board this ship. Like a too eloquent frat boy, he wants to sow his wild oats. But peer pressure prevails and he takes the quill.
Don Adriano de Armado, A Spanish braggart, is also determined to join the fast, though no one asked him to. But he’s madly in love with Jaquenetta, a dairy maid. Garishly arrayed as the boastful Spaniard, Triney Sandoval’s fun to watch, though a bit difficult to understand. Maka Mthembu had an earthy allure as Jaquenetta. Her charms would make any man break such a fast as they have taken on.
Adriano’s “tender juvenal” page, Moth was played by the strikingly tall Daniel Petzold …despite the multiple references to his being short. Save this one for male ingénue roles.
The “sordid and consorted” Costard the Clown will take no such fast. He likes his mutton, ale and women just fine. Scholarship is for those who can’t get enough of the other three. Possessing a larger than life personality and a flair for physical comedy, Greg Hildreth is as likable in the role as he is reprehensible.
The Princess of France arrives with her ladies and attendant, Boyet. This creates a problem, which is quickly solved with a loophole allowing the lords to consort with women “when absolutely necessary.”
Dapperly attired in bows and lace, Kevin Cahoon plays Boyet as a comically flaming gay stereotype.
Just as fasting makes our stomachs growl for sustenance, this fast from love makes… well, you get the idea. The lords lay it on a little thick as they pine for their ladies and the ladies swoon in kind. Neatly matched and triangle free, the King falls for the Princess and each lord loves a lady. I liked the nerdy sweetness of Dumaine and Kate. Amara James Aja gave Dumaine a Steve Urkel quality while Talley Beth Gale was bookish, yet pretty as her eyes sparkled through her spectacles.
But the hottest chemistry burns between Berowne and Rosaline. She plays hard to get and he keeps coming back for more. Her quick wit and sharp tongue win our admiration, but I’d like to have seen more flirty glances between barbs. One needs a carrot to motivate the horse.
There’s quite a bit of silliness as mixed up love notes lead to left-handed wooing. The lords dress up as Muscovites to fool the ladies only to be made fools of. And a boorish scholar, Holofernes is a walking lampoon of ivory tower academia. Verses of Latin serve little purpose without a common man’s horse sense. Ironically, in his presentation of “The Nine Worthies,” he portrays Judas Maccabeus, the hero of Hanukkah. Yet, he is named for the villain of another Hanukkah story, the Assyrian general who was beheaded by Judith (Book of Judith, Apocrypha).
Hats off to Scenic Designer John Lee Beatty whose lush garden inspires love and a sense of play. Likewise to Costume Designer Michael Krass whose attire was stunning to behold.
Far from a fast, Love’s Labours Lost is a banquet of wit served up on a shining platter of fun. If you’re looking for a break from the heat, head to the Old Globe for the last of their summer Shakespeare festival before the season ends.
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Tauber is a freelance writer specializing in coverage of the arts. He may be contacted via eric.tauber@sdjewishworld.com. Comments intended for publication in the space below MUST be accompanied by the letter writer’s first and last name and by his/ her city and state of residence (city and country for those outside the United States.)