THEATER REVIEW: “The Emperor of the Moon” @ Shakespeare & Company [Berkshire on Stage]
Review by Macey Levin
One of the delights each summer at Shakespeare and Co. is the over-the-top farce staged at the Rose Footprint in Lenox. This tent-covered playing space is similar to 16th and 17th century theaters, and the shows echo back to the famed Commedia del’Arte style of acting.
This summer’s show is the world premiere adaptation of The Emperor of the Moon by Aphra Behn (who is the subject of Or, to be presented at the Bernstein Theatre starting on Saturday [July 23]). This production is a hoot-and-a-half with its larger-than-life characters, tongue-in-cheek line delivery, vigorous staging and very talented actors who are obviously enjoying themselves.
The plot is predictable since it has been used again and again by myriad authors over the centuries. The Doctor (Lori Evans), who believes there is a moon-civilization, will not allow his daughter Elaria (Caroline Calkins) and niece Bellemante (Zoe Laiz) to meet men because earthlings are inferior; he is preparing them to marry moon-men.
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