The grounds of Braboeuf Manor offer a beautiful tranquil setting for Shakespeare classic play Love’s Labour’s Lost. There’s plenty of parking and seating around the staged area, which allows a great view of the stage wherever you are sitting.
The play Love’s Labour’s Lost follows the storyline about the Prince of Navarre (Owen Oakeshott), who brings three Lords in the countryside retreat to concentrate on their studies and abstain from women, alcohol and indulgences.
However, when the Princess of France (Sarah Gobran) and her three ladies arrive, their ability to stay focused on their studies is tested to the maximum. Especially when the ladies steal all their belongings when the men are out swimming one afternoon.
Love’s Labour’s Lost is billed as one of Shakespeare’s comedies. This particular adaptation has plenty of comedy throughout the performance. From the men’s swimming scene (listen out for the subtle remarks) to the scenes when the men are writing secret love letters to the ladies and try to pretend they are innocent as they catch each other out.
I especially liked Jeremy Llyod‘s performance as Costard the happy country bumpkin, whose the bar keeper, and cook. However, he gets arrested for ignoring the rules that the Prince has set out. In my opinion it’s not up to him to manage their behaviour.
Although both plays can be watched independently, director Tom Littler has linked the two plays to follow on from one another. Love’s Labour‘s Lost should be watched first as the storyline sets up the characters.
For more information about Love’s Labour’s Lost and Guildford Shakespeare Company, please use the link below.
Four Stars.
Photo credit Harry Elletson
Written by William Shakespeare
Directed by Tom Littler
Designed by Neil Irish
Original Music by Matthew Floyd Jones
Movement Director & Choreographer Asha Jennings-Grant
Sound by Matt Eaton.
Braboeuf Manor, Portsmouth Road, Guildford.
Theatre, Art and Film Reviews 
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