The Two Noble Kinsmen

Abstract

Directed by Walter Scholz, this seldom-produced work shone with unexpected brilliance among the more familiar and accepted plays of the canon. Scholz chose to project plot and character largely through use of dance and ritual, with almost uniformly satisfying results. The play began with the full cast onstage, dancing, while the prologue was presented. The next scene, depicting the three Queens in black, was a persuasive example of the power that ritual could achieve when blended effectively into the action of the play. The acting itself, was, on the whole, less impressive, but still excellent in many of the scenes. Douglas Blair was a consistently strong and attractive Palamon, but Nocona Aranda as Arcite was unpredictable—occasionally effective but too often overwhelmed by his lines. Perhaps the most remarkable achievement… was the conception of the Jailer’s Daughter. Scholz’s direction and Suzanna Peters’ portrayal of the Daughter were impeccable. Peters captured the Ophelia-like tenderness of the mad Daughter exquisitely, and one scene especially stood out: the stunning enactment of her mad fantasy by the Jailer and others … Credit is due… to Ilya Mindlins lighting and the ambitious musical material arranged by Stephen Pauli and director Scholz. (Joseph H. Stodder and Lillian Wilds, Shakespeare Quarterly 31 [1980]: 258–59)