Shakespeare in the Squares celebrates its seventh anniversary with an all-new production of All’s Well That Ends Well with a fairytale twist and gypsy swing music. Directed by Sioned Jones, it runs from Wednesday 5th June to Friday 12th July.
The Artiscape spoke to Sioned Jones about the production.
What attracted you to the script?
Jones: I first became aware of ‘All’s Well That Ends Well’, when I played Mariana in Marianne Elliott’s production at the National Theatre in 2009.
I love this story because it has a strong female protagonist who has to use her wit, instinct, ingenuity and passion to win the object of her desire. Shakespeare had a lot of women in his household at home and I think this play is him noticing them, a testament to how without wealth, position, authority, or advantage, women work and help each other to make the best of themselves and their lives.
What are the challenges in directing this performance?
Jones: Working outside brings its own challenges, of course, but I try not to worry about what I can’t control!
I think each problem that arises in the play is a key to what the play needs. Cutting a play is always painful because one loses such lovely things. But one also uncovers others. Here, I’ve used the power of the edit to highlight the women’s stories even further.
Finding reasons why Helena persists in her love for Bertram is also challenging. It’s easy to judge from the outside but the heart wants what the heart wants, and once you accept that the play makes sense.
What are you looking forward to in these upcoming productions?
Jones: Hopefully some sunshine! Some of the gardens are exceptionally beautiful, but the thing that gives me a greatest joy is witnessing the relationship that forms as the Players share the play with the audience. Hearing their responses to jokes we’ve sweated over is so satisfying!
What do you think an audience will enjoy in this production?
Jones: I hope the audience will be surprised by how enjoyable Shakespeare can be, to discover for themselves a lesser known Shakespeare play, to laugh at the comedy of the buffoonery, relish the beauty of the music and verse, admire the exceptional talent of the players and revel in the multiple opportunities to participate in this year’s show!
Sioned Jones is an actress and theatre-maker and has previously performed in A Midsummer Night’s Dream for the company. As a director, her credits include Ljubljana Junction (Roborough Studios), Cocktail Conversation, Madame Life, Christmas Presence (Union Theatre), Basket (Edinburgh Fringe Festival) and Expectations (Oval House Theatre). As an actress, her credits include Small Change (Omnibus Theatre), Martha, Josie and The Chinese Elvis (Park Theatre), Bury The Dead (Brickdust Theatre/Finborough Theatre), Lettice and Lovage (Menier Chocolate Factory), Thirteen, Women Beware Women and All’s Well That Ends Well (National Theatre).
Shakespeare in the Squares is a not-for-profit touring theatre company that stages a new Shakespearean play across London for one night in each venue every summer.
This year sees an extended tour with 31 performances across 25 venues, the largest number of shows since the company’s inception. An additional week has been added to the busy schedule this year, with new venues including Crystal Palace Park, Syon House and Montagu Square. The tour opens on Wednesday 5th June in Leinster Square, W2 and finishes over five weeks later in Cleveland Square, W2 on Friday 12th July. Casting is due to be announced in May.
