Butter Side Up Theatre Company’s Messina – Library Theatre, 12 December 2024

Review by Taylor J.

Ellie Madeira’s ‘Messina’ is an unforgettable twist of Shakespeare’s dramatic tragicomedy and the soft yet powerful sensuality of Burlesque!

The cast truly disappeared into their characters with the help of the incredible costume and makeup design, setting the scene in this scandalous matchmaker’s parlour established immediately by the bard-core version of ‘Toxic’ by Britney Spears.

This piece captured some of Shakespeare’s much-loved plays and cleverly intertwined them into something fresh yet classically comical. Oberon (played by Daniel O’ Key) stole every scene with dramatic, villainous flair while painting a beautiful light on Hero’s (played by Georgia Deith) angelic masked ball scene. The burlesque numbers brought new life into these timeless tales with a fresh and very fruity twist!

I was enchanted by the choreography (by Antigone Wright) as the beautiful Burlesque numbers were captivating and well-paced. Beatrice’s number, (played by Lizzie Dabner) featuring ‘Picture You’ by Chappell Roan, beautifully captured the perfect illusion of her yearning for Benedick with stunning imagery, charged with passionate emotion.

Well done to the cast and crew for tackling the beast that is Shakespeare and giving the audience a vulnerable yet hilarious interpretation of these beloved characters.