Upstart Crows

On the cusp of a new era, with the Mystery Plays and their ilk rapidly losing their appeal to a Renaissance generation, Christopher Marlowe’s new plays cause consternation and then delight in the world of the playhouses. These effects are explored in this play by Michael Punter, which also examines Marlowe's involvement in monarchical politics that ultimately brought about his demise.

Juggling these themes, Upstart Crows attempts to cover a lot of ground on a fascinating subject in a relatively short space of time. The Young Pleasance company are talented actors and, despite some stilted performances, rise to the challenge. Their ensemble work is slick, the set creatively manipulated to create alehouses, theatres and interrogation rooms, and they perform with great gusto and conviction. The breadth of subject matter causes problems, however, with some of the more hard-hitting scenes rushed through. As a result, some of the commentary on the "playing" aspect of Renaissance society outside the stage that is reflected in the theatre by Tamburlaine and Doctor Faustus occasionally blusters into cliché due to lack of time for elaboration.

This aside, Upstart Crows both entertains and informs. A particularly beautiful moment occurs when—heaven forbid—a woman takes the stage for the first time to rapturous applause. With a beautifully realised set and costumes, this production shows a playful theatrical awareness and a keen sense of the historical importance of the Renaissance theatre.