Comedy, love and a bit with a dog is what the audience wants and needs as Metro Theatre presents Shakespeare In Love: The Play. Based on the 1998 film written by Marc Norman and Tom Stoppard and adapted for the stage by Lee Hall this production runs until April 25.
Faced with writer’s block, William Shakespeare cannot complete his new play “Romeo and Ethel, the Pirate’s Daughter” despite having promised it to two different impresarios. Soon he meets his muse, a theatre-loving Viola de Lesseps who’s passion for prose leads her to disguise herself as a man in order to tread the boards. In typical Shakespearean comedy fashion what follows is a series of mistaken identity, star-crossed lovers, cross-dressing and play within a play and in this case plenty of easter eggs to Shakespeare’s original works.
The moment patrons walk into the house, they can tell something extraordinary lay ahead. Met with an exceptional set by designer Omanie Elias, that could have been torn from the backstage of the historic Globe Theatre. Bedecked lavish period costumes by Joelle Wyminga with assistance from Bard on the Beach a quartet of wandering minstrels Janavi Chawla, Thomas McLeod, Nico Pante and Toby Verchere, stroll on to stage to set the scene.
Director Sarah Rodgers leads an outstanding cast; starring, as Will, Jacob Leonard who brings incredibly compelling leading man charisma and presence to the the stage. Coincidentally, Leonard played in last summer’s brilliant retro Two Gentlemen of Verona at Bard on the Beach, which is one of the plays within this play.
Cassie Unger is charming and brings vibrant energy to the stage as both Viola de Lessep and her alter-ego Thomas Kent. Countering Leonard and Unger’s uplifting energy, is the dark cloud of Vincent Keats’ misogynistic Earl of Wessex, Viola’s intended. Liz Connor’s Nurse offers care for Viola and comedy for the production, while Akshaya Pattanayak as Kit Marlowe provides sage advise to Will despite being a competing playwright.
In a small but integral turn, Chris McBeath brings her Queen Elizabeth I a most regal air that would make Dame Judi Dench proud. Equally small but mighty is Simon Webb’s Henslowe echoing Geoffrey Rush’s comedic Oscar-nominated portrayal. Thomas McLeod and Jordon Navratil bring bold star power to their swashbuckling stage rivals Ned Alleyn and Burbage. As the precocious, young Webster, Marcus Jebara is a stand-out in the role he shares with Aubrey Morgan. Also sharing a role are Stella, an Australian Sheepdog and Pumpkin, a Pembroke Welsh Corgi who performed ‘…a bit with a dog’ in the showing we viewed. Too many to mention, the entire supporting cast complete the picture perfect puzzle that makes up Shakespeare in Love: The Play.
While the Academy Award-winning film was a fan favourite, Metro Theatre’s Shakespeare In Love: The Play, is a feel-good comedy that will keep you coming back for more. Don’t miss your chance to laugh with this outstanding cast and creative team before it closed April 25, 2026 at Metro Theatre, 1370 Marine Drive SW. For tickets and showtimes, including Audience Talk Back on April 10 and April 19 or Audience Sing A Long on April 17, visit metrotheatre.com