Have seen pretty much all the 2008-2020 Shakespeare Globe productions available. A vast majority of them are good and more, with some real absolute gems (i.e. 2016's 'The Merchant of Venice', 2012's 'Much Ado About Nothing') and even the weakest ones (2010's 'Romeo and Juliet' for example) are watchable. Am relatively unfamiliar with 'The Two Noble Kinsmen' and my opinion of it is that it is an erratic play and not one of the most inspired mixes of comedy and tragedy from Shakespeare, but it is still a good deal of fun.
On the most part, this 2018 production is that too. Did find it a lot of fun on the whole, well performed and never dull, but found it more lacking in the more dramatic elements of the material and that there were a few missed opportunities. As far as the 2008-2010 Shakespeare Globe filmed productions go, this 'The Two Noble Kinsmen' is not one of the best. While also not being one of the worst. Full potential may not be fully realised here, but there is also a huge amount to like about the production.
Am going to list the many good things first. It is on the whole very well performed, with particularly strong work from Francesca Mills, Bryan Dick and Paul Stocker. The comic timing is often off the charts in a good way. When it comes to the comedy, the production for me was a near-triumph which was essential for a production that is pretty much played for laughs. The pace is thick and fast in a very busy production and the comedy, which is already very funny in the dialogue, is delivered with joyous brio and hilarious comic timing. All without being too broad or too vulgar, easy to do when overplayed (which none of the cast do). It is especially good in the rapport between Palamon and Arcite.
Visually, it looks lovely. Simple yet enchanting-looking and not relying on lots of spectacle and glitz to make an impression. Captured very well by the intimate yet not static video direction. The stage direction is always done in good taste and is tremendously energetic, loved the choreography like in the very imaginatively done fight scene which was the clear highlight of an otherwise disappointingly done climax.
Not everything works though. The tragic, more dramatic elements felt under-cooked and too neglected in favour of the comedy, like the production was going for the energy and humour but had lost a little too much of the heart. The climax on the whole really lacks tension and not enough is done to make one care properly for the characters individually.
Did also find Emilia rather badly under-directed, like in some scenes that are otherwise quite busy she is not given much to do and in the worst instances practically nothing. Ellora Torchia tries her best and manages some affecting moments but too often looks too lonely and uncertain and that is definitely a directing issue in my view.
Overall, good fun but could have been more. 7/10.
