The Two Gentlemen of Verona, The Mermaid Inn Rye

Four Lovers, Three Clowns, Two Rings and One Dog … The Two Gentlemen of Verona is Shakespeare’s original comedy! Valentine of Verona embarks on a journey to Milan, his best friend Proteus following in his footsteps despite leaving his fiancée Julia behind. But what befuddlement and trouble will be set in motion when both gents fall in love with Silvia in Milan? Julia, disguised as a man follows the gents but will she like what she finds as Proteus does everything in his power to sabotage Valentine despite Silvia’s rejection?

Believed by many to be Shakespeare’s earliest, the play contains all the iconic elements one would expect in a romantic comedy - love letters, disguises, poetry, music, situational slap-stick humour and even a trip to the woods! The play clearly meshes original ideas and characters that can be found in the Bard’s later works – Twelfth Night, As You Like It, A Midsummer Night’s Dream and Romeo & Juliet would be just to name a few! A rarely performed piece, this short, zippy, energetic, slap-stick powerhouse of surprises packs a wallop which is not to be missed! 

Bowler Crab became the official resident theatre company of The Mermaid Inn in 2017. The Rye based 600 year old inn (known for having Shakespeare’s company visit them in 1597) today hosts Bowler Crab’s performances year round. as our most popular indoor venue.