A parade of merchant-class Jacobean Londonites, baskets of fruits and veggies on heads, begins this "city play" that settles down in Goldsmiths Row, where Touchstone has two apprentices: honest, hard-working Golding (proper but achromic James Tucker) and ambitious carouser Quicksilver (aptly silly Billy Carter). Likewise, the Touchstone daughters differ. Modest Mildred (lovely brunette Shelly Conn) is of fine character, a good match for her father to give Golding, whom he then releases from servitude. Not just Amanda Drew's red hair bounces as her scarlet-clad Gertrude hogs downstage center and claims she "would be a lady." She's a pushover for Sir Petronel Flash (slick Michael Matus), who's after her inheritance but wins her by promising his castle (actually in the air).
Meanwhile, Quicksilver, fired, will get even -- and money -- by getting Security, a scoundrel, to lend money for an escape to Virginia by Petronel, who'll hand over his wife's land. Now the financial seductions give way to sexual ones. It's hard to keep the cuckolds straight! After raucous partying, the baddies take off for America, only to be stopped on the Isle of Dogs by a storm that also nearly overcomes the audience in its ferocity! Not only do cheats lose their fortunes, but they receive a trial with poetic justice. For stalwart Golding is now an Alderman and their judge.
As for Gertrude, she may seem a bit harshly dealt with by today's standards, though it's a relief to see her bouncing stop. And that's true of the comedy as a whole, right up to the predictable but prolonged satisfying of Touchstone by generous Golding. Arguably, three authors (of which Jonson was probably responsible for so many humor-based characters) spoiled an already hearty broth with too much additional seasoning.
Does the music also enhance or prolong the proceedings? On the positive side, a feeling for life among non-royals of old in a great city is conveyed by a fine acting ensemble. The design is handsome too and must have impressed more in the close-up views offered at The Swan. But the script is awfully light for such a long and sometimes weighty production.
