. the company .
Act V Theatre Company was founded in 1995 by Jonathan Jones, Kenneth Bell and Marc Danbury to perform the works of Classical playwrights.
The performance of Shakespeare is at the centre of our repertoire – conceptually, imaginatively and balancing modern naturalistic acting with the heightened language of the text, our aim is to “hold a mirror up to nature”.
The company’s productions include ‘Twelfth Night’, ‘King Lear’, ‘Hamlet’, ‘The Rape of Lucrece’, ‘Richard II’, Ben Jonson’s ‘The Alchemist’, Mike Leigh’s modern classic ‘Abigail’s Party’ and ‘The Lesson’ by Eugene Ionesco.
Reviews for past productions
“Bravura performances … impressive … authentic music … combined talents succeeded in lending one of Shakespeare’s most popular comedies a truly authentic feel … a chance to enjoy.”
‘Twelfth Night’ – Bath Chronicle, 1995
“This is a gripping, articulate and … moving production … with two formidably virile and brutal performances from Marc Danbury and Kenneth Bell.”
‘King Lear’ – The Stage, 1996
“Three talented performers … dramatised Shakespeare’s passionate narrative poem … a compelling combination of live action and reflective narration … proves simple irresistible.”
‘The Rape of Lucrece’ – Bristol Evening Post, 2000
“Act V has already won wide ranging approval for bold productions of Hamlet, King Lear and the Rape of Lucrece … a truly virtuoso performance by Act V founder member Kenneth Bell .. in Ionesco’s terrifying glimpse of the abuse of human rights under Nick Benson’s pacey and full frontal direction.”
‘The Lesson’ – The Stage, 2001
“Act V manage to succeed by delivering a crisp, uncluttered and scaled down text with truthful and intelligent performances.”
‘Richard II’ – Venue Magazine, 2003