GRATIANO Bakehouse Theatre Until 03 Feb 2018 Review by Doug Phillips A tip for those who are planning to see Ross Ericson in “Gratiano”…brace yourself! This show has a bit of kick to it. Ericson’s characters have bite, and he carries the whole performance by himself for a captivating 60 minutes of confidently delivered theatre. Another tip: be early. Those who seated themselves seconds before the play commenced denied themselves time to read the supplied brief, designed to provide backstory and context to the material. The writing is excellent, and the delivery is strong. Ericson encapsulates the characters completely and is wholly committed to each part. Ericson commands the stage and his audience is entirely absorbed in his portrayal. With nothing more than a chair and a bottle, Ericson draws us in to an engaging and fascinating story that will leave you pondering well after the final act. A lot of Shakespeare adaptations miss the mark. This one doesn’t. And if Shakespeare isn’t your thing, it’s still worth checking “Gratiano” out. Perhaps just take some time to familiarise yourself with the subject matter first. “Gratiano” is a powerful, politically charged commentary that will remain relevant for a long time yet. It’s not for everyone, but it is for those seeking extremely well written works delivered by an actor who has mastered the art of completely becoming the character. Rating: 3.5 Stars (out of 5)