Notices for Cardenio, Maynardville Open Air Theatre January – March 2013Produced by Artscape, Directed by Roy Sargeant

“Francis Chouler, blessed with the role of the wicked Fernando, dominates the play; his performance as ensnaring as a snake’s hypnotic stare. For Chouler, this play has afforded him an opportunity to sparkle, which he seizes with robust enjoyment.”

- John Caviggia, broadcast on FMR 18-01-2013

“Chouler presents a thoroughly distasteful, vile and wicked Fernando. His noxious behaviour is so believable that his final apology seems out of character after the base nature of his perfidy throughout the piece.”

- Tracey Saunders, Cape Times

“Francis Chouler’s Fernando, filled with menace and glimpses of a tyrant in the making, provides a pivot for the rest of the cast to react to…The pairing of Armand Aucamp (Cardenio) with Francis Chouler (Fernando) heightens the production as a whole. They were last seen together in Mary and the Conqueror (Artscape Spring Drama Season 2011). The chemistry between these actors seems to spur them on to greater performances.”

- Clifford Graham, Artslink.co.za 01/16/2013

“The story may revolve around, but the spotlight is clearly stolen by the flamboyant villain, Fernando (Francis Chouler). Chouler succeeds in making everyone shudder from head to toe.”

Originally written in Afrikaans: “Hoewel die verhaal eintlik om Cardenio (Armand Aucamp) wentel, is die een wat die kollig steel die flambojante booswig, Fernando (Francis Chouler). Chouler slaag uitstekend daarin om almal te laat gril van kroontjie tot toontjie.”

- Marina Griebenow, Die Burger

www.francischouler.co.za