All this week, University of Oxford student company Such is Life Productions are in the cosy Burton Taylor Studio for their mature rendition of John Osbourne’s cutting-edge play, Look Back in Anger. This stunning company proves that, despite being written and set in the 1950s, the first-ever 'kitchen sink drama' remains highly relevant in today's society - so I urge you to go and see it.
The play contains only four cast members, resulting in a heavy weight placed on each one to maintain the energy required and deliver all of Osbourne’s impactful dialogue. Luckily, they each carry this weight as if it were as light as a feather and create what could easily be a professional play, if I didn’t know otherwise.
Centering around the rough, frustrated, working class Jimmy, Look Back in Anger explores the placidity of domestic life. Lorcan Cudlip-Coon’s excellent portrayal of this immensely difficult character showcases how Jimmy can be viewed as both a hero and a villain, toying with the audience’s emotions throughout. Lorcan is completely in control of this character; constantly absorbed in Jimmy’s mind and way of presenting himself, proving to be an exemplary character actor.
The turbulent marriage of Jimmy and Alison has the whole audience on the edge of our seats, eagerly watching the ferocity of this pair like hungry puppies waiting for food. A considerable juxtaposition between Jimmy’s unpredictable and hectic nature and Alison’s fragile, partially broken character is exquisitely achieved, as the two complement each other brilliantly. Safiyah Zanabi’s Alison is gentle and bruised, yet she has the ability to shock us when we least expect it. I wouldn’t be surprised to see either of these two young actors in professional shows in the next few years, where I will proudly boast that I saw them in Oxford first!
A high level of professionalism is achieved by this company, even from before the performance has started, when the actors are onstage already and are fully engrossed in the actions of their characters. The set remains the same throughout and helps to add to the overall realistic mood, to the extent that we gradually forget that it isn’t a real apartment.
Directed by Tay Drummond, the cast make wonderful use of the space and bounce off each other exceptionally well. Tom Hamp’s Cliff has convincing, charming chemistry with Alison, producing an extremely likeable character. His interactions with others feel genuine and his Welsh accent, assuming it isn’t real, is very impressive.
The final character we meet is Helena, played by Sian Lawrence with fire and sass. Sian conveys an authentic and strong Helena with great success whilst providing what I would argue is the biggest shock of the entire play, summoning gasps from throughout the audience.
At the end of the evening, we are left to ponder Osbourne’s complex ideas about the turmoil of society and the vast issues within domestic life, brought to life admirably well by Such is Life Productions.