May 20, 2008
I am at a loss to know what to say about this production. It is a play that very rarely makes it to the stage – and on the evidence of what I have just witnessed, I can see exactly why. It may have virtues that are appreciable at an academic level but as a play that should be seen by an audience it is almost beyond redemption. It is a self-absorbed, overly-indulgent attempt at an anglicized version of Chekhov and fails on so many levels. Chekhov was able to tread the fine line between comedy and tragedy whilst maintaining interest in and sympathy for the characters. Shaw – in this play – was clearly unable to reach the same heights.
Now, I know that as a reviewer I should focus on what was done with the play – but when the source material is such that I was looking at my watch within the first thirty minutes of the start of the action it is the play that is the thing.
There are some laudable performances – Jack Chedburn is his usual affable and likeable self, Paul Tosio makes the most out of the limited opportunities afforded him by the script and Hanan Abdalla gives a mature and interesting interpretation of Hesione. As a group, however, the cast is not able to overcome the short-comings of the text. Maybe, it might work as a piece of theatre if you were able to employ the top character actors in the country – but it would be because of their efforts rather than as a result of the eloquence and skill of the playwright.
The direction is frequently unclear – poor blocking decisions and inconsistent approaches to characterisation and style mean that the flaws in the play are highlighted rather than concealed. The set and costumes, whilst clearly ambitious, fail to deliver quite what is required of them. This is often the way with productions in the OFS, which is a difficult space; however a better attempt at working within the limitations could have been made.
I always feel bad when having to give a production a bad review – but I really could not advise anyone to make the effort to go along to witness this production. A review is only ever an opinion but I do feel that it would be unfair of me to offer any recommendation other than to seek out alternative theatrical entertainment. I commend the cast for sticking to the task set them – I just wish they had been involved in another play.
Now, I know that as a reviewer I should focus on what was done with the play – but when the source material is such that I was looking at my watch within the first thirty minutes of the start of the action it is the play that is the thing.
There are some laudable performances – Jack Chedburn is his usual affable and likeable self, Paul Tosio makes the most out of the limited opportunities afforded him by the script and Hanan Abdalla gives a mature and interesting interpretation of Hesione. As a group, however, the cast is not able to overcome the short-comings of the text. Maybe, it might work as a piece of theatre if you were able to employ the top character actors in the country – but it would be because of their efforts rather than as a result of the eloquence and skill of the playwright.
The direction is frequently unclear – poor blocking decisions and inconsistent approaches to characterisation and style mean that the flaws in the play are highlighted rather than concealed. The set and costumes, whilst clearly ambitious, fail to deliver quite what is required of them. This is often the way with productions in the OFS, which is a difficult space; however a better attempt at working within the limitations could have been made.
I always feel bad when having to give a production a bad review – but I really could not advise anyone to make the effort to go along to witness this production. A review is only ever an opinion but I do feel that it would be unfair of me to offer any recommendation other than to seek out alternative theatrical entertainment. I commend the cast for sticking to the task set them – I just wish they had been involved in another play.